Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle
Encyclopedia
Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle (originally Kevin Hearn and the Thin Buckle Band) are a Canadian band consisting of Barenaked Ladies
multi-instrumentalist Kevin Hearn
as the front man (typically on guitar or keyboards), bassist Chris Gartner and drummer Great Bob Scott. The three had previously collaborated as members of the Canadian alternative rock band The Look People
. Guitarists Martin Tielli
and Derek Orford were originally members; the former left the band to pursue other musical interests in the years between H-Wing
(2001) and Night Light (2004), while the latter left due to injury shortly after the release of Night Light and never returned to the band, other than as a guest performer on four tracks of The Miracle Mile
. Brian MacMillan joined the group on guitar and keyboards after Night Light was released, effectively replacing Orford. MacMillan left the group to pursue his own career after recording Havana Winter
. Mike Rathke is credited as a member of the band on guitar on that album, although he does not perform live with the group.
, which he was able to release with funds earned from touring with Barenaked Ladies since 1995. The album was a solo record, but featured Scott drumming on all tracks save for one live track culled from a Barenaked Ladies concert recorded for their live album Rock Spectacle
. Gartner, Tielli and Orford all appear on the album, though not on a majority of the tracks.
The first album to be credited to "Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle" was 2001's H-Wing
, the songs for which were written by Hearn during his battle with chronic myelogenous leukemia
, through 1998 and 1999. H-Wing, named for the wing in which he spent most of his initial month-long hospital admission, was recorded while he was still involved in fairly intensive medical follow-up, and was in and out of hospital with complications of his treatments. Night Light was released in 2004, although copies were made available for purchase at Barenaked Ladies concerts in late 2003. The album The Miracle Mile
was released in Canada in 2006. Hearn wrote the eleven songs on the album while spending time in Los Angeles. For the 2009 album, Havana Winter
, high-profile collaborators included Lou Reed
and Laurie Anderson
.
The band has always had a sporadic live schedule, due in part to Hearn's touring commitments with Barenaked Ladies. Similarly, albums have often had wide gaps between recording and release (for example, Night Light was recorded in the summer of 2002, but not officially released until 2004). Their live performances are most commonly in the Toronto
area, as the band members all reside in the city. Tours are infrequent, but have occurred; An example is a late-2004 tour through Canada, and the American northeast for which Hearn opened his own shows with his cousin Harland Williams
playing material as the duo's act, "The Cousins". His shows are often informal, with any members of the band who are available joining Hearn, and others absent. Hearn plays solo sets in many shows. Musicians who are in the audience are often invited to perform as guests. Aside from Thin Buckle material, Hearn's own material from Mothball Mint, songs he's written for Barenaked Ladies, and Hearn's songs from The Story of Harmelodia
, are often performed, as are covers of other artists.
Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies is a Canadian alternative rock band. The band is currently composed of Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart. Barenaked Ladies formed in 1988 in Scarborough, Ontario, then a suburban municipality outside the City of Toronto...
multi-instrumentalist Kevin Hearn
Kevin Hearn
Kevin Neil Hearn is a Canadian musician who is currently the keyboardist of Barenaked Ladies and his own group, Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle. He is also a former member of Rheostatics.-Early life:...
as the front man (typically on guitar or keyboards), bassist Chris Gartner and drummer Great Bob Scott. The three had previously collaborated as members of the Canadian alternative rock band The Look People
The Look People
Look People was a Canadian alternative rock band in the 1980s and 1990s. They had a moderate hit in 1991 with a cover of War's "Low Rider", and received five CASBY Award nominations for their CD Small Fish, Big Pond....
. Guitarists Martin Tielli
Martin Tielli
Martin Tielli is a Canadian singer-songwriter. He was a member of the Rheostatics, and has also released material as a solo artist and with the side project Nick Buzz. As well, he has appeared as a guest musician on albums by Barenaked Ladies, Kevin Hearn, The Waltons, Jane Siberry, Ashley...
and Derek Orford were originally members; the former left the band to pursue other musical interests in the years between H-Wing
H-Wing
H-Wing is the first album by Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle. It was released in 2001, and features the band's original lineup. It was produced by Jeremy Darby, Michael Phillip Wojewoda, and Kevin Hearn. The title of the album comes from a hospital wing Kevin was in while he was being treated for...
(2001) and Night Light (2004), while the latter left due to injury shortly after the release of Night Light and never returned to the band, other than as a guest performer on four tracks of The Miracle Mile
The Miracle Mile
The Miracle Mile is the third album by Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle. It was released in Canada and July 11, 2006. The first single from the album will be "In The Country". This is the band's first album on the Warner Music Canada label...
. Brian MacMillan joined the group on guitar and keyboards after Night Light was released, effectively replacing Orford. MacMillan left the group to pursue his own career after recording Havana Winter
Havana Winter
Havana Winter is the fourth album by Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle. It was released on July 30, 2009. Kevin Hearn wrote all of the tracks on the album, which was produced by Hearn and Michael Phillip Wojewoda...
. Mike Rathke is credited as a member of the band on guitar on that album, although he does not perform live with the group.
History
Hearn's first solo album was 1997's Mothball MintMothball Mint
Mothball Mint is a solo CD by Kevin Hearn, keyboardist of Barenaked Ladies. This album was produced by Michael Phillip Wojewoda, and released in 1997....
