Lead vocalist and guitarist
Yvon is a regular fixture on the Ottawa music scene. As a singer and guitarist, he co-founded 90's Ottawa rock bands Conflict Of Interest and Little Bones. During his years with Little Bones, he shared stages across Eastern Canada with many established Canadian artists such as April Wine and Big Wreck to name a couple. He has performed with Dave Schroeder, Don Kenny, Jeff Asselin, Ken Workman, Lynne Hansen, Sean Burke, Terry Tufts, and many others. He continues to develop as a musician in his collaborations, as well as in his work as a solo artist. As the lead vocalist and guitarist, Yvon Villeneuve provides musical direction and guidance to the team, ensuring a cohesive and polished performance. Yvon Villeneuve's position as the lead vocalist and guitarist involves driving the team's creative direction, delivering stellar performances, and connecting with fans through their music. Finally and beyond his musical abilities and role, Yvon acts as the administrator, accountant, publisher, graphics developer, promoter and band leader for DarkSpeed. No rest for the wicked as it is said!
Keyboardist and backing vocals
Jacques, (affectionaly called Jack) is one of the founding members of DarkSpeed. Jack's favourite bands are Genesis, Steely Dan and Supertramp to name a just a couple. Jack has extensive experience on the Ottawa music scene, displaying his keyboard mastery in bands like Reflex, A.I., Retro and Riverbend. Playing on some of Ottawa's finest stages alongside acts like Ian Tamblyn, the Bara Mcneils and David Wilcox, Jacques is recognized as a keyboard guru of progressive rock and jazz. Jack Charpentier's position as the keyboardist and backing vocalist requires versatility and a strong sense of musical dynamics. Furthermore, Jack's schooling and day job iselectronics engineering! His skills in this area are invaluable to the band as he has trouble-shooted and repaired many electronic devices such as transmitters, receivers, speaker, keyboard electronics which DarkSpeed relies on. As the team's keyboardist and backing vocalist, Jack Charpentier brings a dynamic energy, and dazzling sound effects to the group's live performances.
Bassist and vocalist
Bobby joined DarkSpeed in January 2023. I can say that he is one of Ottawa's finest bassist mastering the techniques of Geddy Lee (Rush), Roger Waters (Pink Floyd) and John Entwistle (The Who) as well as many others. Being a lover of music and passionate about his instrument, Bobby always thrives to be a better Musician. Initially in his teens, he started on guitar but when his brother gave him one of his basses, he fell in love with it and made that his primary instrument. He also learned Piano and synths. Having played in the Ottawa/Gatineau music scene for over 40 years, Bobby played in the mid 80’s with a Rush tribute band Artefact, an original rock band called Sanderson, recorded at Metalworks studio, played for a radio station group called The Energie band that went on to open for bands like Big Sugar, Honeymoon Suite, Platinum Blonde, and countless others. And with his brother, he played bass and keys in a few bands such as Axis, Reflexxion and, Transcendence. Finally, Bobby has been a member of tribute bands covering Elton John, Genesis and The Trans-Siberian Orchestra most often playing keyboards. These days, Bobby passionately spends time in his studio, recording with Code 18, and making videos with Johnny Maz and friends, as well as recording bass and keyboard tracks for all kinds of projects. But Bobby’s first love is playing bass to a live audience! He still gets the excitement of playing as if it was the first time. “The chemistry and the musicianship in DarkSpeed is like no other I’ve played with! Looking forward to rock the next show”.
Lead Guitarist and backing vocals
Marc joined DarkSpeed in April 2023 and brings strong work ethics and both musical and technical skills, enabling DarkSpeed to precisely emulate the sounds and guitar styles of a great variety on musical acts. With the exception of a ten-year hiatus, Marc’s been playing in bands since the age of nine, totalling over 40 years of live band experience. After his formative years in school bands and in Rock 70’s and 80’s cover bands, and in the 90’s in a large stage band called Synchro consisting of nine musicians and twenty singers for theatre and festival concerts, Marc continued to build his chops covering many genres of music such as Country, Jazz, Pop, Rock, Broadway and such. In 2015 he returned to his first love, the cover band bar scene, joining the Ottawa Cover band MIGIZI. Marc’s playing influences come from countless hours playing and covering songs from Emmett, Frampton, Gilmore and EVH and also covering songs from bands like Styx; April Wine; Loverboy; Genesis; Supertramp; Rush; Led Zeppelin; Deep Purple; Alan Parsons Project; King Crimson; Saga and so many more. Marc early gear: Marc started with a Trainor Bass Master head into a Hiwatt 4x12 Celestions. Pedals such as MXR Distorsion, BOSS Chorus, Delay and Flanger, VOX Wah, The Zonk Machine Fuzz.... you get the idea. From the 90's onward Marc was an early adopter of modellers such as Roland GP-16, then the Line6 HD500. Currently, he uses a 1977 MANN LP Custom (Lawsuit guitar), a 40th Anniversary Edition US Fender Strat, a Harley Benton Standard Fat Strat and his main instrument, the Ibanez S670QM-DEB. That with the Line 6 Helix Floor and LT and some other pedals Marc performs sonic magic!
Percussionist and backing vocals
Marc also joined DarkSpeed in January 2023. Marc Picked up the drums at age thirteen clocking in at over forty years of live performance experience playing bars and local events since the age of sixteen! Some of the local Timmins-based bands Marc played in were: Legacy, Trapper, Thorium and Longshot which featured Eileen (Twain) Edwards, now known as Shania Twain. Marc toured Eastern Canada for two years with The Machine from Sudbury and then Powerage (AC DC tribute) from Toronto. Marc moved to Ottawa in 1986 and played with many local bands: The big Umbrella which won the 54 Rock Homegrown contest in 1988, Starfire, Barrelhouse, the new Gleneagle, Spielberk Sky, Solid Citizens, Soul Motion, Sweet Home Chicago (Blues Brothers Tribute), 8 Trax, the Burning Halos, Dream Pool. Bustin Loose, Ridin Shotgun, Cactus Juice, Rob del Re jazz trio. Needless to say Marc is a serious percussionist with many battle scars! He even played percussion in a French-African play! Marc also took a Latin drums and percussion course with Humber College professor, Memo Acevedo. Marc’s favourite drum companies are: Gretsch and Paiste Marc’s favourite rock drummers in order: John Bonham, Neil Peart, Stewart Copeland, Ian Paice, Gavin Harrison and his favorite jazz drummers are : Elvin Jones, Buddy Rich, Vinnie Colaiuta, Dennis Chambers and Dave Weckl. Being the outstanding percussionist he is, and providing backing vocals, Marc Marin plays a vital role in shaping the team's distinctive sound. We're sure glad we have him!
