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By Don Levandier

Iron Giant and Gallactus may not be household names on local rock radio - but if you're into loud music at all - these guys are heavy, heavy hitters. So much so in fact, that these N.B. bands are each nominated for an East Coast Music Award at this year's conference happenning in Cornerbrook, Newfoundland from February 26 to March 1. The award nominations given for the recordings that each band put out in 2008 with Iron Giant having released Creator of Scars and Gallactus with Nine Mile Woods.

Giant and Gallactus however aren't just both heavy N.B. bands that have new records out and ECMA nominations. These bands even have a long history of playing side by side and have become what most consider to be "sister bands" - which roughly equates to the musical equivalent of siblings. As of 2007 they've become label-mates as they're both situated with Halifax based Diminished 5th Records. To entwine the bands even further, Iron Giant recruited Gallactus bassist Shaun Crawford to take over guitar duties in their camp.

But having Moncton bands nominated for ECMA awards isn't really that remarkable however. It happens all the time. What's remarkable though "" is the way they've gone about it. An appropriate category didn't exist to fit these bands into. So through an initiative spearheaded by their record label owner and creator Josh Hogan, they got one created.

Hogan petitioned the ECMAs for the category and collected signatures to show them that the category was needed not only in his eyes - but in the eyes of loud music fans all over the East Coast.

"When it comes to metal and loud music - the East Coast is amazing. It's about time these bands got the recognition they deserve," remarks Hogan on the long overdue category.

If you've ever had any experience with the ECMAs or know someone who attends the event regularly - they'd likely tell you that while the association is very progressive they aren't exactly a haven for heavy metal bands. The best option for an award hungry metal band (and while scarce these bands do exist) was to slide into the alternative award category. Alternative however covers a huge span of music with 2009's nominees as broad as the dancy Grand Theft Bus to the kitchen party of Tom Fun to the pop-esque of Hey Rosetta.

This year, for the first time ever, metal and punk bands have been given their very own awards category - should they choose to exercise the right to use it. The Loud Music category debuts in 2009 with the nominees list being made of up Iron Giant, Gallactus, Shelter With Thieves (Halifax), and Holophonic Porno (Fredericton). I caught up with members of both Iron Giant and Gallactus to get their thoughts on being nominated for an ECMA for the first time in their respective careers.

"We're just happy to be nominated" say's Iron Giant singer Chris Lewis, who took a second to talk about the nomination while in the middle of cleaning his bathroom. "Alterative is such a broad spectrum that we wouldn't have submitted the record "" but it's just so cool that there's a category for us to be in," he says.

Gallactus is in the same boat. Like Iron Giant, they wouldn't have submitted their recording for consideration for an alternative award. And like Iron Giant, Gallactus is getting behind the Loud category.

"As cheesy as it sounds - it's cool to be nominated," says Dan Hodgson who takes care of vocal duties for Gallactus. "It has opened our band up to people that normally wouldn't have heard of us." As great as the nominations are, the reality is that only one of the four nominees can win. The winner is chosen in part by jury and part by the East Coast Music Association's membership. So while there's a good probability that either Gallactus or Iron Giant will bring home the award - the downside is that the winner will have to deal with the wrath of the loser in this case.

"If they (Gallactus) win, they will definitely get harassed," jokes Lewis. "I think a little bit of spanking would be in order." Gallactus also have plans for the Iron Giant crew.

"If we were to win "" we'd play a show with Iron Giant and make them open for us," laughs Hodgson. "We'd make a poster that said ECMA Award Winners by our name, and ECMA Nominees by theirs." Friendly rivalries aside "" both bands are hoping the win goes to their collective camp.

"A win for them is a win for us," continues Lewis and upon hearing those words repeated, Hodgson completely agreed.

As of 2008, Shaun Crawford plays guitar for Iron Giant, but he has also played bass guitar in Gallactus since the band was created.

"I'd be completely cool if one of the other bands won the award," jokes Crawford. "Gallactus is my baby, and Iron Giant is a hard working band. I don't know who I'd want to win."

While Crawford can't say who he actually wants to win out of a legitimate fear for his life from the other band's members - he did says that the band he's secretly rooting for contains the letters A, G, and T in its name.

Reactions to the news that two of the heaviest bands on the East Coast were now ECMA nominees have been surprisingly positive. In a media- driven age where feedback and thoughts are so easily voiced the bands have found themselves receiving more support than expected.

"Everyone is saying it's cool that ECMAs are recognizing heavy shit," says Lewis. "Of course, some of us are too cool for school but when it comes down to it - people are working hard and others are starting to take notice."

Hodgson has also found the support a bit surprising. "I've been doing this for eight years now and my parents have been pretty quiet about it. But since I told my parents about this nomination, they've been telling everyone they know - they think it's just awesome." Crawford says he's run into the exact same scenario with his parents.

"My Dad told me to play country music for years. He said that's where the money is, and he's probably right," he laughs. "But this nomination justifies what we do to them." So while the award is anybody's game, you can be sure that come Sunday, March 1, that at least a few Moncton households will be tuned into the CBC live broadcast of the awards ceremony to see who will be taking home the award - and who, if anyone, will be getting roughed up.

Iron Giant is: Chris Lewis, PJ Dunphy, Shaun Crawford, Jon Flanagan

Gallactus is: Dan Hodgson, Shaun Crawford, Chris Crawford, Jason McAllister

To check out music from both of these bands head over to www.diminishedfifthrecords.com