b4-4
b4-4 (Before Four) | |
---|---|
![]() b4-4 in their music video for "Get Down" (left to right: Ryan Kowarsky, Ohad Einbinder, and Dan Kowarsky) | |
Background information | |
Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
Genres | Pop, teen pop |
Years active | 1999–2004 |
Labels | Sony Records |
Past members | Ryan Kowarsky Dan Kowarsky Ohad Einbinder Ethan Klein |
b4-4, later known as Before Four (stylized as before four), was a Canadian boy band from Toronto, Ontario. The band was composed of twins Ryan and Dan Kowarsky,[1] along with Ohad Einbinder.[2] They were signed to Sony Records and achieved commercial success in Canada and later toured as Before Four in Germany.[3] After the band split up, Ryan and Dan Kowarsky went on to form the vocal, musical, songwriting and producing duo RyanDan.
History
As b4-4
The Kowarskys and Einbinder were friends for several years before the group officially formed in 1999. After an audition for Mike Roth of Toronto Sony Records studios, they were signed to the label.[4]
Their debut was with the album b4-4. They also signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV. b4-4 achieved success in Canada with the single "Get Down" and its accompanying video,[5][6][7] and later "Go Go".[4] Other releases included "Everyday", and "Ball and Chain". The self-titled album was certified Platinum in Canada.[8][3]
They headlined YTV's Psykoblast Tour and also toured with Destiny's Child in the TRL tour. They were also nominated for Best New Group at the 2001 Juno Awards.[4]
As Before Four
Following their success in Canada, the trio b4-4 headed to Germany, signing with Universal Music / Polydor under the name Before Four.[9] They released a second album In Your Face.
Break-up
B4-4 disbanded in 2004. After the break up, Ryan and Dan Kowarsky formed the duo group RyanDan and released two albums, RyanDan in 2007 and Imagine in 2014.
Discography
Albums
Year | Album details | Peak | Notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA | GER | |||
2000 | b4-4
|
CAN: Platinum | ||
2003 | In Your Face
|
Limited Edition released only in Germany |
Singles
Year | Single | Peak positions | Album | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CAN [10][11] |
GER | AUT | SUI | |||
2000 | "Get Down" | 4 | — | — | — | b4-4 |
"Go Go" | 21 | — | — | — | ||
"Everyday" | — | — | — | — | ||
2001 | "Ball and Chain" | — | — | — | — | |
"Endlessly" | — | — | — | — | ||
2003 | "Player" | — | 29 | — | — | In Your Face |
"I'll Be There" | — | 11 | — | 57 | ||
"Feel Free (To Say No)" | — | 8 | 50 | — |
Music videos
Year | Single | Album |
---|---|---|
2000 | Get Down | b4-4 |
Go Go | ||
Everyday | ||
2003 | Player | In Your Face |
Feel Free (To Say No) |
See also
References
- ^ "Twins lead a double life in Cookstown and Las Vegas". by Bruce Hain Innisfil Journal, Jul 24, 2013
- ^ "Still the one: 21 things to know about Shania Twain". Global News, By John R. Kennedy March 9, 2015
- ^ a b "RyanDan grew up through B4-4 experiences". Regina Leader-Post, Jun 21, 2008 . Mile Devlin
- ^ a b c " TWINS PEAK". Elizabeth Renzetti, LONDON — Globe and Mail, Oct. 13, 2007
- ^ "Break Yo’ TV: B4-4’s “Get Down”". Consequences of Sound, by Alex Young on August 12, 2010
- ^ "5 Forgotten Canadian One Hit Wonders We Love". andPop, August 6, 2014 by Merna Jibrail
- ^ "TBT: O-Town's reunion and the 7 dirtiest boy band songs". Entertainment Weekly, Hillary Busis April 3, 2014
- ^ "Gold & Platinum Certification – April 2001". Canadian Recording Industry Association. Archived from the original on 2010-10-19. Retrieved 2010-08-17.
- ^ "RyanDan cuts boy band roots"[permanent dead link]. By JASON MacNEIL Sun Media, 2007-11-10
- ^ "Top Singles - Volume 71, No. 12, July 24, 2000". RPM. Retrieved 2010-05-14.
- ^ "Top Singles - Volume 71, No. 22, October 02 2000". RPM. Retrieved 2011-02-01.