24 — Friday. February 19, Siar 6: Bob Mackin Contributing Writer STEVE Monteith and Vic Wayne are relaxing over mugs of beer at the Black Bear Pub in Lynn Velley after a Saturday night rehearsal with their band, Star Collector. ~Having been in two bands that played a bit and almost got there —- but did- n't quite make the big time —— it’s been 4 real relief for us to take a different approach,” savs Wayne, Star Collector's North Vancouver-based singer/gui- tarist, It's the “George | Costanza approach.” he says, referring to the Seinfeld character who decided to take a new approach to life in one episode. “We're going to do the exact oppa- site of everything we did before, just to sce what hap pens,” according to Wayne. Wayne and guitarist" Monteith (plus bassist Rob Medic and drummer Rene Lafleur) are raking a methodical, restrained approach this time. For six years, Monteith and Wayne were principal members of State of Mind and its successor, Dear God. The two hard-working inde- pendent bands released one album each and racked-up almost 200 gigs. Dear God even did two cross-Canada tours. Monteith moved to Victoria in the wake of Dear God’s 1994 demise. Wayne didn’t lay the foundation for Star Collector until 1996 when he began writing songs with Dave Lawson, a childhood buddy from Edmenton. During their teens, Wayne and Lawson played together as the generically named Mods. But their Star Collector partnership fizzled and Lawson returned to Alberta in summer of 1997, Monteith reappeared on the mainland just in time to fill the vacancy and finish recording. “When Steve got into the project, he said let’s just get NTS Rooents & Buss} 10% off until Feb ase a Orcaniz TREATMENT “Guaranteed 5 yea Family Operoted since reo 1934 Dr. Mies Price 1999 — Norh Shore News back to the stuff we grew up on and play what we love. Who cares abour all the pos- ing that goes on out there aad all the trends,” savs Wayne. Monteith, who hails trom the southeast B.C. town of Wasa, was weaned ona steady diet of 1970s AM radio classics by Eddie Money and Boston. Warne, meanwhile, was among Edmonton's tight-knit crew of parka-wearing, Vespa-rid- ing mods who were fascinat- ed with the music and fash- ion of mid-1960s5 England. At the height of she med revival in 1982, Warne few to Vancouver to cateh a Kerrisdale Arena concert by the Jam. It was the same weekend as his high school zraduation. “We met them after the soundcheck and they signed some stuff for us. Then we went over te McDonald's and ae our garbage. When we got back, we realized that we had lost their auto- graphs. We were kicking ourselves,” he recalls. “We went to the concert, had a great time. At the end of the night they fet us back into the dressing roums to meet them and thev re- signed everything.” On Star Collector's 12- song debut, Deste Model 256, one encounters some elements of the Jam, the Who, the Kinks, and even a hint of the Monkees; the band's name is the tide of the “pre-fab four’s” paean to groupies. Wayne produced the album himself, but enlisted Chris “Sleepy J” Vaughan- Jones as engineer, A chance meeting at a Vancouver stu- NEWS photo Paul McGrath STAR Collector {Vic Wayne, Rene Lafleur and Steve Monteith) play a soundcheck for a gig at Subeez Restaurant. On Friday, Feb. 26 they wiil play at the Vancouver Press Club, 2215 Granvilie St. dio during a Star Collector session fed to mixing by GGGarth Richardson. He’s well-known for his work with Rage Against the Machine, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Rusty. “We had this old bear up early °70s 'ox amp and GGGarth saw it and said how much do you want for it?,” Wayne savs. The band politely declined the offer and Richardson lett. Warne savs Vaughan-Jones “To you know who that was? GGGarth Richardson, he’s a world famous producer, he'd tike to buy that amp.” Star Collector happily parted with the amp in exchange for Richardson‘s mixing wizardry, He ended up using the amp extensively when he recorded 54-40’s Since When album. For now, Demo Model 256 is available only on Star AN EXTRAORDINARY WALKING & SIGHTSEEING HOLIDAY JERSEY ¢ GUERNSEY ¢ SARK The delightful Channel islands are a treasure trove of holidays delights. For walkers, the islands offer variety end dramatic beauty. foe e ees eae dae CEU EUS SVU USSU RUS NCCC YUL YEN TS gives sturt away, cheesy door prizes for one and all,” such as hockey cards or dusty old Styx LPs. “You never know what you can win at a Star Collectur show!” Wayne savs the band likes to make each show an event, with lighthearted between- song banter, frequent ces- tume changes and kitschy door prizes. “We're the band that Collector’s Web site and at its can- corts. The band debuted live late last year and plays its fourth gig Feb, % at the Vancouver Press Club. While the British Columbia Automobile association is experiencing same labour disruption at unionized offices, ail offices are apen for business. BCSA's emergency road service is net affected Sy this disruption. Your PARK ROYAL office is OPEN FROM 10 2.M. TO 4 PM. MONDAY TO SATURDAY to serve you with: e travel services ¢ automobiie Insurance services e membership services Your PARK & TILFORD office Is OPEN FROM 10 A.M. TO 4 P.M. MONDAY THROUGH SUNDAY. e all services are available We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this Jabour disruption may cause and we want to reassure our members and customers throughout the province that BCAA is committed to meeting their needs. BCAA Is working towards a contract that Is reasonable and fair for Its employees, and affordable for the association, its members and customers. we tee, CCL AEE ENC ELS CUNEO CCST EN TEU TUE