Niagara rockers make perfect strangers on new Crave TV show
Jacob Bergsma and Danno O’shea of My Son the Hurricane appear in reality series ‘The Stranger Experiment’
Two members of Niagara ska/rock band My Son the Hurricane are part of a new reality series on Crave TV.
Drummer Danno O’shea and singer Jacob Bergsma each appear in separate episodes of “The Stranger Experiment,” which premiered last week.
The show’s concept pairs two completely opposite people together during the pandemic and has them discuss their differences.
In the second episode, Bergsma — a former heavy metal singer — finds common ground with an opera singer, while in the third episode, O’shea — a parttime funeral director — is paired up with a sex therapist. Both episodes are streaming now at www.crave.ca.
As he waits for the day My Son the Hurricane can hit the road again, O’shea took some time for a Q&A on his unlikely TV detour:
The Niagara Falls Review: Are the producers fans of My Son The Hurricane or something? How did two members of the band end up on the show?
O’shea: “Ha, it was actually totally random if you can believe it. We both have big personalities and I guess that’s what casting was looking for. It was fun for us to be doing something that’s not on stage.”
The Review: Are you a reality TV guy? What stood out about this one to make you dive in?
O’shea: “Outside of ‘Jersey Shore’ and ‘America’s Next Top Model’ I don’t think I have watched very much. But this seemed like a really neat way to learn about some new people and have them take a look behind the curtain of what we do. I’m sure people have a certain idea of what a touring drummer is like or what a mortician (in training) is like, it was nice to show them a bit more.”
The Review: The concept pairs you with someone supposed to be your polar opposite. Were you worried you’d get someone you just didn’t get along with?
O’shea: “Oh yeah, I was worried it would go pear-shaped fast. I have a personality that people either love or hate generally so I was glad we hit it off and had a great conversation.”
The Review: Was there an awkward moment you weren’t ready for?
O’shea: “I don’t know if I’m made for TV. I like being hidden behind a bunch of horn players or in the basement of the funeral home. But it did get some creative thoughts flowing … that said, I just tried to enjoy the process and have a laugh as they had to powder my big nose.”
The Review: You’ve hinted at another TV show in the works, anything you can spill?
O’shea: “Well, a year back My Son the Hurricane produced ‘Eye of the Storm,’ which was a little tour documentary from before things got very big for us. We had a blast doing it so I’ve been pitching networks a show about My Son the Hurricane and what it’s like touring with a band that’s bigger than ‘The Brady Bunch.’ ”
The Review: TV shows are fine, but will My Son the Hurricane be ready to roll when this pandemic is cancelled?
O’shea: “More than ready! We’ve got new songs, new stage moves and we’re heavily booking 2022. We may even get a few 2021 shows in if the plague lifts. We’d rather be in front of a crowd than a camera any day.”