The Warped 45s

The Warped 45’s – 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan

Derek Wall

A&E Editor

The Canadian alternative-country market has become very crowded lately. For a band to make a solid go in the new country market, a unique sound and a clean blend is basically a necessity.

The Warped 45’s offer just that. The musical collaboration that is Dave McEarthron, Ryan Wayne McEathron, Kevin Hewitt, Hamal Finn Rove, and Alex Needleman offer an upbeat, positive approach to an established genre.

Tunes like “Progress” offer the band’s unique upbeatness, but also provide interesting social commentary on our society’s confusion over the term “progress.” According to Dan, the landfill employee that narrates this track, people are too caught up in acquiring the, “shiny and new,” and throw away perfectly good utensils and materials. In a line that seems fitting for Thunder Bay, Dan states, “Well, we tore down the post-war factories, put up a bunch of prefab housing. Now we don’t make nothing and we call that the new economy!”

“Really don’t mind” is track that offers a light-hearted new look at the eternal search for meaning and our purpose. The tune lets us know clearly where the Warped 45’s stand on the issue. “If I never really get the answers then I really don’t mind,” the song tells us.

Aside from the two above-mentioned tracks, the rest of the album offers some highly entertaining alt-country, and rest assured, Canadians will be hearing more from the Warped 45’s in days to come.

To hear samples from 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan by the Warped 45’s, tune in to 102.7fm, CILU Radio on Sunday at 6pm!

- The Argus

“It still amazes me what some people will throw away” croons Dave McEathron on “Progress.” It’s an apt sentiment from McEathron, lead singer of the country-rock troubadours The Warped 45’s considering how many fans and critics will disregard 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan as nothing more than simple boot-stomping bar rock. Yet upon deeper dissection, there’s rich and at times haunting aspects to 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan, the debut release from the Warped 45’s that calls to mind some of the better work of bands such as Oakley Hall.

“(Bring On that) New Depression” is a glaring example of how The Warped 45’s search for meaning in the mundane breeds fantastic and repeatedly satisfying results. Songs of hardship are nothing new to country-rock, but it is the maturity in which this debut record deals with this hardship that stands out. With a rollicking choruses and heartfelt sentiments littering 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan, The Warped 45’s have managed to put themselves on par with their predecessors and essentially, achieve in sounding wise beyond their years.

The acoustic leanings of The Warped 45’s often take center stage on 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan, but when the wealth of accompanying players and sounds, including strings, keys and banjos (Three members of the band receive banjo credits) the record hits its finer notes. “Two Month Old Apologies” is radio ready and features immensely alluring keys and violins. Yes, many won’t give 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan it’s due. And upon first listen, it might not be the most compelling record. But like the small towns that gave birth to The Warped 45’s, it is in the repeated visits where one can truly discover the beauty beneath the surface. Keep digging on 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan.

By Joshua Kloke - Scope Magazine

BRUCE LEPERRE

1. MUMFORD & SONS

Sigh No More





Like Surfer Rosa-era Pixies, their songs often begin deceptively soft and slow before they swell like tidal waves crashing on a beach in an inspired display of primal intensity. Mumford & Sons create something with the beauty of a late August sunset combined with the power of a Dodge Hemi and they do it all acoustically with plenty of banjo, Dobro, mandolin, double bass, organ and harmonies ripe with melancholy and passion.

2. ROBERT PLANT

Band of Joy





Robert Plant breathes new life into chestnuts from fellow legends like Richard Thompson and Townes Van Zandt, delving into Beatle-esque pop, classic folk, funked-up 19th century poetry, Appalachian acoustic heaven and straight-up country. As he did with Raising Sand, Plant again delivers an unbridled masterpiece of prime auditory canal confection .

3. THE DRIVE-BY TRUCKERS

The Big To-Do





The characters in Drive-By Truckers songs often resemble those in a Cormac McCarthy or Stephen King novel -- no other band in America captures the stark reality of the human condition like DBT and no other band rawks quite like they do either.

4. JAMEY JOHNSON

The Guitar Song





5. LADIES OF THE CANYON

Haunted Woman





6. THE RECKONERS

...And the Sky Opened Up





7. JUSTIN RUTLEDGE

The Early Widows





8. DIERKS BENTLEY

Up on the Ridge





9. THE WARPED 45S

10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan





10. ZAC BROWN BAND

You Get What You Give


- Winnipeg Free Press

I was in dire need of a rock and roll soul cleanse, so I headed out to the Horseshoe last night to catch a few of my favorite locals acts. I had a late conference call, so I missed opener The Matthews Brothers, but made it just as The Warped 45s started their set. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the Horseshoe was at about three-quarters capacity. Lots of fans out to support the local acts, plus a bunch of grumpy Leafs fans, with a few noticeably double fisting bottles of beer.

The Warped 45s played a 50 minute set which leaned heavily on new material. They announced that they will soon be recording their follow-up to their 2009 debut, 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan. The new songs sounded great. One was about bootlegging liquor to Dee-troit via Windsor during Prohibition in the US. Another, called "Live Bait," was a a rocking little number about a down-on-his-luck man selling bait to get buy. Between the storytelling and the amped up guitars, I could really hear the Drive-By Truckers influence in their new material. I'm looking very forward to the new release.

Why Have You Passed Me By Grim Reaper.mp3
Buy (Amazon): 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan (2009)
Buy (Maple Music): 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan (2009)

Neville Quinlan stumbled onto the stage in his perpetual blond bed-head, wearing bright red corduroy pants, and carrying four bottles of Blue. This is a dude who doesn't fuck around when it comes to drinking and rocking. NQ Arbuckle played for about an hour and a half, playing a set very similar to the one they played at the Dakota Tavern back in September, with only one cover ("Atlantic City"), and the addition of a keyboard player (Jason something? I was drinking). The addition of keyboards really filled out the sound of the band. I can't wait to hear more from the keyboard player.

Quinlan is so awesomely goofy on stage. You can sort of see the rest of the band members thinking, "I hope he doesn't embarrass us too badly tonight." But I suspect the band is used to various high jinx. Regardless, they sounded fantastic, playing tracks spanning all three of their studio releases plus a few off of their wonderful 2009 collaboration with Carolyn Mark. I didn't take a set list because I was busy drinking, but they played all of my favorites including "I Liked You Right from the Start," "In Another Time," "I Can See The Moon," "Downtime," "Don't Remember Me," and "Goodnight Irene On New Years Eve."

I can't remember during which song, but somewhere along the way Quinlan incorporated lyrics from New Order's "Temptation" into one of his songs, which completely freaked me out. In a good way. I had flashbacks to listening to Substance on my Sony Walkman when I was in high school. I also wondered how many people in the audience caught the reference. Not many, I imagine. I'm old.

Quinlan mentioned that they will soon be touring Japan and Italy. I can't find any official info on these tours, but here's to hoping that Italians and Japanese speak the universal language of killer drunken bar band.

Don't Remember Me.mp3
Buy (Amazon): XOK (2008)
Buy (Maple Music): XOK (2008)

Downtime.mp3
Buy (Amazon): Let's Just Stay Here (2009)
Buy (Maple Music): Let's Just Stay Here (2009)

I was looking for some NQ Arbuckle vids on Youtube, and came across this one posted by their label Six Shooter. That's Justin Rutledge and Royal Wood (on keyboards) to Quinlan's right (your left), and Luke Doucet and Melissa McClelland on Quinlan's left. - My Aimz Is True

By Nadine Sander-Green - Golden Star
Published: November 10, 2010 11:00 PM

You can take the boys out of the small town but you might not be able to take the small town out of the boys. Ryan and Dave McEathron, cousins and founders of the Warped 45s and the next in the line up of talented LIVE Kicks performers, grew up together in small town Ontario where spare time was spent at jam sessions at their cabin near Algonquin park or singing in the church choir.

