Alexisonfire
Encyclopedia
Alexisonfire was a five-piece, Juno-nominated post-hardcore
band that formed in St. Catharines, Ontario
, Canada
in 2001. The band consisted of George Pettit
(vocals
), Dallas Green
(guitar
, piano
, vocals), Wade MacNeil
(guitar
, vocals), Chris Steele (bass
), and Jordan Hastings
(drums
).
They describe their music as "the sound of two Catholic high-school girls in mid-knife-fight" (a reference to their song "A Dagger Through the Heart of St. Angeles", also the inspiration for their debut album cover art). When the band came out of the underground like an "utterly captivating car-accident-in-progress" in late 2001, it was enough to impress critics as well as earning their self-titled debut album
a gold certification in Canada.
The band has released three more very successful studio albums: Watch Out!
in 2004, Crisis in 2006, and Old Crows/Young Cardinals
in 2009, each achieving platinum certification in their native country.
In August 2011, George posted a message to fans on the band's official website stating that with the departure of two members, Alexisonfire would issue several special releases and complete a Canadian farewell tour before parting ways.
, the world's only lactating contortionist stripper. This caused problems when she discovered that they were using her website name as their band name, and she threatened to sue the band for copyright infringement. However, it was discovered that the moniker was not registered, and no further action took place. 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 group caught its first break when they caught the attention of recording engineer Greg Below and Montreal
journalist Mitch Joel. The pair were setting up a record label called Distort Entertainment
at the time, and coincidentally they were looking for artists. Below was working with EMI
at the same time and he used this to record the band at the company's in-house studio and land them a co-publishing and distribution deal.
On September 9, 2002, Alexisonfire
was released, the cover art featuring two Catholic school girls engaged in a knife fight, which was also the band's description of their music. Although there was a distribution deal with EMI, the album's success was mostly attributed to word-of-mouth. The band proceeded to tour support their album, crossing Canada twice, and began stepping into the United States and European scenes, playing with Billy Talent
, GWAR
, Juliana Theory, Godsmack
, and Glassjaw
. Alexisonfire was certified gold in Canada, marking 50,000+ sales.
at his studio near Hamilton, Ontario
.
Watch Out!
was released on June 29, 2004, and was immediately successful. It debuted at #6 on the Nielsen Soundscan
Top 200, and received gold certification in Canada in twelve weeks. The good critical reception came from the fact that the band was more focused from the eighteen months of touring, helping them harness more aggression, release more emotion, and fine-tune all the tracks. This lay in comparison to their debut album, which was mostly first drafts.
On June 14, 2005 Alexisonfire posted a statement on their website revealing that founding drummer Jesse Ingelevics was leaving the band. The statement explained that the band and Ingelevics had slowly grown apart, and that he wanted to spend more time with his family and his fiancée.
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
.
On August 22, 2006 the band released their third studio album, Crisis, which Allmusic considers their best to date. The album was marked with a CD release party, where the band performed on a boat in London, England. In support of the album, the band toured across most of Canada with Every Time I Die
, Cancer Bats
and Attack in Black
; the latter was signed to the band's independent label Distort Entertainment
. Immediately following that was an American tour with Moneen
, Cancer Bats, and A Change of Pace
.
They were one of the most popular bands in Canada.
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 "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."
Though they were usually on tour with Anti-Flag, Norma Jean
was their replacement for a short while, however Anti-Flag returned, alongside the bands Saosin
, and The Bled
. On their UK tour in November 2007, the band was supported by Saosin, The Ghost of a Thousand
and Your Rigamortus.
short.fast.loud
caused a stir with fans of the band:
MacNeil's joke was later explained in a press release from Distort Entertainment and the band:
Alexisonfire revealed the title to their new album at a show in Hamilton
, Ontario
on December 20, 2008. The album, due for release in 2009, was called Young Cardinals at that point in time. The band discussed the musical direction of the new album in an article:
Alexisonfire began recording Old Crows / Young Cardinals (with slightly altered title) on February 1, 2009 and by March 1, 2009 the recording process was near completion; Only leads, overdubs, and vocals were left before mixing and mastering. As of March 11, 2009 the studio blog confirmed 2 track titles: "Midnight Regulations" and "Emerald St."
On March 31, 2009 it was confirmed that Alexisonfire signed to Dine Alone Records
. The band was confirmed to play Warped Tour 2009
.
During the Warped Tour, the band did signings for the non-profit organization Music Saves Lives
where they met with fans who gained special access to the band by donating blood.
On April 20, 2009, Alexisonfire released their first song "Young Cardinals" from their forthcoming album for radio airplay, though the official single was not released until May 12, 2009. The music video premiered on MuchOnDemand
on May 15, 2009. It was further announced that the album would be released on June 23, 2009.
On September 22, 2009, at the XM Verge Music Awards, Dallas Green announced that Alexisonfire will be releasing an EP titled Dog's Blood
in the Fall of 2010.
During the Autumn of 2009 the band embarked on the Eastpak Antidote Tour in Europe along with Anti-Flag
, Four Year Strong
and The Ghost of a Thousand
, and in October it was announced that they would be supportng Billy Talent
on their Billy Talent III Tour
in Canada in March 2010, along with Against Me!
