Alexisonfire: Difference between revisions
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===''Watch Out!'': 2004–2005=== |
===''Watch Out!'': 2004–2005=== |
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The band then went on to release ''[[Watch Out!]]'' in 2004. While touring in support of the album with [[Johnny Truant]] and [[The Blood Roses]] in [[Glasgow]], [[Scotland]] in October 2005, each member of all three bands had the word "Yeti" tattooed on themselves. On an episode of the MuchMusic program The New Music, Pettit and Green revealed that the inspiration for their "Yeti" tattoos came from the 1988 [[Gary Oldman]] film ''[[The Firm (1988 film)|The Firm]]''. |
The band then went on to release ''[[Watch Out!]]'' in 2004. "Accidents was released as the first single.<ref>http://www.musicemissions.com/artists/index.php?artist_id=2347</ref> While touring in support of the album with [[Johnny Truant]] and [[The Blood Roses]] in [[Glasgow]], [[Scotland]] in October 2005, each member of all three bands had the word "Yeti" tattooed on themselves. On an episode of the MuchMusic program The New Music, Pettit and Green revealed that the inspiration for their "Yeti" tattoos came from the 1988 [[Gary Oldman]] film ''[[The Firm (1988 film)|The Firm]]''. |
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===''Crisis'': 2006–present=== |
===''Crisis'': 2006–present=== |
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Revision as of 20:28, 25 September 2007
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2007) |
Alexisonfire |
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Alexisonfire (IPA: /ə.lɛks.ɪs.ɔn.faɪ.ɹ/)[1] is a five-piece post-hardcore band that formed in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada[2] in 2001. The band consists of George Pettit (vocals), Dallas Green (guitar/vocals), Wade MacNeil (guitar/vocals), Chris Steele (bass), and Jordan Hastings (drums/percussion).
The band describes their music as aggressive and energetic,[3] with a unique sound. The band's uniqueness is suggested by the fact that they are named after porn star Alexis Fire, the only "lactating contortionist in the world."[2][4] The band plays on the extremes of multiple vocalists, with Dallas Green providing melody with his soft singing, George Pettit's polar-opposite explosive screaming, and with Wade MacNeil lending his punk rock vocals to the mixture.[citation needed] Over the years their style has progressed, their lyrics have evolved, with subject matters from go-karting to relationship troubles, and musically they have developed a more mature and available sound. Their most recent music video reflects their stance shift and stylistic progression.[citation needed]
The band is managed by Joel Carriere, co-founder of the popular Canadian online music magazine Bedlam Society, and their label, Dine Alone Records. Alexisonfire's latest album, Crisis, debuted at number one on the Canadian charts, and the band is currently in the midst of their North American tour.
History
Origins and mainstream success: 2001–2003
Alexisonfire was formed in late 2001 as the result of a three-band break up. Pettit was playing bass in a tech-metal band called Condemning Salemn, Green was a lead singer/guitar player in Helicon Blue, and MacNeil and Steele played in a punk rock band called Plan 9. These bands broke up at the same time, and it was the remaining members who still had drive who came together and formed Alexisonfire.[5] They played their very first show in Niagara Falls, Ontario, in 2001. The band's name is a sort-of homage to Alexis Fire, who claimed to be the world's only lactating contortionist stripper.[4] This caused problems when she discovered that they were using her website name as their band name, and threatened to sue. However, since she had never trademarked the title, nothing became of these threats. The band released its first EP, Math Sheet Demos in 2002 so named because the CD was wrapped in former drummer, Jesse Ingelevics' math homework. The first, self-titled studio album Alexisonfire was released that same year. Initially they faced hard times and received virtually no radio airtime, which continues to stand true today regardless of their popularity. This didn't hold the band back though, they broke out, gaining notoriety in the underground, and eventually with the support of MuchMusic.
Watch Out!: 2004–2005
The band then went on to release Watch Out! in 2004. "Accidents was released as the first single.[6] While touring in support of the album with Johnny Truant and The Blood Roses in Glasgow, Scotland in October 2005, each member of all three bands had the word "Yeti" tattooed on themselves. On an episode of the MuchMusic program The New Music, Pettit and Green revealed that the inspiration for their "Yeti" tattoos came from the 1988 Gary Oldman film The Firm.
Crisis: 2006–present
 | This article possibly contains original research. |
In 2006, Alexisonfire signed to Vagrant Records in the United States after leaving their former label Equal Vision Records and released their third studio album, Crisis. AllMusic Guide considered the album to be their best to date. [1] With their change of musical style, the band also changed their style of video from a more lo-fi style using the director Marc Ricciardelli, to a more cinematic approach.[citation needed] In May 2007 they headlined the SolidSonic Music Festival in New Zealand playing alongside The Rabble, City Newton Bombers and The Bleeders.
