McLaren Furnace Room
Encyclopedia
McLaren Furnace Room is the first major label album by Canadian band, The Watchmen
. Originally released by SUMO Productions in Canada in 1992 (with the help of MCA Records
), the release impressed MCA Records
Canada who signed the band and released the album in 1993 on a much wider scale. The title of the album refers to the basement of the McLaren Hotel that served as the band's rehearsal studio.
The album was certified Gold in Canada by the Canadian Recording Industry Association
on March 6, 1996.
Known as a tireless touring band, they reportedly played 150 shows a year across Canada from 1987 to 1991. A show in Toronto at the Horseshoe Tavern
in 1991 caught the attention of producer Chris Wardman
's girlfriend. She promised to put Wardman in touch with the band. Wardman eventually made it out to one of their shows and promised them a production commitment.
Jake Gold
's The Management Trust signed them to a management deal and his music production outfit SUMO Productions. Using their clout with MCA Records, SUMO was able to release the band's debut McLaren Furnace Room in 1992. The band then signed directly to MCA Records Canada.
At that time in the band's history, the principal songwriter was guitarist Joey Serlin
.
A video for the lead single "Cracked" was filmed and released in 1992 while a video for the second single "Run & Hide" was released in 1993. Both videos saw modest play on MuchMusic
.
The Watchmen
The Watchmen is a Canadian rock band. They were one of the most commercially successful Canadian alternative rock groups of the mid to late 1990s. During their peak years the band had three gold records and one platinum record...
. Originally released by SUMO Productions in Canada in 1992 (with the help of MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
), the release impressed MCA Records
MCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
Canada who signed the band and released the album in 1993 on a much wider scale. The title of the album refers to the basement of the McLaren Hotel that served as the band's rehearsal studio.
The album was certified Gold in Canada by the Canadian Recording Industry Association
Canadian Recording Industry Association
Music Canada is a Toronto-based, non-profit trade organization that was founded 9 April 1963 to represent the interests of companies that record, artists, manufacture, production, promotion and distribution of music in Canada...
on March 6, 1996.
Known as a tireless touring band, they reportedly played 150 shows a year across Canada from 1987 to 1991. A show in Toronto at the Horseshoe Tavern
Horseshoe Tavern
The Horseshoe Tavern is a concert venue located at 370 Queen Street West in downtown Toronto, and has been in operation since 1947. Owned by "JC", Ken Sprackman, Craig Laskey and Naomi Montpetit, the venue is a significant part of Canadian musical lore...
in 1991 caught the attention of producer Chris Wardman
Chris Wardman
Chris Wardman is a Canadian music producer, musician and songwriter. Wardman was a founding member of Blue Peter, and was their lead guitarist and main contributing songwriter. Wardman was also a member of Breeding Ground in the late 1980s. Wardman has been actively producing albums for many...
's girlfriend. She promised to put Wardman in touch with the band. Wardman eventually made it out to one of their shows and promised them a production commitment.
Jake Gold
Jake Gold
Jake Gold is an American-born Canadian musician manager. He was a judge on the Canadian Idol television program. In addition to Idol participants, he has managed popular Canadian artists like The Tragically Hip and The Watchmen. His management company, The Management Trust, currently works with a...
's The Management Trust signed them to a management deal and his music production outfit SUMO Productions. Using their clout with MCA Records, SUMO was able to release the band's debut McLaren Furnace Room in 1992. The band then signed directly to MCA Records Canada.
At that time in the band's history, the principal songwriter was guitarist Joey Serlin
Joey Serlin
Joey Serlin is a Canadian rock guitarist and songwriter.He was a member of The Watchmen, a Canadian alternative rock bands active in the 1990s...
.
A video for the lead single "Cracked" was filmed and released in 1992 while a video for the second single "Run & Hide" was released in 1993. Both videos saw modest play on MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
.
Track listing
- "Cracked" (Lyrics: Joey SerlinJoey SerlinJoey Serlin is a Canadian rock guitarist and songwriter.He was a member of The Watchmen, a Canadian alternative rock bands active in the 1990s...
, Music: The WatchmenThe WatchmenThe Watchmen is a Canadian rock band. They were one of the most commercially successful Canadian alternative rock groups of the mid to late 1990s. During their peak years the band had three gold records and one platinum record...
) - 4:00 - "Run & Hide" (Serlin)- 3:41
- "Try It Sometime" (Serlin) - 4:25
- "Sleep" (Lyrics: Danny Greaves, Music: The WatchmenThe WatchmenThe Watchmen is a Canadian rock band. They were one of the most commercially successful Canadian alternative rock groups of the mid to late 1990s. During their peak years the band had three gold records and one platinum record...
) - 4:00 - "Must To Be Free" (Serlin) - 4:42
- "Falling" (Serlin) - 4:40
- "Mister" (Serlin) - 3:49
- "Anything But That" (Serlin) - 2:50
- "I'm Still Gone" (Serlin) - 5:41
- "Soul Stealer" (Serlin) - 4:56
- "Crazy Days" (Serlin) - 4:40
- "Make You Go Down" (Serlin) - 4:09
Personnel
- Sammy Kohn - Drums
- Pete Loewen - Bass & Vocals
- Joey SerlinJoey SerlinJoey Serlin is a Canadian rock guitarist and songwriter.He was a member of The Watchmen, a Canadian alternative rock bands active in the 1990s...
- Guitars & Vocals - Danny Greaves - Vocals & Mouth Organ
Additional personnel
- Jason Sniderman - Mellotron on "Must To Be Free"
- Lazyman lefty - Congas
- Kroo-b - Piano
- Chris Wardman - Dragon Noises
Production
- Chris Wardman - Producer, Mixer
- Earl Torno - Mixer, Engineer
- Eric Apps - Engineer, Assistant Engineer
- Mike Gurarie - Assistant Engineer
- Recorded & Mixed at Winfield Sound, Toronto
- Mastered by Howie Wienberg at Masterdisk, New York