.
On February 16, 2010, the band was set to play a free all-ages show at the 2010 Winter Olympics
venue Live City Yaletown, though the band was forced to cancel their show 10 seconds into the first song after the rush of the audience broke a barricade and people were trampled. 19 concert-goers suffered injuries including broken bones.
On September 28, 2010, the band released a collection of songs available exclusively through iTunes as a digital download. The album, entitled iTunes Originals, contains previously recorded material from throughout the group's discography, versions of some of their previously released songs performed slightly differently and interviews with the band.
On November 2, 2010, the band's previously announced experimental
EP Dog's Blood
was released worldwide and then on November 22, 2010, a digital version of their Aussie Tour 7" was released on iTunes. It contains two cover songs, originally by Midnight Oil
and The Saints.
, and other personal issues among the remaining members as reasons for breaking up. Pettit also described the break up as not being "amicable". Alexisonfire are planning on celebrating their tenth anniversary with one last headlining Canadian tour and "a series of releases", although Green has expressed reluctance to take part in any further shows with the band.
is Dallas Green's highly successful folk side project, under which he has released two EPs
Missing EP and The Death of Me
; three studio albums, Sometimes
, Bring Me Your Love
and Little Hell
; 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), where lyrics from the song feature on the track "Sam Malone". Similarly, Dallas Green is said to have written "Side Walk When She Walks" as City and Colour before it was recorded by Alexisonfire. The name derives from Dallas Green's name, Dallas being a city, and Green being a colour. With this project, he has recorded collaborations with The Tragically Hip
's Gordon Downie
and Attack in Black
. It has also won Dallas two Juno Awards for "New Artist of the Year" in 2007 and "Songwriter of the Year" in 2009.
is a band formed by Wade MacNeil
. Originally its members were George Pettit
, Jordan "Ratbeard" Hastings
and Sean McNab of the band the Creepshow
and the now dissolved band Jersey
. After playing a few shows the band dissolved leaving only Wade MacNeil, after which it essentially became MacNeil's solo project. Sammi Bogdanski, Wade's ex-girlfriend's sister, contributed piano to his debut album Send Flowers
, which was released on May 20, 2008 by Dine Alone Records.
In early 2008, Wade announced he would be touring with Cancer Bats and A Textbook Tragedy. The Black Lungs live band for this tour was made up of Liam from Cancer Bats on drums, George from Alexisonfire on bass, and Haris from Moneen on keyboard. The tour took in eastern Canada, focusing mostly on Ontario and Quebec with a few stops in PEI, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Afterwards Black lungs also toured the way across Canada with Cancer Bats
and Johnny Truant
. Pat Pengelly, formerly, of Bedouin Soundclash
, replaced Liam on drums.
Black Lungs is currently composed of Wade on Guitar/Vocals, Phil Waring on Bass, George Clark on Drums and Scott on Guitar.
, New Jersey
. The quartet released a 7" on LowDown Records.
plays in the hardcore punk
supergroup
Cunter with friends from Moneen
. The band was formed in early 2009, with the original name Hunter, in Brampton, Ontario
. Cunter was played on Toronto
's Edge on Punk-O-Rama a day after Young Cardinals played for the first time on the same station.
During 2008 Kenny Bridges of Moneen
filled in as the band's bassist for certain live performances, due to Chris Steele being unavailable for medical reasons.
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
band that formed in St. Catharines, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
in 2001. The band consisted of George Pettit
George Pettit
George Pettit , is a Canadian musician best known as the former lead vocalist of the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire.-Biography:George grew up in the 'Gateway to Niagara' town of Grimsby...
(vocals
Lead vocalist
The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...
), Dallas Green
Dallas Green (musician)
Dallas Green is a Canadian musician who releases music as City and Colour. He is also known for his work as the former vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire.-Name:...
(guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, vocals), Wade MacNeil
Wade MacNeil
Wade MacNeil is a Canadian musician currently active as the singer of the English hardcore band Gallows, and the singer/guitarist/founder of the Canadian punk band Black Lungs...
(guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals), Chris Steele (bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
), and Jordan Hastings
Jordan Hastings
Jordan "Ratbeard" Hastings is a Canadian musician best known as the former drummer of Alexisonfire, having replaced their former drummer and founding member Jesse Ingelevics....
(drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
).
They describe their music as "the sound of two Catholic high-school girls in mid-knife-fight" (a reference to their song "A Dagger Through the Heart of St. Angeles", also the inspiration for their debut album cover art). When the band came out of the underground like an "utterly captivating car-accident-in-progress" in late 2001, it was enough to impress critics as well as earning their self-titled debut album
Alexisonfire (album)
Alexisonfire is the first studio album released by the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. It was released on September 9, 2002. It sold over 50,000 units in Canada, giving it gold certification...
a gold certification in Canada.
The band has released three more very successful studio albums: Watch Out!
Watch Out!