The pair’s blue-collar work experience, too, brings a tone truth to their melodies and lyrics. In the song “Progress”, Dave adopts a persona of a worker at a garbage dump, singing that “ we don’t build nothing and we call that the new economy.” The cousins’ previous solo songwriting experience gave the pair a solid foundation, with Dave touring extensively with two solo albums and Ryan’s writing and recording his own album during a two year stint in Australia.

The Warped 45s now identify themselves as a five-piece roots rock/alternative country band. When asked if there’s a more simple way to describe their sound, Dave McEathron admitted that, “not really”, there isn’t. He did, though, say The Warped 45s have a similar sound to bands like Wilco, Fred Eaglesmith and Blue Rodeo.

The band began in 2007 as a collaboration between the McEathron cousins, both singer, songwriter and guitarists. They soon joined forces with keyboardist and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Hewitt, drummer Hamal Finn Roye and bassist Alex Needleman, creating, as their bio states, “a layered but warmly accessible sound, with multiple voices, harmonies and diverse instrumentation.”

McEathron said that the band is gaining momentum in a lot of regions in Canada, getting commercial radio cities like Vancouver and on CBC Radio One, Two and Three. Since Canada, in geographical terms, is such a huge country, McEathron believes it is an “uneven process” and it’s inevitable that they’ll have to work harder in some places than others.

The press has definitely been on the band’s good side, with a recent post on CBC’s ‘The Hour’ blog saying that “..these unassuming, nice country boys in jeans and Ts brought us back classic rock of Tom Petty, Neil Young variety. Solid melodies and solid lyrics, remember when that’s what good music was? They remind me of cottage nights in the woods around the campfire in Northern Ontario.”

And the boys do like to tour.

“We grew up with this romantic notion of touring, thinking about long drives and sleeping on couches,” said McEathron. “ I think there’s a certain mystique to it for all of us. We get to tour and play and build up an audience. There’s nothing else we’d rather do.”

The band, which has played in Golden twice before, is looking forward to seeing new and old faces.

“Golden is honestly one of our favourite places to come,” said McEathron. He explained that the audience can expect a high-energy but easy-going show.

The Warped 45s will play with Golden’s own John Jenkins Smalltown Revival on Wednesday, November 17th at 7:30 pm at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall. Tickets are on sale now at the Golden Dollar Store, Moon River Gift Gallery and the Art Gallery of Golden. - Golden Star

Local folk rockers and generous purveyors of some downright groovy melodies, John Jenkins’ Smalltown Revival, has teamed up with ol’ friends from back home – The Warped 45s. These guys are rising stars in the music world, and now they return to Golden for an encore autumn show.

This excellent evening of music is being brought to us by Kicking Horse Culture through its Live Kicks Concert Series at the Sacred Heart Parish Hall, Wednesday, Nov. 17 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20 and are available at the Art Gallery of Golden, Moon River Gift Gallery and the Dollar Store.

The first time the Warped 45s came to town was exactly one year ago, to the day. The show took place on a magical snowy evening out in Parson at the private residence of Smalltown Revival Bass Player, Dan Jenkins. In the converted old shop ,with an enormously high ceiling, the acoustics echoed perfectly and two bands were united in musical bliss. The Warped 45s took a special evening away from their first crosscountry tour that evening to meet up with their long lost acquaintances to do what both groups do best – rock a solid party!

There was a special aura in the air that night, under dark skies that saw the first significant dumping of valley-bottom snow that season. It was the kind of evening where friendships were reforged and lasting memories were created. Warped 45s singer, Dave McEathron, commented from stage that it was the most enjoyable show of his tour.

The two bands are now taking the next step in their plutonic relationship as The Warped 45s are embarking on their sthird crosscountry adventure this year, while John Jenkins Smalltown Revival join them for the western leg of the tour from Edmonton to Victoria.

The Warped 45s offer a formidable arsenal of musical weapons, as they feature four vocalists, two songwriters, and multiple multi-instrumentalists. Cousins Ryan Wayne McEathron and Dave McEathron grew up together in small town Ontario and present a gritty authenticity of the into their song-writing. The pair’s true and genuine blue-collar work experiences lend the ring of truth to songs like “(Bring on that) New Depression” and “Progress.” In the latter song, Dave convincingly adopts the persona of a worker at a garbage dump, and its timely observation that “we don’t build nothing and we call that the new economy.” It is perhaps the best socio-economic critique you’ll hear for some time. Joining forces with keyboardist/multi-instrumentalist Kevin Hewitt, drummer Hamal Finn Roye and bassist Alex Needleman, the five piece roots rock band has developed a layered but warmly accessible sound, with multiple voices, harmonies, and diverse instrumentation. .

John Jenkins’ Smalltown Revival puts forward a gentle flowing sound that epitomizes Canadian mountain music at its finest. With lyrics rooted in Columbia Valley culture, and instrumentals steeped in the heart of smalltown life, the superb folk rockin’ styles of Jenkinitor and crew echo throughout the hills, way deep into the backcountry. As work on the new album is being finished up at this very moment, look for a brand new CD featuring the patented sounds of this Revival Crew puts out with acoustic and bass guitars, harmonica, foot percussion, keys and the violin.



Scope out some excellent free music at the websites below:

http://thewarped45s.com


- The Golden Scoop

He grew up in an era when cassettes were yielding to the CD, but Dave McEathron of the Warped 45s does indeed remember the mousy and mighty 45 rpm vinyl record. His grandparents had them. He’d play Johnny Cash’s “A Boy Named Sue” over and over and over again until they told him, David, the record is tired.

He’d put on laid-back country crooner Don Williams and drape himself over a speaker and cry out, “He’s smooth, he’s smooth.”

That said, some of the Toronto band’s younger fans don’t have a clue what a 45 is. A crooked gun? They write about the band with the only reference that makes sense to them, calling the group Warp 45. As in speed.

Growing up for McEathron, there was a family cottage near Algonquin Park in Ontario, a cliff-top log house by a marsh that made it inhabitable during black fly season. It wasn’t winterized either. But weekends and holidays the rest of the year the place was filled with cousins, aunts and uncles and a whole lot of music.

Uncle Jack liked John Prine, Haggard. Uncle Kirk liked Ian Tyson. Grandma, who lived nearby, just loved that Emmylou Harris. Everybody sang. It was a good raising.

“Yeah, once you get a little older you realize that,” says McEathron. “It was really stressed early on. And they all wrote their own, my Uncle Jack especially. As soon as we knew how to play we also knew there was this other thing called songwriting. If you played you were almost expected to write. My first one, I’ve still got it, I think I was seven or eight, right after I learned my first chords.”

After playing a lot of solo gigs and recording a couple of albums, it’s not surprising when McEathron decided to start a band he turned to his first cousin, Ryan Wayne McEathron, to help him get it going. So they sketched out some songs, played a couple of places and Ryan promptly set out to teach in Australia for a couple of years.

But on his return the two found Kevin Hewitt (keys), Hamal Finn Roye (drums) and Alex Needleman (bass) and started up the Warped 45s, a “singer/songwriter based roots/rock with country and gospel” band. They put an EP out seven months later and won the NXNE Roger’s fan choice award worth $10,000. They bought a van and toured the Maritimes.

