An Abbotsford music teacher and former drummer with the Canadian rock band Trooper has released a novel that showcases missing Indigenous women with a subplot about Indigenous musicians and their struggles.
Lance Chalmers’s book Rocker from the Rez has been released through BWL Publishing.
The novel details Ray Smith and his three bandmates who, fresh from high school, move to Wakeville, Man. to pursue their passion for music.
Six months later, gigs come fast and thick, with the group touring the northern province. However, too much partying and fighting leads to a bitter split between the band and their volatile bass player, Butch.
Bad luck and sabotage from Butch causes gigs to dwindle, and with encouragement from his best friend and guitarist, Ray decides to join a new, well-known band, where his music career takes off.
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Soon he’s recognized on the street, has spots on TV, and back home he’s hailed a hero.
“But success has a dark underbelly. A girl goes missing, and Ray’s loved ones are terrorized by a faceless, vengeful stalker. The question isn’t the culprit’s identity – Ray’s almost positive he knows who’s responsible. But stopping the killer before someone else is murdered … that’s a whole other story,” states a synopsis for the book.
Chalmers grew up in Nepean, Ottawa, where he lived with his dad, Rae Chalmers, an accomplished singer and musician, and his mom, Anne Chalmers, who worked at the Indigenous Bar Association.
Chalmers was exposed to music from a young age and soon followed in his dad’s footsteps and developed a passion to play music, primarily the drums.
He has played with many well-known bands – most notably Trooper for eight years, starting in 1995 – and has appeared on TV shows such as It’s a Living, This Hour Has 22 Minutes and The West Coast Music Awards.
Trooper – known for hits such as The Boys in the Bright White Sports Car and We’re Here for a Good Time (Not a Long Time) – was inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in May 2023.
Chalmers currently teaches guitar, bass and drums at Long and McQuade in Abbotsford. On the weekends, he plays gigs with varous bands and is often commissioned as a session percussionist for various artists worldwide.
Rocker from the Rez can be purchased through Indigo, Amazon, Barnes & Noble or bwlpublishing.ca.
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