Watch Out! is the second album released by the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. It was released on June 29, 2004. The album debuted at #6 on the Canadian Albums Chart, selling 6,000 copies in its first week...
in 2004, Crisis in 2006, and Old Crows/Young Cardinals
Old Crows/Young Cardinals
Old Crows / Young Cardinals is the fourth and final studio album from post-hardcore band Alexisonfire, released on June 23, 2009. The album was originally referred to by the shortened title of Young Cardinals, until the name change was announced on April 1, 2009...
in 2009, each achieving platinum certification in their native country.
In August 2011, George posted a message to fans on the band's official website stating that with the departure of two members, Alexisonfire would issue several special releases and complete a Canadian farewell tour before parting ways.
Alexisonfire: 2001–2003
Alexisonfire were formed in late 2001 as the result of a three-band break up. Pettit was playing bass in a metal band called Condemning Salemn, Green was a lead singer and guitar player in Helicon Blue, and MacNeil and Steele played in a punk band called Plan 9. These bands broke up at more or less the same time, and Pettit, Steele, MacNeil and Green all still had the drive to play and succeed. They recruited drummer Jesse Ingelevics, and formed Alexisonfire. The band's name was derived from Alexis FireAlexis Fire
Alexis Fire is a pornographic actress. She began performing around 2000, and has since appeared in around 35 films.She appeared on the HBO documentary Cathouse, about the Moonlite Bunny Ranch, a brothel near Carson City, Nevada...
, the world's only lactating contortionist stripper. This caused problems when she discovered that they were using her website name as their band name, and she threatened to sue the band for copyright infringement. However, it was discovered that the moniker was not registered, and no further action took place. The band released its first EP, Math Sheet Demos in 2002, so named because the CD
Compact Disc
The Compact Disc is an optical disc used to store digital data. It was originally developed to store and playback sound recordings exclusively, but later expanded to encompass data storage , write-once audio and data storage , rewritable media , Video Compact Discs , Super Video Compact Discs ,...
was wrapped in former drummer
Drummer
A drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
Jesse Ingelevics' math homework. The group caught its first break when they caught the attention of recording engineer Greg Below and Montreal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
journalist Mitch Joel. The pair were setting up a record label called Distort Entertainment
Distort Entertainment
Distort Entertainment is a Canadian independent record label based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The label specializes in hardcore punk bands such as Alexisonfire and Cancer Bats and metal bands such as Johnny Truant, but also represents lighter music with its sister division such as Bend...
at the time, and coincidentally they were looking for artists. Below was working with EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
at the same time and he used this to record the band at the company's in-house studio and land them a co-publishing and distribution deal.
On September 9, 2002, Alexisonfire
Alexisonfire (album)
Alexisonfire is the first studio album released by the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. It was released on September 9, 2002. It sold over 50,000 units in Canada, giving it gold certification...
was released, the cover art featuring two Catholic school girls engaged in a knife fight, which was also the band's description of their music. Although there was a distribution deal with EMI, the album's success was mostly attributed to word-of-mouth. The band proceeded to tour support their album, crossing Canada twice, and began stepping into the United States and European scenes, playing with Billy Talent
Billy Talent
Billy Talent is a Canadian post-hardcore band from Streetsville, Ontario. They formed in 1993 with Ben Kowalewicz as the lead vocalist, Ian D'Sa on lead guitar, bassist Jon Gallant and drummer Aaron Solowoniuk ....
, GWAR
GWAR
Gwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo...
, Juliana Theory, Godsmack
Godsmack
Godsmack is an American heavy metal band from Lawrence, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The band is composed of founder, frontman and songwriter Sully Erna, guitarist Tony Rombola, bassist Robbie Merrill, and drummer Shannon Larkin...
, and Glassjaw
Glassjaw
Glassjaw is a four-piece rock band from Long Island, New York. The band is fronted by vocalist Daryl Palumbo and guitarist Justin Beck, and have undergone numerous line-up changes since their inception...
. Alexisonfire was certified gold in Canada, marking 50,000+ sales.
Watch Out!: 2004–2005
Alexisonfire had attracted considerable attention from major record labels, due to the success of their self-titled debut. However, when they started considering making a second album, the band felt that, for artistic reasons, they should remain independent, as it would give them better chances of developing and deciding their direction. They would remain with Distort Entertainment, and instead of using a famous producer, they recorded the album with Julius ButtyJulius Butty
Julius "Juice" Butty is a Canadian record producer. He was a 2007 nominee for the Jack Richardson Producer of the Year Award.- Producer credits :* Kristin Nicholls Band* Alexisonfire* The Gorgeous* Sleeper Set Sail...
at his studio near Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
.
Watch Out!
Watch Out!
Watch Out! is the second album released by the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. It was released on June 29, 2004. The album debuted at #6 on the Canadian Albums Chart, selling 6,000 copies in its first week...
was released on June 29, 2004, and was immediately successful. It debuted at #6 on the Nielsen Soundscan
Nielsen SoundScan
Nielsen SoundScan is an information and sales tracking system created by Mike Fine and Mike Shalett. Soundscan is the official method of tracking sales of music and music video products throughout the United States and Canada...
