Zealots Desire

WOODSTOCK - A Woodstock-area band hopes their Kissin’ Time results in a lot of money for Toronto’s Sick Kids Hospital.

Rock band Zealots Desire is one of 11 indie bands that recorded a favourite Kiss song for a compilation CD to raise money for the Toronto hospital.

The CD, appropriately called Kissin’ Time, is being dubbed Canada’s tribute to Kiss, the American hard rock band famous for their elaborate live performances and stage makeup.

“First off, the proceeds are going to Sick Kids charity, and that’s first and foremost of everything else,” lead singer Josh Cunningham said. “It’s for the charity, but the thing that’s cool about this is that Kiss is actually pumping it online.”

Several international fan sites and even the official Kiss website have made mention of the CD being released Oct. 31.

Cunningham chose the Kiss song God Gave Rock N’ Roll To You because it spoke to the values of his own band.

“We’re very much about how good rock and roll can save the world. So it kind of fits with us,” he said.

Other indie bands on the CD include Gord Prior performing King of the Night Time World, Bobnoxious performing C’mon and Love Me, West Memphis Suicide interpreting War Machine, The Salads taking on Lick it Up and Sarah Smith singing Hard Luck Woman.

“There’s a lot of great artists on this and a lot of interest. The goal is to raise $10,000 for charity in the first year, and I think we’re definitely going to make it,” Cunningham said.

But as the band continues to raise its profile with projects like Kissin’ Time, drummer problems continue to the plague the predominantly Oxford County band.

Jason Garbutt, who had only been with Zealots Desire for about six months, decided to leave the band because of time commitment issues.

A new drummer, Dan Hunt, hailing from Burford, joined Cunningham, bassist Ryan Daniels and guitarist Jim Gilmar over the past few months.

“He was playing with another band. It was a mutual decision with no hard feelings. So we’re hoping lucky number 13 is the trick this time,” Cunnigham said with a laugh. “The chemistry between the four of us is uncanny. It’s really working,”

Currently, the group is working on a new two-disc CD. This time around, their release will include five songs performed electrically and then the same songs performed acoustically.

“There’s been a lot of demand for our stuff acoustically, and we don’t really have anything to give them,” he said.

Recordings are just finishing up now and a release date will come either at the end of this year or early next year, Cunnigham said.

The band, which resides in London, plans to be back in Woodstock for a show some time in early December at Good Time Charlies. The show will include performances by Bobnoxious and Clumsy.

Cunnigham advised fans to stay tuned to the band’s Facebook page and website for additional information.

To order a copy of Kissin’ Time go to kissintimecanadastributetokiss.bandcamp.com

tara.bowie@sunmedia.ca - Tara Bowie - Woodstock Sentinel Review

"Zealots Desire – comprised of guitarist and lead vocalist Joshua Cunningham, bassist Ryan Daniels, lead guitarist Matt Babineau and drummer Dan Hunt – have ingrained themselves as a staple in the regional music scene and, by and large, invoke the same loyalty, fervor and excitement from their fans that you’d expect from much more established artists.

It took almost no time for their signature hard-as-nails style of rock and roll to turn up the heat in the venue a few more notches, getting people off their seats and moshing on the dance floor reminiscent of much larger shows. Most notably along with the metal power chords and catchy hooks, lead vocalist Joshua Cunningham’s natural charisma and fun stage presence was outstanding and accentuated the entire performance.

When asked about the two bands opening up for the main event, co-organizer David Burrows remarked, “These are two above average bands who have bright futures in the music industry.”

Burrows added, “It’s an incredible honor to have these rising stars come out to support what we’re doing; and selflessly doing it on their own time and their own dime." - Lambton Shield

“Grab a dictionary, flip to the end pages, and you’ll find a zealot described as someone who’s strong opinioned and fanatical about it. Grab a moment with London’s Zealots Desire and you’ll find a rather polite, thoughtful person with strong opinions, best expressed in music.

Josh Cunningham is one such Zealot who’s rather pleased with how their music is winning over fans in London and, on occasions, parts further north, south, east, and west.” - Bob Klanac - The Beat Magazine

“Zealots Desire don’t disappoint with their newest single “Heed” – everything you love about their wicked blend of grunge and metal is there, including the trippy opening, the slamming guitar, and the awesome vocal range of Josh Cunningham - check it out! You’re missing out otherwise!” - Matt Nightingale - CHSR

“It’s always nice when a local band is on the cusp of a breakthrough, and I guarantee you’re going to be hearing a lot more about these guys. Elephant Stomp…I can’t stop listening to this; it is some welcome, nourishing, heavy rock and roll. It’s great meaty rock and roll; it’s so good, you guys should find a way to turn it into a sandwich that we can eat. Veiled under the crunching sound, your pounding drums, your soaring vocals, there is an underlying tapestry of classical music. You guys are the real deal.” - Steve Stax - Daytime London

“London, Ontario-based four-piece Zealots Desire play a style of music known as progressive grunge, and their fans are, of course, known as The Zealots. While the band’s album is currently in production, anticipation has been building with the release of a couple of excellent singles.” - Adam Morrison - ExploreMusic