Last September they released their first full length album, 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan, which did great on college radio as the band toured Ontario and points west. They’re touring the Canadian west again in November.

From 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan, today’s featured download is the somber “Radio Sky” written by Dave McEathron.

“It’s kind of an ode to other songwriters and players, and the family jams,” he says. “You have to question yourself every once in a while if you want to keep doing music. Is it enough to have a little respect from your local peers? Living on less, like a college student the rest of your life? And I answered it, yeah, it was for me.”

Read more: http://www.theprovince.com/entertainment/Featured+artist+Warped/3723535/story.html#ixzz1BsxfVgRG
- The Province

by Peter Gardner

It’s often said by songwriters and musicians that the best songs, are the ones that sound familiar upon first listening. It can be a slippery slope however, because sometimes sounding too similar, makes you sounding like you’re trying real hard to simply copy something else. 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan from Tornoto’s The Warped 45s, find just the right amount of “this sounds familiar”.

10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan is a nice blend of modern folk/alt-country and classic old-time. Most bands seem to fall into one sound or the other, so for 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan to be the perfect blend that could easily be appreciated by both modern music lovers, and traditional folkies, this album is a rare gem.

The album opens with the title track, which is soaked in Canadiana. And from there the trend continues. For a band currently based in Toronto, their songs echo the isolation of the prairies in the ways artists like The Deep Dark Woods are currently singing about. The difference is of course, The Deep Dark Woods are from Saskatchewan, not the largest city in the country.

The highlight in the album comes from the track “Why Oh Why”. A catchy, mid-tempo folk song, that will likely be kept in your head all day. The only thing the album may suffer from is its’ long length. Perhaps a couple songs too long. 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan would likely be a stronger record if it was a bit shorter. Sometimes it’s best leave the listener wanting more.

Regardless of its length, 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan is a strong record. With a great mix of modern and classic sounds, and a comfortable familiarity that still remains unique, the album has the appeal to be loved by anyone with even a bit of a taste for great folk music.
- Kite Magazine

By Ian GormelyDeer Tick have always walked a thin line between roots rock luminaries and also-rans: despite some strong songwriting on their first two records, the band often leaned a little too hard on the genre's tropes, the music elevated by group mastermind John McCauley's Steve Earle rasp. But with this year's The Black Dirt Sessions, McCauley and co. proved they have the ability to write songs in their own mould, utilizing subtlety and understatement to carry the record's emotional upheaval. Whether that could be translated to the band's notoriously raucous live show, though, remained to be seen.

Toronto's the Warped 45s, led by cousins Dave and Ryan Wayne McEathron, started the night, delivering a great set of classic Queen West alt-country rock. The quintet were all smiles throughout their set, and Dave in particular showed a great degree of versatility in his vocals.

Mountain Man, which are actually three women, were squeezed into the evening's middle slot, singing Appalachian-style a cappella tunes. Sauntering on stage and declaring "silence is my bitch," the trio launched into three-part harmonies with pipes that would make Sleater-Kinney's Corin Tucker blush. But the schtick grew old after a few songs as the band's energy-less set wore on the increasingly boozed-up crowd.

Deer Tick hit the stage and quickly launched into "Smith Hill" from 2009's Born on Flag Day. McCauley, decked out in a George Thorogood tee and a Panama hat, was backed by a four-piece band, and let former Titus Andronicus guitarist Ian O'Neil take lead vocals on new song, which was a bit of a mistake given O'Neil's rather unremarkable singing voice and the fact that it was only the second song.

Many of Deer Tick's songs on record are small affairs, with sparse accompaniment making McCauley's brilliant vocals sound absolutely huge in comparison. But by the band's third song, War Elephant's "Dirty Dishes," it was clear that rather than showcase the band's newfound sense of dynamics, McCauley intended to beat the audience with a blunt object, sonically speaking. The group insisted on amping up everything, killing the transcendent arc that so many of the their songs have on record. Many of the songs started out sounding like covers, before Deer Tick swung the focus back to their own stuff.

Throughout the band's long set McCauley rarely lifted his eyes above the mic, leading the quintet through flat takes on songs from throughout the band's short career. The crowd that had packed the front of the stage welcomed most of the songs with hoots and hollers, and plenty of sing-alongs. But in the back of the Horseshoe many were left wondering why the dragged themselves out of their homes on a perfectly good Tuesday night to shell out $15 to hear covers of "Maybellene," "Oh Boy" and "Waitress in the Sky." ??Toronto has a great tradition of roots rock acts, the night's openers the Warped 45s being a perfect example. Given Deer Tick's propensity to morph into nothing more than a bar band live, it seems silly to shell out the extra cash to hear music you can see any night of the week. - Exclaim! Magazine

The Warped 45s

By Jeannie Dubois

Hailing from various ports of call in Southern Ontario, the Warped 45’s are a talented 5 piece band playing their last leg of a westward tour to promote their first full length album 10 Day Poems For Saskatchewan. In turns morose and soulful, blithe and hopeful, the boys laid down some very solid tracks for a busy Friday night crowd at the Office.

Not only was I impressed by their individual and collective musical acumen which often included swapping instruments between tracks, but in addition, cousins Dave and Ryan have cranked out some remarkably poetic lyrics. With a definite bluegrass slant, Alex on bass and Hamal on drums back up Kevin kicking it out on the keyboards with the guitar and mandolin being passed helter skelter between Dave and Ryan. Channelling the great white north and the deep south blues simultaneously, these guys brought to mind some musical greats including Neil Young, Jeff Tweedy, and Gord Downie. Bang-on harmonies abounded, sweet little bridges snuck in and friendly banter and good energy kept the crowd captivated.

Featured on CBC programing and opening for headliners like Drive By Truckers, the 45’s are headed for a big break. Until then, when queried about tour ‘lows’, singer/guitarist Ryan conceded touring was a break even operation, so get out and support the 45’s – buy some swag or better yet score their sweet album. And with a band whose tour ‘high’ was bassist Alex basically dropping into a gig decked out in gold spandex via paragliding, the sky is the limit…

Check them out at www.warped45s.com.
- The Walleye

Folk influenced cd
- -
June 23, 2010

10 DAY POEM FOR SASKATCHEWAN
The Warped 45s
Indie
8-out-of-10
The Warped 45s come out of Ontario with a rock sound heavily influenced by Americana-folk, the result being a very easy to listen to sound.

Yorkton music fans will have the opportunity to learn that for themselves if they head down to The Spot June 25, as the five-piece band is booked into the local venue.

The band's CD 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan, a near five-minute cut which is the lead-in song on the disk, is a great effort.

There are 13-songs on the disk, and frankly they are all very solid rock efforts with a style which reminds a bit of some of the best CDs from the Eagles.

The music has a rock sensibility in terms of how the 45s approach things, but they let folk control the lyrics.
- -

The combination results in well-written songs with a solid beat to keep the listener tapping toes to the music, while digging into to the vocals to here the stories laid out through the lyrics.

As far as top cuts, it's hard not to point to the title based on its Saskatchewan ties. However, there are a number of good songs here. Leader of the Lost Expedition, Two Month Old Apologies and Why Oh Why are a few to pay a little extra attention too.

A definite must.

Check them out at http://thewarped45s.com/wordpress/ - Yorkton This Week

Welcome back to NXNE! Now 500+ bands strong and turning 16yrs old today, NXNE is ready to get its license to ill. The major new add this year are the free big ticket shows in Dundas square including: Iggy & the Stooges, De La Soul, K-Os, Sloan and tonight... Mudhoney and X!


