When I first met Paper Lions at their office in downtown Charlottetown they were quiet, polite and professional.
But when we all squeezed into my 2003 junker of a car, knock-kneed and ready for a roadtrip, the walls came down.
As they gave me directions to their tiny town of Belfast, P.E.I. they joked about playing “music” as teenagers, learning not to fight while touring and how surprised they are they haven’t killed each other yet. Along the way they pointed out favourite stomping grounds – the community store, the tin can hockey rink, a spooky barn – and they told stories about being reckless kids. By the time we pulled up to John and Rob’s dad’s church they were acting like they were 12-year-olds again.
The guys barely said hi to their dad before bolting through the pews and straight to the bell tower. Inside it was dark, dusty and the ancient wooden ladders creaked as we hefted our bodies to the top. As they popped their heads up into the vista, they all went silent for a minute, taking in the scenery of their youth.
Most of them said it was only the second or third time they’d ever been to the top – and the first time as the whole band.
John said the last time he was up he was with his now wife, on a first date when he was 19.
They joked about playing against their drummer in a battle of the bands in high school, and still don’t agree on who actually won.
These four guys are genuine friends who have been through it all together and it was a blast to take a trip down memory lane with them.
You can read more about this group of friends in our fall issue.
Need to get an issue? You can catch the Mixtape crew selling subscriptions this weekend on Saturday, October 26 at the POP EXPO at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax. Or subscribe here.