“If you are planning to go to the big Helix concert on Saturday night at the Oxford Auditorium – get there early because what you really want to see is this great local band, Zealots Desire.” - Mark Schadenberg - Inside Oxford

“Zealots Desire, which includes Josh Cunningham, Ryan Daniels, Jim Gilmar and Ryan Eldridge, has been selected by Supernova as one of 16 bands from across Canada competing for the spot at the annual Live and Unsigned Music Festival on July 23. The band qualified for the vote by winning a regional battle of the bands competition held at the London (Ontario) Music Hall on June 4. That battle was one of six they’ve won so far this year.” - Hugo Rodrigues - Woodstock Sentinel Review

“In a way, Saturday’s show is just another example of the recent momentum for the self-described progressive grunge band. Since winning Last Band Standing in fall 2010, Zealots Desire has been on the kind of roll that most young bands would trade their bassist for. Last week, the band won another competition at London’s APK Live earning a performance slot at Toronto’s Hard Rock Café for Canadian Music Fest (Otherwise known as Canadian Music Week).” - Bruce Urquhart - Woodstock Sentinel Review

“Rock and Roll has a long and proud history of rebellion and hedonism – it has been an inspiration for the way people have lived their lives the way they wanted to, no matter who disapproved of the decisions they’d make. But in recent years, the spirit that has made rock and roll a cultural force has lost some of its zeal, and every now and again a band will emerge to prove to the people that the dream isn’t dead. Zealots Desire is a loud and stomping reminder of what rock and roll is all about. I assure you friends, the dream is still alive.” - Brent Swance and Steve Tanner - Point59.Productions

Zealots Desire from London, Ontario, impressed with an energetic performance of their progressive grunge. Singer Joshua Cunningham’s powerful voice is well supported by the full sound of this band. The song ELEPHANT STOMP and NAMELESS are great songs to see and hear live as the explosive energy of the songs is emphasized by the band’s powerful performance. For fans of progressive rock and grunge, Zealots Desire is a band to check out. - Melanie Schade - IndieSolo

By Bruce Urquhart Sentinel-Review

WOODSTOCK – The members of Zealots Desire were skeptical when first approached by the promoters of Saturday's Oxford Auditorium Helix concert.

Since winning Last Band Standing at Norma Jean's in Tillsonburg – and being rewarded with heavy rotation on London's FM96 – Zealots Desirers had heard promises from a few would-be promoters and less-than-legitimate industry types. But the band, despite this initial skepticism, decided to listen to the offer from Unfit Productions.

Josh Cunningham, Zealots Desire's lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist, was glad they did.

"This is going to be big," he said during a Monday interview. "They're really putting everything into it. This is one show that you don't want to miss."

When Cunningham learned the scale of Saturday's concert – the full-scale light show, projection screens and other arena trappings – he had no problem committing Zealots Desire to the opening slot.

"It's going to be flipping awesome," he said.

In a way, Saturday's show is just another example of the recent momentum for the self-described progressive grunge band. Since winning Last Band Standing in fall 2010, Zealots Desire has been on the kind of roll that most young bands would trade their bassist for. Last week, the band won another competition at London's apk live, earning a performance slot at Toronto's Hard Rock Cafe for Canadian Music Fest.

"It's a real busy week," Cunningham said.

Zealots Desire began in Woodstock about six years ago when Cunningham, bassist Ryan Daniels and a since-departed drummer began practising together. Eight drummers and one lead guitarist later, the band's lineup was finally settled with the addition of drummer Brian Eldridge and lead guitarist Jimmy Gilmar. The band, with the exception of Eldridge, has since relocated to London, looking to build support across southwestern Ontario with regular live shows and a growing Internet presence (www.zealotsdesire.com).

"We want to solidify our foothold here and then start travelling out," Cunningham said. "It's such a cutthroat industry – you need a solid foothold somewhere."

In the coming months, the band plans to work on its debut full length with producer Andre Doucette at the latter's Charterhouse Recording Studio. Cunningham, the band's main songwriter, said the eventual album would reflect recent efforts at the studio that resulted in Elephant Stomp and two other songs.

"For the first three days, we just had to lock ourselves in the studio to get the perfect sound," Cunningham said. "At the end of the three days, we put 53 hours in the studio."

The results can be downloaded for free from the band's website. Doucette, who spent those three days in the studio with the band, has become one of Zealots Desire's most vocal supporters.

"I would say (the music) has the movement of classical music with the riffing and energy of Nirvana on steroids," Doucette said.

Tickets for Saturday's show are available for $30 at the door or can be obtained in advance for $25 at the Record Works, Nethercott Printing, Universal Printing, Lady Godivas, Oxford Audidtorium or online at www.unfitproductions.com.

Who: Zealots Desire, opening for hard rock legends Helix

When: Saturday, March 12. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Where: Oxford Auditorium, 875 Nellis St., Woodstock - Sentinel Review