One of my favorite Canadian live bands, Nero reunited over the weekend at Mavericks bar in Ottawa. It was planned as a one shot (2 night)deal, but if there fans enthusiasm has any push whatsoever, I really think this may just be the rebirth we have been waiting the last 2 years for. An instrumental band and a 'purists' jam act, I began enjoying this band in late 2003 and had a chance to interview and photograph them in April, 2004. They had already done extensive touring of the Canadian club scene and had began to get some International attention playing a number of festivals in the North East and joining forces with moe. on their Canadian dates. Articles in Relix and Guitar Player followed and Nero began to become THE band to see on the homegrown Canadian festival scene. In a 'better to burn out, then fade away' move, they called it quits after a fantastic December, 2004 run. Each member (Chris 'PEI PUNK' Buote on Bass, Dave Lauzon on Guitar and Jay McConnery on drums) took sometime to recharge, but never stopped playing. After getting married and having a child, Dave, always the driving force in the band began to play solo again and then rumors of a reunion surfaced late last year. Digging into their old school feel, they pulled off a show enjoyed by all (I never made it...Ottawa is a bit of a haul) and many new and old fans danced the night away. Lets hope this spontaneously flourishes into something more, because seeing Nero is to experience the finest of the secular Canadian jam scene.

The following vid is the best post I found of the show out so far. A cover of Floyd's "Hey You" (a vocal rarity, as most shows are at least 90%-100% instrumental, as are their studio releases), which, even though its poor quality, one can still make out the quality of the musicianship, especially Dave's stellar front and center guitar work. For the full Friday night show check out http://www.archive.org/details/nero2007-01-12.oktava.shnf . Saturday is now up, as well http://www.archive.org/details/nero2007-01-13.oktava.shnf .

Their albums:

Zedonk (2004)

Soon (2003-live)

Is It Morning (2001)



Their defunct website:

http://www.neroland.com/

What others are sayin':

5 thumbs up!, May 27, 2005

Reviewer:
S. Smedstad (TX) - See all my reviews A mix of tight, melodic and atmospheric instrumental guitar/jam/trance that catches you from the first tune all the way to the beautiful acoustic finale. Had my head bobbing from the outset and never let up.

Musicians BEWARE!!!!!, December 2, 2004

Reviewer:
Funky fred "fred" (north america) - See all my reviewsThis amazing Canadian Trio has some of the tightest riffs I have ever heard. The band is comprised of three exceptionally gifted musicians. Dave lauzon on guitar, Chris "Punk" Buote on bass and Jay Mcconnery on drums. This is nero's second studio release. This instramental trio has managed to take the jam band idea in a unique direction.There rising and falling climatic riffs seems to be seemless in their free flowing style. I was mystified by how in tune these three are with each other. Nero has Created cuttingedge music that stands out in an already saturated genre of jam bands. This isn't easy but with a unique approach Nero has established themselves as a cut above the rest. If you Have any musical taste at all you will have this album in your collection. And if you catch wind of them playing in your area SEE THEM!!!! You won't be dissappointed.

Relix Magazine....Nero (Ottawa, Canada) is a trio that fuses jazz, improvisational rock and electronica. Since its inception four years ago it has steadily made a name for itself playing clubs and festivals throughout Canada (they’ve also played some U.S. gigs.) David Lauzon is a guitarist with vision - he wrings some eerie and unusual tones from his guitar, sometimes flowing and melodic, other times sonic onslaughts, while the rhythm section lays down hypnotic, ever-changing grooves. The band has an interesting studio album available called Is it Morning, that’s well worth investigating.