King roots anchor local band Elmer’s Lane

June 25, 2014 · 0 Comments

By Mark Pavilons
“Lend me your ears and I’ll sing you a song,
And I’ll try not to sing out of key,
Oh I get by with a little help from my friends,
Mm going to try with a little help from my friends …”
When close friends get together, fun usually ensues.
When friends with talent combine forces, the results can be amazing.
Members of King-rooted Elmer’s Lane have known one another since high school. Theirs is a bond that has not only withstood the test of time, but has grown, matured and evolved into a musical ensemble that you have to witness to believe.
Hot off a well received performance at the successful King City Craft Beer and Food Truck Festival, band members have no visions of grandeur of playing to thousands of screaming fans. They definitely deserve it, and have the talent to back it up, but for them it’s all about passion for music and lifelong friendship.
They’ve built upon a solid foundation and the largely self-taught musicians have honed their gifts. It would seem to be a no-brainer, but the relationship and on-stage magic they create through Elmer’s Lane has only come together in the last three years.
Maybe it was fate or destiny that brought everything full circle and resulted in the current lineup.
There are no egos to bruise and everyone shines, sharing the spotlight and responsibilities. They have each other’s backs in every sense.
While they all boast decades of experience, it has all led to the basement of one member’s home, where they meet and rehearse every Friday. To them, TGIF takes on a whole new meaning.
Elmer’s Lane consists of Ken Ceh (bass and vocals), Charlie Meadus (drums and vocals), Rob Tully (vocals, percussion and harmonica), Romano (Mano) Del Tin (vocals and rhythm guitar), Joan Del Tin (vocals and tambourine) and Tony Lebar (lead guitar). Combined, they could write a book about their musical experiences and evolution since the 1970s. Their roots are like the very roots of classic and southern rock – raw, emotional expression.
It was a reunion at King City Secondary School that brought them together again.
Lebar was the last to join Elmer’s Lane and now the circle of friends is complete. He feels honoured to have been asked to complement the group.
Members bring each other up and it shows during their high-caliber performances. Forget what misconceptions you may have about “local bands,” Elmer’s Lane could compete with the best.
It’s because of their varied interests, styles and personalities that make them smooth, almost flawless. You feel it. The crowd at the King City Festival was on their feet moving to the beat. Drawing upon material from the Doobie Brothers, Neil Young and Led Zeppelin to The Guess Who, Genesis and Kim Mitchell, the band puts a new spin on some old favourites. They can play jazzy blues to country rock with ease, and slip into some hard rock.
This is a band with multiple singers, all of whom step up to the microphone to shine.
They are constantly trying new material, pushing the envelope and feeling good.
They currently perform at Wild Wing in Holland Landing and have played at parties, get-togethers and charity fundraisers.
They’re not it in for the money and everything they get is put back into equipment.
They will continue doing more of the same, while building their repertoire of originals, bringing new material to the surface. Members are feeling better now than when they were in their 20s, and with renewed passion.
Mano said they’ll play as long as they can, until they’re old and grey. “There’s no end to this,” he says with a smile.
It’s all about friendship and roots in King City. The name refers to a spot popular with teens in the 1970s and there are calls to name a new subdivision street in King Elmer’s Lane. “It represents us well,” Mano said.
Close ties. Fun times and hugs all around.
Not what you’d expect from seasoned rockers. But it’s what you expect from close friends.
For more on Elmer’s Lane, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ElmersLane.