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Arkells

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Arkells
Arkells performing in Buffalo, New York in 2013
Arkells performing in Buffalo, New York in 2013
Background information
OriginHamilton, Ontario, Canada
GenresAlternative rock
Years active2006 (2006)–present
LabelsUniversal Music Canada, Dine Alone
MembersMax Kerman
Mike DeAngelis
Nick Dika
Tim Oxford
Anthony Carone
Past membersDan Griffin
Websitearkellsmusic.com

Arkells is a Canadian rock band, formed in Hamilton, Ontario. In 2006, they signed with Dine Alone Records,[1] and have since signed with Universal Records Canada[2] and Last Gang Records. They have released eight albums: Jackson Square (2008), Michigan Left (2011), High Noon (2014), Morning Report (2016), Rally Cry (2018), Blink Once (2021), Blink Twice (2022) and Laundry Pile (2023). The band has been nominated for over 15 Juno Awards; winning Rock Album of the Year for High Noon and Rally Cry, and six times for Group of the Year.[3]

History

Formation and Jackson Square (2006–2010)

During their first few live shows the band called themselves Charlemagne but changed their name when another band of the same name threatened to sue them. The band is named after Arkell Street in the Westdale neighbourhood of Hamilton,[4] near McMaster University, where they lived and would practice their music. All five original band members attended McMaster where lead singer Max Kerman graduated with an honours BA in Political Science. Kerman met guitarist Mike DeAngelis at a McMaster Welcome Week event where they discovered they had an identical taste in music.[5]

Arkells' debut album Jackson Square was released 28 October 2008 on Dine Alone Records.[6] In late 2008, Arkells toured Canada as opening act for Matt Mays & El Torpedo.[7] Later that year, on November 22, they performed the halftime show at the Vanier Cup in their hometown.[8]

Arkells performing at the Sound of Music Festival in Burlingon, Ontario in 2010

In early 2009 they toured with Waking Eyes across Canada.[9] Arkells were featured on Aux.tv's Alt Sessions where they performed their full EP.[10] In October, 2009, Arkells won a favourite new artist CASBY Award (short for Canadian Artists Selected by You) from Toronto radio station 102.1 The Edge at a ceremony and concert at Toronto's Kool Haus.[11] The band also performed at the event.[11] In April 2010, the band won the Juno Award for New Group of the Year,[12][13] and on May 15, 2010, were picked to open for Them Crooked Vultures at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.[14]

Michigan Left and High Noon (2011–2015)

In 2011, the band wrote and recorded their second album Michigan Left, which was released on October 18 of that year. The first single, "Whistleblower", was released on July 5, 2011. The band also released a second song, "Kiss Cam", in July. On 6 October 2011 it was announced that Dan Griffin would be leaving the band to go back to school.[15] He was replaced by Anthony Carone.[15] In 2012, Arkells won the 2012 Juno Award for Group of the Year.[16]

On April 7, 2014, Arkells released the first track, "Never Thought That This Would Happen", from their third album, which was produced by Tony Hoffer (Beck, The Kooks, M83). One month later, on May 13, the band released the album's first single "Come to Light", and confirmed the title of the record would be High Noon. The record was released on Dine Alone/Universal Records, August 5, 2014.[17]

The band toured extensively, including tours in the United States with Lights, Tokyo Police Club, The Postelles, X Ambassadors, and Lydia; European touring with Billy Talent, Augustines, British Sea Power, and Anti-Flag as well as Canadian touring with Metric, the Tragically Hip, Hollerado, and Sam Roberts. At the Juno Awards of 2015, the group won the Juno Award for Group of the Year and the Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year. High Noon was also long listed for the Polaris prize in 2015.[18] On October 23, 2015, the band released a new EP, "Study Music", which they self-produced and released on Universal Music Canada/Dine Alone Records.

