The Band
Foot Soldier is a well established band with a passion for music that has been honed with over a decade of playing together. This hard rocking quartet from the Ottawa Valley in Canada write hook-laden hard rock, loaded with tight rhythyms and gigantic guitars.
In 2008, Foot Soldier released their first album, "Free To Wait". The local market received it enthusiastically and it helped the band work with artists like Alannah Myles and the late great Jeff Healey. This also marks the year that member Jeff Brideau was deployed overseas, putting the band on hiatus for some time.
Since Jeff's recent return, the band had been writing new music and prepping for the next album, due for release in early 2010.
Click on a name below to view their bio:
Jeff Brideau » (guitars/vocals)
Rob Kingsbury » (guitars/vocals)
Shane Heieck » (bass)
Ian Arsenault » (drums/vocals)
Jeff Brideau (guitars / vocals)
Jeff is the frontman for Foot Soldier and plays the majority of the lead guitars in the band. His natural stage presence and charisma make him ideal for the position and have given the band a recognizable and unique sound that they gladly call their own. Jeff's own musical past involve quite a few bands, starting with his first band at the age of thirteen. After playing numerous shows on the road, he has become a seasoned guitar player with many influences including Jimi Hendrix, Robin Trower, Gary Moore and Van Halen to name a few. He currently serves in the Canadian Army and lives in Petawawa, Ontario.
Jeff uses and recommends:
Rob Kingsbury (guitars / vocals)
Rob spent the majority of his musical career touring the province of Ontario in various cover bands. While he has always written his own music, it wasn't until Foot Soldier that he started to come into his own. His primary duty in the band is backing vocals and colour guitar, adding a lead in here and there as well. He also currently acts as the "manager" (for lack of a better term), booking and advertising Foot Soldier. Rob's primary influences include Zakk Wylde, Slash, Stevie Ray Vaughan and Ritchie Blackmoore. He currently works as a freelance web developer and lives in Pembroke, Ontario.
Rob uses and recommends:
Shane Heieck (bass)
The newest addition to Foot Soldier, Shane joined the band in 2007 and has become integral in shaping the backbone of the sound in the band. His musical background consists of a slew of bands and projects dating back to his early teens. His particular sound has been inspired by players like Jason Newsted, Vic Wooten and Billy Sheehan, but he has very much developed his own style and sound that helps hone the tight rhythyms of the band. He currently works in a warehouse as a shipper/receiver and lives in Pembroke, Ontario.
Shane uses and recommends:
Ian Arsenault (drums / vocals)
Ian is the drummer and resident "gear doctor" for the band. His particular sound has been shaped over years of playing covers, originals and recording projects. With a strong sense of style and rhythym, he keeps the audience rocking and asking for more. He has honed his skills by continuously absorbing as much music as possible, inspired by drummers like David Silveria, Abe Cunningham and Taylor Hawkins. He currently manages an auto service center and lives in Pembroke, Ontario.
Ian uses and recommends: