Formed in 1996, they played consistently for two years in and around the north eastern United States, opening for The New Bomb Turks, Nashville Pussy, Blonde Redhead, The Make-Up, The Dirtbombs, The Chrome Cranks and The Demolition Doll Rods. Originally they didn't even want to release an album opting to have the band's live reputation spread via word of mouth. Eventually, the trio reneged and put out a self-titled six song e.p. on Sonic Unyon records in 1998.
In 1999 they released the self-produced My Love Is Bold E.P. and achieved national exposure with the single "Bounce". They were nominated for a Juno in 2000 for Best Alternative Album.
In 2001 Bad Taste Records of Lund, Sweden released a compilation of the band's early recordings, demos, and b-sides entitled, I'm Alive and On Fire. A 5 week European tour followed to promote the release including shows at the Roskilde festival in Denmark and Hultsfred festival in Sweden and by the end of the year they had returned 2 more times, most notably as main support for the Backyard Babies.
In 2002 they released their first full-length album, Born A Lion, produced by Bill B …
Formed in 1996, they played consistently for two years in and around the north eastern United States, opening for The New Bomb Turks, Nashville Pussy, Blonde Redhead, The Make-Up, The Dirtbombs, The Chrome Cranks and The Demolition Doll Rods. Originally they didn't even want to release an album opting to have the band's live reputation spread via word of mouth. Eventually, the trio reneged and put out a self-titled six song e.p. on Sonic Unyon records in 1998.
In 1999 they released the self-produced My Love Is Bold E.P. and achieved national exposure with the single "Bounce". They were nominated for a Juno in 2000 for Best Alternative Album.
In 2001 Bad Taste Records of Lund, Sweden released a compilation of the band's early recordings, demos, and b-sides entitled, I'm Alive and On Fire. A 5 week European tour followed to promote the release including shows at the Roskilde festival in Denmark and Hultsfred festival in Sweden and by the end of the year they had returned 2 more times, most notably as main support for the Backyard Babies.
In 2002 they released their first full-length album, Born A Lion, produced by Bill Bell, on Bad Taste Records in Europe and on Universal in Canada. The band did several European tours and two Canadian tours to promote the record including an unprecedented repeat performance at Roskilde and the now legendary return to Hultsfred as well as notable stops to Pukkel Pop in Belgium and The Lowlands festival in Holland. They also managed to grab the opening slot with The Rolling Stones on their "40 Licks" World tour kick-show at the Palais Royale in Toronto, Canada on August 16, 2002.
2003 saw the release of We Sweat Blood, produced by Matt DeMatteo, and the group taking a heavier approach to their hard-rock sound. More touring followed that included Europe and Japan.They were also nominated for two Junos, Best Rock Album and Best video.
While success was happening abroad, home relations with Universal Canada had soured and the band was dropped mid-album run. Explanations from the label were vague, but speculations point to Jones' February 2004 appearance on CBC Sunday re: file sharing where Jones appeared as a pro-downloader opposite then CRIA president, Brian Robertson (Canadian Recording Industry Association). Putting their money where their mouths were the band uploaded 5 never-before-released "web exclusive" songs for free download which remain on their site ([1]) today.
Getting dropped from Universal did little to stop the group as they continued to tour heavily for the rest of the year well into 2004 with bands like Turbonegro, Sepultura and The Bronx. While touring they managed to pick up another Juno nomination for Best Rock Album and tour Australia as well as more European dates including Rock Am Ring and Rock Im Park in Germany and Download, Leeds and Redding in England.
Early 2005 was taken up by recording the follow-up to We Sweat Blood, but not without a series of tours amidst recording that brought the band to Holland, Germany and South Africa. In April, American label, Razor And Tie released We Sweat Blood and the band set out to America in support as well. Working two releases simultaneously on both sides of the Atlantic proved quite hard and the worldwide release for the upcoming album, Sleep is the Enemy, produced by Matt DeMatteo, was pushed back to 2006.
During the summer and fall of 2005 the band toured America heavily with two of We Sweat Blood's singles being second most added to active rock radio in America ("Lovercall" and "Forget My Name"). Stateside tours with Flogging Molly, Our Lady Peace, The Supersuckers, and (The) International Noise Conspiracy followed.
In January and February of 2006, under new Canadian label, Aquarius Records, the band set out to do their first Canadian tour in almost 4 years opening up for Nickelback. Many were confused by the decision to tour with the multi-platinum radio friendly band whereby Jones shot back, "We get to play in every NHL Hockey arena, sold-out in our home country. You do the math.". With the release of Sleep Is The Enemy came more touring including America and a headlining European club tour with Brant Bjork & The Bros. as support. The summer saw them perform at Rock Am Ring, Rock Im Park, With Full Force and Wacken Open Air in Germany; Hellfest and Furiafest in France, Metaltown in Sweden, Tuska Festival in Norway, Pinkpop and Lowlands in Holland, Ruis Rock and Anka Rock in Finland, Gampel in Switzerland and Wireless in the U.K. among at least a dozen more.
In October of 2006, a 2 week tour of Norway saw the band play with ex-Kyuss frontman, John Garcia who appeared on the song "Invisible" off of Sleep Is The Enemy. They performed a set of songs that included Thorn (Unida), Allen's Wrench (Kyuss), and Senor Moreno's Plan (Hermano). Garcia flew out to perform again with the band at the last show of their tour in Toronto this past December 2006.
