Longtime Windsor rock band climbs Billboard music charts with new song ‘Addicted To The Drug’
Ashes of Soma was a big local act when the band started 20 years ago.
But “life happened.”
The band members got new jobs, started families and touring and playing live shows was no longer possible.
“We just got older and I think it was time,” recalls drummer Paul Doman. “It was time to go and do different things. Everybody had a different job and then we just kind of moved on from there.”
However, Ashes of Soma never stopped playing. They never broke up. In fact, the band kept recording and collaborating in the studio.
Over the past decade, the popular Windsor rock band has laid down about 40 tracks, including “Addicted to the Drug” — a career resurgence — which has now popped up on the Billboard Chart.
“It was unreal. We debuted at 38. And I was ‘cool.’ Like we could have stayed at 38 and I would have been happy with it,” says Doman. “And we moved up to 36 and then 30. And now 25. People are liking it.”
Number 25 on the Billboard Chart, with loads of content in the can and ready to go.
“We have 10 more coming and I feel that they are better than that first single, so, we’ll put it out, just keep putting more and more out,” says Randy Gray, the lead singer.
Gray now operates a business and says touring “like back in the day” will be tough for the group, which now consists of five members: Randy Gray as lead vocalist, Mike Preney on guitar, Joel Bishop playing the bass, Paul Doman on the drums and Dave Creed as additional vocals.
But now boasting a taste of success, the band continues to write new songs and lay down tracks in their respective studios.
“Where music comes from, whether it's a gift from the gods, or you know, some magic that just drops in your head, as long as that magic can still keep happening and what drops in your head is relevant, or good quality and something that somebody wants to hear… As long as they'll still keep listening, we’ll keep showing up,” says Gray.
What makes recording music without much performing possible, according to Gray, is the digital music age and streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music.
“I think it's great and it's fun and it's great to see that we did it without a label and without all kinds of big money backers, which that's kind of like what you needed years ago,” says Gray. “Now you can kind of do it on your own.”
As for live shows, the band would like to make it happen, but time will tell.
“I think we’ve still got it,” says Doman.
“We’ll keep working away,” echoes Gray. “As long as people keep listening, we’ll keep putting it out.”
“Nothings done until it’s done.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.