Beyond the NHL-themed walls of Average Joe’s Sports Bar is a venue behind the bar, where local performers seeking exposure gather every Thursday night under the dim stage lights.

 
It’s like an unknown world for Lethbridge, but it’s where bands feel they are most comfortable.
In an even more natural state were the members of Deadvoice, standing out on the street smoking and talking.
“It’s the voice of the people. But the voices have not been heard in these democratic representations we have. So sort of like a… dead voice,” says Freight-Train, guitarist and vocalist, in reference to the band’s name.
Although Deadvoice was only formed in the fall of 2010, their popularity has grown in Lethbridge in the short time they have been together.
The crowd in Average Joe’s could have been mistaken for a cheering hockey crowd instead of fans of a local band.
Freight-Train says the band’s formation blossomed from nothing.
“I was doing a show for my girlfriend’s daughter. The band’s drummer, Navahoe, was at the show and I noticed he was paying attention. I was like, ‘Maybe I should ask him if he wants to jam sometime.’
“So I did and he got into it and I liked his drumming and the following week these two guys showed up (Corrick B., lead guitar, and Shaun, bassist).
Apparently they’ve been in his picture forever. I was like, ‘Wow that was cool!’ It was very spontaneous like that.”
The band already has plans to start recording its first CD in March. It has three songs currently in the works with a fourth one being written.
Just as the band agrees on the bands musical style, they also agree on their favourite moment as a band.
“Band Wars,” all four say at the same time, in reference to the event put on by the Lethbridge College Student’s Association in January, which was won by Smokestack Jacks.
“(It was) just all these random people getting into our stuff, man, it was amazing,” says Corrick B..
Navahoe remarks about how far they’ve come and where he’s been.
“I think we’re doing pretty good. People are recognizing our name and once we’re up there they just can’t get enough.”
Navahoe, 24, has been playing drums for nine years. He refers to Corrick B. as a “bro.” Both of them were born and raised in Lethbridge.
Shaun says he “was born to play” and draws his inspiration from some childhood favourites as indicated by the Motley Crue hat on his head.
“I’ve been listening to classic rock like Poison and Motley Crue since I was like five or six so I grew up on that.”
Freight-Train took the longer road from Bellville, Ontario to where he’s at today.
“I found I was able to pay for insurance and gas money, I was living at my parent’s place at the time, but I was able to make a decent living off just playing on the street,” says Freight-Train. “All I had to do was get out there and do it. And then sooner or later somebody offered me a gig at a local coffee shop and I was like ‘Sure.’”
“I ended up coming out here and I found these guys.”  
The group is confident looking ahead. It plans on applying to participate in Band Wars: Revenge in March at Lethbridge College. Freight-Train just seems to know there’s something special in what they have. I’ve played with about two or three different groups since I got out here, but Deadvoice is definitely showing a lot of promise and I think we can go somewhere.”
Visit Deadvoice on facebook for more information on upcoming shows.