Mudhoney - Photo by Jess Watt.jpg

Mudhoney, is one of the founders of the infamous 90's grunge movement we all remember in plaid, that Nirvana and Pearl Jam seem to get most of the nostalgic credit for. But it was actually Seattle bands like Mudhoney and even Green River before that, where the punk blues, alternative "grunge" scene began.

Lead man Mark Arm isn't looking that far off what he did over 20 years ago when Superfuzz Bigmuff came out in '88, and they're still performing old and new up to their latest album The Lucky Ones which they recorded a few years ago.



They packed the square with people from all walks of life, not just the usual suspects you come to expect in the usual clubs. The vintage rockers were in attendance, as were the soccer moms and their kids, ear muffs on. Although one lady seemed to think this was some kind of a G 20 protest ~ one hell of a protest that's for sure!

X - Photo by Jess Watt.jpg


Next up in Yonge-Dundas square was the reformed L.A, punk band X, who've been kicking it since '77 - from the first wave of American punk. Compared to today's hard, they air more on the side of sounding folk-rock/cowpunk but definitely would have been an alternative to the classic rock and disco pop of their time. It was a great piece of music history to bring to the festival.

After that we headed to The Boat to check out Autumn Owls from Dublin Ireland. They are very slow-trance and melancholy, and feel like vast barren landscapes as their name even suggests. They reminded me a lot of an Indie movie soundtrack, to the most moving or devastating scene of the film. They should meet Sarah Polly while they're in town. Over at the Elmo, were our Warped 45's who we do appreciate as solid country rock in a time where synth seems to rule. And upstairs we just missed the hip-hop soul of Times Neue Roman from B.C. who need to be checked out by you immediately! But we did catch Madrid (from Toronto, not Spain) who looked like such an unlikely bunch (way to go substance way over style) to be coming up with those soulful synthetic yearns blended with a side-dish of modern melodic beats.


HEALTH - Photo by Jess Watt.jpg



But to be honest, the show of the night was over at the over capacity Sneaky Dee's with a line-up down the street. The kids were all there for L.A. band HEALTH, who Jess discovered by a remix they did of our local Crystal Castles. It is such a strange name for this hyper-hybrided band that labels themselves 'noise rock'. That is a huge music sub-culture in Japan and its way more noise than rock which is why I can assure you that HEALTH is way too talented to be reduced to that. There certainly are elements that go on a noise tangent, from booming industrial sounds to electronic reverbing static, but when their melody hits (and yes there actually is one) it is tight and catchy and what makes the crowd swell. But the other sounds are what create the build, using traditional house elements of repetitious progressive beats. And not stopping there, layered over-top of all this fist-pumping sound, is the melodic coo of trancy vocals. This band takes advantage of being many music genres at once and that's what gives them their edge of having something for everyone. "You Will Love Each Other" is their unofficial name and much better describes their dichodamy of love and hate.



Shout out goes to the following act: sibling team "Kidstreet" from Waterloo Ontario. We told you before and we'll tell you again - this band is one to watch. Eye? Now? here's your new cover. These kids also have some serious hybrid traditional/electronical talent, keep an eye on these keyboard killers! - CBC (The Hour)

NXNE is like Christmas to Toronto Music Scene. We look forward to it every year. Sometimes we peek, knowing in advance what presents we're getting. Other times we like to be surprised, so we refrain from checking beneath the beds of our parents so we can be moved in unexpected ways. This year we're bragging to our friends about performances by Mudhoney, the Warped 45's and Moneen, while simultaneously wondering why our Aunt Lisa bought us an unglamorous copy of Wavves and the wrong version of the Reason. Click to read our full list of festival highlights and lowlights, like a sexy, well-dyed blonde.

Autumn Owls @ Bovine, June 10
Although not technically part of the NXNE festivities, we had to catch these guys when we could out of fear of missing them during the festival. The Dublin band creates beautiful, enigmatic music that is soft and dreamy. Gary McFarlane’s understated and seductively husky vocals compliment the haunting rhythms and melodies the band creates. It’s very rare we listen to a band for the first time and spontaneously go see them that very night. Definitely a band you must see.

DJ E-Clair @ Hyde Lounge, June 12
Bedouin Soundclash bassist Eon Sinclair made his DJ debut at Hyde Lounge and I was fortunate enough to attend. Although also not part of NXNE, DJ E-Clair’s spinning is worth mentioning. He mixed a variety of reggae and rock songs, setting him apart from the plethora of other musician DJ's this city is pounding out these days. It was nice to dance to something different and respected, and the ambient vibe of the Hyde Lounge definitely added a lush element. I look forward to seeing him develop as a DJ and would definitely check out his spinning again.

Mudhoney @ Dundas Square, June 17
A wave of 90's nostalgia took over Yonge and Dundas square as grunge rockers Mudhoney took the stage. As opposed to just playing classics from such albums as Piece of Cake and Every Good Boy Deserves Fudge, Mudhoney instead played the songs they wanted to play pulled from their 20-year catalog. While I waited the entire 40 minute set to hear "Make It Now," a song so great the band recorded it on two separate albums, I knew not to hold my breath since I have never heard them play it live. Instead fans where delighted by such classics as "Touch Me I'm Sick," "Suck You Dry" and some songs of their most recent release The Lucky Ones. While grunge may have died decades ago, Mudhoney's set proved that they are nowhere near burning out, or fading away.

Zeus @ Rivoli, June 17
The Rivoli was packed to capacity for Arts & Crafts’ latest find Zeus, an energetic indie pop band with a very unique style. They were less peppy than expected live, but still delivered a sweaty set full of vintage-sounding guitars and sharp vocals. This band got their start as “Dark Horse,” where they performed together for numerous years as Jason Collett’s backing band. They take notes from him in terms of intrigue and honesty, but manage to incorporate their own organic charm into the mix. Welcome to the family!

The Warped 45’s @ El Mocambo, June 17
The Warped 45's were on our "must see" list this festival not only because here at Toronto Music Scene we have developed in unmatched love for alt-country, but also because they're just THAT good. Their sound can be described as cottage country indie, with its rolling vocals, transient guitars and penchant for solid rock. A mix between the Weakerthans, the Wooden Sky and the Tragically Hip, the Warped 45's make us want to make out in a small town bar and appreciate the smaller things, like blossoming flowers, long drives and young love. The music they create is so beautiful, layered with soft banjo and inter-spliced with an elegant, shadowed poetry. They played songs like "(Bring On That) New Depression" to the delight of both indie rockers and overalls-sporting middle-aged men alike.

We Are The Take @ Supermarket, June 17
We Are The Take remain one of our favourite Toronto bands. They've become known for tracks like "Montreal Love Song," swimming songs that seduce you with melancholic keys, solemn vocals and aching guitars. Their ability to switch from the romance of that song to the buoyancy of their newer material spotlights their ability to adjust and develop without compromising musical integrity. That said, we wish they would do something to stand out more. Sometimes we forget about them until festivals like NXNE, which is a shame because they are extremely talented and a joy to watch.

Corduroy @ Rancho Relaxo, June 17
It may have taken almost two years, but Toronto Music Scene was finally able to see Corduroy live! We are pleased to report this is indie rock done right. With booming, heavy drums, catchy vocals and an uninhibited energy, Corduroy have managed to establish themselves as a true competitor in this over-saturated scene. This band understands the importance of telling stories, embracing instrumental moments to - Toronto Music Scene

Toronto rock crooner Hawksley Workman, backed up by Blue Rodeo frontman Jim Cuddy, played a rollicking set to a packed sweaty house at Lee’s Palace last night, capping off the Outlaws & Gunslingers showcase put on by Six Shooter Records.

