Off Kilter

[Hippychickali]

I keep hearing about how wonderful Off Kilter is. I'm sure that I would enjoy them because I come from Cape Breton was raised on Celtic music. I have asked around and can't seem to find where exactly they come from. I just keep seeing Canada. Does anyone know specifically where?

Ali

 

[MikeJ]

Well, you can check out their official website or else check out this article which appeared in Deb Wills' All Ears newsletter. As it turns out, three are American, one Irish, the the fifth is from Puerto Rico. Not a Canadian in the bunch.

- Mike

 

[PhotobearSam]

Yup...Not Canadian but one of the guys married a Canadian...

My DH thought they were good but as soon as they said where they were from, turned him right off...Now he says no to seeing them unless we are walking by and they are already playing. He will not go out of his way for them...

I was a bit disappointed when they said they were Americain but they are very good.

I just whish they were REALLY Canadian.

 

[Canadave]

I agree with you PhotobearSam...we had a chat with them when we first caught their act in 2000. We were soooo disappointed when they told us that none were Canadian. As good as they were, I just don't understand why they were selected to play at the Canadian pavillion to begin with.

ps. they are enjoyable to watch

 

[Mortlives]

I think they play the Canadian pavilion because the style of music is considered Canadian. I don't mind that they are from elsewhere, they're still great. Besides, doesn't that say something about how contagious Canadian culture is? Resistance is futile...


Kungaloosh!
Mort.

 

[excitedmom]

well sheesh. there are tons of brilliant celtic bands that ARE Canadian why did they pick an american band for the pavilion? that kind of irks me. now normally it wouldn't but isn't the whole point of the pavilions to have people who are native to the country working there?

 

[DSNY FN]

Now now everyone lets not get on the I won't go see them cuz they are not Canadian trip. They are still very good and if we do that then we may as well be part of the I am boycotting the France and Canada pavillion contingency that started on another board here that would make us just as silly as them and we are after all PROUD Canadians and wouldn't sink to that level now would we.

 

[Hippychickali]

For those who have seen them: Do they sound anything like a Canadian Celtic Rock band? Or is there sound different?

Ali

 

[PhotobearSam]

Well....Let's put it this way...I was REALLY surprised that they were not Canadian...I had even brought them some Tim Horton's Coffee Packs thinking they would miss it being so far from home.

They really sound and act Canadian but once they said they were not, I could start to pick up accents and words that did not fit...

They are still very good and everyone should see them at least once.

 

[Hippychickali]

Thank you Sam! That's really good to know. I'm looking forward to seeing them.

Ali

 

[SandraC]

I saw them at Epcot ~ they do a lot of Great Big Sea stuff. S

 

[MM1102]

I'm an American and this news bums me out a bit. Seems dishonest, somehow (I blame Disney, not Canada). I still like the music and will probably grab another of their CDs next time I'm there. Just don't tell me that Burton Cummings and Randy Bachman are really from Minnesota!

 

[Muziqal]

I used to work in the pavilion. I don't know why everyone's getting down on them. They're good musicians. Most of the performers on World Showcase are American residents or citizens (besided the Chinese acrobats). I know the Norwegians were really Americans and so were the Germans. The International Program kids are the ones you should worry about whether or not they are Canadian. There are always a few local Floridians in each pavilion working in the restaurants or the attractions (there's usually a distinction in age), and then the rest are on their program. None of the managers in the pavilions are shipped in either (they're all American). While I was there, there was a Canadian band that played for about 4 months at the American Gardens Theatre - Barrage (you might have seen them on CBC). They do ship in the odd Canuck performer...but for the most part, they are Americans.

 

[DianaPrincessofWales]

HEE! HEE! I love this thread. I am an Americanized Canadian. On our trip to DW in Nov I went out of my way to see Off Kilter. I was really dissapointed for the fact that they were SO OVER-RATED! I like rock too but they were just plain LOUD! And yes it did sound like celtic rock, I guess. Don't know if I'm plain getting old, but I could have spent my time better. As I walked away on the other side of the lake by Mexico etc. I could still hear them!! Four years ago I heard Barrage at the American Pavilion and they were GREAT! I could have listened to them for hours! A very talented group! Now about those Tim Horton donuts (I know most Canadians are partial to these), I'd love to have one of those around where I live (I'd even settle for a Robins' )!! Yum, I only get my fix once a year!

 

[pampam]

I agree with DianaPrincessofWales. They were possitively far too LOUD. Also, the bass was echoing in my chest with each beat of the drum. The music was fine, but I actually felt ill from the noise. I was kicking myself for actually sitting and waiting for the show to start. I was actually hoping to hear Alberta Bound. (I think that's what they are called.) I heard them playing a Newfi jig as I approached Canada, but the show was over by the time I got there. I miss read my schedule and thought they were Off Kilter. So, I made a point of waiting for Off Kilter, only to be blown off my seat with the loud music. A few days later I heard Off Kilter when I was at U.K. and that was close enough for me.