Morning Report and Rally Cry (2016–2020)

Arkells performing in Maquoketa, Iowa in 2016

Arkells began teasing new material from their forthcoming album on tour in the spring of 2016. The fourth album, Morning Report, was released on August 5, 2016.[19] The first single, "Private School", debuted on May 6, 2016, and charted at number 1 that summer.[citation needed] The video features cameos from Lights, Dave Monks of Tokyo Police Club and Steve Jocz (formerly of Sum 41), who also directed the video.[20]

At the Juno Awards of 2017, Arkells were nominated for Juno Award for Group of the Year and the Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year.[21] They performed their viral hit "Drake's Dad" live on the television broadcast.[22] They released a new single on April 7, 2017, entitled "Knocking at the Door".[23] The track shot to number 1 on the Canadian alt/rock charts, where it spent 14 weeks at #1.[24] It also became their first #1 Active Rock single. They performed the track live that summer on the 2017 NHL Awards in Las Vegas and the 2017 iHeartRadio MuchMusic Video Awards in Toronto. In the summer of 2017, the band toured the festival circuit, playing Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival,[25] Osheaga Festival,[26] and Sasquatch! Music Festival.[27] Later in the year, the track cracked the US ALT chart, peaking at #39.[citation needed]

DeAngelis (left) and Kerman (right) performing in Edmonton, Alberta in 2018

In February 2018, the band was invited to South Korea to perform for the Canadian Olympic team during the 2018 Winter Olympics.[28] In June 2018, the band played at Tim Hortons Field in their hometown of Hamilton for a crowd of 24,000 people. It was the largest crowd for an outdoor show in Hamilton since Pink Floyd drew 50,000 to Ivor Wynne Stadium in 1975.[29][30] On August 15, 2018, the band announced that their fifth studio album, Rally Cry, would be released on October 19, 2018.[31] On June 23, 2018, Arkells hosted a major hometown concert, dubbed "The Rally", at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario. The concert was paired with several events across the city including a market outside the stadium, a bike ride to the show, and featured Ellevator, Bishop Briggs, and Cold War Kids.[32] Arkells released their fifth studio album, Rally Cry, on October 19, 2018, accompanied by a Canadian tour featuring Lord Huron as the opening act. The tour featured the Arkells' largest arena show yet, at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on February 16, 2019.

On February 25, 2020, the band released the new single and video "Years in the Making".[33] On July 30, they released the single "Quitting You", and announced the release of Campfire Chords, a full-length album featuring acoustic versions of earlier songs, on August 20.[34] Each member recorded his part at home during the COVID-19 quarantine and sent it to Carone, who then edited, mixed and produced the pieces into complete songs.

On March 25, 2021, the band released the new single and video "You Can Get It", featuring guest vocals by K.Flay.[35] The single was featured in the trailer of the video game Forza Horizon 5, as well as in one of the in-game radio station.[36] The single “All Roads” was later released. Both of these singles were included on the band’s sixth studio album Blink Once, which was released on September 22, 2021.[37] On December 12, 2021, the band performed at the halftime show of the 108th Grey Cup at Tim Horton's Field in Hamilton.[38]

On June 23, 2022, the band announced that their studio album Blink Twice will be released on September 23. The album features collaborations with Cold War Kids, Aly and AJ, Tegan and Sara and Beatrice Martin.[39] After two years of postponements due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the band held the second edition of "The Rally" at Tim Hortons Field in Hamilton, Ontario on June 25, 2022. The show featured similar events to the first event in 2018, with a market, bike ride to the show, as well as the unveiling of a collaboration with several organizations to renovate a local basketball court as an effort to improve sport in the community.[40][41] The concert was their largest yet with 27,000 fans in attendance and featured openers Haviah Mighty, K.Flay, and Mt. Joy.[42]

Laundry Pile (2023–present)

On September 21, 2023, the band released their eighth studio album (Campfire Chords excluded) Laundry Pile, featuring pre-released singles "Skin" and "Laundry Pile".[43] The album was written and recorded informally during fall of 2022, without the explicit intention of making an album.[43] The songs take on an acoustic form that stay true to each band member's raw musical identities, often with the first takes recorded making the final cut with little production.[44] To celebrate the release of the record, the band held two free pop-up shows at laundromats in Toronto and Hamilton, where they played individual tracks for small group audiences of fifteen people.[43] The band played the album at their "At Your Service" tour across the United States and Southern Ontario in fall of 2023.[45]

Song influences

Arkells prominently feature political motivations in their music. Examples include "Knocking at the Door," which was written about The Women's March on Washington;[46] "The Ballad of Hugo Chavez" about the Venezuelan president as a political prisoner, "People's Champ" in protest of US president Donald Trump; and "Whistleblower" about journalists blowing the whistle and exposing truth behind closed doors.[47] Another example being “No Champagne Socialist” about a student in New York of the 1960s struggling with himself about trying to represent the working class as a member of the upper class.[48]

The band has also spoken about their diverse musical influences from Top 40 to Motown.[49]

Members

Current members

Former members

Touring members

The band has toured with support from horn section the Northern Soul Horns and occasional support of backup vocalists the Arkettes since 2016.

