NHL Pageant on the Finals Recreation 2
June 6, 2025
The Stanley Cup finals are an undeniably particular time of 12 months, the place magic occurs each on and off the ice. This 12 months, Rogers has been utilizing Canadian band TRIUMPH‘s 1979 basic “Lay It on the Line” as a type of combat anthem for Canadian groups throughout the playoffs.
The band has been largely dormant, except for a non-public efficiency for his or her documentary (Triumph: Rock N’ Roll Machine) through which they performed three songs for a small, non-public viewers of megafans in 2019, till now. Their first reside, public efficiency in 17 years noticed founding members Rik Emmett and Gil Moore take the stage. Mike Levine was unable to make it on account of prior commitments. Rounding out the lineup have been Phil X (Bon Jovi, ex-Triumph), in addition to Todd Kerns and Brent Fitz from TOQUE.
The efficiency was electrical – the pure pleasure on each a kind of guys’ faces couldn’t assist however be seen. Phil was lastly standing on stage with one among his idols, the person whose sneakers he spent years filling, as he changed Emmett when he left he band within the 90’s. Phil additionally recorded the final Triumph album with the band.
They have been tight. Insanely tight. You wouldn’t for one second assume that this was a handful of fellows who had gotten a name lower than per week earlier than to place this collectively.
I posted a few teaser photographs to my private Fb web page proper after the present, and so they blew up. They have been shared by members of the band, and followers have been completely consuming this up. I reached out to Phil X on Instagram and requested if he can be prepared to reply just a few questions for this overview, and fortunately, he was completely satisfied to oblige. He has come throughout as nothing however an excellent down-to-earth, humble, extremely candy dude who was overjoyed to have the chance to do that.
How did your involvement within the reunion come about?
Phil X: I usually communicate with Gil on a month-to-month foundation since we met & throughout one dialog, he picked my mind about some type of TRIUMPH expertise. Then the Edmonton Oilers play-off finals efficiency got here up & he referred to as & requested if we might put it along with a drummer and bass participant, and the primary 2 guys on the listing have been Brent Fitz & Todd Kerns. Not as a result of they’re Canadian (which doesn’t harm) however as a result of I play with Brent on a regular basis in my band, and I knew Todd would additionally kill it vocally in addition to on bass.
The Stanley Cup finals and hockey normally are a giant a part of Canadian tradition. How did it really feel with the ability to rejoice the legacy of the band, with authentic vocalist/guitarist Rik Emmett at such a celebratory occasion?
Phil X: The entire thing with being on stage with Rik was tremendous surreal. We had SO MUCH FUN. He loves understanding 2 guitar half preparations & once I’d play one thing we didn’t work out, he’d yell “YEAH! DO THAT!!”. Canada, TRIUMPH & Hockey…. It’s like a trifecta of the place all of us got here from.
In one among your posts, you stated “my internal 11 12 months outdated is FREAKIN’ THE FAK OUT!!!!” about enjoying with Rik. Was it a “full circle” second for you, having joined Triumph after his departure?
To be trustworthy, it’s approach past any “full circle” second. The final time I noticed Rik Emmett on stage was the Sport Of Kings Tour, and now… I’m on stage with him and he’s standing 3 toes away from me whereas we’re enjoying concord guitars on an iconic music like ‘Struggle The Good Struggle’.”
Lastly, the large query… will we lastly see a tour in spite of everything of those years? It’s been 17 years since Triumph performed a public reside efficiency. You guys have been completely ELECTRIC up there. The pure pleasure on all your faces, the chemistry. May this be the catalyst for a comeback?
Thanks for the “ELECTRIC” remark. It really felt like that. Pure pleasure, chemistry, all that’s correct. Each Gil & Rik smiled the whole time. Brent, Todd & I have been all buzzing on our flights residence. None of us are strangers to huge levels, and it’s superb as artists to have a number of canvases to color on. That stated, concerning the catalyst for a comeback, you by no means know.