Corduroy

A typical alt/rock band, but they push they limits and make their music more interesting than the others. Kinda like Say Anything with a heavier sound. Stand out single: Dracula's Castle. A-

- Hear/Say Magazine

"It’s no surprise they’ve made a home out of Toronto and gained fans from the Cain and Abel and Crush Luther following masses. They have tight sing-alongs with squeaky-clean harmonies, tidy little bridges that sparkle, build and explode, and lyrics that follow a heart-warming, yet startling, story. The roughness and urgency of Trevor Blumas’s vocals give the idea he listened to too much Say Anything and Senses Fail as a kid but now is lost in the three-part harmonies the Beatles perfected. Musically, they have a knack for venturing into experimental, messy grounds (“Faceless Hero”) but before straying too far from the familiar, they head back. Live, their songs are energetic. On this EP, they are just catchy and sometimes adorable. (Independent) - Exclaim Magazine

Whatever Happened to Corduroy? Good question. I still have a pair of cords in my closet - dark blue, with pleats. The pleats kinda bum me out and since I can’t sew I have no idea how to get rid of them. Still they’re comfy as hell. Speaking of comfy feelings, listening to Toronto’s Whatever Happened to Corduroy? is like wearing those pants, only without the pleats. If your love of power-pop /melodic alt-rock makes you dress in loud, ugly all-over prints that would have made 1992-era MC Hammer nod in approval, and occasionally cut yourself “just to feel something,” you will thank me for this link.
- Synthesis Blog

"The entire afternoon had probably under 100 steady crowd watchers, until Corduroy came on. There’s something beautiful about the restless yet calming voice of Corduroy’s Trevor Blumas, and the rest of the boys help complete a medley of rough acoustic symphonies, with quirky lyrical insertions, thunderous booms, and sporadic rock explosions. I wasn’t the only one interested in the Toronto group—half way through their first track “Lighthouse Keeper” countless folks began making their way to the main stage, jiving a bit on the way, and simultaneously nodding their heads in an approving fashion. In sum, the boys rocked my socks off and kept me engaged in their cycle of low-fi and heightened compositions that were creative, cohesive and compelling."
- martiniboys.com

Crafting out energy-driven rock demonstrating a strong grasp for melody, mixing full-fledged intensity with angular clanging chords. Flaunting traditional and indie-rock influences proudly, vocals were belted-out as the rest of the crew dished-out swirly high-octane anthems with rapturous enthusiasm. A band that seems to enjoy being on stage. - The Lonely Vagabond

I'm not sure what prompted the shift -- maybe it's a case of the band maturing as artists, but the end results are pretty enjoyable (with "Lighthouse Keeper" being particularly fun). I've no idea whether the shift in sound will continue on to their proper next album -- whenever it comes out -- but if it follows in this vein, it'll definitely be worth hearing. - I (heart) Music

"Their music can be a bit hard to describe, but that is because of the varied influences they all bring to the table. In a pinch I would say rock/pop/indie, indie in the context of when that was considered a genre, and not a business plan or fact of life.
They took the stage at around 11pm, and it was immediate from the first song these guys should be doing exactly what they were. Even though this was an acoustic set and everyone was sitting down, there was an intensity evident in their performance. They opened with ‘Come Hither Oceanis’. All parts are clear, precise and in their place. Their second song, off the new Demoroy Vol. 1, ‘Nicolas Cage’ saw the band break out the harmonica and mandolin.

The venue was packed and everyone loved Corduroy’s set. I even met a nice couple from Germany. They liked the band so much that they asked me their name. I had to write it for them so they could read it to remember. That is how their European following started."


Here's the entire article:

"I arrive at the Drake Hotel, wait my turn for an interview of the band CORDUROY. It was my first time at a TIFF event and could think of no better choice that The Drake. Opened in 1890, it has been everything from a flophouse to the arts mecca it is now, and everything in between. Purchased by Jeff Stober in 2001, then renovated, it is now a place to be any time of the week. The decor is timeless, with subtle lighting and on this night, 1950’s sci-fi serial movies on the TV screens.

But this is about CORDUROY. When asked to describe their music, the eventual response is give by bass player/vocals Matt Boudreau “Somewhere between folk and heavy metal.”

"With this line-up we’ve been together for about a year, and two, two and a half years tops” states guitar player and lead vocalist Trevor ‘Beach Dad’ Blumas. “Basically it kinda started in L.A. I was there for a long time, with a lot of time on my hands. A lot of songs came out of that, just me recording on my own. It got to the point where I wanted to get it out of the room and play it live. I came to Toronto because I knew it had a good scene, and here we are.”

The band is currently enjoying the release of Demoroy Vol. 1, a three song EP that you can download for free at their Myspace page, or pick up at their live shows, also for free - a reward for their fans who support them show after show, and to entice new ones. It’s a lovely little disc if I do say so, and I do! Along with Blumas and Boudreau, the band also features Darren Tarbat on guitar/mandolin/keyboard accordion/vocals, and Kevin White on drums/vocals. Their music can be a bit hard to describe, but that is because of the varied influences they all bring to the table. In a pinch I would say rock/pop/indie, indie in the context of when that was considered a genre, and not a business plan or fact of life. The songs are light are rife with cool melodies and harmonies. As the title implies, they plan on successive releases, same concept, to give away and chronicle their growth as musicians. From what I’ve heard, you can plan on hearing Vol. 2 and more, though you may have to start paying for them very soon. They have a mostly team effort to song writing. One person may come up with and idea, but they all work on it till they feel it’s done. A harmonious environment that really shows through in their performance.

They took the stage at around 11pm, and it was immediate from the first song these guys should be doing exactly what they were. Even though this was an acoustic set and everyone was sitting down, there was an intensity evident in their performance. They opened with ‘Come Hither Oceanis’. All parts are clear, precise and in their place. Their second song, off the new Demoroy Vol. 1, ‘Nicolas Cage’ saw the band break out the harmonica and mandolin.

The venue was packed and everyone loved Corduroy’s set. I even met a nice couple from Germany. They liked the band so much that they asked me their name. I had to write it for them so they could read it to remember. That is how their European following started.

Well, that is it. It was a great short set. Lively and entertaining as they were, I look forward to seeing them again with a longer set, and what I anticipate a very energetic show. You can check out their Myspace for show dates and venues, and your free copy of Demoroy Vol. 1.

When you go see them, say Zeke sent you! - Fazer Magazine

"By the time the first line of the first song was through, I had been won over. Some new words to live by? "If you and me were meant to be then we'll be eventually". Short, simple and sweet. Just like the rest of this demoroy. It consists of three tracks with bright guitars, well-placed hand claps and an overall optimistic feeling. The only bad thing that came out of this is that some people misread one of the song titles for the name of the band and then they laughed at me for listening to "Nicolas Cage" on my iPod." - Impressionable Youth Music Blog

Corduroy has stepped it up this past year. After four months of what they describe as "a stagnant period," the songs started to come quickly, they began playing the Toronto circuit heavily, and with a demo released and an EP on the way, things look on the up and up. They're certainly not the band of yesteryear. I guess they've been really reinvigorated by a new member and a new name. Now, they have quite the schmooze-fest to attend. On Wednesday, September 9th they'll play an acoustic set for industry and TIFF types at the Drake Underground. I've been told that if I want to attend then I'll have to dress "all nice." Apparently, what I was wearing was not up to standard TIFF party attire. It hurt a little. - blogto.com