Reg Vermue
Encyclopedia
Reg Vermue is a Canadian
indie rock
singer from Guelph, Ontario
. Born in Trenton, Ontario
, he records as Gentleman Reg. His musical style has been compared to Elliott Smith
, Aimee Mann
, The Smiths
and Cat Power
. He had a cameo role in the 2006 film Shortbus
.
Most recently he began performing with a new band called Light Fires with James Bunton from the band Ohbijou
debuting songs in October 2010, at Pop Montreal.
, was released in 2000 on Three Gut Records
. He released two more albums, Make Me Pretty in 2002 and Darby & Joan
in 2004, on Three Gut before the label folded in 2005.
He subsequently signed to Arts & Crafts
in 2008. His first release for that label, Little Buildings
in 2008, was a compilation of tracks from his Three Gut albums. The album was created for release in the United States
, where his earlier albums had never secured wide distribution. At the same time, he also released "You Can't Get it Back", an advance single from his first album of new material for Arts & Crafts, Jet Black
, which was released in full on February 24, 2009. Jet Black marks the first proper studio album that he will be releasing in the United States.
Members of Royal City and The Constantines
have regularly appeared as Vermue's band, live and on recordings. As well as long time drummer Greg Millson, who now performs with Great Lake Swimmers
. Vermue was also a member of The Hidden Cameras
for several years and has performed with Broken Social Scene
, sung backup for Sufjan Stevens
, and often guests with Owen Pallett
. He also appeared on a tribute CD for The Breeders
, Hellbound, performing the song "Doe".
Songs by Gentleman Reg have appeared in such films as Shortbus
, Wilby Wonderful
, Twist
, The End of Silence
, Late Fragment
, and on the television show Queer as Folk.
Vermue, who is openly
gay
, appears in a cameo role in the 2006 John Cameron Mitchell
film Shortbus
. In it, his character claims to be an albino — although Vermue is fair-skinned and has very light blond hair, he is not in fact an albino, although he was born without pigmentation. Songs by Gentleman Reg are featured on the soundtrack of the film.
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...
indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
singer from Guelph, Ontario
Guelph, Ontario
Guelph is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada. Known as "The Royal City", Guelph is roughly east of Waterloo and west of downtown Toronto at the intersection of Highway 6 and Highway 7. It is the seat of Wellington County, but is politically independent of it...
. Born in Trenton, Ontario
Trenton, Ontario
Trenton is a community in Southern Ontario in the municipality of Quinte West, Ontario, Canada. Located on the Bay of Quinte, it is the main population centre in Quinte West....
, he records as Gentleman Reg. His musical style has been compared to Elliott Smith
Elliott Smith
Steven Paul "Elliott" Smith was an American singer-songwriter and musician. Smith was born in Omaha, Nebraska, raised primarily in Texas, and resided for a significant portion of his life in Portland, Oregon, where he first gained popularity...
, Aimee Mann
Aimee Mann
Aimee Mann is an American rock singer-songwriter, guitarist and bassist.-Early life:Aimee Mann grew up in Bon Air, Virginia, graduated from Open High School in 1978 and attended the Berklee College of Music in Boston, but dropped out to sing with her first punk rock band, the Young Snakes...
, The Smiths
The Smiths
The Smiths were an English alternative rock band, formed in Manchester in 1982. Based on the song writing partnership of Morrissey and Johnny Marr , the band also included Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce...
and Cat Power
Cat Power
Charlyn Marie Marshall , also known as Chan Marshall or by her stage name Cat Power, is an American singer/songwriter and occasional actress and model. Cat Power was originally the name of Marshall's first band, but has come to refer to her musical projects with various backing bands...
. He had a cameo role in the 2006 film Shortbus
Shortbus
Shortbus is a 2006 comedy-drama film written and directed by John Cameron Mitchell. The plot revolves around a sexually diverse ensemble of colorful characters trying desperately to connect in New York City. The characters converge in a weekly Brooklyn artistic/sexual salon loosely inspired by...
.
Most recently he began performing with a new band called Light Fires with James Bunton from the band Ohbijou
Ohbijou
-Biography:Ohbijou began as the solo project of Brantford singer-songwriter Casey Mecija . Through the process of songwriting and composition, Casey discovered a need for the musical support of her sister Jennifer Mecija , whom Casey invited to assist with her early performances...
debuting songs in October 2010, at Pop Montreal.
