Paint (band)
Encyclopedia
Paint is a Canadian indie rock band based in Toronto
. Paint has released two full-length studio albums, with their latest effort Can You Hear Me? released in 2009.
in 2001. Originally comprising Robb Johannes (vocal/guitar), Mandy Dunbar (guitar/vocals), Marcus Warren (bass), and Andre Dey (drums).
Initially the band's sound was rooted in folk and funk, as reflected in the band's debut album. Urban Folk Tales was released independently May 28, 2004. Despite charting nationally on campus radio in Canada, as well as landing the band headlining slots at New Music West and the Under the Volcano Festival
, and compilation albums by E3 Records, the record proved critically and commercially unsuccessful.
After an extended hiatus through 2006 and 2007 with minimal live appearances, during which time Johannes joined Submerged Records
band Hinterland
for the writing and recording of its frantic final album Pan Pan Medico, and Endearing Records
artist Paper Moon
, he reformed Paint in 2008 with drummer Matt Laforest, formerly of Vancouver band Astoria. Paint's vision became narrowed into a sweeping, melodic rock sound clearly influenced by the likes of: Oasis
, Idlewild
, Radiohead
, Catherine Wheel
, Smashing Pumpkins, U2
, and Pearl Jam
.
Johannes relocated to Toronto in early 2009 after he, Laforest, and former Paper Moon bandmate Paula McGlynn wrote and recorded Can You Hear Me? at Maximus Sound in Port Coquitlam, BC. In Toronto, he joined with Jeff Logan, Luke Lombardini, and Marcus Warren, to give Paint an even more edgy sound. Logan left the band to pursue session work and was replaced by Mandy Dunbar in August 2009 (giving the band back its female elements) and Lombardini was replaced by Toronto drummer Andre Dey shortly thereafter.
Released August 11, 2009, Can You Hear Me? was automatically praised as "5 STARS: in your face, but not overpowering, melodic but still harsh, well-crafted but not over-perfected... heartbreaking yet uplifting.... an underlying sense of sonic maturity and strong lyrical insight... well-developed and layered...retain(s) the attractive simplicity of a great rock album," as well as an "alt-rock relic spiritually scraping the ’90s, done with so much audacity and seismic guitar crunch one can’t help but strap into their time machine... this Toronto quartet wisely keep the sound big, but the anthemic denouements concise."
The band, and Johannes in particular, have been noted for left-wing political activism
as well as general rock 'n' roll antics.
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...
. Paint has released two full-length studio albums, with their latest effort Can You Hear Me? released in 2009.
History
Paint formed in VancouverVancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
in 2001. Originally comprising Robb Johannes (vocal/guitar), Mandy Dunbar (guitar/vocals), Marcus Warren (bass), and Andre Dey (drums).
Initially the band's sound was rooted in folk and funk, as reflected in the band's debut album. Urban Folk Tales was released independently May 28, 2004. Despite charting nationally on campus radio in Canada, as well as landing the band headlining slots at New Music West and the Under the Volcano Festival
Under the Volcano Festival
Under The Volcano Festival Of Art & Social Change was an activist, grassroots gathering held at Whey-Ah-Wichen Cates Park on the traditional territory of the Tsleil-Waututh Nation in North Vancouver, BC in August. Under the Volcano was Canada's largest political arts festival and was 100% volunteer...
, and compilation albums by E3 Records, the record proved critically and commercially unsuccessful.
After an extended hiatus through 2006 and 2007 with minimal live appearances, during which time Johannes joined Submerged Records
Submerged Records
Submerged Records is an independent record label based in Vancouver, BC, Canada. It was founded in 2005 by members of the band Hinterland. Submerged specializes in what it calls "dreamo", an invented genre that blends elements of dreampop, shoegaze, space rock, post-rock, and related styles....
band Hinterland
Hinterland (band)
Hinterland is a band from Vancouver, Canada. Hinterland's music is best described as dreampop/shoegaze/New Wave with soaring, ethereal vocals, and is currently released by Submerged Records. Hinterland's second album The Picture Plane spent three months in the Canadian college radio top 50...
for the writing and recording of its frantic final album Pan Pan Medico, and Endearing Records
Endearing Records
Endearing Records is a Canadian independent record label established in 1994, now based in Vancouver, originally based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. Endearing Records has released many albums by Canadian indie artists since the mid 90s, such as Destroyer, The Meligrove Band, Julie Doiron, The...
artist Paper Moon
Paper Moon (band)
Paper Moon is an indie rock band based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, that has released three albums and an EP.- History :The band was formed from the ashes of former Winnipeg bands B'ehl, The Bonaduces and The Electrosonics...
