Zeus (band)
Encyclopedia
Zeus is a Toronto
-based Canadian indie rock
band signed to the Arts & Crafts
record label. Its members include Rob Drake, Carlin Nicholson, Mike O'Brien, and Neil Quin. In addition to recording and performing the music of Zeus, the band also serves as the backing band for Canadian musician Jason Collett
.
, Ontario
, and played in one another's first bands along with Afie Jurvanen. When Jurvanen was recruited by producer Howie Beck
to play guitar for Jason Collett
, Jurvanen brought along O'Brien and Nicholson, who had learned Collett's album Idols of Exile in its entirety before their audition. The band he brought to Collett, which called itself "Paso Mino" consisted of Jurvanen, Michael P. Clive, and current Zeus members O'Brien and Drake, with Nicholson commonly acting as sound technician. After several years performing behind Collett, as well as performing original material and releasing the acclaimed album Good People, Paso Mino dissolved when Michael P. Clive left the band to pursue a career as a professional chef, and Jurvanen embarked on a tour with Feist and began a new solo project under the name "Bahamas
". Finding themselves with time on their hands, O'Brien and Nicholson began recording together, along with Robbie Drake. Neil Quin was soon added to the mix, solidifying the current Zeus lineup. The members of Zeus continue as Collett's backing band and occasionally collaborate and perform with Jurvanen, who describes Zeus as sounding like The Band
behind Collett, and sounding like Crazy Horse
behind Bahamas.
song "That's All
".
, but failed to advance to the short list. In March 2010, the band performed at the SxSW Music Festival
with long-time collaborators Jason Collett
and Bahamas
.
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...
-based Canadian 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...
band signed to the 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...
record label. Its members include Rob Drake, Carlin Nicholson, Mike O'Brien, and Neil Quin. In addition to recording and performing the music of Zeus, the band also serves as the backing band for Canadian musician Jason Collett
Jason Collett
Jason Collett is a Toronto based singer-songwriter. He has released four solo albums, and is a member of Broken Social Scene. His latest album, Rat a Tat Tat, was released in March, 2010.-Early life:...
.
History
O'Brien and Nicholson were childhood friends from BarrieBarrie
Barrie may refer to:* Barrie, city in Ontario, Canada* Barrie , Canadian federal electoral district* Barrie , provincial electoral district* Barrie—Simcoe—Bradford, former Canadian electoral district...
, 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....
, and played in one another's first bands along with Afie Jurvanen. When Jurvanen was recruited by producer Howie Beck
Howie Beck
Howie Beck is a Canadian singer-songwriter and producer based in Toronto. His debut album, 1997's Pop and Crash, was recorded at home while Beck recovered from mononucleosis.Beck began to attract attention outside of Canada with 1999's Hollow...
to play guitar for Jason Collett
Jason Collett
Jason Collett is a Toronto based singer-songwriter. He has released four solo albums, and is a member of Broken Social Scene. His latest album, Rat a Tat Tat, was released in March, 2010.-Early life:...
, Jurvanen brought along O'Brien and Nicholson, who had learned Collett's album Idols of Exile in its entirety before their audition. The band he brought to Collett, which called itself "Paso Mino" consisted of Jurvanen, Michael P. Clive, and current Zeus members O'Brien and Drake, with Nicholson commonly acting as sound technician. After several years performing behind Collett, as well as performing original material and releasing the acclaimed album Good People, Paso Mino dissolved when Michael P. Clive left the band to pursue a career as a professional chef, and Jurvanen embarked on a tour with Feist and began a new solo project under the name "Bahamas
Bahamas (musician)
Afie Jurvanen , known by his stage name Bahamas, is a Canadian musician, best known for the 2009 album Pink Strat, which was nominated for a 2010 Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year – Solo....
". Finding themselves with time on their hands, O'Brien and Nicholson began recording together, along with Robbie Drake. Neil Quin was soon added to the mix, solidifying the current Zeus lineup. The members of Zeus continue as Collett's backing band and occasionally collaborate and perform with Jurvanen, who describes Zeus as sounding like The Band
The Band
The Band was an acclaimed and influential roots rock group. The original group consisted of Rick Danko , Garth Hudson , Richard Manuel , and Robbie Robertson , and Levon Helm...
behind Collett, and sounding like Crazy Horse
Crazy Horse (band)
Crazy Horse is an American rock band best known for its association with Neil Young. It has been co-credited on a number of albums throughout Young's career and has released five albums of its own.-Early years:...
behind Bahamas.
Sounds Like Zeus (2009)
Their debut EP Sounds Like Zeus was released by Arts & Crafts in June 2009, and includes a cover of the GenesisGenesis (band)
Genesis are an English rock band that formed in 1967. The band currently comprises the longest-tenured members Tony Banks , Mike Rutherford and Phil Collins . Past members Peter Gabriel , Steve Hackett and Anthony Phillips , also played major roles in the band in its early years...
song "That's All
That's All (Genesis song)
"That's All" is a song by Genesis. The song, a group composition with lyrics written by lead singer/drummer Phil Collins, appears as the second track on their 1983 album Genesis, and was its second single after "Mama"....
".
Say Us (2010)
The band's debut album, Say Us, was released 23 February 2010. A vinyl LP was released two weeks ahead of the CD release. Say Us was included on the 2010 Polaris Music Prize long list2010 Polaris Music Prize
The 2010 edition of the Canadian Polaris Music Prize was presented on September 20, 2010. The gala presentation was held at Toronto's Masonic Temple, and was hosted by Grant Lawrence of CBC Radio 3 and Sarah Taylor of MuchMusic....
, but failed to advance to the short list. In March 2010, the band performed at the SxSW Music Festival
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
with long-time collaborators Jason Collett
Jason Collett
Jason Collett is a Toronto based singer-songwriter. He has released four solo albums, and is a member of Broken Social Scene. His latest album, Rat a Tat Tat, was released in March, 2010.-Early life:...
and Bahamas
Bahamas (musician)
Afie Jurvanen , known by his stage name Bahamas, is a Canadian musician, best known for the 2009 album Pink Strat, which was nominated for a 2010 Juno Award for Roots & Traditional Album of the Year – Solo....
.
Forthcoming second album (2011–present)
The band has been releasing several 7" singles as part of a series. "Hot Under The Collar" / "Aeroplane" was released 7 December 2010 (Arts & Crafts ACX-060), "Permanent Scar" / "The Darkness" 12 April 2011 (Arts & Crafts ACX-063), and "Are You Gonna' Waste My Time?" 18 October 2011 (Arts & Crafts ACX-073). It is expected that these singles will be included on the band's second full length album due for release "early" 2012.Band members
- Rob Drake (2009–present)
- Carlin Nicholson (2009–present)
- Mike O'Brien (2009–present)
- Neil Quin (2009–present)
Studio albums
| Year | Album |
|---|---|
| 2009 | Sounds Like Zeus EP |
| 2010 | Say Us |
Singles
| Year | Title |
|---|---|
| 2010 | "Hot Under The Collar" / "Aeroplane" |
| 2011 | "Permanent Scar" / "The Darkness" |
| 2011 | "Are You Gonna' Waste My Time?" |
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 bands from Canada
- List of Canadian musicians
External links
- Zeus official site at Arts & CraftsArts & 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...
- Zeus at CBC Radio 3CBC Radio 3CBC Radio 3 is a radio station that consists of two parts devoted to Canadian arts and music: a radio service which is available on Sirius Satellite Radio and streaming audio, and several daily and weekly podcasts from the CBC Radio 3 website...