Under the lights in the back room at Donaleigh's Irish Public House in downtown Barrie, local rock band Barstool Confession takes the stage, with patrons dancing along to their renditions of songs by The Rolling Stones, The Clash and The Tragically Hip.
The band, fronted by Buck Goodbrand, formed in 2018 on a whim with pal Paul Sadlon Jr.
Goodbrand, who had been away from playing music for more than 25 years, says he was more than happy to get back in the saddle again.
“We played in a garage for a while and did like every other band — put together 10 songs we could play that probably weren’t too good,” he tells BarrieToday.
“Somebody was having a birthday party in late 2018. We played the party and I guess that’s where we got the bug and just started playing gigs, and continued to work towards being a more structured band,” he says.
Barstool Confession consists of Goodbrand on guitar and vocals, Sadlon on guitar, Brian Fell on bass and and Jeff Hamilton behind the drums.
They have opened for such notable groups as Big Sugar, Lee Aaron and Teenage Head.
“It’s been kind of a neat to open for some big acts, as well as write our own music, produce our own music and get it out there,” says Goodbrand.
Goodbrand says COVID-19 helped them write their first album, as there was not much else to do with their time during lockdowns.
“We have our own studio, as we slowly built it (over that time), and we recorded six songs with producer Michael Jack,” he says.
The band also received some radio play and followed it up with a single in 2021.
“We also have many songs we have to get recorded,” Goodbrand says, “but with playing these live shows, it’s kind of hard to rehearse and record. We hope to have another EP release in the next six months.”
Time for recording isn’t all that easy with their separate lives
“We’re busy. We all work and do other things, so we try to fit it in and find a balance,” he says. “When we work and have families, playing a couple of gigs a month is pretty perfect for us. It’s nice to have the venues in Barrie to play at.”
Goodbrand retired in mid-December after 30 years with the Barrie Police Service.
“It was a great career. I loved it and wouldn’t change a thing. I’d do it all over again, but it’s time to try some different things while I still have energy,” he says.
Music is a full-time thing for Goodbrand now.
Along with the band, they also have a company called Loft Vegas Productions. They own a recording studio, and also mobilize stage, sound, and lighting — running the music for the Barrie Fair, and working with the Georgian Bay Festival, as they continue to grow the business.
But for Goodbrand, he says the gigs are the highlight.
“There is nothing better than playing live, and same goes for fans. When I look at myself as a music fan, I would rather go to a live show than stream it,” he says.
And what better way than to play along with pals.
“We’re all good buddies. We’re like a little brotherhood. We enjoy our time together,” says Goodbrand.
Barstool Confession’s original recording can be found on all the major online platforms.
The band also sells vinyl at their shows, “but we tend to get so busy at the gigs, we forget to bring them out to sell,” Goodbrand says with a laugh.
Their next show is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 26 at The Queens Hotel in downtown Barrie.
For more information about the band and its music, click here.
