The Fast Romantics
Encyclopedia
Fast Romantics are an indie rock
band formed in 2007 in Calgary, Alberta
, Canada
.
The band in 2008 played Virgin Festival
alongside acts such as The Flaming Lips
and Stone Temple Pilots
.
The band's debut, self-titled LP was also recorded in 2008, and later mixed in Vancouver by Mike Fraser
, who has also mixed albums by acts such as Franz Ferdinand, Elvis Costello, and Metallica. The band toured Canada twice in 2009 in support of that album.
In September 2009, the band was selected by Spin Magazine
and John Varvatos
as one of three global finalists in the magazine's "Free the Noise" competition. Taking a detour from their national Canadian tour, the band was flown to New York City to perform at the now-defunct venue CBGB (now owned by competition co-creator John Varvatos
). Guitarist Matthew Kliewer stated: "There were apparently 950 people there. I heard that Dennis Quaid was there, but I couldn't see if he was jumping up and down, checking his watch, or trying to save the planet.""
The band performed on November 20, 2009 at a private, celebrity-laden event for the opening of Calgary's flagship Holt Renfrew
store. Briefly interrupting a set by DJ Samantha Ronson
, the band appeared on stage with actor Jeremy Piven
on drums performing an impromptu version of Iggy Pop
's "The Passenger
".
On July 6, 2010, the band released an EP entitled "Kidcutter". The album was produced by Howard Redekopp
, who has also produced Tegan and Sara
, The New Pornographers
, and Mother Mother
. The EP was once again mixed by Mike Fraser
.
In January 2011, Fast Romantics were nominated for The 10th Annual Independent Music Awards under the Pop/Rock category for their song "Cool Kids".
The band has since added two new members, Laurna Germscheid on backup vocals and keyboards, and John de Jesus on lead guitar.
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...
band formed in 2007 in Calgary, Alberta
Calgary
Calgary is a city in the Province of Alberta, Canada. It is located in the south of the province, in an area of foothills and prairie, approximately east of the front ranges of the Canadian Rockies...
, Canada
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...
.
History
Fast Romantics formed in 2007 by former members of long-running Calgary band The Mood, retaining three of their original members: Matthew Angus, Matthew Kliewer, and Jeffrey Lewis. Upon reforming, the band added Alan Reain on drums and began doing a number of local shows.The band in 2008 played Virgin Festival
Virgin Festival
The Virgin Fest is a rock festival held in the United States and Canada, a spin-off from the V Festival held in the UK...
alongside acts such as The Flaming Lips
The Flaming Lips
The Flaming Lips are an American alternative rock band, formed in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma in 1983.Melodically, their sound contains lush, multi-layered, psychedelic rock arrangements, but lyrically their compositions show elements of space rock, including unusual song and album titles—such as "What...
and Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots
Stone Temple Pilots is an American rock band from San Diego, California that consists of Scott Weiland , brothers Robert DeLeo and Dean DeLeo , and Eric Kretz ....
.
The band's debut, self-titled LP was also recorded in 2008, and later mixed in Vancouver by Mike Fraser
Mike Fraser
Mike Fraser is a Canadian record producer, engineer, and mixer. Mike is best known for his work with AC/DC, Metallica, Aerosmith and Joe Satriani...
, who has also mixed albums by acts such as Franz Ferdinand, Elvis Costello, and Metallica. The band toured Canada twice in 2009 in support of that album.
In September 2009, the band was selected by Spin Magazine
Spin (magazine)
Spin is a music magazine founded in 1985 by publisher Bob Guccione Jr.-History:In its early years, the magazine was noted for its broad music coverage with an emphasis on college-oriented rock music and on the ongoing emergence of hip-hop. The magazine was eclectic and bold, if sometimes haphazard...
and John Varvatos
John Varvatos
John Varvatos is an American contemporary high fashion menswear designer.- Biography :The Varvatos family are originally from the small village of Poulata on the Greek island of Cefalonia. John Varvatos was born in Detroit and grew up in Allen Park, a Downriver community situated south of the city...
as one of three global finalists in the magazine's "Free the Noise" competition. Taking a detour from their national Canadian tour, the band was flown to New York City to perform at the now-defunct venue CBGB (now owned by competition co-creator John Varvatos
John Varvatos
John Varvatos is an American contemporary high fashion menswear designer.- Biography :The Varvatos family are originally from the small village of Poulata on the Greek island of Cefalonia. John Varvatos was born in Detroit and grew up in Allen Park, a Downriver community situated south of the city...
