The Watchmen (band)
The Watchmen are a Canadian rock band. They were one of the most commercially successful bands in Canada in the mid to late 1990s. During their peak years, the band had one platinum record (In the Trees) and three more gold records (McLaren Furnace Room, Silent Radar,[1] and Slomotion). The band has toured Canada a number of times, were the opening act for The Tragically Hip, and co-headlined a national tour with Big Wreck.
The Watchmen | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Genres | Rock, alternative rock |
| Years active | 1988–2003, 2008–present |
| Labels | MCA (1991-96), EMI (1997-2002) |
| Members | Daniel Greaves Joey Serlin Ken Tizzard Sammy Kohn |
| Past members | Pete Loewen Ryan Ahoff Grant Page |
History
The Watchmen first came together in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1988. Founding members were Daniel Greaves, Joey Serlin, Sammy Kohn and Pete Loewen.[2] After performing together for several years, they released an album, McLaren Furnace Room, in 1992.[3]
In 1994, Loewen left the band and was replaced by Ken Tizzard. That same year, the band released their second album, In the Trees. The album was certified Platinum in Canada and is the band's most successful album to date.
The band released the albums Brand New Day and Silent Radar in 1996 and 1998, respectively.
In 1999 the band performed as part of Humble & Fred Fest at Fort York in Toronto.[4] Kohn had left the band when they recorded their 2001 album Slomotion; the percussion tracks were created electronically.[5][6] A single from the album, "Absolutely Anytime" was in the Top Ten on the Canadian charts for several weeks.[7] While touring to support the album, the band took on drummer Ryan Ahoff.[8]
In 2003, the Watchmen announced their farewell tour and their intention to disband.[9] They returned to Winnipeg to perform at a fundraiser for the Israel national bobsleigh team.[10]
In 2010, the Watchmen came together for a reunion show at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto.[11] They have since continued to perform occasional shows across Canada.
The Watchmen are members of the Canadian charity Artists Against Racism.[12]
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN [13][14] |
AUS [15] |
CAN [16] | ||
| 1992 | McLaren Furnace Room | – | – | Gold |
| 1994 | In the Trees | 32 | – | Platinum |
| 1996 | Brand New Day | 37 | – | |
| 1998 | Silent Radar | 28 | 68 | Gold |
| 2001 | Slomotion | 6 | – | Gold |
Live albums
- Live Radar (1998)
- Last Road Trip Download Series (2004)
- Live and in Stereo (2017)
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak Chart Position | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN [17] |
CAN Alt [18] |
CAN Content (Cancon) [19] |
AUS [15] | |||
| 1992 | "Cracked" | 87 | – | 2 | – | McLaren Furnace Room |
| "Run and Hide" | – | – | – | – | ||
| 1993 | "Must to Be Free" | – | – | 8 | – | |
| 1994 | "Boneyard Tree" | 29 | – | – | – | In the Trees |
| "Wiser" | 74 | – | – | – | ||
| "All Uncovered" | 23 | – | 5 | – | ||
| 1995 | "Lusitana" | 65 | – | – | – | |
| 1996 | "Incarnate" | 26 | 10 | – | – | Brand New Day |
| "Shut Up" | 48 | – | – | – | ||
| "Zoom" | – | 24 | – | – | ||
| 1998 | "Stereo" | – | 5 | – | 51 | Silent Radar |
| "Any Day Now" | 39 | 3 | – | – | ||
| "Say Something" | 45 | – | – | – | ||
| 1999 | "Brighter Hell" | – | – | – | – | |
| 2001 | "Absolutely Anytime" | – | – | – | – | Slomotion |
| 2002 | "Holiday (Slow It Down)" | – | – | – | – | |
| "Slomotion" | – | – | – | – | ||
References
- Bettsy Powell (16 January 1999). "There's no place like home". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. and 58. ISSN 0006-2510.
- "The Watchmen: Hi-tech, Lo-hype". Chart Attack, May 31, 1999. by Sarah Chauncey
- "Go Canada: My list of the greatest Canadian bands to never win a Juno". By Dean Pilling, Calgary Sun, April 01, 2016.
- "Live Reviews: Humble & Fred Fest August 28, 1999 Historic Fort York, Toronto". Chart Attack, Howard Druckman, August 28, 1999
- "CD REVIEWS: The Charlatans UK, Spiritualized, The Watchmen and many more". Chart Attack, September 25, 2001
- "Watchmen release innovative collection". UWO Gazette, Volume 95, Issue 25 October 17, 2001
- "The Watchmen Cometh". Chilliwack Progress, December 7, 2001. Page 34
- "Butt-rocking show". IAN NATHANSON -- Ottawa Sun, Sep 7, 2004
- "The Watchmen Pack It In, Look Towards New Projects". Chart Attack, Nov 17, 2003
- "Watchmen rock for Israeli bobsled team". Winnipeg Free Press, 09/25/2003
- "Concert Review:The Watchmen with Birds of Wales". Panic Manual, September 25, 2010
- "Artists - Artists Against Racism".
- "The Watchmen Top Albums/CDs positions". RPM. Retrieved 2011-03-18.
- "THE WATCHMEN CHART HISTORY". Billboard. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
- Australian chart peaks:
- Top 100 peaks to December 2010: Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 297.
- "Stereo": "ariaNET The Chart! Top 100 Singles – Week Commencing 5th April 1999". Retrieved 2016-09-13 – via Imgur.com (original document published by ARIA).
- "Gold/Platinum". Music Canada. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
- "The Watchmen Top Singles positions". RPM. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
- "The Watchmen Rock/Alternative positions". RPM. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
- "The Watchmen Canadian Content positions". RPM. Retrieved 2011-11-20.
External links
- Official website
- AllMusic Guide page
- The Watchmen discography at Discogs