Career
His first album, The Theoretical GirlThe Theoretical Girl
The Theoretical Girl is the debut album by Canadian singer-songwriter Gentleman Reg, released in 2000 on Three Gut Records.-Track listing:# "To Have Regrets"# "Plan on Including Me"# "One of the Hours"# "Stealthcat"# "I’ve Got an Emotion"...
, was released in 2000 on Three Gut Records
Three Gut Records
Three Gut Records was a Guelph, Ontario, Canada based independent record label. It was founded in 1999 by Lisa Moran and Tyler Clarke Burke as a vehicle for releasing albums by their friends; it became an influential player in Canadian music with the breakout success of the Constantines'...
. He released two more albums, Make Me Pretty in 2002 and Darby & Joan
Darby & Joan (album)
Darby & Joan is the third album by Canadian singer-songwriter Gentleman Reg, released in 2004 on Three Gut Records.-Track listing:# "Bundle"# "Over My Head"# "First Time Everything"# "It's Not Safe"# "All My Love"# "Untouchable"# "The Deal"...
in 2004, on Three Gut before the label folded in 2005.
He subsequently signed to Arts & Crafts
Arts & Crafts (record label)
Arts & Crafts Productions is a Toronto-based independent artist services company, offering expertise as an independent record label, management firm, merchandiser and music publisher both in Canada and internationally...
in 2008. His first release for that label, Little Buildings
Little Buildings
Little Buildings is a compilation album by Gentleman Reg, released on November 11, 2008. His first release for the Arts & Crafts record label, it compiles several tracks from his earlier albums on Three Gut Records, as well as one unreleased new song, "Something to Live For"...
in 2008, was a compilation of tracks from his Three Gut albums. The album was created for release in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, where his earlier albums had never secured wide distribution. At the same time, he also released "You Can't Get it Back", an advance single from his first album of new material for Arts & Crafts, Jet Black
Jet Black (album)
-Personnel:The album features contributions from Greg Millson, Bry Webb, Katie Sketch, Elizabeth Powell, Kevin Drew, and Emily Haines....
, which was released in full on February 24, 2009. Jet Black marks the first proper studio album that he will be releasing in the United States.
Members of Royal City and The Constantines
The Constantines
-History:The band was formed by Steve Lambke, Bryan Webb, Doug MacGregor, and Dallas Wehrle in 1999, following the break-up of Webb and MacGregor's emotional hardcore band Shoulder...
have regularly appeared as Vermue's band, live and on recordings. As well as long time drummer Greg Millson, who now performs with Great Lake Swimmers
Great Lake Swimmers
Great Lake Swimmers is a Canadian band built around the melodic folk rock songs of singer-songwriter Tony Dekker. Originally from Wainfleet, Ontario, the band is currently based in Toronto....
. Vermue was also a member of The Hidden Cameras
The Hidden Cameras
The Hidden Cameras are a Canadian indie pop band. Fronted by singer-songwriter Joel Gibb, the band consists of a varying roster of musicians who play what Gibb once described as "gay church folk music"...
for several years and has performed with Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene
Broken Social Scene is a Canadian indie rock band, a musical collective including as few as six and as many as nineteen members, formed in 1999 by Kevin Drew and Brendan Canning. Most of its members currently play in various other groups and solo projects, mainly based around the city of Toronto...
, sung backup for Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens
Sufjan Stevens is an American singer-songwriter and musician born in Detroit, Michigan. Stevens first began releasing his music on Asthmatic Kitty, a label co-founded with his stepfather, beginning with the 1999 release, A Sun Came...
, and often guests with Owen Pallett
Owen Pallett
Michael James Owen Pallett is a Canadian composer, violinist, keyboardist, and vocalist from Toronto, Ontario. He won the 2006 Polaris Music Prize for the album He Poos Clouds....
. He also appeared on a tribute CD for The Breeders
The Breeders
The Breeders are an American alternative rock band formed in 1988 by Kim Deal of the Pixies and Tanya Donelly of Throwing Muses. The band has experienced a number of line-up changes; the current line-up consists of Kim Deal , her twin sister Kelley Deal , Jose Medeles , Mando Lopez Todd the Fox...
, Hellbound, performing the song "Doe".
Songs by Gentleman Reg have appeared in such films as Shortbus
Shortbus
Shortbus is a 2006 comedy-drama film written and directed by John Cameron Mitchell. The plot revolves around a sexually diverse ensemble of colorful characters trying desperately to connect in New York City. The characters converge in a weekly Brooklyn artistic/sexual salon loosely inspired by...
, Wilby Wonderful
Wilby Wonderful
Wilby Wonderful is a 2004 film by Daniel MacIvor. The film is a comedic drama about 24 hours in the life of the small town of Wilby, where the municipal festival is in preparation. It focuses on the changes occurring in the lives of several different inhabitants as development comes to the island...
