Retro Rock, Rockabilly, Country & Blues
If you believe in the old adage that “Good things are worth waiting for,” then Rebel Spirit stands as proof positive that the saying is true.
This five-piece band from Thunder Bay can trace its origins back to 1983, when John Olynick was in the Thunder Bay Barbershop Chorus. John has always enjoyed singing and playing guitar in equal measure, so it wasn’t long before he started staying behind after practices with some of the other members, so that they could work up songs with the accompaniment of the guitar. “We’ve always enjoyed looking for older songs that we can put our own stamp on,” says John.
A few years later, lead singer Brian Bodnarchuk, who had been performing as a Buddy Holly tribute artist, joined the group and the seeds of the band really started to grow. After a few incarnations that saw line-up and name changes, Rebel Spirit emerged as a band that performed a mix of rock & rockabilly, country and blues – all performed in the style of Rock and Roll’s early “Rebels.”
Trevor Hurtig joined in 2007, after a chance invitation to come to a band practice. “I wasn’t sure if they were looking for a keyboardist or rhythm guitarist,” says Trevor. “I brought both instruments and came ready to sing. That formula just seemed to fit.”
From that point, Rebel Spirit quickly established itself on the local and regional music scene, by regularly performing at the CLE Fair, The Nipigon Blueberry Blast, and The Dryden Fair, along with numerous corporate events, fundraisers, parties, and the occasional bar show.
Randy Hyvarinen keeps the beat rock solid on the drums. Randy is arguably the most daring member of the band. When not drumming, Randy is a 25+ year City Fire Fighter, and is also a High Angle Rescue Technician. He also plays country slide guitar, and enjoys rock climbing, mountain/snow biking, skiing, back country hiking, camping and canoeing. Randy played drums as a kid, and also played guitar and bass with the "Friends and Neighbors Band" in the 1980s. He was inspired to play drums again when his daughter started drumming for a band called "Druncle", when she lived in Vancouver. "He answered a call for talent (drummer) ad that we posted, and everyone knew right away that we had found our new band mate,"said John, Brian and Trevor in unison.
Dave Dejardine is the newest member of the band, and completes the rhythm section on bass guitar. He also adds his wide vocal range to the group on both lead and backing vocals. Dave was invited to join the band when he came to watch one of his Dad's guitar lessons with John, and ended up staying and jamming long after his Dad's lesson was over.
Brian’s classic lead vocals, combined with the vintage tone of John’s guitar, combine to instantly transport you on a retro time travel through the 50s and 60s. The band has fine-tuned their approach, and continues to pay homage to the unmistakable musical style of the “Rebels” from the 50s, 60s, and more! A Rebel Spirit show often includes a wide variety of “retro” music from Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Wilson Pickett, Sam Cooke, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, along with CCR, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys and more. You may even catch a few modern, but vintage sounding, songs thrown in for good measure.
Join Rebel Spirit, as they take you on a retro rock & rockabilly, country & blues adventure that begins in the 50s, and continues through the ages.
John Olynick – Lead Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals
Brian Bodnarchuk – Lead Vocals
Trevor Hurtig – Keyboard, Guitar, Vocals
Randy Hyvarinen – Drums & Percussion
Dave Dejardine – Bass Guitar, Vocals
www.reverbnation.com/rebelspirit
Facebook /rebelspiritband
This five-piece band from Thunder Bay can trace its origins back to 1983, when John Olynick was in the Thunder Bay Barbershop Chorus. John has always enjoyed singing and playing guitar in equal measure, so it wasn’t long before he started staying behind after practices with some of the other members, so that they could work up songs with the accompaniment of the guitar. “We’ve always enjoyed looking for older songs that we can put our own stamp on,” says John.
A few years later, lead singer Brian Bodnarchuk, who had been performing as a Buddy Holly tribute artist, joined the group and the seeds of the band really started to grow. After a few incarnations that saw line-up and name changes, Rebel Spirit emerged as a band that performed a mix of rock & rockabilly, country and blues – all performed in the style of Rock and Roll’s early “Rebels.”
Trevor Hurtig joined in 2007, after a chance invitation to come to a band practice. “I wasn’t sure if they were looking for a keyboardist or rhythm guitarist,” says Trevor. “I brought both instruments and came ready to sing. That formula just seemed to fit.”
From that point, Rebel Spirit quickly established itself on the local and regional music scene, by regularly performing at the CLE Fair, The Nipigon Blueberry Blast, and The Dryden Fair, along with numerous corporate events, fundraisers, parties, and the occasional bar show.
Randy Hyvarinen keeps the beat rock solid on the drums. Randy is arguably the most daring member of the band. When not drumming, Randy is a 25+ year City Fire Fighter, and is also a High Angle Rescue Technician. He also plays country slide guitar, and enjoys rock climbing, mountain/snow biking, skiing, back country hiking, camping and canoeing. Randy played drums as a kid, and also played guitar and bass with the "Friends and Neighbors Band" in the 1980s. He was inspired to play drums again when his daughter started drumming for a band called "Druncle", when she lived in Vancouver. "He answered a call for talent (drummer) ad that we posted, and everyone knew right away that we had found our new band mate,"said John, Brian and Trevor in unison.
Dave Dejardine is the newest member of the band, and completes the rhythm section on bass guitar. He also adds his wide vocal range to the group on both lead and backing vocals. Dave was invited to join the band when he came to watch one of his Dad's guitar lessons with John, and ended up staying and jamming long after his Dad's lesson was over.
Brian’s classic lead vocals, combined with the vintage tone of John’s guitar, combine to instantly transport you on a retro time travel through the 50s and 60s. The band has fine-tuned their approach, and continues to pay homage to the unmistakable musical style of the “Rebels” from the 50s, 60s, and more! A Rebel Spirit show often includes a wide variety of “retro” music from Buddy Holly, Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, Wilson Pickett, Sam Cooke, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, Howlin’ Wolf and Muddy Waters, along with CCR, The Rolling Stones, The Beach Boys and more. You may even catch a few modern, but vintage sounding, songs thrown in for good measure.
Join Rebel Spirit, as they take you on a retro rock & rockabilly, country & blues adventure that begins in the 50s, and continues through the ages.
John Olynick – Lead Guitar, Mandolin, Vocals
Brian Bodnarchuk – Lead Vocals
Trevor Hurtig – Keyboard, Guitar, Vocals
Randy Hyvarinen – Drums & Percussion
Dave Dejardine – Bass Guitar, Vocals
www.reverbnation.com/rebelspirit
Facebook /rebelspiritband
rtraction