When Jeremy Allingham picks up the strings, the result is rock 鈥榥 roll the way it was meant to be played.

But after the loud riffs and gritty powerhouse vocals die down, Allingham hopes his April 6 performance at Doc Willoughby鈥檚 in 琉璃神社 and June 9 gig at Record City will spark conversation about the ongoing opioid crisis in B.C.

鈥淚t鈥檚 something we see so much in Vancouver that sometimes we don鈥檛 even know what to do with it,鈥� said Allingham, who plays the role of Vancouver journalist when he isn鈥檛 rocking the guitar. 鈥淚t seems like such a massive problem and it doesn鈥檛 seem that a dent is being made.鈥�

So, after covering the costs of his soon to be released album Run Wild, Allingham will donate proceeds from the tour to fight the opioid crisis.

鈥淲e know we鈥檙e not going to make a huge difference, but we do want to start the conversation,鈥� Allingham said. 鈥淪ometimes we kind of ostracize drug users, but this is a big deal. It鈥檚 been something that has bothered me. I think that there is a lot of work to do around the stigma of drug use.鈥�

Allingham鈥檚 10 track sophomore album Run Wild, slated for release April 2018, feature鈥檚 the Vancouver singer鈥檚 raw vocals and guitar-centred jams backed by stomping drums, reminiscent of rock icons Bruce Springsteen and Tom Petty with an added modern grit.

鈥淲hat I do best is rock 鈥榥 roll with a big catchy chorus,鈥� Allingham said, noting his influence from classic rock. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 where my heart and soul is.鈥�

Because for Allingham, that鈥檚 what it鈥檚 all about.

鈥淚t鈥檚 very interesting because the way music is currently, guitar music doesn鈥檛 get as much love as it once did,鈥� Allingham said. 鈥淩ock 鈥榥 roll is at the heart of what I look for in music. It鈥檚 like a lifeblood. It鈥檚 got that energy, that backbone.鈥�

While his allegiance currently lies with the axe, Allingham first picked up the bass at age 11 before rocking punk covers in a Langley garage band.

But, for the past five years, Allingham has been rocking it solo with his EP That One Song and debut full-length album Memory Electric under his belt.

鈥淚 aim to be fairly prolific. It鈥檚 always very rewarding,鈥� Allingham said.

And on Run Wild, Allingham feels he hit the nail on the head.

Engineered and produced by Jesse Gander (Japandroids, The Pack A.D., White Lung), Allingham鈥檚 soon to be dropped album denotes a move towards collaboration.

鈥淭hat can be very scary as an artist,鈥� Allingham said. 鈥淥nce you get over that, it only improves your material.鈥�

One partial collaborator on Run Wild is Allingham鈥檚 three-year-old daughter, who closes off the final two lines of the album鈥檚 middle track, Wasted Too Long.

鈥淚t was super fun to have her sing on that track,鈥� Allingham said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 going to be a family heirloom for sure.鈥�

Allingham is set to run wild at Doc Willoughby鈥檚 in 琉璃神社 April 6. Cover is $10. Music starts at about 10 p.m. The Record City show is set for June 9.

entertainment@vernonmorningstar.com
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