The Saint Alvia Cartel
Encyclopedia
Saint Alvia, formerly The Saint Alvia Cartel, is a band formed in 2005 from Burlington
, Ontario
, Canada
. The band was nominated for a Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year
at the 2008 Juno Awards.
) and Greg Taylor (formerly of Jersey
). Pasalic had sworn off music after Boys Night Out, but he explained, "It's funny really, some abusive addictions you just can't kick…" According to Pasalic, the band is named after Ernest Alvia Smith, Canada's last living recipient of the Victoria Cross
for valor in WWII.
Although their roots are in punk rock, the band also draws inspiration from other genres as roots, rock and roll, blues, soul, dancehall reggae, country, new wave and hip hop. After recording and releasing a couple demo tracks via MySpace in 2006, they were picked up by Montreal's Stomp Records, who released their self-titled debut in May. The lead single "Don't Wanna Wait Forever" was released in the summer of 2007.
The band followed the 2007 release with 2008's critically acclaimed Between the Lines.
Between The Lines
Burlington, Ontario
Burlington , is a city located in Halton Region at the western end of Lake Ontario. Burlington is part of the Greater Toronto Area, and is also included in the Hamilton Census Metropolitan Area. Physically, Burlington lies between the north shore of Lake Ontario and the Niagara Escarpment...
, 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....
, 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...
. The band was nominated for a Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year
Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year
The Juno Award for "Rock Album of the Year" has been awarded since 1991, as recognition each year for the best rock album in Canada. The award was previously called a number of other names, including the "Best Hard Rock/Metal Album" and "Best Rock Album"....
at the 2008 Juno Awards.
History
Saint Alvia was formed by Rob Pasalic (formerly of Boys Night OutBoys Night Out
Boys Night Out may refer to:* Boys Night Out , a Canadian emo/post-hardcore band** Boys Night Out , their self-titled album* Boys' Night Out , a 1962 comedy...
) and Greg Taylor (formerly of Jersey
Jersey (band)
Jersey was a Burlington, Ontario ska punk band from 1996 to 2005. In 1997, the band released a demo tape which they sold at local concerts. The band had immediate hype partially due to frontman Taylor's previous band, Grade....
). Pasalic had sworn off music after Boys Night Out, but he explained, "It's funny really, some abusive addictions you just can't kick…" According to Pasalic, the band is named after Ernest Alvia Smith, Canada's last living recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
for valor in WWII.
Although their roots are in punk rock, the band also draws inspiration from other genres as roots, rock and roll, blues, soul, dancehall reggae, country, new wave and hip hop. After recording and releasing a couple demo tracks via MySpace in 2006, they were picked up by Montreal's Stomp Records, who released their self-titled debut in May. The lead single "Don't Wanna Wait Forever" was released in the summer of 2007.
The band followed the 2007 release with 2008's critically acclaimed Between the Lines.
Members
- Greg Taylor - Vocals / Guitar
- Ben Rispin - Vocals
- Matt Richmond - Drums / Vocals
- Greg Fisher - Bass / Vocals
- Jon Laurin - Keyboards
Additional musicians
- Fatty McGinty of the Creepshow- Trombone (Try To Forget)
- John Coombs of The Next Best Thing - Trumpet (Try To Forget)
- Adam Michael of The Next Best Thing - Guitar (Stones On The Road)
- Jon Atley - Bongoes (Don't Wanna Wait Forever)
- Laura Jane Bradfield - Vocals (Blonde Kryptonite)
Between The Lines
- Fatty McGinty of The Creepshow - Trombone (Decadencia De Civilizacion, Roll With it)
- Ricky Snips of The Snips - Trumpet (Decadencia De Civilizacion, Roll With it,Mornings In Feng Tu)
- Wade Mcneil of Alexisonfire/Black Lungs - Additional Vocals ( Mornings in Feng Tu)
Compilations
- Borrowed Tunes - A Neil Young Tribute (Thrasher)
- Juiceboxdotcom.com compilation - Don't Wanna Wait Forever ( Phil B's Sunshine Remix)
Singles
- Romeo
- Walk Before You Run DMC
- Between The Lines
- Time To Go
- Don't Wanna Wait Forever
- Blonde Kryptonite
Awards
- 2008 MuchMusic Video Awards2008 MuchMusic Video AwardsThe 2008 MuchMusic Video Awards were held in Toronto, Ontario at MuchMusic's headquarters on June 15, 2008 with the rain-soaked Red carpet arrivals that started at 8:00pm ET, but was slightly delayed by rainstorms that soaked the crowds and artists, the awards started at 9:00 and ended at 11:00...
: Best Post-Production ( The Saint Alvia Cartel — "Blonde Kryptonite" (post-production: Nick Flook, Mike Sevigny & Jeff Middleton)) - Nominated - Juno Awards of 2008Juno Awards of 2008The Juno Awards of 2008 were held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on the weekend ending 6 April 2008. These ceremonies honoured music industry achievements in Canada in the latter part of 2006 and in most of 2007....
: Rock Album of the Year(The Saint Alvia Cartel) - Nominated - Juno Awards of 2009Juno Awards of 2009The Juno Awards of 2009 honoured music industry achievements in Canada in the latter part of 2007 and in most of 2008. These ceremonies were held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada during the weekend ending 29 March 2009....
: Best Video - Blonde Kryptonite ( Directed by Davin Black)-Nominated - 2009 FU Awards: - Best FU song ( Romeo)- Nominated
- 2008 Hamilton Music Awards: Best Punk Album of the Year - Nominated
- 2008 Hamilton Music Awards: Video of The Year ( Between The Lines Directed by Davin Black,Produced by Ben Rispin) - Nominated
- 2007 Hamilton Music Awards: Best New Band - Won
Interviews
- Saint Alvia’s new album out next Tuesday ups the politics Interview with TorontoMusicScene.ca
- Saint Alvia Cartel article July 2007
- Altsounds: interview
- Truth Explosion: article
- Supernova: article
- City News: article