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By KRYS GRANDMOND
Staff Writer

When you think of Default, you don't think of a little indie band playing bar gigs and garage practises. You think of a Canadian tour that's taken the band from coast to coast. You think of at least 2 radio hit songs and high rotation videos on our nation's favourite music TV station, MuchMusic. You think record deals, tour busses and loads of money.

But Default bassist, Dave Benedict, took a step back into the band's past in a recent interview with Soundline magazine.

"We played every craphole that you can imagine," says Benedict about the band's indie performances. "I did it for years and years and years."

While Benedict has been in a number of bands, it was when he joined Default that things started to happen for him. Still an indie band at the time, Default left it to the bassist to catch up on the songs.

"I was still workin a day job. I had to learn the songs. I worked my ass off. I'd come home from work every day, I'd practise the songs, I'd listen to them in the car and I even played hookie from work a couple times to go and rehearse and stuff like that."

But it would prove to be a beneficial move. Soon after the addition of Benedict's talent, things picked up for the soon-to-be addition to TVT Records. The first gig performed together proved to be one of the most trying experiences for the bassist.

"We played the Starfish Room. We were playing for a record company. I joined the band last and it was the third rehearsal I had with these guys, just trying to learn the songs and I played in front of TVT, and Chad and the band's lawyers. So it was quite the nerve-racking audition. That's when I was nervous as hell. I was sweating, it was awful. I'm glad it's in the past."

Chad Kroeger, frontman of Roadrunner Records' most noteable act, Nickelback, had a lot to do with helping the band get noticed. From producing eight out of eleven tracks on "The Fallout" to bringing demo songs to record label reps, he used a lot of the power he's gained through his fame to help drive Default, as well as many other bands, into the spotlight.

"Just flexing his musical muscle," says Benedict.

But the band's start didn't just come from Kroeger's help and support. It came from a lot of family faith as well. Father of Default singer, Dallas Smith, lent the band the money it needed to take things to a new level. While it sped things up, Benedict is confident that they would've worked hard to be in the same position they're in now.

"It definitely was a big help for us. I'd like to think we'd be in the same spot. We'd have found the money some other way. We're lucky that all of our families have been very supportive in all other different aspects. We've rehearsed at everybody else's parents' garage and at their house, and we've borrowed their vehicles to get to gigs. The worst thing is to have somebody you care about and you love love not have your back for something you really believe in."

But family did believe in the four-piece rock band from Western Canada. And it was through the support of family, fans and a select few "bigshots" that helped bring the band into our lives.

"I consider myself one of the luckiest men alive. I get to play music, hang out with my friends, and I get to do it for a living. I get to do what I love. I don't have to sit in my bed at night and wonder what it would be like and just hoping it would happen to me one day."

But what of those indie days? After signing a record deal, a band has to lose something for what it gains.

"The thing I miss is that hunger. We were talking about it the other day. The feeling, the excitement of 'It's right there!'"

Even though they're still relatively new to the music world, the guys are in a position to help bands in the spot they were in not long before. Through management, booking agents, and the band's final say, Default is able to bring up and coming acts on tour. While some acts stay on for a few dates, many are local indie acts.

"We've been blessed with going out and not knowing who a band is and then listening to the music every night and becoming huge fans of those bands. "

Roadrunner band, High Holy Days, has been on tour with Default for some time now, and will continue to perform several dates with the band throughout the summer.

"It's great. Watching the hunger in those guys' eyes. They're so excited to be out there. They want it so badly."

Just like Nickelback before them, Default's success is helping to pave the way for more Canadian bands to emerge. The new wave of talent that has been rocking our country, and the world, over the past few years has been a huge help to up and coming bands, as well as smaller record labels.

"I think it's helped everybody. It's made everybody turn their heads. You couldn't help but see what was coming from Canada."

Through family support, fan dedication and the promise of more great Canadian talent, bands like Default will continue to emerge from all over our country. Make sure you're helping to keep this movement alive!

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Check out Default's official website at www.defaultonline.com for upcoming tour dates and other band info! See when they're hitting a town near you!

Default is a proud supporter of the Bright Star Foundation. An organization that pairs celebrities with a charitable organization. Check out the Bright Star Foundation website for more info on how you can support Default's chosen charities!