By KIERAN GRANT
Toronto Sun
There's not much regular about Serial Joe.
They sure aren't the first high school group to nab a record deal.
But Ryan Dennis, 15, and drummer Dan Stadnicky, bassist John Davidson, and guitarist Ryan "Stever ," all 14, set themselves apart from song 'n' dance bands.
Find out why when the Newmarket thrash band plays Ted's Wrecking Yard tomorrow night.
The ink is still fresh on their deal with Aquarius Records, who in turn have a distribution deal with EMI.
The group spent last week -- their March break -- in the studio with Marilyn Manson producer David Ogilvie, laying down their second album at a rapid-fire clip.
"We're working really fast and trying to make this thing happen," frontman Dennis explains. "I still never imagined that we'd be doing this so soon."
Serial Joe were all of 12 when they first got together two years ago to jam and embrace their love of punk, metal, and hip-hop records. They promptly scored a MuchMusic mini-hit with Obsession, from their independently released debut album.
The video actually poked fun at the sleazier side of the music business, with Dennis being kidnapped by an evil, cigar-chomping record exec, and the band squaring off against Ninja henchmen.
The singer admits the group was wary of giving up their independence until they found the right deal.
"It's hard to do things independently," says Dennis. "We wouldn't sign with Aquarius if we didn't trust them."
Of course, Serial Joe will have to juggle their careers with school: Dennis is in grade 9 at Unionville High School, specializing in visual arts. The others attend Newmarket High.
"We can perform or record on weekends and P.A. days," Dennis says. "It doesn't cut into our school at all."
He adds: "We'll stick to it for a while because there are a lot of opportunities to it. We have a little bit of everything, and we're able to adapt."
