Paper Lions

Artist Information

Biography

Paper Lions is a Canadian pop rock band hailing from the unlikely small community of Belfast, Prince Edward Island. Brothers John and Rob MacPhee and neighbour Colin Buchanan began playing music together at a very young age in a variety of garage bands. Their line up solidified when they met David MacDonald in high school with MacDonald behind the kit, Buchanan playing guitar and Rob and John filling the positions of bass and lead vocals respectively.

For the first 4 years of the bands career they were known as Chucky Danger Band and during that time they toured extensively all over Canada. Due in part to some unique touring opportunities such as Art Starts, (a program exposing schools and communities to all forms of art), literally no ground was left uncovered, from the Queen Charlotte Islands to Charlottetown. This dedication to the road garnered the group the 2007 National Touring Group of the Year award presented by CAPACOA.

Although successful as CDB, by 2007 the band grew tired of the moniker and sought a new name more in tune with their maturing sound and new direction. On February 21, 2008 the band announced on their website they were changing their name to "Paper Lions" and would be spending some much needed time off the road to focus on songwriting.

During the winter of '08/'09 the band hibernated in their practice space on Prince Edward Island. During this highly creative period the Lions wrote dozens of songs in myriad styles. Sifting through extensive basement recordings and demos, they began to find their new sound in short explosive pop arrangements. By the summer of 2009 Paper Lions was ready to hit the studio, recording their new EP Trophies with up and coming Producer/Engineer Dan Weston (Attack in Black/Classified). Released on September 28, 2010, these six songs clock in at a whopping 17 min long. Possessing the unbridled energy of their live show and their deep understanding of melody and pop arrangements, Trophies, like its creators, is now prepared to take on the world.

Since their inception Paper Lions has garnered consistent praise for their unique live show experience. They have had the pleasure of playing alongside many of North America's finest acts such as CAKE, The Rheostatics, Joel Plaskett, The Golden Dogs, and Hey Rosetta! Paper Lions has also been nominated for 13 East Coast Music awards, taking home Pop Recording of the Year in 2006. Paper Lions also graced the stage at the 2010 Olympics and Paralympics in Vancouver, as well as the 2010 World Expo in Shanghai, China.

Instrumentation

John MacPhee - Lead Vocals, Guitar, Organ, Piano, Percussion.
Rob MacPhee - Bass, Backing Vocals, Drums, Percussion.
Colin Buchanan - Lead Guitar, Backing Vocals, Mandolin, Banjo, Percussion
David Cyrus MacDonald - Drums, Backing Vocals, Percussion.

Discography

Lost the War (2010) Video/Lead Single - earned regular play on Much Music's The Wedge and The Ledge, and entered into the AUX TV charts at number three.
Trophies (2010) Album - nominated for a Verge Music Award for Album of the Year, nominated for 5 PEI Music Awards, winner of Entertainer of the Year, nominated for 3 East Coast Music Awards.
I'm On Fire (2007) - Third most played song of 2010 on XM Satellite Radio's The Verge.
Travelling (2007) Video/Lead Single - Earned heavy rotation on Much MegaHits and regular rotation on MuchMusic.
Paper Lions (2007) Album - 2007 Grammy Award Winning producers GoodandEvil.
6-Pack (2005) Album - Winner of one East Coast Music Award.
Colour (2006) Album - Nominated for three East Coast Music Awards.
Marching Machine (2006) Video/Lead Single - Regular rotation on Canada's Much Music, Much Loud, and Canadian Radio Stations.

Links

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Last.fm
• Paper Lions Music and Merch
• Review: Ranked #1 at NXNE

Audio

• Lost The War
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• Stay Here For A While
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• Sweat It Out
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• Don't Touch That Dial
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• Hands
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• Trouble
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• I'm On Fire
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• Travelling
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• Bones
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• The Sheriff
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Lyrics

• Stay Here For A While
• Sweat It Out
• Lost the War

Video

Travelling

Photo Gallery

Press

• NXNE Review Ranked #1 [+ Show ]
  

  NXNE: DAY !!! (June 14) Words by Emer Schlosser, photos by Eric McBain Luck certainly is cycl...NXNE: DAY !!! (June 14)
  