, he reformed Paint in 2008 with drummer Matt Laforest, formerly of Vancouver band Astoria. Paint's vision became narrowed into a sweeping, melodic rock sound clearly influenced by the likes of: Oasis
Oasis (band)
Oasis were an English rock band formed in Manchester in 1991. Originally known as The Rain, the group was formed by Liam Gallagher , Paul "Bonehead" Arthurs , Paul "Guigsy" McGuigan and Tony McCarroll , who were soon joined by Liam's older brother Noel Gallagher...
, Idlewild
Idlewild (band)
Idlewild are a Scottish rock band, formed in Edinburgh, in 1995, comprising Roddy Woomble , Rod Jones , Colin Newton , Allan Stewart and Gareth Russell...
, Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
, Catherine Wheel
Catherine Wheel
Catherine Wheel were a four-piece alternative rock band from Great Yarmouth, England. The band was active from 1990 to 2000, experiencing fluctuating levels of commercial success, and embarking on many lengthy tours.-Biography:...
, Smashing Pumpkins, U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
, and Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam
Pearl Jam is an American rock band that formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1990. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included Eddie Vedder , Jeff Ament , Stone Gossard , and Mike McCready...
.
Johannes relocated to Toronto in early 2009 after he, Laforest, and former Paper Moon bandmate Paula McGlynn wrote and recorded Can You Hear Me? at Maximus Sound in Port Coquitlam, BC. In Toronto, he joined with Jeff Logan, Luke Lombardini, and Marcus Warren, to give Paint an even more edgy sound. Logan left the band to pursue session work and was replaced by Mandy Dunbar in August 2009 (giving the band back its female elements) and Lombardini was replaced by Toronto drummer Andre Dey shortly thereafter.
Released August 11, 2009, Can You Hear Me? was automatically praised as "5 STARS: in your face, but not overpowering, melodic but still harsh, well-crafted but not over-perfected... heartbreaking yet uplifting.... an underlying sense of sonic maturity and strong lyrical insight... well-developed and layered...retain(s) the attractive simplicity of a great rock album," as well as an "alt-rock relic spiritually scraping the ’90s, done with so much audacity and seismic guitar crunch one can’t help but strap into their time machine... this Toronto quartet wisely keep the sound big, but the anthemic denouements concise."
The band, and Johannes in particular, have been noted for left-wing political activism
Left-wing politics
In politics, Left, left-wing and leftist generally refer to support for social change to create a more egalitarian society...
as well as general rock 'n' roll antics.
Albums
- Can You Hear Me? (August 11, 2009) [independent, PCYHM09] #20 (!earshot)
- Urban Folk Tales (May 29, 2004) [independent, RSC12272] #9 (!earshot)
Compilations
- Showcase International 2005 (September 21, 2005), E3/Chromium Records (CHRO-SC2005-001), featuring the song "Open Your Eyes"
Singles
| Date of Release | Title | Format | !earshot Peak | Album |
| August 10, 2010 | "Madonna" | mp3 | 20 | Can You Hear Me? |
| April 13, 2010 | "A Gentle Art" | mp3 | 20 | Can You Hear Me? |
| December 8, 2009 | "Don't Blow Me Away" | mp3 | 20 | Can You Hear Me? |
| May 19, 2009 | "Strangers" | mp3 // album preview | 20 | Can You Hear Me? |
| March 1, 2007 | "Life" | Online-only single exclusive to MySpace MySpace Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors.... |
N/A | N/A |
| May 29, 2004 | "The Open Road" | Download only | 9 | Urban Folk Tales |
Current
- Robb Johannes - vocals, guitar (2001–present)
- Mandy Dunbar - guitar, vocals (2009–present)
- Marcus Warren (2009–present)
- Andre Dey (2010–present)
Former (abridged)
- Chris Oliver - drums (2009–2010)
- Jeff Logan - guitar (2009)
- Matt Laforest - drums (2008–2009)
- Paula McGlynn - guitar, vocals (2008–2009)
- Henry Hsu - guitar (2004–2007)
- Tim Bartsch - cello, piano (2002–2005)
- Karen O'Hearn - backup vocals (2002–2007)
- Ryan Wylie (2005) (touring drummer)