Stickman is a Canadian rock band that consists of guitarist/vocalist Kim Whitford, bassist and backing vocalist Randall Taylor, and drummer Des Vegas. While their sound is heavily influenced by 90s/00s alternative rock and grunge, there is definitely an element of modern day hard rock, as well as nods to classic rock & roll.
I had fun interviewing the band. We discussed everything from influences to their songwriting process, what they love about playing live to their dream tour lineup. As you’ll see, the trio don’t always take themselves too seriously. Their talent and obvious enjoyment for what they do is what makes it work.
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Okay, first and foremost, how would you describe Stickman’s sound? If you had to actually use a genre label, what would it be?
Kim: Our sound is a blend of grunge, post-grunge and hard rock, with hints of 70s and 80s classic rock. Post-grunge is the label we identify with most.
Randall: Hard rock/Dad rock
How did the band form, and what’s the story behind the name?
Kim: Stickman was formed in 2017 by Randall and myself. Des joined in late 2017. All three members are long time school friends, who had either played in the same bands or bands that were associated with each other. The name Stickman came from a list of band names we were considering at the time and that was the one we liked best. Turns out the name is very marketable and well used, lol.
Randall: Kim and I have been in many bands together since the 90s. We had a new bunch of songs we wanted to record but didn’t have a drummer. Luckily, an old friend of ours from high school was jamming in the same rehearsal space and the space owners brought them together. Des Vegas joined and the “project” became a band. Stickman was on a long list of potential names. I just thought it looked cool to have a stickman as the “T” in the word, haha!
Who are the band’s main influences? I know late 90s/early 2000s, but who specifically?
Kim: Failure, Foo Fighters, Radiohead, Nirvana, Tool, AIC, Pink Floyd, Ocean Machine, Metallica, The Beatles
Randall: KISS, Alice In Chains, Failure, Black Sabbath
Des: Deftones, Mötley Crüe, Crosses, AIC
So, for you personally, what inspired you to get involved in music?
Des: I was around 10 years old and my brother Aaron was playing drums. I idolized him and I wanted to do what he did. He was really the reason I picked up a pair of sticks.
Kim: I’ve had a love of music since my earliest memories. Listening to KISS albums and studying the artwork. As I got older, exploring and discovering all the greats from all genres.
Randall: Two words – KISS Alive.
What is your favorite thing about playing music?
Des: My favorite thing about playing music is that moment when you’re on stage with your boys doing what you love and the audience responds. It’s another level.
Kim: Getting to put “my take” on music and putting it out to the universe. If someone else likes it, that’s great! If not, that’s great too!
Randall: Interaction with the crowd and being onstage. I have a strong desire to be performing in front of people.
Tell me a little bit about the latest single, “Sacrifice.” What was the inspiration for the song? (And side note: how do y’all decide which songs to release as singles?)
Kim: Inspiration comes in many forms and from many different sources. Musically, most ideas just come out when I pick up the guitar and play. I try to keep the lyrics ambiguous so they’re open to interpretation. This song is loosely based on my feelings towards social media and the obsessiveness of it. How some people will go to great lengths to get likes and followers. We decide to release songs that “work” and we all like them. By “work”, I mean it all makes sense, musically and lyrically.
And, still on the subject of your songs, what is the song writing and recording process like for Stickman?
Kim: I will typically record every idea I come up with. If it moves me in some way, I will flesh it out a bit before showing it to the guys. I will record a rough draft, with multiple parts and typically with drums and bass and whatever else added. We will then tear it apart and build it back up from there. There is usually a melody in mind early on, but lyrics tend to take a while in most instances.
Randall: Kim comes up with the bones of the song and then we flesh it out together in practice until we’re comfortable with all the parts. We’ve recorded in professional studios, but for the time being, Kim is acting as engineer and we’re recording all our new music ourselves.
All of you mentioned the live element as part of what you love most about music. Can you describe what a Stickman performance is like?
Des: For me, each performance is an event. I play like I’m at a giant stadium playing the last show of my career.
Kim: Our shows are more about the entertainment side of things. We have songs “run” into one another and add bits of other songs in between. We try to entertain instead of just going on stage and playing each song.
Randall: Surprisingly energetic for a bunch of old guys! Also, we like to keep a tight set. One song will lead to another, and even things like the tuning breaks and crowd “raps” are choreographed. We try to minimize the dead air. Quick and exciting!
When you’re writing/recording, do you think about how the songs will translate live?
Des: Yes, I always try to think about how I’ll play live. I usually try to play more solid beats while we record, so by the time we play live, I can really ramp it up with that live energy.
Randall: I do for sure! I’m always thinking about how the songs will be played live and how they will translate to each other in the set.
Kim: Definitely. Especially the singing aspect of it. I don’t want to complicate the performance by having the singing interfere with the guitar playing I do.
What are the band’s plans for 2023?
Des: I’m very excited to say we are in the early stages of writing the next record, and a big part of the next year will be working on that.
Kim: Get back to playing live shows and writing and starting to record our next record.
Randall: To play shows whenever possible and record a new full-length album.
What do you feel is the ultimate goal for Stickman?
Des: I really love that I get to be with my brothers, writing kick ass music. We play shows where and when we can. People show up and dig it. Man, that’s all I’ve ever wanted. I guess I’ve reached my goal, haha.
Kim: To continue doing what we do and help keep rock alive!
Randall: A band with a reasonable following that can be trusted to play any show and entertain – and to continue to release interesting and fun new original music.
Is there any band/artist you listen to that you think would surprise people?
Des: I listen to everything from Deftones to SADE, so ya, there’s probably a ton of stuff people would be surprised I listen to, lol.
Randall: I still like Nickelback. There, I said it.
What is your dream tour lineup that includes Stickman?
Des: Wow! Not sure what that would look like, but I would have loved to have had the opportunity to talk with Chris Cornell and Layne Staley, among many others.
Kim: A touring festival. Take a look at our influences and put them on the bill with us!
Randall: I don’t even need to say some big market arena tour. I think I’d be just as happy with a club tour through western Canada and the Pacific Northwest with a couple of other local bands that we’ve befriended over the years.
And lastly, is there anything you’d like to say to your fans, both new and old?
Des: I honestly love that you dig what we do. I could never thank those who support us enough.
Kim: Thank you for taking the time to listen to our music and giving us the chance to connect with you through our music.
Randall: Thanks for listening! We really do it for us in that we’re not trying to write to a trend or consumer group, but it’s nice when other people dig it, too.
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I highly suggest following Stickman on Facebook, etc., as well as your favorite streaming platform; from all that I’ve heard, this band is getting better with each song they release! I can only imagine what is coming in the future.
Check out their latest single, “Sacrifice,” and two of my personal favorites! (I couldn’t narrow it down to one.)
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