, Twist
Twist
Twist may refer to:* Twist , a decorative piece of citrus zest* Twist , a comic by John Cook* Twist in screw theory in applied mathematics and physics* Twist , an American teen magazine...
, The End of Silence
The End of Silence
The End of Silence is the fifth release and the third full-length album by Rollins Band, led by former Black Flag singer Henry Rollins. The album's cover features a sort of mascot for the band, a stylized drawing of the sun identical to the one tattooed on Rollins' back...
, Late Fragment
Late Fragment
Late Fragment is an Canadian interactive cinema production, written and directed by Daryl Cloran, Anita Doron and Mateo Guez. It is North America's first interactive feature film. The project is a co-production of Canadian Film Centre and the National Film Board of Canada. -Synopsis:Three...
, and on the television show Queer as Folk.
Vermue, who is openly
Coming out
Coming out is a figure of speech for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people's disclosure of their sexual orientation and/or gender identity....
gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
, appears in a cameo role in the 2006 John Cameron Mitchell
John Cameron Mitchell
John Cameron Mitchell is an American writer, actor, and director. He is best known for his motion pictures Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Shortbus and Rabbit Hole.- Early life:...
film Shortbus
Shortbus
Shortbus is a 2006 comedy-drama film written and directed by John Cameron Mitchell. The plot revolves around a sexually diverse ensemble of colorful characters trying desperately to connect in New York City. The characters converge in a weekly Brooklyn artistic/sexual salon loosely inspired by...
. In it, his character claims to be an albino — although Vermue is fair-skinned and has very light blond hair, he is not in fact an albino, although he was born without pigmentation. Songs by Gentleman Reg are featured on the soundtrack of the film.
Albums
- The Theoretical GirlThe Theoretical GirlThe Theoretical Girl is the debut album by Canadian singer-songwriter Gentleman Reg, released in 2000 on Three Gut Records.-Track listing:# "To Have Regrets"# "Plan on Including Me"# "One of the Hours"# "Stealthcat"# "I’ve Got an Emotion"...
(2000) - Make Me Pretty (2002)
- Darby & JoanDarby & Joan (album)Darby & Joan is the third album by Canadian singer-songwriter Gentleman Reg, released in 2004 on Three Gut Records.-Track listing:# "Bundle"# "Over My Head"# "First Time Everything"# "It's Not Safe"# "All My Love"# "Untouchable"# "The Deal"...
(2004) - Little Buildings (e.p.) (2008) (U.S. only release)
- Jet BlackJet Black (album)-Personnel:The album features contributions from Greg Millson, Bry Webb, Katie Sketch, Elizabeth Powell, Kevin Drew, and Emily Haines....
(2009) - Heavy Head (e.p.) (2009) (Digital only release)
Compilations
- "Doe" on Hellbound: A Tribute to The Breeders (2001)
- "Over My Head (4 track)" on Friends in BellwoodsFriends in BellwoodsFriends in Bellwoods is a compilation album, released in 2007. It was the first release on Out of This Spark, through a distribution deal with Sonic Unyon Records. The album is named for a house on Bellwoods Avenue in Toronto, shared by two members of the band Ohbijou, which NOW has written "might...
(2007) - "For Trust" on Friends in Bellwoods IIFriends in Bellwoods IIFriends in Bellwoods is a compilation album, released in 2009 by Out of This Spark as a benefit for Toronto's Daily Bread Food Bank. The album is a sequel to the 2007 compilation Friends in Bellwoods....
(2009)
Soundtracks
- Wilby WonderfulWilby WonderfulWilby Wonderful is a 2004 film by Daniel MacIvor. The film is a comedic drama about 24 hours in the life of the small town of Wilby, where the municipal festival is in preparation. It focuses on the changes occurring in the lives of several different inhabitants as development comes to the island...
by Daniel MacIvorDaniel MacIvorDaniel MacIvor is a Canadian actor, playwright, theatre director and film director. He was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia and educated at Dalhousie University in Halifax, and then at George Brown College in Toronto, Ontario....
, 2004 - ShortbusShortbusShortbus is a 2006 comedy-drama film written and directed by John Cameron Mitchell. The plot revolves around a sexually diverse ensemble of colorful characters trying desperately to connect in New York City. The characters converge in a weekly Brooklyn artistic/sexual salon loosely inspired by...
by John Cameron MitchellJohn Cameron MitchellJohn Cameron Mitchell is an American writer, actor, and director. He is best known for his motion pictures Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Shortbus and Rabbit Hole.- Early life:...