Top 200, and received gold certification in Canada in twelve weeks. The good critical reception came from the fact that the band was more focused from the eighteen months of touring, helping them harness more aggression, release more emotion, and fine-tune all the tracks. This lay in comparison to their debut album, which was mostly first drafts.
On June 14, 2005 Alexisonfire posted a statement on their website revealing that founding drummer Jesse Ingelevics was leaving the band. The statement explained that the band and Ingelevics had slowly grown apart, and that he wanted to spend more time with his family and his fiancée.
While touring in support of the album with Johnny Truant
Johnny Truant
Johnny Truant was a British, Brighton-based metalcore band, formed in 2000 under the name Severance. The band recorded 3 demos under this moniker before renaming themselves after the lead character of Mark Z. Danielewski's novel House of Leaves...
and The Blood Roses in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
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
Gary Oldman
Gary Leonard Oldman is an English actor, voice actor, filmmaker and musician.A member of the 1980s Brit Pack, Oldman came to prominence via starring roles in British films Meantime , Sid and Nancy and Prick Up Your Ears , with his performance in the latter bringing him his first BAFTA Award...
film The Firm
The Firm (1988 film)
The Firm is a 1989 British drama film directed by Alan Clarke and written by Al Ashton for the BBC, starring Gary Oldman as Clive 'Bex' or 'Bexy' Bissel. The film is based on the activities of the Inter City Firm, football firm of West Ham United during the 1970s and 1980s although in the film the...
.
Crisis: 2006–2007
Every Time I Die
Every Time I Die is a metalcore band from Buffalo, New York, formed in 1998. Their musical style is rooted in technical hardcore with strong southern metal and mathcore elements, and is also characterised by their cryptic, bitingly sarcastic lyrics. The band announced on July 14, 2008 that they had...
, Cancer Bats
Cancer Bats
Cancer Bats are a hardcore punk/sludge metal band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-Background:Cancer Bats originated in May 2004 with singer Liam Cormier and guitarist Scott Middleton, former member of Toronto heavy metal band At the Mercy of Inspiration...
and Attack in Black
Attack in Black
Attack in Black was a Canadian indie rock band from Welland, Ontario. They first signed to Skate Ahead Records for their self-titled album debut in 2005. In spring 2006, they signed with Dine Alone Records...
; the latter was signed to the band's independent label Distort Entertainment
Distort Entertainment
Distort Entertainment is a Canadian independent record label based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The label specializes in hardcore punk bands such as Alexisonfire and Cancer Bats and metal bands such as Johnny Truant, but also represents lighter music with its sister division such as Bend...
. Immediately following that was an American tour with Moneen
Moneen
Moneen is an indie rock band from Brampton, Ontario, Canada.-History:The band formed in 1999 after the dissolution of another band, called Perfectly Normal. Moneen's original bass player, Mark Bowser, was replaced by Chris Slorach, who left the band after the release of The Theory of Harmonial Value...
, Cancer Bats, and A Change of Pace
A Change of Pace
A Change of Pace was a five piece post hardcore and pop punk band from Peoria, Arizona. The band was on both the 2005 and 2006 Warped Tours.-Biography:...
.
They were one of the most popular bands in Canada.
In a recent interview, vocalist George Pettit
George Pettit
George Pettit , is a Canadian musician best known as the former lead vocalist of the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire.-Biography:George grew up in the 'Gateway to Niagara' town of Grimsby...
states that he is unaware of the direction that the band will head in for their next album, but that "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."
Though they were usually on tour with Anti-Flag, Norma Jean
Norma Jean (band)
Norma Jean is an American metalcore band from Douglasville, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. Since their inception in 1997 and replacement of members throughout the years, the band's only original member is the guitarist, Chris Day...
was their replacement for a short while, however Anti-Flag returned, alongside the bands Saosin
Saosin
Saosin is an American rock band originally hailing from Newport Beach, California. The band was formed in 2003 and recorded its first EP, Translating the Name, that same year with original singer Anthony Green. Green left Saosin following the band's decision to sign with a commercial label,...
, and The Bled
The Bled
The Bled is a hardcore band from Tucson, Arizona. The group formed in 2001, originally under the name "The Radiation Defiance Theory", but changed it because of its length...
. On their UK tour in November 2007, the band was supported by Saosin, The Ghost of a Thousand
The Ghost of a Thousand
The Ghost Of A Thousand was an English five-piece punk rock band from Brighton, UK.-Career:The Ghost Of A Thousand confirmed on 31 March 2011 that they were as a band after 7 years together. After signing with Undergroove Records in 2007 the band toured extensively, playing alongside Gallows,...
and Your Rigamortus.