In a recent interview, vocalist George Pettit states that he is unaware of the direction that the band will head in for their next album, but that it will be a big departure from their post hardcore roots. "The next record, I think, is us pretty much wanting to put the knife in screamo. I don't want to be the band that saves it, I want to be the band that kills it.[7]
Side Projects
The members of the band have many side projects:
City and Colour
City and Colour is Dallas Green's solo side project, under which he has released an EP, The Death of Me, a studio album, Sometimes, and a live album, Live; all under the label Dine Alone Records. The Alexisonfire song, "Where No One Knows", was originally (in part) a song by Dallas Green (as City and Colour). He is set to release a second full-length in summer 2007. The side projects name derives from Dallas Green's name, City being his first name and Colour being his last name.
The Black Lungs
The Black Lungs is a band formed by Wade MacNeil. Originally its members were George Pettit, Jordan "Ratbeard" Hastings and Sean McNabb of the now dissolved band Jersey. After playing a few shows the band broke up leaving only Wade MacNeil. The Black Lungs is now Wade MacNeil's solo project. Sammi Bogdanski plays the piano over Wade's vocals and guitar. Wade has recorded an album which will be released on Dine Alone Records sometime in the winter/spring of 2007. Two tracks have been released onto MySpace.
Bergenfield Four
George Pettit played a show on September 1 2006 in a band with members of Attack in Black, Keep It Up and Fucked Up. Named after the suicides in BergenField, N.J. the quartet has recently released their first 7" on LowDown Records.
Fucked Up
George Pettit, from time to time, plays bass for the Toronto hardcore band Fucked Up.
Members
- George Pettit - vocals (2001 - present)
- Dallas Green - guitar, vocals, piano (2001 - present)
- Wade MacNeil - guitar, vocals (2001 - present)
- Chris Steele - bass (2001 - present)
- Jordan Hastings - drums, percussion (2005 - present)
Former members
- Jesse Ingelevics - drums (2001 - 2005)
As of June 14, 2005, Alexisonfire made a statement on their website that Jesse Ingelevics would no longer be part of the band. The news story cited that the band and Ingelevics had slowly grown apart, and that he wanted to spend more time with his family and his fiancée.
Awards/Nominations
| Year | Event | Won | Nominated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Canadian Independent Music Awards | Best Video ("Pulmonary Archery") | |
| CASBY Awards | NXNE Favourite Indie Band | ||
| MuchMusic Video Awards | VideoFACT ("Counterparts and Number Them") | Best Independent Video ("Counterparts and Number Them") | |
| 2005 | Juno Awards | New Group Of The Year | |
| MuchMusic Video Awards | Best Independent Video ("Accidents") |
Peoples' Choice Award - Favourite Canadian Group, MuchLOUD Best Rock Video ("Accidents") | |
| SPIN.com Band of the Year | Band of the Year in the "All-Ages" category | ||
| 2006 | CASBY Awards | Favorite New Indie Release (Crisis) | |
| 2007 | Juno Awards | Group of the Year | |
| MuchMusic Video Awards | Best Cinematography ("This Could Be Anywhere In The World") |
Peoples' Choice Award - Favourite Canadian Group, MuchLOUD Best Rock Video ("This Could Be Anywhere In The World") |
Selected discography
Date of release Title Record label Notes September 9, 2002 Alexisonfire Distort Entertainment Certified Gold (Canada)[8] June 29, 2004 Watch Out! Distort Entertainment Platinum (Canada)[9] August 22, 2006 Crisis Distort Entertainment Platinum (Canada)[10]
See also
References
- ^ Alexisonfire FAQ. theonlybandever.com. Retrieved on September 22, 2007. ("What kind of an idiot would name a band alex is on fire?")
- ^ a b Ross, Mike. "Band is a scream", CANOE JAM!, April 30, 2004. Retrieved on July 17, 2007.
- ^ As seen on MuchMusic's Adrenaline
- ^ a b Commonly known, but confirmed by Chris Steele in an interview, viewable here
- ^ http://www.truepunk.com/interviews/alexis_on_fire/
- ^ http://www.musicemissions.com/artists/index.php?artist_id=2347
- ^ http://www.canadaeast.com/ce2/docroot/article.php?articleID=29123
- ^ CRIA Gold and Platinum Certifications for October 2005. Canadian Recording Industry Association (October 2005). Retrieved on September 22, 2007.
- ^ CRIA Gold and Platinum Certifications for April 2007. Canadian Recording Industry Association (April 2007). Retrieved on September 22, 2007.
- ^ CRIA Gold and Platinum Certifications for May 2007. Canadian Recording Industry Association (May 2007). Retrieved on September 22, 2007.