  Words by Emer Schlosser, photos by Eric McBain
  
  Luck certainly is cyclical. After a miserable day on Friday, Saturday took a huge turn for the better as we saw banging act after banging act. The night began at 8pm at the El Mocambo where, considering the early time, an unusually large crowd had gathered to see…
  
  
  Band #1: Paper Lions
  
  Hands down my favourite band of the festival! The momentum built up gradually with the band members staggering their entrances, drawing their audience in, and then it was full steam ahead. Though the pace of the songs varied, their energy never wavered. Solid rock (with a little –abilly) and pop, these boys from PEI put on a tremendous show. The Paper Lions incorporated a sense of humour, a clear joy of playing, a washboard tie, and had great chemistry among band members. Also, they had the best, if not the most creative, drum solo I’ve ever witnessed. These boys are the “whole package.” Keep an eye on them as they’re sure to go far. Don’t fret if you missed them this weekend, they have a bunch more shows coming up across Canada this summer: June 17 in Toronto at the Horseshoe, June 27 in Fredericton, New Brunswick at The Capitol, June 28 in Saint John, New Brunswick at Elwoods, July 1 in Spruce Grove, Alberta at Spruce Grove Park, August 3 in Granville, Nova Scotia at Granville Green Amphitheatre, and August 6 in Truro, Nova Scotia at Marigold Cultural Centre. [For more into go to paperlionsmusic.com.]
  
  

• ChartAttack @ NXNE [+ Show ]
  

  Paper Lions @ El Mocambo Monday June 16, 2008 @ 10:00 AM By: ChartAttack.com Staff Band: Pap...Paper Lions @ El Mocambo
  Monday June 16, 2008 @ 10:00 AM
  By: ChartAttack.com Staff
  
  
  Band: Paper Lions
  Hometown: Charlottetown, PEI
  Venue: El Mocambo
  Date: June 14, 2008
  Reporter: Cameron Gordon
  BACKGROUND/COMPOSITION:
  Armed with charm, swagger and skills to pay the bills, the Paper Lions look to kick off another east coast renaissance with their peppy brand of likable indie rock.
  
  Grade: 92
  
  Comment: The considerable crowd that the Paper Lions drew for an 8:00 p.m. timeslot was no fluke — these cats have all the earmarks of a breakout sensation. Similar in style and sound to Tokyo Police Club, the band’s learned stage show was a sight to behold and they most certainly came through in the clutch in what will hopefully become a watershed moment in their young career.
  
  Achievement of Rock 'n' Roll Expectations
  80-100: Exceeds skill and knowledge expectations, i.e. rocked us so hard we peed our pants.
  
  Oral And Visual Communication
  
  Practice makes perfect and the Paper Lions are certainly heading in the right direction. Their stage show was tight, engaging and enjoyable and even if you’re not a fan of their lively pop/rock blend, there is no denying the band have an unspeakable charisma that most outfits work a lifetime to develop. Their comfort and poise on stage just made sense on so many levels.
  
  
  Musical Analysis
  
  The Paper Lions’ songs play out nicely in the live setting and with plenty of singalong choruses and clappy tempos, the music had a definite immediacy for even the most ignorant onlooker. It also helped that each and every tune was presented with high energy and plenty of smiles, which made the experience all that much more engaging.
  
  
  Other Skills And Areas Of Interest
  
  Drummer David Cyrus MacDonald is a complete and utter badass on the skins. He was a definite focal point for much of the performance, whether it was working his way through a drum solo with only his bare hands or doubling up with two pairs of drum sticks. Even when the two guitarists tumbled into the crowd for a walkabout, all eyes kept on the timekeeper, hoping for another winning display of dexterity.
  