Workman, known best for his powerful warbling voice, took the lead while Cuddy was content to play second fiddle on electric acoustic. They were joined on keyboards by Alberta folkie Colleen Brown and by Blue Rodeo drummer Glenn Milchem and bassist Bazil Donovan.

The place really got shaking to ‘Warhol’s Portrait of Gretzky’ from Workman’s latest release Milk, a song that finally figures out that “Gretzky” kind of rhymes with “sexy”.

Then on to the Horseshoe Tavern for Elliott Brood, where the acclaimed three-piece thumped out singles from last year’s Polaris shortlisted Mountain Meadows.

Although the only thing visible to most of the crowd was the head of frontman Mark Sasso, the wall of sound was enough to compensate for the lack of visuals. Ears beginning to hurt.

Finally, after all the “sensible” and “responsible” music lovers had apparently gone to bed, it was back to Lee’s where The Warped 45s played a generous set to a sparse audience made up mostly of NXNE staff for the band’s second show — and second venue — of the evening.

At last year’s festival, the Toronto roots rockers won the $10,000 Rogers Fan Choice Award, for their straight-up alt-country crowd pleasers. Note: It’s difficult to look cool while rocking out on a mandolin, but the 45s come close.

Read more: http://arts.nationalpost.com/2010/06/18/nxne-2010-hawksley-workman-and-jim-cuddy-elliott-brood-warped-45s/#ixzz1BsvHzYDd
- National Post

The Spades’ April 10th show at Lee’s Palace proved to be outstanding, even though I didn’t get to see the headlining band perform. For me, watching Ben Rough, the Warped 45s, and of course, Huron, was satisfying enough.

Ben Rough and his band opened that night around 9:45pm with his throaty blend of folk/rock. As it was fairly early, the floor in front of the stage was devoid of an audience, but the people sitting around and standing by the bar seemed to perk up when he began his set. By the end of it, there were claps, whistles, and shouts of appreciation.

Ben Rough, onstage at Lee's Palace

The Warped 45s were next. I had never heard of the “Rock/Indie/Americana” quintet before, but I looked them up as soon as I got home that night. The Toronto-based band, comprised mostly of family members (throughout their set, three of them referred to each other as cousins) were impressive, and their performance was evocative without being overtly emotional. After their set, I found myself singing “Radio Sky” under my breath while I waited for Huron to set up.

The Warped 45s' frontmen Ryan Wayne McEathron and Dave McEathron

Then, it was Huron’s turn. There is nothing bad I can say about Huron, and I don’t think anyone else has either. Believe me, I looked. After listening to them all week in anticipation, I was looking forward to a good old rock ‘n’ roll show; a good old rock ‘n’ roll show is exactly what I got.

Huron in action

Ben Rough, the Warped 45s, and Huron were all opening acts that night, but Huron were undoubtedly the stars. Perhaps it was the timing or perhaps it was their loyal and growing following (likely a combination of both) but they had the floor half full and people milling around the seated areas and bar, craning their necks to have a good view of their performance.

Huron guitarist Cam Malcolm

The band from Hamilton started their set with “Chicken Wing”. Good idea; it was clearly a crowd favorite. But I can feasibly argue that throughout the eight-song set, each song was a crowd favorite. When they reached the end of their set, with “War”, people were cheering and whistling enthusiastically, and calling for more. I am definitely on the lookout for when they’ll be playing again in Toronto, and you should try to be as well. - The Take Media

For Canada’s largest and most populous urban area, Toronto sure has a lot of roots-rock bands, and they all try to sound like they just trekked in from north of nowhere. Most of them have crossed over our TORO radar at one time or another, but none is quite as brilliant and critically inscrutable as The Warped 45s.

The brainchild of two songwriters - cousins Dave and Ryan Wayne McEathron - The Warped 45s are at once familiar and odd, capable of crafting excellent genre tunes, despite rarely sounding like the same band from one song to the next. Their debut album, 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan, has songs that could fit into country radio rotation - the beautiful single “Radio Sky” - or on your indie-rock revival playlist; “Leader of the Lost Expedition” sounds like Ian Curtis lost in the Canadian North, with Dave’s voice pushed close in the mix, making his story of a man alone in the wild eerily intimate. The album closes with “Why Have You Passed Me By, Grim Reaper” a rousing gospel singalong.

While a refusal to settle on one style might be murder for other acts, it’s the bedrock of what makes 10 Day Poem such an immediately essential Canadian album. Those who've grown adverse to twang are advised to take notice - The Warped 45s sing country songs as you might know them, in that haunting way everyone else has forgotten.

We chatted with Dave and Ryan in anticipation of their two shows at this year’s NXNE festival. After winning the Rogers Fan Choice Award last year, the pressure might be on, but as we talked about growing up with music, getting along with family, and putting life stories down in lyrics, we found guys with nothing but confidence running through their engines.

Q: You guys won $10,000 at NXNE last year. Where are your heads at now?

DM: I wish we were just preparing for NXNE, but we’re also scrambling around, trying to get ready for the West Coast tour the week after. Running around like crazy, got a grant proposal in this morning, went by the record label to pick up the CDs for the tour. We’re folding T-shirts tonight. Our bass player was rebuilding our air conditioner yesterday, in the van.

Q: How do you feel about NXNE, as artists? Is it just another good gig, or significant in terms of exposure?

RWM: Last year was the first we played [the festival]...

DM: And it was pretty significant! [laughs]

RWM: Yeah, we won that prize and got a lot of press, which was certainly helpful. One of the things we’ve been lucky with is having the critics and the press on our side. Every writer in town has their list of who they want to check out, and who their favourites were, so it’s nice to be included in those.

Q: We members of the press have the task of sifting through more than 600 names.

DM: If anything, that might be the one issue. It is just so large and daunting...it’s good for getting a taste, and if you really do your research, you can find out about some bands. But with 650 bands in all those different venues, you can’t possibly do it all.

Q: But that relieves some pressure, to have to “see everything.”

DM: You just start off knowing you’re going to see a little bit of new stuff.

RWM: It’s the get-lucky factor.

Q: Are The Warped 45s best experienced on stage? Do you feel you can make a statement better in a live setting?

RWM: Both [live and on record], I think. We’ve been playing with our family, around campfires, since we were kids. So that performance aspect, playing songs for people, and running by new material - we’ve been there. But I like making an album into a piece of art. If you can translate the message you’ve created in a studio to live, that’s the first job.

DM: We’re greedy. We want to be able to connect with people with live and recorded music.

Q: The sound of the record is very rich and layered - and you guys play a lot of instruments between each other. Is it difficult to recreate that on stage?

DM: I think what we do on record is what we do live, with the exception of guests. They’ll be one guitar part layered over a piano, layered over a mandolin, and we still do that. We have four vocalists - our drummer sings, our keyboard player sings - so there’s a lot of voices on the record, but there’s nothing we can’t [recreate].

Q: Are you guys hands-on in terms of publicity? Are you self-promoters?

DM: Not really. I think we’re good if people want to talk to us, with meeting people out and around.

RWM: That unfolds naturally the more you tour. Every show, you end up meeting someone with a local paper, or who books a local festival. It’s a very organic way of doing it.

Q: Every press release I get has a list of “sound-alike” artists. I always wonder if the bands ever sees these lists, and say, “Hey, we don’t sound like that...”

