The exciting and dynamic Vancouver-based band backing up the amazing Petunia that includes some of the best musical talents of Vancouver's Roots, Rockabilly and Western Swing scene! The album recorded in LA and mixed in Vancouver will be released early this fall, and will be preceded by at least one 45RPM vinyl single and some iTunes releases over the summer - watch for them! Please check out Petunia's website for more details and information about all his performances and touring dates. www.petuniamusic.com The band also recorded the song 'Cold Heart Breaker' for a musicFACT funded video being directed by Morgan Carrier. you can see it on the Petunia website, and on youtube. Petunia has been swingin', swoonin' and bringin' 'em into bars, churches, theatres, folk festivals and street corners for over ten years professionally. He has 7 CDs out. Recently touring in Europe, he also plays 150 shows/ year all over Canada and has begun touring into the USA last spring, with his band out of Vancouver, "The Vipers". PETUNIA & THE VIPERS play a wide variety of musical styles that meld into 'their own thing', although they draw heavy influence from the rockabilly and western swing end of the spectrum. In fact, they play a majority of Rockabilly and Western Swing styled music in their shows. Mostly, crowds cry out for Petunia originals though. The band members themselves are mostly from Rockabilly/ Western Swing heritage. They are: Jimmy Roy is a veteran LAPSTEEL GUITAR player, with over 50 years of playing professionally behind him. (Formerly with Ray Condo, and on/off with Big Sandy) Stephen Nikleva - has been playing as a pro for over 40 years on ELECTRIC GUITARS. Warmly known as the 'Maestro' to those who know and have heard him play, (also former member of the Ray Condo band, aside from having a diverse background playing behind and forming the sound for 'official' stars such as Sarah McLachlan) Marc L'Esperance - DRUMS & backing HARMONY VOCALS. From Jazz to Rockabilly to Folk to Blues, he's the fella with the groovy sticks and brushes that makes this band really swing. Sam Shoichet - UPRIGHT slapped BASS (Also on/off Bass player with Ray Condo) Petunia - ACOUSTIC guitar, VOCALS & sometimes yodeler. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Spending the early part of his career playing on street corners and subways of North America, Petunia has been a regular on the Canadian touring circuit, garnering a bigger and bigger fan base each time he crosses the country. Petunia & the Vipers had a music video come out last spring on Bravo Television of one of Petunia's own originally composed songs entitled, "Cold Heart Breaker" from Petunia's last CD release entitled "Petunia & the Loons". It was the #1 Independent CD release of the year across Canada on College Radio in the Folk/ Roots/ Blues category for 2007. Also out on Television this year was CBC's "Wild Roses" TV show, on which Petunia performed another song from the same CD, "The Cowboy Waltz", another Petunia original. Recently (December 2008), Petunia composed all of the songs for, and was the music director for the Caravan Farm Theatre production of "The Secret Sorrow of Hatchet Jack MacPhee". It also won rave reviews. He grew up in rural Ste, Dorothee, Laval, then mixed travel with living in Toronto for over ten years and resided in Fredericton for 3 years. He can still be reached via email. Various members of Petunia & the Vipers have been playing together over the last 7 years in different situations. There have been over ten different band members over that time frame making up varied incarnations. Petunia moved to Vancouver, BC two years ago. Hence, it has only been during the last two years that they have officially been playing as a band with the same band members and future considerations of touring the world. They are in the process of recording a CD for vinyl pressing, due out this year.