  
  
  

• ChartAttack @ CMW [+ Show ]
  

  "Formerly known as Chucky Danger, these four scruffy young roustabouts boast enough technical prowes..."Formerly known as Chucky Danger, these four scruffy young roustabouts boast enough technical prowess to weave all the folk, dance and punk influences they please into their searing indie-rock stylings.
  When these guys showed up onstage all wearing ties, I should have known they meant business. Paper Lions are cracking musicians, marrying catchy, shout-along pop with madcap showmanship. These guys have been nominated for multiple ECMAs; it's only a matter of time before the rest of the country starts to notice.
  If there's one thing Paper Lions can do, it's work a stage. There were andclaps, "hey!"s, looping pedals, guitarists playing the cymbals with their headstocks, hand drumming on a kit, rock kicks, and a drum solo that used four sticks at once. That was just during the first song. These dudes could have just bowed and left right there, and it still would have been the set of the evening. Thankfully, they stuck around.
  At their most raucous, the band kicked out some deft, angular post-punk jams perfectly suited to guitar-beating and microphone-dashing. Their sky-high skill level allowed them to take some gleefully high-wire risks — like breaking into a few bars of "Bohemian Rhapsody" in the middle of one of their songs, cooing in four-part a capella harmony and then ripping out the heavy riffs. They later pulled out the barbershop harmonies on a mid-set foray into the middle of the crowd, strumming guitars and mandolins and demanding sing-alongs on an indelible "la-da-da" chorus.
  They can sing, they can write songs, they can pull off a bitchin' Queen cover with all the technical panache it requires, and they can get a tuckered-out 1:30 a.m. crowd moving, clapping, and singing in three-part harmony with no effort at all. Those of you who went home in the blizzard to sleep or shovel your driveways have no idea what you missed." - Natalia Manzocco, March 8, 2008
  
  

• ChartAttack Highest Rankings @ CMW [+ Show ]
  

  Here are the highest ranked acts from CMW 2008: 1. Tropics — 97 2. (tie) Down With Webster — 95...Here are the highest ranked acts from CMW 2008:
  
  1. Tropics — 97
  2. (tie) Down With Webster — 95
  2. (tie) Socalled — 95
  3. (tie) Maybe Smith — 94
  3. (tie) Plants & Animals — 94
  4. Woodhands — 93
  5. (tie) Les Breastfeeders — 92
  5. (tie) The Creepshow — 92
  5. (tie) PAPER LIONS — 92
  6. (tie) The Dunes — 91
  6. (tie) Slim Twig — 91
  

• Virgin Festival 2008 [+ Show ]
  

  Before deciding on my schedule for the day, I had a quick listen to Paper Lions, who I'll admit, I j...Before deciding on my schedule for the day, I had a quick listen to Paper Lions, who I'll admit, I judged solely based on their band name (in a good way). "Paper Lions" sounds like the kind of band I'd enjoy listening to, and my instincts turned out to be correct. Thankfully I saw the band post-February 2008 name change, cause if they'd been listed under their original name ("Chucky Danger Band") I may not have followed through with checking out their set. Isn't Paper Lions a way cooler name?
  
  Despite the early call time (2:30pm at the TD Stage), there was a considerable crowd of fans out for Paper Lions' set, notably a large group draped in a Prince Edward Island provincial flag. There's something about east coasters and their provincial flags - they love flaunting them (we saw Nova Scotian flags out for Wintersleep as well!). I couldn't even tell you what Ontario's creed/flag looks like. Literally couldn't pick it out of a lineup. Hmm.
  
  Let me just say that singer/guitarist John MacPhee's voice is incredible. Absolutely note perfect and unwavering in its strength. He was givin' er for the entire set, and his brother Rob MacPhee (on bass) and guitarist Colin Buchanan provided accompanying harmonies. Throughout I was focused on how beautiful these harmonies were - and at the precise moment that I thought it couldn't get any more perfectly tuned, they broke out the ultimate harmony: a cover of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody - you know the part ("is this the real life...is this just fantasy? caught in a landslide...no escape from reality..."). It was breathtaking!
  
  Then there was the epic, nearly ten minute long monster jam (I wish I knew the name!) and another strong vocal jam that had drummer David Cyrus MacDonald hop onto the bongos while guitarist Colin Buchanan took over drumming duties for a bit. Can't wait to hear more from this band - singer Rob mentioned that the band was hoping to pop into the studio this fall to record some new songs, some of which they previewed for the VFest crowd.
  
  Now whenever you're talkin about Prince Edward Island (which, let's face it, should be more often), you'll have something besides Anne Of Green Gables and fingerling potatoes to talk about!
  