, which he was able to release with funds earned from touring with Barenaked Ladies since 1995. The album was a solo record, but featured Scott drumming on all tracks save for one live track culled from a Barenaked Ladies concert recorded for their live album Rock Spectacle
Rock Spectacle
Rock Spectacle is a live album by Barenaked Ladies and their first live release. This was the album that finally broke the American market for BNL, with the live version of "Brian Wilson" and a release of "The Old Apartment" from Born on a Pirate Ship featuring this live version becoming hits, and...
. Gartner, Tielli and Orford all appear on the album, though not on a majority of the tracks.
The first album to be credited to "Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle" was 2001's H-Wing
H-Wing
H-Wing is the first album by Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle. It was released in 2001, and features the band's original lineup. It was produced by Jeremy Darby, Michael Phillip Wojewoda, and Kevin Hearn. The title of the album comes from a hospital wing Kevin was in while he was being treated for...
, the songs for which were written by Hearn during his battle with chronic myelogenous leukemia
Leukemia
Leukemia or leukaemia is a type of cancer of the blood or bone marrow characterized by an abnormal increase of immature white blood cells called "blasts". Leukemia is a broad term covering a spectrum of diseases...
, through 1998 and 1999. H-Wing, named for the wing in which he spent most of his initial month-long hospital admission, was recorded while he was still involved in fairly intensive medical follow-up, and was in and out of hospital with complications of his treatments. Night Light was released in 2004, although copies were made available for purchase at Barenaked Ladies concerts in late 2003. The album The Miracle Mile
The Miracle Mile
The Miracle Mile is the third album by Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle. It was released in Canada and July 11, 2006. The first single from the album will be "In The Country". This is the band's first album on the Warner Music Canada label...
was released in Canada in 2006. Hearn wrote the eleven songs on the album while spending time in Los Angeles. For the 2009 album, Havana Winter
Havana Winter
Havana Winter is the fourth album by Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle. It was released on July 30, 2009. Kevin Hearn wrote all of the tracks on the album, which was produced by Hearn and Michael Phillip Wojewoda...
, high-profile collaborators included Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
and Laurie Anderson
Laurie Anderson
Laura Phillips "Laurie" Anderson is an American experimental performance artist, composer and musician who plays violin and keyboards and sings in a variety of experimental music and art rock styles. Initially trained as a sculptor, Anderson did her first performance-art piece in the late 1960s...
.
The band has always had a sporadic live schedule, due in part to Hearn's touring commitments with Barenaked Ladies. Similarly, albums have often had wide gaps between recording and release (for example, Night Light was recorded in the summer of 2002, but not officially released until 2004). Their live performances are most commonly in the 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...
area, as the band members all reside in the city. Tours are infrequent, but have occurred; An example is a late-2004 tour through Canada, and the American northeast for which Hearn opened his own shows with his cousin Harland Williams
Harland Williams
Harland Williams is a Canadian actor, comedian, author, artist, musician and radio personality.-Personal life:Harland Reesor Williams was born on November 14, 1962, in Toronto, Ontario, to Lorraine , a social worker, and John Reesor Williams, who worked as a member of the Ontario Provincial...
playing material as the duo's act, "The Cousins". His shows are often informal, with any members of the band who are available joining Hearn, and others absent. Hearn plays solo sets in many shows. Musicians who are in the audience are often invited to perform as guests. Aside from Thin Buckle material, Hearn's own material from Mothball Mint, songs he's written for Barenaked Ladies, and Hearn's songs from The Story of Harmelodia
The Story of Harmelodia
The Story of Harmelodia is a 1999 album by Rheostatics.Billed as a children's album, the album is a narrative detailing the adventures of Dot and Bug, two children from the land of Harmelodia who fall through a hole into the land of Popopolis...
, are often performed, as are covers of other artists.
Discography
- H-WingH-WingH-Wing is the first album by Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle. It was released in 2001, and features the band's original lineup. It was produced by Jeremy Darby, Michael Phillip Wojewoda, and Kevin Hearn. The title of the album comes from a hospital wing Kevin was in while he was being treated for...
– 2001 - Night Light – 2004
- The Miracle MileThe Miracle MileThe Miracle Mile is the third album by Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle. It was released in Canada and July 11, 2006. The first single from the album will be "In The Country". This is the band's first album on the Warner Music Canada label...
– 2006 - Havana WinterHavana WinterHavana Winter is the fourth album by Kevin Hearn and Thin Buckle. It was released on July 30, 2009. Kevin Hearn wrote all of the tracks on the album, which was produced by Hearn and Michael Phillip Wojewoda...
– 2009
Related albums
The following albums contain songs by Hearn that the band currently plays.- Mothball MintMothball MintMothball Mint is a solo CD by Kevin Hearn, keyboardist of Barenaked Ladies. This album was produced by Michael Phillip Wojewoda, and released in 1997....
– 1997 (Kevin Hearn's solo album) - The Story of HarmelodiaThe Story of HarmelodiaThe Story of Harmelodia is a 1999 album by Rheostatics.Billed as a children's album, the album is a narrative detailing the adventures of Dot and Bug, two children from the land of Harmelodia who fall through a hole into the land of Popopolis...
– 1999 (RheostaticsRheostaticsRheostatics was a Genie Award-winning Canadian indie rock band, active from 1980 to 2007.Although they had only one Top 40 hit, "Claire" in 1995, they were simultaneously one of Canada's most influential and unconventional rock bands, a band whose eclectic take on pop and rock music has been...
release featuring Kevin Hearn)