Salmonblaster
Encyclopedia
Salmonblaster was a Canadian alternative rock band from London
, Ontario
. The bands lineup consisted of guitarist and singer Matt Werm, drummer Brady Parr and bassist Mat Davis. They were best known for their 1996 song "Freeway" from their Salmonblaster self titled album, which received regular play on Canadian music station Much Music. Their 1996 self titled album was a top 10 hit on Canada's college music chart in 1996 peaking at number 5 in July of that year. By November 1996, they were Toronto's top selling indie band.
.
In 1994 they released a 3-song cassette that received heavy local airplay on CHRW-FM
, the University of Western Ontario's
radio station. The song "Chomalungma" made it onto the London Underground III compilation. In 1995 they released a second 3-song cassette that contained two songs that would later appear on their self titled album: "Sugar Rush" and "Brian Jones".
, Stabbing Westward
, Econoline Crush
, Glueleg and The Gandharvas
, along with a long list of Canadian independent bands. During this time Davis left and The Gandharvas bassist Eric Howden (now the frontman of Raised by Swans
) filled in.
On March 20, 1998 the band appeared on the Tom Green Show. They played a new song called "Secret Agent" with a new bassist who was not introduced. "Secret Agent" was to be the first single off their forthcoming second album which had the working title of Headfuls of Chills, however shortly after appearing on the Tom Green Show the band broke up citing creative differences, though Werm and Parr would form two subsequent bands (Panic Coast and Tournament!). Werm would later tell the UWO Gazette
that Salmonblaster succumbed to pressure. The appearance on the Tom Green Show was released as part of the DVD set The Tom Green Show: The Complete Series - Inside and Outside the Box in 2005.
, while both Parr and Werm are in a band called Tournament!.
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
, 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....
. The bands lineup consisted of guitarist and singer Matt Werm, drummer Brady Parr and bassist Mat Davis. They were best known for their 1996 song "Freeway" from their Salmonblaster self titled album, which received regular play on Canadian music station Much Music. Their 1996 self titled album was a top 10 hit on Canada's college music chart in 1996 peaking at number 5 in July of that year. By November 1996, they were Toronto's top selling indie band.
Early years (1994-1996)
Salmonblaster's members came together from various London bands in July 1994. Werm (originally known as Matt Wormsbecher) played guitar for Boris is Back, Parr played in Petch and Mat Davis was the guitarist for M.A.D. Davis was the second bassist for Salmonblaster. Originally Dave Hall, who was also in Petch, played bass but left the band when he moved to OttawaOttawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
.
In 1994 they released a 3-song cassette that received heavy local airplay on CHRW-FM
CHRW-FM
CHRW-FM is a Canadian radio station, broadcasting at 94.9 FM in London, Ontario. It is licensed as a community-based campus radio station by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission...
, the University of Western Ontario's
University of Western Ontario
The University of Western Ontario is a public research university located in London, Ontario, Canada. The university's main campus covers of land, with the Thames River cutting through the eastern portion of the main campus. Western administers its programs through 12 different faculties and...
radio station. The song "Chomalungma" made it onto the London Underground III compilation. In 1995 they released a second 3-song cassette that contained two songs that would later appear on their self titled album: "Sugar Rush" and "Brian Jones".
Self titled album and early success (1996-1998)
On July 16, 1996, Salmonblaster released their debut (and only) album. The self titled album was a college chart hit, debuting at #5. The band toured behind the album throughout 1997 opening shows for I Mother EarthI Mother Earth
I Mother Earth, or IME, was a Canadian alternative rock band. The band was at the peak of its popularity in the mid-to-late 1990s; its members have moved on to other projects.-Early years:...
, Stabbing Westward
Stabbing Westward
Stabbing Westward was an American industrial rock and alternative rock band. They formed in 1985 in Chicago, Illinois and began recording in the 1990s. The band announced a dissolution in 2002.- Early years :...
, Econoline Crush
Econoline Crush
Econoline Crush is a band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada formed in 1992. Originally formed in Seattle, they eventually moved back to Vancouver...
, Glueleg and The Gandharvas
The Gandharvas
The Gandharvas were a Canadian rock band from London, Ontario, who were active in the 1990s.-History:The band formed in 1989 as The Droogs , and released a self-titled EP in 1991...
, along with a long list of Canadian independent bands. During this time Davis left and The Gandharvas bassist Eric Howden (now the frontman of Raised by Swans
Raised by Swans
Raised by Swans is an indie rock band from London, Ontario, Canada. The band consists of singer-guitarist Eric Howden, guitarist Alex Wright, bassist Andy Magoffin, and drummer Brady Parr....
) filled in.
On March 20, 1998 the band appeared on the Tom Green Show. They played a new song called "Secret Agent" with a new bassist who was not introduced. "Secret Agent" was to be the first single off their forthcoming second album which had the working title of Headfuls of Chills, however shortly after appearing on the Tom Green Show the band broke up citing creative differences, though Werm and Parr would form two subsequent bands (Panic Coast and Tournament!). Werm would later tell the UWO Gazette
UWO Gazette
The Gazette is the student newspaper at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ontario, Canada. The Gazette is the only daily student newspaper in Canada, publishing Tuesday through Friday. It is owned and published by the University Students' Council.- History :The Gazette began in 1906 as a...
that Salmonblaster succumbed to pressure. The appearance on the Tom Green Show was released as part of the DVD set The Tom Green Show: The Complete Series - Inside and Outside the Box in 2005.
Post break up
After Salmonblaster broke up, Werm and Parr went on to form Panic Coast, who released Future Projected in 2000 The band later changed their name to The Black Saturdays and released a self titled album. Werm was also in Viperscheme who released one EP called Sell the Sky in 2001. Parr currently plays in critically acclaimed indie band Raised by SwansRaised by Swans
Raised by Swans is an indie rock band from London, Ontario, Canada. The band consists of singer-guitarist Eric Howden, guitarist Alex Wright, bassist Andy Magoffin, and drummer Brady Parr....
, while both Parr and Werm are in a band called Tournament!.