• Vans Warped Tour, Vancouver, 2007 [+ Show ]
  

  "...the lucky few that wandered over to the unenviable Hot Topic stage, at the other end of the T-Bi..."...the lucky few that wandered over to the unenviable Hot Topic stage, at the other end of the T-Bird field, were treated to a performance by Prince Edward Island's [Paper Lions] a ... quartet playing its first Warped gig. Sounding like Franz Ferdinand and moving like the Talking Heads, this group put on a real show, complete with fantastic tunes and stage presence, and enough charisma to draw more than 300 fans by the end of its too-short time on-stage. Watching the act's members grin like unabashed idiots, you couldn't help but feel that their kind of magic was the true reason to go to Warped–the off chance that you might discover something great." - Elaine Corden
  

• Vans Warped Tour, Calgary, 2007 [+ Show ]
  

  "Stellar band you've never heard of -- [Paper Lions] from P.E.I., whose gig demonstrated phenomenal ..."Stellar band you've never heard of -- [Paper Lions] from P.E.I., whose gig demonstrated phenomenal musicianship, showmanship and energy. Think The Police (classic era) on speed." - Heath McCoy, The Calgary Herald
  

• Spill Magazine - NXNE [+ Show ]
  

  Paper Lions El Mocambo Saturday June 14th, 8:00 pm Leave it to a bunch of boys from Prince Edw...Paper Lions
  El Mocambo
  Saturday June 14th, 8:00 pm
  
  Leave it to a bunch of boys from Prince Edward Island to show Torontonians how to throw a show. Indie rock quartet Paper Lions did just that at El Mocambo as they brought the house down. Formerly known as the Chucky Danger Band, Paper Lions gave their old songs a hard facelift as they opened with the previously mellow “One Thousand Voices” and turned it into an epic theatrical melody. Guitarist Colin Buchanan thrilled the crowd with screeching sound effects but the real highlight of the song was drummer David Cyrus MacDonald. The rest of the band departed the stage midway through the tune as MacDonald busted out a drum solo, which included bongo drums and four drum sticks – two in each hand. The other members of the band rejoined MacDonald and, perhaps feeling left out on the fun, also grabbed some drum sticks and started beating the hell out of his kit. The audience was quite packed and loudly clapped along to the bass drum beat and gave a roaring applause after each song finished, as if the concert was already over when it really was just beginning. Buchanan also delighted the crowd with his mandolin skills on “The Sheriff” but not to be outdone, vocalist/guitarist John MacPhee dropped his acoustic guitar in favour of a tambourine at times, perhaps the only tambourine solo during the festival. Their catchy, simple choruses, consisting of “ohs” and “whoas” made it quite easy for the audience to sing along to, even if they had never heard the band before. During Paper Lions’ final song, “Strawberry Man,” the band took it up yet another notch and really let loose. Buchanan and MacPhee jumped into the audience and headed as far as they could, leaving bassist Rob MacPhee (John’s brother) and MacDonald alone on stage to carry out the rhythm. There must be something in the potatoes in P.E.I. because Paper Lions left the audience in amazement, delivering one of the best shows of the North By Northeast festival.
  
  –Jon Brazeau
  
  

• Sirius Canada [+ Show ]
  

  “Talent, personality, originality, and timing. [Paper Lions] have the vocal harmonies and garage roc...“Talent, personality, originality, and timing. [Paper Lions] have the vocal harmonies and garage rock guitar riffs that will take the music industry by storm.” - Andreanne Sasseville, Talent Development/Programming Coordination, Sirius Canada

• St. FX Show [+ Show ]
  

  “What a show…The music was great but the entertainment value was down-right priceless…(with) a crowd...“What a show…The music was great but the entertainment value was down-right priceless…(with) a crowd eating out of their hands…their act draws and locks eyes to the stage." - Kent Aiken, The Xaverian Weekly, St. Francis Xavier University

Setlist

Paper Lions typically performs up to one hour of original material including:

Trouble
Lost the War
Don't Touch That Dial
Hands
Better in Your Shirt
Itchy Trigger Finger
Sweat it Out
Stay Here For a While
I'm On Fire
Traveling
Strawberry Man
Ghost Writers
Sophomore Slump
Queen Charlotte of the Hyenas
The Sheriff
Polly Hill

Basic Requirements

Calendar