Timeline

Discography

Albums

Year Title Chart positions Certifications Label
CAN
[50]
2008 Jackson Square — Dine Alone Records
2011 Michigan Left 5 Universal Music Canada[52]
2014 High Noon 3 Universal Music Canada / Dine Alone Records
2016 Morning Report 3 Universal Music Canada / Last Gang Records
2018 Rally Cry 12 Universal Music Canada / Last Gang Records
2020 Campfire Chords 35 Universal Music Canada
2021 Blink Once 43
[53] 		Universal Music Canada
2022 Blink Twice
[54][55] 		Universal Music Canada/Virgin
2023 Laundry Pile Universal Music Canada

Extended plays

Year Title Chart positions Label
CAN
[56]
2008 Deadlines[A] — Dine Alone Records[57]
Live Session (iTunes Exclusive) — Dine Alone Records[58]
2012 iTunes Live from Montreal — Universal Music Canada[59]
2015 Study Music (Songs from High Noon) 55 Universal Music Canada
2016 Arkells on Audiotree Live — Audiotree Music[60]
2019 Arkells on Audiotree Live (No. 2) — Audiotree Music[61]
2021 The Last Christmas (We Ever Spend Apart) — Arkells Music Label[62]
2022 Apple Music Home Session: Arkells — Arkells Music Label[63]

Singles

Year Song Peak Chart Positions Certifications Album
CAN
[64] 		CAN
AC
[65] 		CAN
Alt
[66][67] 		CAN
CHR
[68] 		CAN
Rock
[69]
2008 "Oh, the Boss Is Coming!" — — 4 — 8 Jackson Square
2009 "Ballad of Hugo Chávez" — — 12 — 12
"Pullin' Punches" — — 14 — 32
2010 "John Lennon" — — 42 — 48
2011 "Whistleblower" — — 5 — 4 Michigan Left
"Michigan Left" — — 7 — 12
2012 "On Paper" — — 15 — 25
"Ticats are Hummin'" — — — — — Non-album single
2014 "Come to Light" 81 — 2 — 2 High Noon
"Never Thought That This Would Happen" — — — — 46
"Leather Jacket" 88 — 1 — 2
  • MC: 2× Platinum[51]
2015 "11:11" — — — — 12
2016 "Private School" — — 1 — 4 Morning Report
"Drake's Dad" — — — — —
"My Heart's Always Yours" — — 3 — 4
2017 "Knocking at the Door" —[B] 43 1 — 1 Morning Report (Deluxe)
2018 "People's Champ" — — 2 — 3 Rally Cry
"Relentless" —[C] 38 — — 1
"Only for a Moment" — — — — —
2019 "Hand Me Downs" —[D] 33 — 34 3
2020 "Years in the Making"[72] — — — — 4 Blink Once
"Quitting You" — — — — 8 Campfire Chords
2021 "You Can Get It"
(featuring K.Flay) 		— — 1 — 5 Blink Once
"All Roads" — — — — —
2022 "Arm in Arm" — — 6 — 9
"Reckoning" — — 15 — 16 Blink Twice
"Past Life"
(featuring Cold War Kids) 		— — 1 — 4
"Dance With You"
(featuring Aly & AJ, Cœur de pirate) 		— — — — —
"Human Being"
(featuring Lights) 		— — — — —
"Teenage Tears"
(featuring Tegan and Sara)[73] 		— — — — —
"Floating Like" — — 19 — 34
2023 "Laundry Pile" — — — — — Laundry Pile
"Skin" — — 9 — 4
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Notes

  1. ^ Digital re-issue
  2. ^ "Knocking at the Door" did not enter the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, but peaked at number 38 on the Canadian Digital Song Sales chart.[70]
  3. ^ "Relentless" did not enter the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, but peaked at number 47 on the Canadian All-format Airplay chart.[71]
  4. ^ "Hand Me Downs" did not enter the Billboard Canadian Hot 100, but peaked at number 35 on the Canadian All-format Airplay chart.[71]

