By Rock Johnson

The energy level is about to rise up in Truro, as The Fed Pennies will be rolling out their loud, gritty rock and roll show at the Split Crow on May 10 and 11. After nine years as a band, they are finally making their first public stop in the Hub town, and I for one couldn’t be happier.
After seeing these guys live at least a dozen times, it is hard to precisely define their sound. They are truly a band who doesn’t pigeon hole themselves to one genre, but rather take pieces of a lifetime of influences and morph them into a killer rock and roll band.
Vocalist/guitarist Jake Smith, the principle songwriter in the group, is a true blue, honest to the core, rock artist. You won’t find silly gimmicks; make up, fire breathing, massive egos or anything else that is a side stage to their music.
At a Fed Pennies show the music is the show, the music is the star. For the sake of providing you with a reference to their general sound I’d cite Queens of the Stone Age or perhaps Muse combined with the dirtier side of Guns & Roses.
You may have had a chance to catch these guys open for the legendary Ozzy Osbourne in 2008 at the Halifax Metro Center, which the band cites as, “The chance of a lifetime. Meeting Ozzy, then playing to a crowd of thousands has been a high point and major stepping stone for the band.”
The band has been hard at work since the day they began releasing two full length albums, three E.P.s, a DVD and playing countless shows.
In 2011 The Fed Pennies took home “Loud Recording of the Year” at the ECMA’s for their album “Brain Disaster”. The band has released three videos to date as well, “Fast Cars and Dead Bodies” (2006), “Laughing Endlessly” (2006), and most recently “All My Friends Are In My Head” (2012).
The Fed Pennies do have some connections to the local area having played a private show at a popular local tattoo parlor, Skin Decision, for their anniversary party. Also their original drummer, Aaron Farr, is from Hilden where he and Jake founded the band and spent a lot of time creating material for the first album.
Aaron and Jake were both members of the popular “Jimmy Swift Band” with whom they picked up ECMA’s for their work in that unit, and though they had seen some success, they decided it was time to branch off on their own in order to explore another musical direction.
Fast forward to 2013 and The Fed Pennies now consist of Smith, Paul Gallant (drums) and the Viking-like John Matthews (bass).
Expect these guys to give you an interesting, versatile two hour rock and roll show drenched in sweat and fuzz.
Having played with and met these guys several times, I encourage you to not only catch the show, but take some time to say hi. You’d be hard pressed to find a more humble, passionate, down to earth guy than Smith in the crazy old music industry.
For more info on the fed pennies check them out on Facebook: www.facebook.com/thefedpennies Recommended Fed Pennies listening: “Air Guitar”, “Please Kill Me”, “Buzzing In My Head”, “Laughing Endlessly”, “Spiders & Aliens”, “All My Friends Are in My Head”.
TIP OF THE MONTH
“Follow your passion, wherever it takes you. Be honest with yourself and make music that you love to play, otherwise you’re ultimately cheating yourself out of your own happiness. People may try to give you a million reasons why you won’t succeed, but as long as you remain true to the music that’s in your soul, in the end, you’ll give those people a million and one reasons why you’re unstoppable.” - Alicia Montague, Aquestrya
Success is an achievement defined only by one’s self.
No one else can set your goals; no one else can speak of your desires. If you make something that you love, you can always be proud of that.
If you are not sure of your success, look in the mirror. If you see a smile you are doing something right, otherwise it may be time to rethink your process.
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Rock Johnson is an independent recording artist, freelance writer and music enthusiast.