DM: [Laughs.] I guess we read lists. I think they come from people asking us who our influences are, or sometimes they think of other bands who we wouldn’t necessarily think of. Sometimes, if yo - TORO Magazine

The Warped 45s
10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan
Pheromone Recordings

10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan is a solid start for The Warped 45s, who seem to have come out of left field and are now really making an impression. Extreme attention to detail is apparent on what looks to be a future classic Canadian alt-country album. Band leaders Dave McEathron and brother Ryan Wayne McEathron show off their songwriting strengths with outstanding tunes such as “Progress,” “(Bring on That) New Depression,” “Why Oh Why” and “Radio Sky.” These songs conjure up scenes of wheat fields, prairies, weathered barns, lost loves, long roads traveled and late night liquor drenched bar gigs. The Warped 45s strategically choose their instrumentation throughout the album and give us much more than the standard four-piece band; they gratify our ears with great production and cool instrumentation that ranges from jazz trumpet to fiddles and saloon piano. If this band keeps doing what they’re doing, they’ll be around for a long time and likely become household names for fans of great Canadian music.

http://www.myspace.com/thewarped45s

— Andre Skinner

- Spill Magazine

THE WARPED 45's


by Shain Shapiro
January 21-27,2010
One of Canada’s strongest musical markets, both domestically and internationally, is alternative country, or what has been labeled “Canadiana”. With a history that rivals any country – featuring the likes of Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell and Ian Thomas – a generation of new bands have taken the influences of old to heart, and created a community of roots music that consistently churns out unique and original material. So, without further ado, here’s an introduction to Canada’s next great export, Toronto’s Warped 45s. The quintent, obvious phonophiles and well aware of the history of the music they are appropriating, have created a well–worn tribute to the past, while offering sonic suggestions of what the genre is going to sound like in the future. Though their debut full–length, titled 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan, The Warped 45s have a distinctly Canadiana release on their hands, complete with alcoholic ballads, tales of travel and of course, a provincial shout–out to round it all off. “The songs were written and all tried live for a year previous to going into the studio, so I guess any themes we had snuck in with us,” discusses guitarist and one half of the songwriting duo, Dave McEathron. “I feel a great connection to traditional styles of music but you can’t ignore all that has happened in music up to now. With us, I think they have to be updated lyrically to reflect the changes in technology, social customs and the environment as well. In one of our songs for example, ‘Radio Sky’, it’s a hubcap stream and in ‘New Depression’ it is the concept of a ruinscape. My songs tend to jump from the past to possible futures and play off of each other through time. There are themes being raised through a few characters about how they are living or if they even deserve to live and there is exploration of nature, but under the sphere of pollution and terror with just enough hope to make it digestible. Hopefully these themes appear as suggestions, but not in a preachy way. It’s more important to me that they offer up daydreams of sorts around on a few subjects, like a movie.” Released in September, the response has been overwhelming. Picked up by Toronto–based indie Pheromone Recordings and released nationally through Fontana North, 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan has even surprised the band, including cousin of Dave and other co–conspirator, Ryan McEachron. “Although the reviews have been great pretty much across the board and we appreciate all of them, the most memorable would have to be while driving up north, heading for Thunder Bay, on our first west coast tour,” explains McEachron. “We are all together, in the van, listening to our favorite radio show, CBC’s Drive with Rich Terfry of Buck 65, who then came on and announced that he thinks our album is one of his favorite albums of the year. It’s amazing we didn’t drive off the road.” Yet, the success should not come as a surprise. To begin, the album was recorded by one of Canada’s best roots producers, Toronto’s John Critchley. Having already worked with Elliott Brood and Dan Mangan, The Warped 45s knew they were in good hands. “The album was recorded at Green Door Studios in Parkdale (in Toronto’s west end) with producer John Critchley,” adds Ryan. “We initially used the studio as a practice facility, so were already comfortable there, and were impressed by John’s projects with bands such as Elliott Brood, NQ Arbuckle and others. We did a six–song EP with John in 2008 that we were proud of and served us well, so it only seemed natural that we should record our full length album there too. “But there were challenges. The first was money. We decided that we would record a new record anyway, even if it meant going into debt. And it did; a lot of debt. Regardless, we started recording last winter. We wanted the audience to hear the live energy, which John is good at capturing, so we spent a few solid long weekends laying down tracks together in one sweaty room. From there we had to spread out our overdubbing and mixing based on our ability to come up with money, and a run of flu and or pneumonia that knocked us all out, one at a time. We all got better, the record got finished and the rest is history.” While 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan is another notch on the success of the Canadiana scene in Canada, live is where The Warped 45s truly come into their own. It’s inebriated, insatiable, raucous roots and roll, and very different from the album. “There may be a bit of a serious feel on the record, but live it’s a much more lighthearted and energetic,” asserts cousin Ryan. “When the crowd is interacting with us, we like to fire back and forth and get them involved. More and more people like to sing along, and we really love that. It is more raw when you can see us playing off each other, sweating buckets. Trust me.” V [SHAIN SHAPIRO] - View Magazine

This may be a news flash to some of you, but I am not cool. I have serious envy of bloggers who are better writers than I am, who have their shit together enough to post every day, who get lots of free CDs, tickets, backstage passes, and other swag. Most of the people who solicit me for a review for their new album clearly don't even read my blog. My most recent e-mail solicitation was from an Australian group who describes themselves as a "blend of hip-hop and electro-pop." I have nothing against this type of music, but it just isn't my thing, and anyone who reads even one page of my blog knows this fact. So I was fucking thrilled when someone finally paid attention and gave me a free ticket to see one of my favorite bands, the Drive-By Truckers, at the Phoenix last Sunday (Nov. 8).

This show was sponsored by Jack Daniels, and I guess it was supposed to be for bar/entertainment industry types. When I entered I got two free drink tickets, and there were buffets of finger food all around. I have to admit that I don't even really like Jack Daniels. I'm more of a Jimbo drinkin' kind of gal. But, the great ones play through the pain. (Note: I am currently out of the bourbon, so if anyone wants to get their favorite blogger an early Christmas present, please e-mail me at rockstaraimz at gmail dot com for delivery instructions.)

The Warped 45s opened the show. I'm embarrassed to say that I am not familiar with their music. They are from Toronto and apparently won a big prize at NxNE this year. How the hell did I miss them? According to their band bio, they have a "formidable arsenal of musical weapons, as they feature four vocalists, two songwriters, and multiple multi-instrumentalists," including three, count 'em, three banjo players. They play a mix of country/rock/bluegrass, and although they compare themselves to Wilco in their band bio, don't hold it against them. I just downloaded their debut 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan from eMusic. They are playing at the Dakota on Dec. 5, and I will report back.

Funny quote from the show: one of the singers says, "This is our first time at the Phoenix, but not the first time drinking Jack Daniels." LOL.

I've seen the Drive-By Truckers four times in the last three years. They are easily in my top four live acts, along with The Hold Steady, Okkervil River, and The Sadies. The first thing I noticed was that the Truckers are now touring with a keyboardist. An idea they picked up from The Hold Steady during their last tour? I love rock piano, and keyboardist Jay Gonzalez added a lot of texture to otherwise familiar songs.

Not that I am complaining about familiarity. When it comes to the Truckers, familiarity is fucking awesome! And the DBTs dug into their back catalog playing several tracks from their 1999 release Pizza Deliverance, and their 2001 opus Southern Rock Opera. Guitar bad-ass Mike Cooley put on one hell of a vocal performance during "Love Like This," and played killer blues-rock during "Guitar Man Upstairs."