References

  1. ^ "Arkells biography". DineAloneRecords.com. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  2. ^ "Arkells Sign With Universal Music Canada". UniversalMusic.ca. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  3. ^ "Arkells' Juno Award Nominations". Juno Awards. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  4. ^ Albrecht, Brent (July 31, 2014). "10 Things You Might Not Know About Arkells". Indie88.com. Retrieved October 23, 2017.
  5. ^ "Arkells 'proud to be a Hamilton band' | McMaster Daily News". DailyNews.McMaster.ca. May 10, 2010. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  6. ^ "Arkells". Dinealonerecords.com. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  7. ^ Nema, Pete (November 12, 2008). "Concert Review: Matt Mays & El Torpedo, Arkells". petenema.com. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  8. ^ Rollo, Heather (November 17, 2008). "2008 Desjardins Vanier Cup packed with entertainment". vaniercup.ca. Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  9. ^ Harper, Kate. "Arkells and Waking Eyes Head West Archived January 29, 2009, at the Wayback Machine", Chart Attack, 2009-01-19. Retrieved on 2009-01-31.
  10. ^ "Arkells' "Michigan Left" remixed by Bad Biz, featuring members of Tokyo Police Club". AUX.TV. 2011-10-21. Archived from the original on 2010-12-01. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  11. ^ a b [1] Archived November 2, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ "Juno Awards 2010 Press Release" (PDF). Junoawards.ca. April 18, 2010. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  13. ^ "Punchin' in Punchin' out | The Arkells’ first American tour: the good, the bad and the sweaty" Archived 2017-10-24 at the Wayback Machine. Inside Brockville, Feb 09, 2017 by Andrew Baulcomb Hamilton Spectator
  14. ^ "Them Crooked Vultures Are Consistent, Tiring | Chart Attack". Archived from the original on 2017-10-24. Retrieved 2017-10-23.
  15. ^ a b "A Band Update: Where's Dan?". Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  16. ^ Rockingham, Graham. "Hamilton's Arkells win big at Juno Awards gala". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  17. ^ Hudson, Alex (May 13, 2014). "Arkells Unveil 'High Noon' LP, Premiere New Lyric Video". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
  18. ^ Brophy, Aaron (June 16, 2015). "2015 Polaris Music Prize Long List Is Here - Polaris Music Prize". PolarisMusicPrize.ca. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  19. ^ Slingerland, Calum (August 3, 2016). "Arkells Morning Report". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved August 10, 2016.
  20. ^ West, Jenny (29 May 2016). "How to Get Enrolled in The Arkells Private School". Thezone.fm. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  21. ^ Woods, Graeme. "Nominees". Juno Awards. Retrieved April 2, 2017.
  22. ^ "Arkells Brought Out Drake's Dad At The 2017 JUNOs". Universal Music Canada. 3 April 2017. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  23. ^ Bowsher, Allison (7 April 2017). "Arkells Hit Hard With Soaring Single 'Knocking At The Door'". Much (TV channel). Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  24. ^ Carter, Adam (February 6, 2018). "Knocking at the Door: How Arkells wrote a bona fide sports anthem". CBC.ca. Retrieved 2018-09-08.
  25. ^ "Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival". Coachella.com. Archived from the original on 2017-03-20. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  26. ^ "Artists". Osheaga.com. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  27. ^ "Sasquatch! reveals 2017 lineup: Frank Ocean, Chance the Rapper to headline". January 23, 2017.
  28. ^ Previl, Sean (25 February 2018). "How the Arkells ended up performing at Canada House during the Olympics". Global News. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  29. ^ Clementson, Laura (June 22, 2018). "Arkells 'rally' set to take over Hamilton Saturday". Cbc.ca. Retrieved 2018-09-08.
  30. ^ Taekema, Dan (June 24, 2018). "Hamilton rallies around hometown rock band the Arkells". Cbc.ca. Retrieved 2018-09-08.
  31. ^ "Arkells release new videos featuring Hamilton 'Rally' footage". Global News. 15 August 2018. Retrieved 29 March 2020.
  32. ^ "Welcome to the Rally, the Arkells' biggest show ever". The Hamilton Spectator. 2018-06-21. ISSN 1189-9417. Retrieved 2023-02-07.
  33. ^ "Arkells Unveil New Single and Video "Years in the Making"". Exclaim!. February 25, 2020. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  34. ^ Brock Thiessen, "Arkells Strip Down for New Album 'Campfire Chords'". Exclaim!, July 30, 2020.