). Guitarist Matthew Kliewer stated: "There were apparently 950 people there. I heard that Dennis Quaid was there, but I couldn't see if he was jumping up and down, checking his watch, or trying to save the planet.""
The band performed on November 20, 2009 at a private, celebrity-laden event for the opening of Calgary's flagship Holt Renfrew
Holt Renfrew
Holt Renfrew is a chain of high-end Canadian department stores. It is comparable to Barneys New York and Saks Fifth Avenue in the United States, and to two other upmarket chains owned by the same family, Britain's Selfridges and Ireland's Brown Thomas...
store. Briefly interrupting a set by DJ Samantha Ronson
Samantha Ronson
Samantha Judith Ronson is an English singer-songwriter and disc jockey who lives in Los Angeles, California.-Biography:Ronson was born in London and raised in St John's Wood...
, the band appeared on stage with actor Jeremy Piven
Jeremy Piven
Jeremy Samuel Piven is an American film producer and actor best known for his role as Ari Gold in the television series Entourage for which he has won three Emmy Awards as well as several other nominations for Best Supporting Actor....
on drums performing an impromptu version of Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
's "The Passenger
The Passenger (song)
"The Passenger" is a song by Iggy Pop and Ricky Gardiner, recorded and released by Iggy Pop on the Lust for Life album in 1977. It was also released as the B-side of the album's only single, "Success"...
".
On July 6, 2010, the band released an EP entitled "Kidcutter". The album was produced by Howard Redekopp
Howard Redekopp
Howard Redekopp is a Vancouver, British Columbia-based Canadian music producer/mixer/engineer.In 2009, Rolling Stone ranked one of Howard's projects, The New Pornographers' Electric Version, #79 in the "100 Best Albums of the Decade".-Discography:...
, who has also produced Tegan and Sara
Tegan and Sara
Tegan and Sara are a Canadian indie band composed of identical twin sisters Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Keirsten Quin . Both Tegan and Sara play guitar and keyboard and write songs.-History:...
, The New Pornographers
The New Pornographers
The New Pornographers is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1997 in Vancouver, British Columbia.-History:The band's first four albums each ranked in the top 40 on The Village Voices Pazz & Jop year-end poll of hundreds of music reviewers. From 2000 to 2006, either a New Pornographers' album or a...
, and Mother Mother
Mother Mother
Mother Mother is a five-piece Canadian indie rock band originally from Quadra Island, now based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Mother Mother consists of Ryan Guldemond on guitar and vocals, Molly Guldemond on vocals and keyboard, Jasmin Parkin on keyboard and vocals, Ali Siadat on drums, and...
. The EP was once again mixed by Mike Fraser
Mike Fraser
Mike Fraser is a Canadian record producer, engineer, and mixer. Mike is best known for his work with AC/DC, Metallica, Aerosmith and Joe Satriani...
.
In January 2011, Fast Romantics were nominated for The 10th Annual Independent Music Awards under the Pop/Rock category for their song "Cool Kids".
The band has since added two new members, Laurna Germscheid on backup vocals and keyboards, and John de Jesus on lead guitar.
See also
- Music of CanadaMusic of CanadaThe music of Canada has influences that have shaped the country. Aboriginals, the British, and the French have all made unique contributions to the musical heritage of Canada. The music has subsequently been heavily influenced by American culture because of its proximity and migration between...
- Canadian rockCanadian rockCanadian rock describes a wide and diverse variety of music produced by Canadians, beginning with American style rock 'n' roll in the mid-20th century. Since then Canada has had a considerable impact on the development of the modern popular music called rock...
- List of Canadian musicians
- List of bands from Canada
- :Category:Canadian musical groups
External links
- Shawn Despres. (October 19, 2009). Fast Romantics Honesty Gets Them Drinks With Perry Farrell Chart (magazine)Chart (magazine)ChartAttack is a Canadian online music publication. Formerly a monthly print magazine called Chart, which was published from 1991 to 2009, the web version continues operation....
Accessed February 23, 2010.