Old Crows / Young Cardinals and Dog's Blood: 2008–2010
In July 2008, rumors were circulating about Alexisonfire on the verge of a breakup. Comments jokingly made by Wade MacNeil in an Australian interview on Triple J'sTriple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
short.fast.loud
Short.fast.loud
short.fast.loud is a radio show on Triple J in Australia. It is hosted by Stu Harvey and features punk, hardcore, emo and similar music. The name for the show was taken from the Kid Dynamite album: Shorter, Faster, Louder...
caused a stir with fans of the band:
MacNeil's joke was later explained in a press release from Distort Entertainment and the band:
Alexisonfire revealed the title to their new album at a show in Hamilton
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton is a port city in the Canadian province of Ontario. Conceived by George Hamilton when he purchased the Durand farm shortly after the War of 1812, Hamilton has become the centre of a densely populated and industrialized region at the west end of Lake Ontario known as the Golden Horseshoe...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
on December 20, 2008. The album, due for release in 2009, was called Young Cardinals at that point in time. The band discussed the musical direction of the new album in an article:
Alexisonfire began recording Old Crows / Young Cardinals (with slightly altered title) on February 1, 2009 and by March 1, 2009 the recording process was near completion; Only leads, overdubs, and vocals were left before mixing and mastering. As of March 11, 2009 the studio blog confirmed 2 track titles: "Midnight Regulations" and "Emerald St."
On March 31, 2009 it was confirmed that Alexisonfire signed to Dine Alone Records
Dine Alone Records
Dine Alone Records is a Canadian independent Record Label founded by Joel Carriere. The Label specializes in a wide range of alternative rock. Dine Alone was until recently closely associated with Distort Entertainment's president Greg Below.-History:...
. The band was confirmed to play Warped Tour 2009
Warped Tour 2009
Warped Tour 2009 was the 15th installment of the annual Summer Warped Tour festival. Vans Shoes was again the tour's primary sponsor. Tour founder/organizer Kevin Lyman announced that this year's tour would feature only one main stage with bands playing 40 minutes each instead of two main stages...
.
During the Warped Tour, the band did signings for the non-profit organization Music Saves Lives
Music Saves Lives
Music Saves Lives is a not for profit 5013 organization and is listed in the IRS publication 78. Established in January 2006 by founder Russel Hornbeek in Seal Beach, California. Music Saves Lives has educated students and encouraged over 120,000 summer blood donations from youth under the age of 25...
where they met with fans who gained special access to the band by donating blood.
On April 20, 2009, Alexisonfire released their first song "Young Cardinals" from their forthcoming album for radio airplay, though the official single was not released until May 12, 2009. The music video premiered on MuchOnDemand
MuchOnDemand
MuchOnDemand was an hour-long per broadcast viewer interactive television program aired on MuchMusic, Monday through Friday at 5pm ET. It was broadcast live from the Much broadcasting studio on 299 Queen Street West in Toronto. The Best of MuchOnDemand, aired Sundays at 10am ET, highlighting the...
on May 15, 2009. It was further announced that the album would be released on June 23, 2009.
On September 22, 2009, at the XM Verge Music Awards, Dallas Green announced that Alexisonfire will be releasing an EP titled Dog's Blood
Dog's Blood
Dog's Blood is an extended play by the Canadian post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. The EP was released on October 31, 2010. Dog's Blood is a collection of four experimental songs that are ostensibly different-sounding to the band's previously released material.-Writing and recording:Work on the Dog's...
in the Fall of 2010.
During the Autumn of 2009 the band embarked on the Eastpak Antidote Tour in Europe along with Anti-Flag
Anti-Flag
Anti-Flag is a punk rock band from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in the United States, formed in 1988. The band is well known for its outspoken political views. Much of the band's lyrics have focused on fervent anti-war activism, criticism of United States foreign policy, corporatism, U.S. wealth...
, Four Year Strong
Four Year Strong
Four Year Strong is an American pop punk band from Worcester, Massachusetts, formed in 2001. The group consists of vocalists and guitarists Dan O'Connor and Alan Day, bassist Joe Weiss, and drummer Jackson Massucco...
and The Ghost of a Thousand
The Ghost of a Thousand
The Ghost Of A Thousand was an English five-piece punk rock band from Brighton, UK.-Career:The Ghost Of A Thousand confirmed on 31 March 2011 that they were as a band after 7 years together. After signing with Undergroove Records in 2007 the band toured extensively, playing alongside Gallows,...
, and in October it was announced that they would be supportng Billy Talent
Billy Talent
Billy Talent is a Canadian post-hardcore band from Streetsville, Ontario. They formed in 1993 with Ben Kowalewicz as the lead vocalist, Ian D'Sa on lead guitar, bassist Jon Gallant and drummer Aaron Solowoniuk ....
on their Billy Talent III Tour
Billy Talent III Tour
The III Tour was a concert tour by band Billy Talent, taking place from 2009 to 2010, in support of their third studio album Billy Talent III....
in Canada in March 2010, along with Against Me!
Against Me!
Against Me! is an American punk rock band formed in 1997 in Naples, Florida and relocated to Gainesville, Florida in 1999. Their first full-length album, released on No Idea Records in 2002, was Against Me! Is Reinventing Axl Rose. They have released music on Misanthrope Records, Crasshole Records,...
.
