Zeus (band)

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. The band have released three albums and one EP since 2009.[1] They have also served as the backing band for Canadian musician Jason Collett.

For the Italian math rock band, see Zeus!
For the Motswana hip-hop artist, see Zeus (musician).

Zeus
Zeus, September 2009
Zeus, September 2009
Background information
OriginToronto, Ontario, Canada
GenresRock, alternative, indie rock
Years active2009 (2009)–present
LabelsArts & Crafts
MembersRob Drake
Carlin Nicholson
Mike O'Brien
Neil Quin
Websitearts-crafts.ca/music/zeus.html

History

O'Brien and Nicholson were childhood friends from Barrie, Ontario,[2][1][3] 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 album Good People, Paso Mino dissolved when Michael P. Clive left the band to pursue a career as a professional chef, and Jurvanen began a new solo project under the name "Bahamas".[4]

O'Brien and Nicholson began recording together, joined for the original sessions by Dave Azzolini, Jess Grassia and Taylor Knox (The Golden Dogs). Their personal history went back to high school when they formed the band The 68's. Neil Quin (ex-The Golden Dogs) was soon added, completing the Zeus lineup.[4] The members of Zeus continue as Collett's backing band.[5] and toured with Jurvanen in a revue style tour Bonfire Ball Revue, when he described Zeus as sounding like The Band behind Collett, and sounding like Crazy Horse behind Bahamas".[4]

Releases

Their debut EP Sounds Like Zeus was released by Arts & Crafts in June 2009, and includes a cover of the Genesis song "That's All".[6][7]

The band's debut album, Say Us, was released 23 February 2010.[8] A vinyl LP was released two weeks ahead of the CD release.[9] Say Us was included on the 2010 Polaris Music Prize long list, but failed to advance to the short list.[10] In March 2010, the band performed at the SxSW Music Festival with long-time collaborators Jason Collett and Bahamas.[11] The band released two 7" singles, "Hot Under The Collar" b/w "Aeroplane" (7 December 2010) and "Permanent Scar" b/w "The Darkness" (12 April 2011).[12][13]

The second album Busting Visions was released in March 2012 entered the album charts at number 73 in Canada.[14] It was preceded by the single "Are You Gonna Waste My Time?".[15]

Zeus' third full-length album Classic Zeus was released on Arts & Crafts on 2 September 2014.[16]

Zeus' forthcoming album Credo was released through Arts & Crafts on 8 September 2023. The band released the first single from the new record, "Air I Walk," on June 29, 2023.[17]

Band members
  • Rob Drake (2009–present)
  • Carlin Nicholson (2009–present)
  • Mike O'Brien (2009–present)
  • Neil Quin (2009–present)

Discography

Studio albums
Year Album
2009 Sounds Like Zeus EP
2010 Say Us
2012 Busting Visions
2014 Classic Zeus
2023 Credo

Singles
Year Song Chart peak Album
CAN
Alt
[18][19]		 CAN
Rock
[20]
2010 "Hot Under the Collar" / "Aeroplane" 461 — Non-album single
2011 "Permanent Scar" / "The Darkness" — — Non-album single
"Are You Gonna' Waste My Time?" 38 23 Busting Visions
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.
1. ^ "Hot Under the Collar"

See also

References
  1. "Zeus on CBC Music". music.cbc.ca. CBC Radio Canada. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  2. Gillis, Carla (15 October 2008). "Power of Zeus". Now Toronto. Now Communication Ltd. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  3. Lymangrover, Jason. "Zeus | Biography & History | AllMusic". allmusic.com. All Media Network llc. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  4. Bowden, Luke C. (24 September 2014). "Carlin Nicholson talks about the Origin, Path, and Recording of Classic Zeus". nodepression.com. Freshgrass, lcc. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  5. Schneider, Jason Schneider (5 September 2008). "Zeus". exclaim.ca. Exclaim! Media Inc. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  6. "Zeus (16) - Sounds Like Zeus". Discogs. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  7. "Zeus Like Phil Collins | Chart Attack". Chart Attack. 6 July 2009. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  8. Leahey, Andrew. "Say Us - Zeus". allmusic.com. All Media Network llc. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  9. "Zeus (16) - Say Us". Discogs. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  10. "2010 Nominees - Polaris Music Prize". Polaris Music Prize. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  11. Stevenson, Jane (9 March 2010). "Canadian Music Week preview". canoe.com. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  12. "Zeus (16) - Hot Under The Collar / Aeroplane". Discogs. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  13. "Zeus (16) - Permanent Scar / The Darkness". Discogs. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  14. "CANOE -- JAM! Music - SoundScan Charts". Jam.canoe.ca. Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  15. Stickler, Jon (23 July 2012). "Zeus Offer New Single 'Are You Gonna Waste My Time?'". Stereoboard.com. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  16. "Zeus (16) - Classic Zeus". Discogs. Retrieved 12 October 2015.
  17. Hudson, Alex (29 June 2023). ""Zeus Return with First New Music in Nearly a Decade"". Exclaim!.
  18. Canadian Rock/Alt (28 September 2011). "Canadian Active Rock & Alt Rock Chart Archive". Canadianrockalt.blogspot.ca. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  19. Canadian Rock/Alt (5 January 2012). "Canadian Active Rock & Alt Rock Chart Archive". Canadianrockalt.blogspot.ca. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
  20. Canadian Rock/Alt (4 April 2012). "Canadian Active Rock & Alt Rock Chart Archive". Canadianrockalt.blogspot.ca. Retrieved 2 October 2014.
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