  35. ^ Arkells - You Can Get It (ft. K.Flay) (Official Music Video). Arkells Music. March 25, 2021. Archived from the original on November 8, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021 – via YouTube.
  36. ^ Forza Horizon 5 Official Announce Trailer, retrieved 2023-05-26
  37. ^ ARKELLS [@arkellsmusic] (September 22, 2021). "BLINK ONCE. The new album: OUT NOW. It's an instant classic. Listen here: https://t.co/XeCReYIgIT https://t.co/Vn0hMJKEdF" (Tweet). Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved December 24, 2021 – via Twitter.
  38. ^ "Arkells named halftime performers for 108th Grey Cup in Hamilton - TSN.ca". TSN. 2021-11-12. Archived from the original on 2021-11-13. Retrieved 2021-12-13.
  39. ^ David Friend, "Arkells tap into Canadian talents of Tegan and Sara, Lights and others for new album". Toronto Star, June 23, 2022.
  40. ^ "Welcome to The Rally earthquake — Arkells shook the ground with more than 25,000 fans". The Hamilton Spectator. 2022-06-26. ISSN 1189-9417. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  41. ^ "Woodlands Park 'Rally Court' gets celebrity tryout ahead of Arkells concert". The Hamilton Spectator. 2022-06-24. ISSN 1189-9417. Retrieved 2023-02-08.
  42. ^ "IN PHOTOS | Arkells bring The Rally back to Hamilton, a show 848 days in the making". CBC News. June 27, 2022.
  43. ^ a b c "ARKELLS RELEASE NEW ALBUM LAUNDRY PILE TODAY". Umusic. Retrieved 2023-12-03.
  44. ^ "The Story of Laundry Pile". September 18, 2023.
  45. ^ LaPierre, Megan (September 12, 2023). "Arkells Are "At Your Service" on Ontario Fall Tour".
  46. ^ "Can't walk on water / But I'm walking through an intersection". Genius.com. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  47. ^ "An Interview with Max Kerman of Arkells". Extremenonchalancebase. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  48. ^ "No Champagne Socialist". Genius.
  49. ^ "10 Things You Might Not Know About Arkells". Indie88.com. Retrieved 2020-04-01.
  50. ^ "Arkells - Chart history (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 10, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  51. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "Canadian certifications – Arkells". Music Canada. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  52. ^ "Arkells Sign With Universal Music Canada | Universal Music Canada". Universalmusic.ca. Archived from the original on 2012-12-11. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  53. ^ "Billboard Canadian Albums". FYIMusicNews. 13 March 2017. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  54. ^ "Arkells share first new single of the year 'Reckoning,' announce forthcoming album 'Blink Twice'". 3 March 2022.
  55. ^ Major, Michael. "Arkells Announce New Album 'Blink Twice' & Share New Song 'Dance With You' Ft. CœUr de Pirate and Aly & AJ". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2022-06-23.
  56. ^ "Arkells - Chart history (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 10, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2018.
  57. ^ "Deadlines - EP".
  58. ^ "Live Session (iTunes Exclusive) - EP".
  59. ^ "iTunes Live from Montreal".
  60. ^ "Arkells on Audiotree Live - EP".
  61. ^ "Arkells on Audiotree Live (No. 2) - EP".|-
  62. ^ "The Last Christmas (We Ever Spend Apart) - Single". Retrieved 1 November 2022.
  63. ^ "Apple Music Home Session: Arkells".
  64. ^ "Canadian Hot 100 - Chart History: Arkells". Billboard. 2016-05-17. Retrieved 2016-05-17.
  65. ^ "Arkells Chart History Canada Hot AC". billboard.com. Retrieved 24 May 2019.[dead link‍]
  66. ^ "AMERICA'S MUSIC CHARTS powered by MEDIABASE". Americasmusiccharts.com. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  67. ^ Peaks in Alternative Rock:
  68. ^ "Arkells Chart History Canada CHR / Top 40". billboard.com. 6 March 2013. Retrieved 24 May 2019.[dead link‍]
  69. ^ "Arkells Chart History Canada Rock". billboard.com. Archived from the original on September 15, 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  70. ^ "Arkells: Hot Canadian Digital Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 9, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
  71. ^ a b "Arkells Chart History: Canada All-format Airplay". Billboard. Archived from the original on January 3, 2019. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  72. ^ "Hamilton's Arkells release 'Years In The Making' — first new song". TheSpec.com. Retrieved March 4, 2020.
  73. ^ Hudson, Alex (September 1, 2022). "Arkells Team Up with Tegan and Sara for "Teenage Tears"". Exclaim!. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
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