ABOUT US
HOWZAT is a five piece high energy rock act out of the Forest city, London, Ontario Canada. The band released their debut single and video "STORM" in Sept 2015 and haven’t slowed ever since. Their single, “STORM” received rave reviews across Ontario and extensive air play on college radio throughout Canada ,United States and the U.K., all setting up their debut EP release in 2016, called, “ROUGH CUTZ”. The EP garnered rave reviews as did their amazing energetic live show.
The lineup originally consisted of Kevin Rudy (Vocals), Greigg Fraser (Guitars), J-Rad Sterling (Drums), Dave Buland (Bass) and Dan Ransom (keyboards). The core of band remains the same today however with the introduction of a new guitarist and co-songwriter, Eric Broadbent.
Howzat released their 2nd video “HOUSE OF LOVE” in April of 2016, happily gathering more fans across the world.
In 2017, Howzat released the politically charged “LUV DUST”, recorded and co-produced by Juno award winner Siegfried Meier at Beach Road Studios. Charting at #1 on Banks Radio Australia for 2 weeks, hitting #7 on the nationally renowned Spider Web Radio in the United States and #1 on The 365 Radio network in the U.S. Howzat has recently started to gain some commercial FM radio spins in Canada along with numerous CBC and Sirius XM stations. Their 2016 single “STORM” was also picked up by the syndicated TSN show Highways to Fairways on Canadian TV.
Throughout 2017 Howzat were regional finalists for the 2017 CBC Searchlight and nominated for a JRLMA ( Jack Richardson London Music Awards).
Touring and constantly writing new material, Howzat has shared the stage with incredible acts including The Killer Dwarfs, Honeymoon Suite, Sloan and played numerous outdoor festivals teasing their upcoming new music. In 2018 Howzat set up and recorded 8 brand new songs at Jukasa Studios, where acts such as Three Days Grace, Adam Lambert, July Talk and many other international recording artists have worked their magic. Also in the spring of 2018 Howzat won $7500 in studio time from local radio 98.1 Free FM which took the guys to EMAC Studios in London. At EMAC, the band cut 2 brand new songs “Tell Me” and “Taking Flight” both part of the Made in London Compilation CD along with a brand new video for Tell Me. This was the start of more major opening slots in 2018 with legendary artists Uriah Heep, Nazareth and ANVIL. In 2019 Howzat was part of the Canadian music award celebrations by opening for 2019 Juno award winners Voivod!
On the outset of COVID the band is firing on all cylinders with new material including a five and a half minute rock tour de force single “BURN” featuring a mysterious and deep themed music video which is a literal bonfire. The band has been working hard in the studio and leaving no stone unturned as they put the final touches on their live set, taking it on the road to select concert venues and festivals throughout 2023.
Come experience Howzat live for something fresh, fun & memorable.
Industry Reviews:
“Finally some guitar rock! Damn, I'm tired of kids with synths moaning about how stressed out they are.”
… Alan Cross, world renown radio broadcaster,
journalist, host of the syndicated radio series The Ongoing History of New Music
“I'm truly amazed at the quality of the music and the shoot. I get a lot of amateur work sent to me, but this is one of the best I've heard. Very Impressive!! “
…Patrick Porter- 91.7 FM The Giant
“What a glorious throwback to my metal days! It's so refreshing to see new artists keeping rock fresh and alive and most of all, FUN. These guys are truly talented and I can't wait to hear what they come out with next. Try not to give yourself whiplash as you rock out to this tune!"
…Lauren Weissler, New York blogger and MTV Photographer
Kevin Rudy - Vocals
Kevin Rudy was born in St. Marys Ontario and is the vocalist and half the songwriting team for HOWZAT.
Kevin started out at 15 playing guitar and quickly realized he has a natural talent to sing. His early music career took him west to Vancouver B.C. where he attended Columbia Academy of Recording Artists studying recording engineering. He took vocal lessons from well known vocal coach Jan Cooper. Kevin spent 10 years in BC playing with a few different original hard rock bands and released a couple independent albums and toured extensively. He is heavily influenced by Ian Gillan and David Byron.
Returning to Ontario in 1999 he started HOWZAT as an acoustic act. In 2013 he decided to go back to his roots and start rocking.
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Eric Broadbent - Guitar & Vocals
Eric brings years of professional live & studio experience as a guitarist to Howzat.
While majorly influenced by the late great Eddie Van Halen, other great music from the likes of Joe Satriani, Steve Vai, Dokken, AC/DC, Dio, Black Sabbath & more helped shape his sound.
While mainly performing in original rock acts, Eric has also worked in various cover bands and tribute acts over the years including the work of Van Halen.
While being one of the newest members to Howzat, Eric brings a fresh new sound to band and works closely with Kevin in the song writing process.
Eric uses mainly digital modelling equipment for his guitar tone allowing for a consistent Howzat sound, night after night, stage to stage, sounding exactly like the band’s recordings.
Eric proudly endorses & uses Line 6 Helix family of products, Mission Engineering Pedals, D’Addario Strings & Cables, PedalSnake, IdeaBench, EVH Gear amps & guitars as well as Dava Picks.
Dave Buland - Bass guitar
Dave Buland Born in Le Havre (Normandy France) started playing bass around 15 years old, in 1994 he moved to south of France (Montpellier) to study jazz for 2 years at the J.A.M school of music and working with many artists and bands as possible then touring all over Europe taking his passion for music to a professional level. In 2004 he moved to Toronto, Canada to keep playing over Canada and the USA . During 3 years Dave became a teacher at the Merriam School Of Music near Toronto. For 5 years Dave was performing on the cruise ship circuit on the royal Caribbean cruise company traveling over the world and playing in hotels clubs in Dubai. In 2016 Dave Jumped on the HOWZAT ride.
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J-Rad Sterling, drums
Jerad Sterling, Aka J-rad. Born and raised in Chatham-Kent, Ontario. At age 7 J-Rad was given his first drum kit for Christmas. When J-Rad was 10, his father took him to see Kiss live in Detroit. After that day he played his drums everyday determined to improve and learn more about creating music and being in a band.
After many years of drumming for cover, original and tribute acts all over Ontario, he settled in London, met up with, and brought the thunder to HOWZAT !
He plays Pearl drums, Paiste cymbals and uses Speed Cobra pedals, and is proudly endorsed by Sweet Spots,
Attack Drumheads Canada and Los Cabos Drumsticks, the best drumsticks around \m/
Dan Ransom - Keyboards, Vocals
AKA "Handsome Dan" studied the piano at The Royal Conservatory of Music in Toronto.
After years of touring North America and Europe, Dan settled in London, Ontario and continued to polish his craft with numerous studio musicians.
In 2018 Handsome Dan became a permanent member of HOWZAT. His classic rock and classical training have brought an incredible sound to the band. Being a multi-instrumentalist, Dan possesses the know how to bring seamless musical elements into the band’s original compositions, without fighting any of the other instruments.
