SCUGOG: The Bomb Retro '80s Live Experience is a professional Canadian tribute act which embraces the decade of the '80s, playing all the top new wave and atmospheric radio hits from that wonderful musical era, rather than playing tribute to just one band.
From Bowie to Tears for Fears, Duran, Simple Minds, A-ha and INXS, to The Cars, The Cure, Prince and Depeche Mode (and much more), The Bomb truly do perform "The soundtrack of your youth...Live!"
The Bomb is very active, especially in Ontario, performing at music hall concerts, Rib festivals, private and corporate events and theme nights at live music venues.
The Bomb takes huge pride in their sound, their performance, their image and their professionalism, always dressing the part & putting on a show full of energy and exuberance, never just going through the motions or just 'playing the gig'. The happiness and energy exchanged with crowds hearing their favourite '80s songs being played by four guys who love the music as much as the audience does set a night with The Bomb apart from other touring acts.
Together for close to a decade, The Bomb – Retro '80s Experience have also been honoured to perform as the opening act, warming up the crowd for such great acts as The Spoons, Men Without Hats, Big Wreck, Images in Vogue as well as Carol Pope & Rough Trade.
The band covers the '80s material with authority, including all of the atmosphere, the synth sounds, the sequencers, as well as the nuances and effects you'd expect and hope for.
It should be noted The BOMB works hard not to do a comedic or tongue-in-cheek parody of the new wave era. There are no flowerpot Devo hats or cheap neon Max Headroom sunglasses. The Bomb strives to be an authentic and honest salute to the decade, more akin to the live presentation delivered by bands like Duran, U2, Flock of Seagulls or Tears for Fears to this day.
All in all, it is a full-on "one-night time machine" which brings the audience back to their youth with all the hits they love. For those wanting to check the band out before the Port Perry show, The Bomb will be headlining the Saturday night at Bowmanville Rotary Rocking Ribs and Brew on June 10th at 9 p.m.
Members
Rob Van Der Vleuten
Rob Van Der Vleuten is a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist and a familiar face in the 416 and 705 music scene. Rob's stunning ability to hone in on the vibe of 80's vocalists and make it credible is a gift to The Bomb. His talent on guitar and synth adds a layer of authenticity to The Bomb's live show! Rob lives in the greater Port Perry area, so the Port Perry Town Hall Theatre show on June 24th is near and dear to him.
Jamie Pugh
Jamie Pugh, also known by his '80s stage surname "Thunder," played extensively in the Toronto nightclub scene and toured Canada in the '80s as the drummer of the New Wave bands INB and The Lost Boys. A graduate of the prestigious Fanshawe College recording program, Jamie is the rhythmic backbone of The BOMB, playing a hybrid drum set which includes both traditional acoustic drums and modern synth drums to achieve all the sounds required to recreate the '80s music.
Constantine Gatsis
Constantine Gatsis is thoroughly enjoying his role as The Bomb's guitarist. An incredible talent and experienced musician, Constantine brings new life to The Bomb's live show. Growing up on The Danforth and playing live since he was 11, and with musical experience crossing genres from Greek traditional, mainstream rock to new wave, Costa's funky & bold interpretation of the classic new wave hits of the '80s cuts through and shines during The BOMB's performances!
Shaun Gillespie
Shaun Gillespie has been a fixture in The BOMB since its conception and is the multi-instrumentalist behind the synthesizer and effect layers so necessary to recreate the soundtrack of our youth. Shaun lived the '80s as the bassist for INB and The Lost Boys, touring the GTA, Ontario and the rest of Canada with Jamie Thunder in 1985, 1986, and 1987.