One of the highlights for me was my main man Patterson Hood leaving it all on the stage during "Puttin' People on the Moon." And, for the fourth time that I have seen them, he changed the lyrics to make it topical, "Goddamn Bush was in the White House, and no one gave a damn!" Fuck yeah!

But the Truckers weren't stuck on the oldies. They played several new tracks which may or may not be included on their March 2010 release A Big To Do. John Neff played some sweet blues on the new track "Get Downtown." Bassist Shonna Tucker sang lead on "I Told You So" which sounds like it will be a fantastic song. For the new song "This Fuckin' Job" Hood said that this was the first or second time ever that they had played it live (edit: according to the One of These Days set list database, they also played "This Fuckin' Job" in Charlotte, NC, in August 2009).

Only two issues from my end. One, the sound was a bit off. We can thank the fuckheads at Delta Airlines for this problem. Hood said that Delta "lost a bunch of their shit." How frustrating is that? And second, the Truckers usually close with a rousing fan-favorite, such as "People Who Died" or "Buttholeville" or "Lookout Mountain." This time they closed with a cover, "Everybody Needs Love" by the late Eddie Hinton. This song was fantastic, but no one in the audience knew it like they know the Trucker's originals. We couldn't close with a spastic rock-out like usual, so it felt anti-climatic. But I can't complain. For once, I felt like one of those cool, hip, in-the-know bloggers! Hopefully I can fool them again.

Quote of the night from Patterson Hood during "Let There Be Rock," "Fuck that shit! I ain't sorry!"

Set List
1. Self Destructive Zones - Brighter Than Creations Dark (2008)
2. Feb 14 - A Blessing and a Curse (2006)
3. One of these Days - Pizza Deliverance (1999)
4. Sinkhole - Decoration Day (2003)
5. Love Like This - Pizza Deliverance (1999)
6. George Jones Talkin' Cell Phone B - No Depression

Nothing warped here.

This CD has been on my player for the past six weeks and it’s taken me ages to get to do this review. My apologies – I didn’t want to share my views with you, until I had to. I wanted to keep this band all to myself. Cos I’m selfish like that.

This roots rock/alt-country band hail from Ontario and can claim many others as influences. Tom Petty, Neil Young, Wilco, Blue Rodeo, The Band and Merle Haggard to name but a few. These guys ooze harmonies, multiple voices and a very instant and accessible sound.

Opening with the title track, things get better and better, and the opener is one of the best on the album. Eeek. ‘Progress’ is a boppy little ditty, whilst ‘Really Don’t Mind’ rocks it up with it’s shredded guitar. ‘Two Month Old Apologies’ could have been written for my situation re this album – it was released back in August.

‘Why Oh Why’ is 2 minutes and 56 seconds of sheer harmonic joy. ‘Trestle For A Train’ swings by with a mournful melody and the great songs keep coming and coming. ‘Why Have You Passed Me By Grim Reaper’ finishes the album as strongly as it began.

Back in June they won the NXNE Fan Choice award, earning themselves $10,000 and it’s easy to see why. Most of the songs here will translate into an excellent live set, so here’s hoping they come to the UK so we can all see what they can do in front of a crowd.


Date review added: Sunday, December 13, 2009
Reviewer: Phil Edwards
Reviewers Rating: 8 out of 10
Related web link: The Warped 45s website - Americana UK

The alt-country rockers The Warped 45's were just announced winners of the $10,000 Rogers Fan's Choice Award at this year's NXNE music festival in Toronto. The band, a young country cocktail of blues guitars and boogie-woogie piano, played a sold-out show at the Dakota Tavern on Ossington Avenue that apparently wowed a standing room only crowd.

The band is touring eastern Canada in July and plans to release their album 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan in August. The summer is looking mighty bright for a talented group of musicians playing music from the heart.

Read more: http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/theampersand/archive/2009/07/03/the-warped-45-s-win-the-rogers-fan-s-choice-award-at-north-by-northeast.aspx#ixzz1BsrDTBQN
- National Post

“Love gone awry and blue collar jobs are the principal subjects of the well-honed songs on The Warped 45s' debut album 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan...Their melodic country-rock sound, embellished by fiddle, banjo and piano, evokes the likes of Wilco, The Tragically Hip and early Van Morrison.


Elle Canada - Elle Radar - November 09 - (Polaris Juror) Mary Dickie - ELLE Canada

It has been quite the summer for fast-rising Toronto, ON-based roots rockers the Warped 45s. After completing work on their keenly anticipated full-length debut, 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan, they had a four-month residency of gigs at famed Toronto club the Cameron House, followed by their first tour of Eastern Canada. However, it was a June slot at the North By Northeast festival in Toronto that had an unexpected and decidedly lucrative payoff.

NXNE concertgoers were encouraged to vote for the best NXNE performer by texting in their choice, and the Warped 45s' show at the Dakota Tavern earned them the nod for the Rogers NXNE Fan Choice Award.

The grand prize included $10,000, a brand new Gibson guitar, plus a new BlackBerry and a pair of Converse Chucks for each of the band’s five members. Earlier this month, the cheque and other prizes were handed over at an industry event at Toronto’s Gibson showroom, at which the Warped 45s previewed three songs from the new album.

"We are going to rock, paper, scissors to see who gets the Gibson SG," Ryan Wayne McEathron told Exclaim!, while band-mate Dave McEathron mentioned that his new BlackBerry represented quite a lifestyle change. "I had always resisted getting a cellphone, and now I jump to a Blackberry," he chuckled.

As for 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan’s release, the album will be coming out on Pheromone Recordings and distributed by Fontana North on September 1. Three tracks from the group’s highly praised EP, "Radio Sky," "(Bring on That) New Depression" and "Why Have You Passed Me By Grim Reaper," are reprised on the album, alongside ten new songs.

The album was recorded at Toronto's Green Door Studios, the space owned and operated by John Critchley (13 Engines, Elliott Brood), who produced the upcoming effort by Warped 45s, as well as their EP. To help out the group — made up of singers/songwriters/guitarists Dave and Ryan Wayne McEathron (they're cousins), multi-instrumentalist Kevin Hewitt, drummer Hamal Finn Roye and bassist Alex Needleman — several extra players came to the studio, including Romney Getty and Annelise Noronha (backing vocals), J.P.Desaulniers and Alex Cheung (violin), Craig Smith (dobro), Mark Gabriel (bass), Andrew Penner of Sunparlour Players (lap steel) and trumpeter Brownman. - Exclaim!

It's not often that new roots-based music can be described as "fresh," but from the opening notes of the title track of this full-length debut, Toronto, ON's the Warped 45s breathe new life into the tried-and-true CanRock formula through sheer determination to make each song a memorable experience. Led by cousins Dave and Ryan McEathron, there's an obvious give-and-take that infuses the material, and producer John Critchley (13 Engines, Elliott Brood) provides a steady hand behind the boards. But the performances, at times reminiscent of Midlake and even Fisherman's Blues-era Waterboys, are just a bonus. The McEathrons have honed their storytelling skills through keen observation, as in "Progress," sung from the perspective of a Toronto waste disposal worker. But that gritty realism is offset by the poetic flights of songs like "Trestle For A Train," a number with so many unorthodox elements that it should never have worked but in its final form seems completely natural. In a similar way, upon first listen 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan sounds like a great Canadian album but after repeated spins just sounds like a great album, period. (Pheromone) - Exclaim! Magazine

What really constitutes a break out band these days? It certainly doesn’t revolve around record sales or record deals, and it’s not as clear cut as getting posted on a few blogs. With so many people simply cutting and pasting press releases or falling in line with the few big dogs that drive popularity, even the shittiest (most persistent) band can get love from a hundred blogs.