On February 16, 2010, the band was set to play a free all-ages show at the 2010 Winter Olympics
2010 Winter Olympics
The 2010 Winter Olympics, officially the XXI Olympic Winter Games or the 21st Winter Olympics, were a major international multi-sport event held from February 12–28, 2010, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with some events held in the suburbs of Richmond, West Vancouver and the University...
venue Live City Yaletown, though the band was forced to cancel their show 10 seconds into the first song after the rush of the audience broke a barricade and people were trampled. 19 concert-goers suffered injuries including broken bones.
On September 28, 2010, the band released a collection of songs available exclusively through iTunes as a digital download. The album, entitled iTunes Originals, contains previously recorded material from throughout the group's discography, versions of some of their previously released songs performed slightly differently and interviews with the band.
On November 2, 2010, the band's previously announced experimental
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
EP Dog's Blood
Dog's Blood
Dog's Blood is an extended play by the Canadian post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. The EP was released on October 31, 2010. Dog's Blood is a collection of four experimental songs that are ostensibly different-sounding to the band's previously released material.-Writing and recording:Work on the Dog's...
was released worldwide and then on November 22, 2010, a digital version of their Aussie Tour 7" was released on iTunes. It contains two cover songs, originally by Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil
Midnight Oil , were an Australian rock band from Sydney originally performing as Farm from 1972 with drummer Rob Hirst, bass guitarist Andrew James and keyboard player/lead guitarist Jim Moginie...
and The Saints.
Proposed fifth studio album and breakup: 2011
Dallas Green informed the rest of the band of his intention to leave Alexisonfire in 2010, and has not been an active member of the band since their tour ended in that year. Green agreed not to announce his departure until the rest of the band decided on their future plans. On February 14, 2011, on their official Twitter page, Alexisonfire announced they had been writing new music for their fifth studio album, describing it as "so heavy it's going to make Dog's Blood look like a ska record". However, on August 5, 2011, Alexisonfire announced their intent to break up. In the statement, George Pettit cited Dallas Green's departure from the band to focus solely on City and Colour, Wade MacNeil's departure to join another band, later revealed to be as the new vocalist for GallowsGallows (band)
Gallows are a hardcore punk band from Watford, England. The band was formed in 2005 after the disbandment of founding member Laurent Barnard's previous band, My Dad Joe. Gallows' debut album, Orchestra of Wolves, was distributed in the United States by Epitaph Records, and they were subsequently...
, and other personal issues among the remaining members as reasons for breaking up. Pettit also described the break up as not being "amicable". Alexisonfire are planning on celebrating their tenth anniversary with one last headlining Canadian tour and "a series of releases", although Green has expressed reluctance to take part in any further shows with the band.
City and Colour
City and ColourCity and Colour
City and Colour is the recording alias for Juno Award-winning Canadian singer-songwriter Dallas Green, who was also the guitarist and vocalist of the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. He plays melodic acoustic and folk music and is often accompanied by a rotating number of Canadian indie rock...
is Dallas Green's highly successful folk side project, under which he has released two EPs
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
Missing EP and The Death of Me
The Death of Me
-Personnel:*Dallas Green - guitar, vocals, piano, keyboards*Julius Butty - production, engineering, mixing, mastering, tambourine and vibes on "Sometimes "...
; three studio albums, Sometimes
Sometimes (album)
Sometimes is the debut solo album by City and Colour, a side project of Dallas Green, a guitarist and singer for the band Alexisonfire. At first, the majority of these songs were only available at live shows or over the Internet through Peer-to-peer services. However, due to high demand, the songs...
, Bring Me Your Love
Bring Me Your Love
-Personnel:* Dallas Green - vocals , acoustic guitar , percussion , national guitar , harmonica , banjo , electric guitar , bells , baritone guitar , piano , bass * Daniel Romano - acoustic guitar , pedal...
and Little Hell
Little Hell
Little Hell was a London-based rock band formed in 2001 by former Some Have Fins/Levitation/Carrie singer Steve Ludwin.-History:The band was first formed in 2000 following the demise of Carrie. Ludwin maintained his working relationship with Carrie guitarist Dennis Dicker, but stepped back from his...
; and a live album
Live album
A live album is a recording consisting of material recorded during stage performances using remote recording techniques, commonly contrasted with a studio album...
, Live
Live (City and Colour)
Live is a live CD/DVD set from City and Colour, side project of Dallas Green, one of the vocalists and guitarists of the band Alexisonfire. It was released on March 6, 2007. A limited edition has also been released at the same time...
; 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), where lyrics from the song feature on the track "Sam Malone". Similarly, Dallas Green is said to have written "Side Walk When She Walks" as City and Colour before it was recorded by Alexisonfire. The name derives from Dallas Green's name, Dallas being a city, and Green being a colour. With this project, he has recorded collaborations with The Tragically Hip
The Tragically Hip
The Tragically Hip, often referred to simply as The Hip, is a Canadian rock band from Kingston, Ontario, consisting of Gordon Downie , Paul Langlois , Rob Baker , Gord Sinclair and Johnny Fay . Since their formation in 1983 they have released 12 studio albums, two live albums, and 46 singles...