, 2006
Guest Vocal Appearances
- "In The Beginning w/Stars" from Unreleased by Isis Salem(ex-Thunderheist) (2010)
- "Smalltown Boy" from Unreleased by Buck65 (2010)
- "Wait & See" from Special Affections by Diamond RingsDiamond Rings (musician)John O'Regan is a Canadian artist and musician best known by his stage name Diamond Rings. In addition to writing, recording, and producing his own music, he is also noted for transcending traditional representations of gender and identity in his live performances and videos.-2003 - 2008: Early...
(2010) - "Flare Gun" from Heartland by Owen PallettOwen PallettMichael James Owen Pallett is a Canadian composer, violinist, keyboardist, and vocalist from Toronto, Ontario. He won the 2006 Polaris Music Prize for the album He Poos Clouds....
(2010) - "Blizzards" from Swift Feet for Troubling Times (Re-issue) by OhbijouOhbijou-Biography:Ohbijou began as the solo project of Brantford singer-songwriter Casey Mecija . Through the process of songwriting and composition, Casey discovered a need for the musical support of her sister Jennifer Mecija , whom Casey invited to assist with her early performances...
(2007) - "Hotline Operator" from Tournament of Hearts by ConstantinesConstantines-History:The band was formed by Steve Lambke, Bryan Webb, Doug MacGregor, and Dallas Wehrle in 1999, following the break-up of Webb and MacGregor's emotional hardcore band Shoulder...
(2005) - "Library" from Has a Good HomeHas a Good HomeHas a Good Home is the first album by Canadian musician Owen Pallett, under the name of his solo project Final Fantasy.-Track listing:All songs written by Owen Pallett except where noted.# "None of You Will Ever See a Penny" – 2:32...
by Final Fantasy (2004) - "Bring My Father a Gift" and "Take Me Down to Yonder River" from Little Heart's EaseLittle Heart's Ease-Track listing:# "Bring My Father a Gift" – 3:02# "Jerusalem" – 3:48# "She Will Come" – 2:37# "Count the Days" – 3:36# "Can't You" – 4:09# "Cabbage Rolls" – 2:53# "My Body Is Numbered" – 5:10# "O Beauty" - 3:45# "Ain't That the Way" – 2:53...
by Royal City (2004) - "Reward and Respite" from Attic Salt by KeplerKepler (band)Kepler was a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1997 from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Kepler initially garnered attention for its exceptionally slow and quiet sound, reminiscent of groups such as Low, Codeine, and Bedhead.-History:...
(2004) - "Communication" from Morning Noon NightMorning Noon NightMorning Noon Night is Jim Guthrie's second album on Three Gut Records.-Track listing:# "In The Hour Of Her Sore Need" – 1:45# "Evil Thoughts" – 3:49# "Virtue" – 3:37# "3 AM" – 3:23# "Turn Musician" – 3:22# "Days I Need Off" – 5:10# "Trouble" – 5:36...
by Jim Guthrie (2002)
As a member of The Hidden Cameras
Reg appeared on several of their albums and singles in different capacities.- The Smell of Our OwnThe Smell of Our Own-Track listing:# "Golden Streams" – 4:28# "Ban Marriage" – 4:15# "A Miracle" – 2:50# "The Animals of Prey" – 4:04# "Smells Like Happiness" – 3:08# "Day Is Dawning" – 5:06# "Boys of Melody" – 4:59# "Shame" – 5:28# "Breathe on It" – 2:52...
(2003) - The Hidden Cameras Play the CBC SessionsThe Hidden Cameras Play the CBC SessionsThe Hidden Cameras Play the CBC Sessions is a limited edition EP by The Hidden Cameras, released in 2004 on Rough Trade Records.The EP collects live tracks that the band recorded for broadcast on CBC Radio in March 2002.-Track listing:...
(2003) - Mississauga GoddamMississauga GoddamMississauga Goddam is a 2004 album by The Hidden Cameras.The title is an allusion to Nina Simone's civil rights anthem "Mississippi Goddam" , suggesting suburbia as the real battleground for LGBT equality.The album was released on Rough Trade Records in the United Kingdom and EvilEvil in...
(2004) - I Believe in the Good of Life CD single (2004)
- AwooAwooAWOO is an album by The Hidden Cameras, released in 2006.The album was released on EvilEvil in Canada in August. It was released on September 4 on Rough Trade in the UK and was also released on Arts & Crafts in the United States on September 19....
(2006)