“Acoustic” isn’t a word often heard in metal bars, but Jesse O’ Reilly and Judd Johnson, the unplugged force behind Red Deer’s Cain & Abel, are changing the way metalheads view the “wooden twang boxes.”

“I guess we just make acoustic guitars look metal,” O’ Reilly laughs. “Although we have understandably been the ‘freak show’ at every metal gig we’ve played, I think we have both been pleasantly surprised by the positive reaction from metalheads and general rock fans alike.”

“My ascent into the acoustic ranks was somewhat accidental. I blame Jesse,” Johnson notes, pointing over at O’Reilly. “He booked (shows) for our boys in Kataplexis, and when we put together four songs to fill a spot on a bill, that was the first time I’d ever performed in an acoustic setting. It was after that show that Cain & Abel was born.”

And the brotherly name fits the family members, although it’s obvious they get along much better than the age-old brothers of that namesake.

“We’re first cousins,” Johnson offers. “And as cheesy as it sounds, I do consider this son of a bitch more like a brother than anything else.”

“Awwwww,” O’Reilly chimes in. “But seriously, I agree.”

How long have you been playing music together?

Judd Johnson: In a more consistent and serious manner, I would say roughly four years. Of course, when we were younger and just starting out we would jam covers anytime we would visit one another.

Was music a big part of your family life growing up?

Jesse O’ Reilly: Good lord, yes. I come from a large immediate family (12 children, including myself) and most of us have played music at some point. My dad has been singing and playing guitar and banjo for well over 40 years. (However) due to having severe middle child syndrome and not wanting to emulate my older brother (vocals, bass, guitar) I resisted it for as long as I could, but it wasn’t long after I got into metal that I become completely obsessed. Judd is the sole bringer of shred in his immediate family, so he always jokes that the music gene leaped from my family to him!

Johnson: Aside from Steve Earle cuts heard in my fathers truck, and G’N'R bellowing out from under my sisters bedroom door, music was never a huge part of my immediate family’s life. Like most teenagers, I naturally gravitated towards music when I was trying to find both an outlet and a voice. Once I found metal though, that was it, and music became my identity.

You guys are no strangers to the Red Deer metal scene. How did you first get involved?

Johnson: I’ve been involved with the Red Deer metal scene to some degree or another since 2002. I formed my first band with Blair Nightingale, Ty Martin, and Mike Tofin. We had played in a few incarnations of the same band until 2006 when our natural progression as musicians led us to form Becoming The Martyr (BTM).

O’ Reilly: I really didn’t become involved until 2006 when, as Judd said, BTM formed and I relocated here from Peace River, Alta. to sing for them.

How would you say the Red Deer metal scene has evolved over the last four years?

Johnson: There are definitely more bands popping up in the metal genre than there were back then, unfortunately the venue for metal still isn’t where it should be. I think that the Red Deer metal scene would thrive if the bands/fans were shown more venue support, especially when you have touring bands constantly wanting to make stops in Red Deer. The community is here.

What advantages are there playing acoustic sets?

Johnson: Five words: two dudes and two guitars. Aside from the writing and rehearsing aspect, when all you have to worry about is two drunkards and their wooden twang boxes, loading in and loading out is quick and painless! We’re every sound guy’s wet dream.

What about the disadvantages?

O’ Reilly: None, save that we’ve yet to find our specific audience. Not that we mind being “the acoustic band opening the metal show,” but in time it will be nice to find audiences who are specifically looking for what we have to offer.

I imagine that without drums and bass, and only two guys in the band, composing is a fairly easy task. Is it, and are there any limitations as a result?

Johnson: Having only two members definitely makes the writing process that much easier. When you’re part of a band that harbours four or five different musicians, it can be difficult to get everyone on the same page sometimes. With only two of us though, that’s a very rare occurrence. However, not having those extra instruments and those extra sets of ears can definitely have it’s downside; but, I think for what we’re trying to do with Cain & Abel it doesn’t hurt us very much, if at all.

Do you have any plans to record?

O’ Reilly: We are currently working on a full length album entitled Ballads From The Other Side to be self released this fall. It has seen a few delays, but by the gods it is coming!

Johnson: I’m sorry for said delays, Jesse, I know I’ve been super busy trying to help Jethro Tull win another Grammy, which I know is no excuse, but I hope both you and the fans accept my sincerest apologies.

Is there anything else we should know about you two or your music?

Johnson: Yes, you should know that I am, in fact, Judd Anthony Johnson III Jr. Esq., and I like to party. Ladies, get at me.

O’ Reilly: I think that speaks volumes!