's Gordon Downie
Gordon Downie
Gordon Edgar Downie is a Canadian rock musician, writer and occasional actor. He is the lead singer and lyricist for the Canadian rock band The Tragically Hip. He has released three solo albums, Coke Machine Glow in 2001, Battle of the Nudes in 2003; and The Grand Bounce in 2010...
and Attack in Black
Attack in Black
Attack in Black was a Canadian indie rock band from Welland, Ontario. They first signed to Skate Ahead Records for their self-titled album debut in 2005. In spring 2006, they signed with Dine Alone Records...
. It has also won Dallas two Juno Awards for "New Artist of the Year" in 2007 and "Songwriter of the Year" in 2009.
Black Lungs
Black LungsBlack Lungs
Black Lungs is a side project of Alexisonfire's former guitarist and vocalist, and current Gallows frontman Wade MacNeil. Wade created the side project reminiscent of his first punk rock band Plan 9. Black Lungs has also included Alexisonfire's George Pettit on bass, and Bedouin Soundclash's former...
is a band formed by Wade MacNeil
Wade MacNeil
Wade MacNeil is a Canadian musician currently active as the singer of the English hardcore band Gallows, and the singer/guitarist/founder of the Canadian punk band Black Lungs...
. Originally its members were George Pettit
George Pettit
George Pettit , is a Canadian musician best known as the former lead vocalist of the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire.-Biography:George grew up in the 'Gateway to Niagara' town of Grimsby...
, Jordan "Ratbeard" Hastings
Jordan Hastings
Jordan "Ratbeard" Hastings is a Canadian musician best known as the former drummer of Alexisonfire, having replaced their former drummer and founding member Jesse Ingelevics....
and Sean McNab of the band the Creepshow
The Creepshow
The Creepshow is a band from Burlington, Ontario, Canada. The band formed in 2005 when the four original members got together with the purpose of starting a psychobilly band. The Creepshow writes the majority of their songs about horror films....
and the now dissolved band Jersey
Jersey (band)
Jersey was a Burlington, Ontario ska punk band from 1996 to 2005. In 1997, the band released a demo tape which they sold at local concerts. The band had immediate hype partially due to frontman Taylor's previous band, Grade....
. After playing a few shows the band dissolved leaving only Wade MacNeil, after which it essentially became MacNeil's solo project. Sammi Bogdanski, Wade's ex-girlfriend's sister, contributed piano to his debut album Send Flowers
Send Flowers
Send Flowers is the debut album release from Black Lungs, the side project of Alexisonfire guitarist and backing vocalist Wade MacNeil. MacNeil's sound has been described as "the soundtrack for punk rockers, hip hoppers, pill poppers, young ladies and show stoppers."The album was originally due out...
, which was released on May 20, 2008 by Dine Alone Records.
In early 2008, Wade announced he would be touring with Cancer Bats and A Textbook Tragedy. The Black Lungs live band for this tour was made up of Liam from Cancer Bats on drums, George from Alexisonfire on bass, and Haris from Moneen on keyboard. The tour took in eastern Canada, focusing mostly on Ontario and Quebec with a few stops in PEI, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Afterwards Black lungs also toured the way across Canada with Cancer Bats
Cancer Bats
Cancer Bats are a hardcore punk/sludge metal band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada.-Background:Cancer Bats originated in May 2004 with singer Liam Cormier and guitarist Scott Middleton, former member of Toronto heavy metal band At the Mercy of Inspiration...
and Johnny Truant
Johnny Truant
Johnny Truant was a British, Brighton-based metalcore band, formed in 2000 under the name Severance. The band recorded 3 demos under this moniker before renaming themselves after the lead character of Mark Z. Danielewski's novel House of Leaves...
. Pat Pengelly, formerly, of Bedouin Soundclash
Bedouin Soundclash
Bedouin Soundclash is a Canadian band currently based in Toronto. Their sound can be described as reggae and ska.-History:The band's current lineup consists of vocalist and guitarist Jay Malinowski, and bassist Eon Sinclair with Sekou Lumumba on drums. Their debut album, Root Fire, released in 2001...
, replaced Liam on drums.
Black Lungs is currently composed of Wade on Guitar/Vocals, Phil Waring on Bass, George Clark on Drums and Scott on Guitar.
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 BergenfieldBergenfield, New Jersey
Bergenfield is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 26,764.Bergenfield was formed on the basis of a referendum held on June 25, 1894, from portions of Englewood Township and Palisades Township at the height of the...
, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
. The quartet released a 7" on LowDown Records.
Cunter
Drummer Jordan HastingsJordan Hastings
Jordan "Ratbeard" Hastings is a Canadian musician best known as the former drummer of Alexisonfire, having replaced their former drummer and founding member Jesse Ingelevics....
plays in the hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
supergroup
Supergroup (music)
In the late 1960s, the term supergroup was coined to describe "a rock music group whose performers are already famous from having performed individually or in other groups"....
Cunter with friends from Moneen
Moneen
Moneen is an indie rock band from Brampton, Ontario, Canada.-History:The band formed in 1999 after the dissolution of another band, called Perfectly Normal. Moneen's original bass player, Mark Bowser, was replaced by Chris Slorach, who left the band after the release of The Theory of Harmonial Value...
