The Subtitles
St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada
Music
Press
Grade: 85- Exceeds skill and knowledge expectations, i.e. rocked us so hard we peed our pants.
The Subtitles' name suggests much can be gleaned from reading between the lines in their songs. Singer/guitarist Kirk Penney has a lot of Spencer Krug in him — more Sunset Rubdown than Wolf Parade — suggesting there's likely something sinister hiding beneath the surface of the quartet's seemingly cheery songs.
The Subtitles' bantering was friendly, elegant and audible. It was everything you'd expect from a band, but sadly, it's hard to find these days. Penney stopped at one point to praise the Cameron's beer brand. He scores bonus marks for liking good beer.
The Subtitles peddle an intense mix of cute eclectic pop and punishing synth rock — sort of like The Salteens on steroids. Keyboardist Rebecca Cohoe seemed possessed by the music; she was gyrating, stomping and swaying for the entire set.
Bassist/guitarist Darren Browne (who, according to their album's interior, sometimes goes by "Boobie Brown") was sporting a killer Magnum P.I.-style Hawaiian shirt. He may have had a mustache as well; it was hard to tell (the bar was rather dark). Every time he neared a microphone, he let loose an outburst of what I think was fluent Spanish. What an intriguingly mysterious man. - Scott Bryson
“Suddenly, The Subtitles were a four-piece creating a sound bigger than other bands around town who had more time under their belt.”
“Drawing vocal comparisons to Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips and musical similarities to Wolf Parade and the White Stripes, The Subtitles are still hard to pin down. One thing is for sure though, the intensity of their live performance is rare for a band their age.” - Justin Brake
“Together, this group of musicians has been rocking stages across the city, and staking their claim as a legitimate act to follow. “
“From what I've witnessed, this band has a propensity to generate energy in their audience, instigate dancing and incite fun.”
“Their energetic stage presence and audience involvement guarantees they'll remain an act worth watching for the foreseeable future.” - Bryan Tucker
This band has a palpable electricity that sparks through the speakers and arcs in wild blue bolts when you see them live. They can deliver a performance that fills the venue, grabs the attention of the barflies, makes the wallflowers wanna dance and the dancers never wanna stop. It's a rare gift.
- Robert Hiscock
Discography
Quick and Painless (2010)
Full-length Release
1. Mountain
2. Mea Culpa
3. Your Parade
4. Programmed to Die
5. Zeitgeist
6. Out Here on Our Own
7. Actions
8. Really Good
9. Heartbreak
10. Advance
Heartbreak (2010)
3 song single
1. Heartbreak
2. Really Good
3. Really Good (patch remix)
5.25 (2007)
6-song EP
1. I Once Lived
2. This City (has lost its soul)
3. Lover, Lover
4. Red Phone
5. Mea Culpa
6. Spider Lady
Live at Turner's (2008)
5-song EP
1. I saw a spaceship
2. Mountain
3. Actions Speak Louder Than Words
4. Really Good - Really Bad
5. I Once Lived
Tres/Tres 2.0 (remastered) (2008)
6 song EP
1. Organ #2
2. Zeitgeist
3. Actions
4. I Once Lived
5. Out Here on Our Own
6. Mea Culpa
Photos
Bio
ECMA nominees The Subtitles play feel-good music with a reckless edge — like walking down a hill on the way to finally telling her how you feel.
With their first full-length album, Quick and Painless, in hand, the St. John’s four-piece have already shared the stage with acts like Mates of State, Joel Plaskett, Hey Rosetta!, You Say Party! We Say Die! and The Novaks, at showcase events including the Halifax Pop Explosion, NXNE, Junofest, The Atlantic Film Festival and the ECMAs.
Described as the 2009 ECMA “buzz band to watch” on CBC 2’s Drive, the Subtitles’ bold, synth-drenched sound has earned broad comparisons to contemporary bands from Wolf Parade to the Flaming Lips. Eighties influences such as the Cure, the Pixies and the Talking Heads are there too, but with a decidedly modern approach.
As one blogger explains, “this band has a palpable electricity that sparks through the speakers and arcs in wild blue bolts when you see them live. They can deliver a performance that fills the venue, grabs the attention of the barflies, makes the wallflowers wanna dance, and the dancers never wanna stop. It's a rare gift.”
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