. The band was formed in early 2009, with the original name Hunter, in Brampton, Ontario
Brampton, Ontario
Brampton is the third-largest city in the Greater Toronto Area of Ontario, Canada and the seat of Peel Region. As of the 2006 census, Brampton's population stood at 433,806, making it the 11th largest city in Canada. It is also one of Canada's fastest growing municipalities, with an average...
. Cunter was played on Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
's Edge on Punk-O-Rama a day after Young Cardinals played for the first time on the same station.
Former members
- George PettitGeorge PettitGeorge Pettit , is a Canadian musician best known as the former lead vocalist of the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire.-Biography:George grew up in the 'Gateway to Niagara' town of Grimsby...
– lead vocals (2001–2011) - Chris Steele – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(2001–2011) - Wade MacNeilWade MacNeilWade MacNeil is a Canadian musician currently active as the singer of the English hardcore band Gallows, and the singer/guitarist/founder of the Canadian punk band Black Lungs...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, vocals (2001–2011) - Dallas GreenDallas Green (musician)Dallas Green is a Canadian musician who releases music as City and Colour. He is also known for his work as the former vocalist, guitarist and songwriter for the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire.-Name:...
– guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, vocals (2001–2010) - Jesse Ingelevics – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
, percussion (2001–2005) - Jordan "Ratbeard" HastingsJordan HastingsJordan "Ratbeard" Hastings is a Canadian musician best known as the former drummer of Alexisonfire, having replaced their former drummer and founding member Jesse Ingelevics....
– drums, percussionPercussion instrumentA percussion instrument is any object which produces a sound when hit with an implement or when it is shaken, rubbed, scraped, or otherwise acted upon in a way that sets the object into vibration...
(2005–2011)
During 2008 Kenny Bridges of Moneen
Moneen
Moneen is an indie rock band from Brampton, Ontario, Canada.-History:The band formed in 1999 after the dissolution of another band, called Perfectly Normal. Moneen's original bass player, Mark Bowser, was replaced by Chris Slorach, who left the band after the release of The Theory of Harmonial Value...
filled in as the band's bassist for certain live performances, due to Chris Steele being unavailable for medical reasons.
Awards and nominations
| Year | Event | Won | Nominated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Canadian Independent Music Awards | Best Video ("Pulmonary Archery") | |
| CASBY Awards | NXNE North by Northeast North by Northeast is an annual five-day live music and film festival and music conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, held each June.... Favourite Indie Band |
||
| MuchMusic Video Awards MuchMusic Video Awards The MuchMusic Video Awards are annual awards presented by the Canadian music video channel MuchMusic to honour the year's best music videos.... |
VideoFACT VideoFACT MuchFACT is a Canadian fund that provides grants to Canadian recording artists to help them produce music videos. FACT stands for Foundation To Assist Canadian Talent... ("Counterparts and Number Them") |
Best Independent Video ("Counterparts and Number Them") | |
| 2005 | Juno Award Juno Award The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music... s |
New Group Of The Year | |
| MuchMusic Video Awards | Best Independent Video ("Accidents") |
Peoples' Choice Award – Favourite Canadian Group, MuchLOUD MuchLOUD MuchLOUD is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel owned by Bell Media. The channel broadcasts rock, modern rock, alternative, punk, and heavy metal music programming primarily in the form of music videos with other programming including concerts, interviews, and more... 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 Award Juno Award The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music... s |
Group of the Year | |
| MuchMusic Video Awards | Best Cinematography ("This Could Be Anywhere in the World") |
Peoples' Choice Award – Favourite Canadian Group, MuchLOUD MuchLOUD MuchLOUD is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel owned by Bell Media. The channel broadcasts rock, modern rock, alternative, punk, and heavy metal music programming primarily in the form of music videos with other programming including concerts, interviews, and more... Best Rock Video ("This Could Be Anywhere in the World") |
|
| 2009 | XM Verge Awards | Artist Of The Year, Album Of The Year ("Old Crows/Young Cardinals") |
Discography
Studio albums- AlexisonfireAlexisonfire (album)Alexisonfire is the first studio album released by the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. It was released on September 9, 2002. It sold over 50,000 units in Canada, giving it gold certification...
(2002) - Watch Out!Watch Out!Watch Out! is the second album released by the post-hardcore band Alexisonfire. It was released on June 29, 2004. The album debuted at #6 on the Canadian Albums Chart, selling 6,000 copies in its first week...
(2004) - Crisis (2006)
- Old Crows / Young Cardinals (2009)
External links
- Alexisonfire official website
- Alexisonfire at Exclaim!Exclaim!Exclaim! is a monthly Canadian music magazine that features in-depth coverage of new music across all genres with special focus on Canadian and cutting-edge artists...
- Alexisonfire unofficial blog and forum
- Alexisonfire cover story July 2009
- Europunk: interview
- Punk 76: interview
- Leeds Music Scene: article
- Spinner Interviews Alexisonfire