To be honest, despite the insane amount of people talking about music these days, popularity has little to do with who is talking about you and more to do with who shows up when you play. Becoming a successful band requires a more traditional, grass roots approach, especially when even your "biggest" fan has download your record the day after you get to hear the mastered version. Almost anyone can craft a hook and get their 15-minutes, but building a fan base and – not to get all Stillwater (especially after that doofus Bill Simmons beat it into the ground last week) on you – turning people on each time you hit the stage is a skill that precious few bands seem to possess and even less seem to care about.

That's why, of all the music that is cluttering up my desk right now, I am not sure how many will still be around in another year (let alone five), but if I had to pick one band that is going to make it (and by it, I mean have a career, a catalog and a fan base that stays with them as their sound shifts and matures), it would be Toronto’s The Warped 45’s. The band already has the hustle to start building fans organically – tons of shows and the passion to keep going when days stuck in the van watching the odometer turn start to take their toll – and more importantly, good f*cking songs that aren’t written hoping to latch on to the hottest sound.

These guys don't come off like like art schoolers toying with irony and sarcasm. No, you get the distinct impression they'd be playing music together on a Friday night, even if no one was listening. That’s probably why soon, tons of people will be all ears. It’s impossible to throw on their debut full length - 10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan - without letting your thoughts drift to the music that has controlled the radio waves for decades. The Toronto quintet offer up their take – and make no mistake, the young band is writing original tracks that may offer a subtle tip of the cap to the great, but refuse to sample liberally from their buffet – on laid back country roots and is writing songs that could have been played years ago, but will still be poignant years down the road. There are moments of beauty, like the strings and piano on the opening title track or Andrew Penner's nice steel to the closer, Why Have You Passed Me By Grim Reaper, but the textures and emotions all sound familiar.

No matter how the world shifts and music changes, there is always going to be a home for blue collar rock n roll, and pure country sounds. The Warped 45’s undoubtedly grew up listening to The Band, Neil, Petty and Merle, and understand the importance of connecting with the masses. They deliver working class inspiration (Progress), and craft melodies fitting for the best moments of simple days. The melancholic slow breeze of Two Month Old Apologies or the AM radio ready (and aptly titled) Radio Sky are tailor made for summer drives or back porch sing-alongs. They can tug on your heart strings with odes to the brokenhearted, like they do on the beautiful mandolin and string laced ballad Why Oh Why.

At the end of the day however, I think that it’s the road that is the key to the band’s future. Fine tuning their songs, energy and attitude night after night will help this band that is destined to be hand picked to open for some of the biggest names in the Canadian scene. Playing alongside people that have already made the jump will not only mature the band, it will inspire them. Admittedly, I’ve never seen them live, but I get the distinct impression that even with how successful their recorded output is already, their live show more than stacks up. Leader of The Lost Expedition and We Know One Thing (those hand claps will fill the venue) sound solid in the studio, but both have the potential to take on new life once the adrenaline and whiskey is flowing. The same can be said about the guitar noodles, harmonies and twinkled ivories of Really Don’t Mind.

The Warped 45's seem to have the elusive combination of sounds (think Wilco or Blue Rodeo) that hit home with people aged 14 to 50, sound great at festivals under the clear night sky or the beating sun, but still have the grit and energy to blow the roof of a tiny club. They've already grabbed the title of fan favorite from NXNE and I think comparable accolades will follow soon.
- Herohill (www.herohill.com)

Warped 45s
10 Day Poem For Saskatchewan (Pheromone)
By Benjamin Boles

Disc of The Week

NNNN

We’re fans of local alt-country rockers the Warped 45s, but even we were surprised to hear that they’d won the $10,000 Rogers Fan Choice Award at NXNE. We don’t generally imagine twang fanatics as being well-versed in text messaging or digital technology in general.

Good thing our city-slicker stereotypes were wrong, because these guys have the tunes and skills to milk the most out of this kind of windfall. If you’ve already heard the excellent EP they released last year, you’ll be happy to know that the full-length builds on their strengths.

They’re not doing anything innovative, but they’re doing it well. Think early REM with a lot more backwoods country flair. Comfort rock for a cool early autumn night with friends.

Top track: Why Have You Passed Me By Grim Reaper - NOW Magazine

Who are they?
Two cousins from the Algonquin area, songwriters and singer/guitarists Dave and Ryan Wayne McEathron, who’ve teamed up with a few of their friends (multi-instrumentalist Kevin Hewitt, drummer Hamal Finn Roye and bassist Alex Needleman).

It’s a family affair
“We’ve been playing since we were eight or 10 years old,” Dave begins, when I join him and Ryan at the Communist’s Daughter. While no one in their family was ever a professional musician, gatherings at the log cabin that Ryan’s dad built in 1979 made for regular family jams.

How did they all get together?
Dave and Ryan were each working on solo material a few years ago, but reconsidered their respective plans after a promising recording session together that took place right before Ryan left for a nine-month jaunt in Australia. “I ended up staying for two years,” Ryan continues. “I got popular over there and made a record. But then I decided to come back to be closer to family.” After contacting musicians he’d played with in the past, work on the band proper began. Soon, The Warped 45s self-released a six-song EP, and had enough material to record a full-length follow-up.

This wouldn’t be an alt-country band now, would it?
Hardly. Pick any three tracks from their debut, 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan and you’ll hear a band that’s as capable of straight-up roots-gospel (“Why Have you Passed me by, Grim Reaper?”) as they are of twangy character studies (“Progress”), as well as episodic lyrics that’d make Gord Downie proud (“Leader of the Lost Expedition”).

Radio darlings to fan favourites
The audience at this year’s North By Northeast liked them enough to vote them Fan Favourites, a title that comes with a $10,000 prize. Their success still amazes them. “I think that began with the last EP,” says Dave. “Matt Galloway at CBC, he played it, like, four times leading up to the CD launch. And I think that brought it to the attention of our eventual record label. When does that ever happen?”

What about that prize money?
It’ll go towards their first band van. “We didn’t have enough money on the last tour to even rent [a van], so we ended up taking the vehicles we had. So, three cars for 5,000km
each,” Ryan explains. “It was still cheaper than renting,” Dave says sheepishly. “We just felt bad about the waste of gas.”
- EYE WEEKLY

HOWARD DRUCKMAN-EYE WEEKLY
BEST ALBUMS

1: Warped 45s/Warped 45s (6-song EP) (Independent)

DESTINED FOR GREATNESS IN 2009:

1.Warped 45s
2.Tanya Philipovich

KERRY DOOLE
Exclaim!, Words & Music, Tandem

DESTINED FOR GREATNESS IN 2009:
1. The Warped 45s
2. Sebastien Grainger

- Eye Weekly- Toronto

The Warped 45s - 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan
Review by Mark Millard

Remember how good music was once defined? No, it wasn't characterized like today's commercial, money driven pop rock outfits consisting of large marketing teams, a hefty emphasis on image and a consistent repetition of a sound heard time and time again. It wasn't music put together with a boring 1-5-6-4 chord progression, three instruments, one singer and a terrible live performance. Hence why most artists creating (good music) today, if it can even be classified as such, possess very little longevity. To further illustrate this point, look back at the artists that dominated the Canadian mainstream three to five years ago. How many of them are still relevant today? Not many, a trend which will continue for years to come. Can this really be classified as good music? I think not.

Good music was about love and passion, with money and success being an added bonus. Music was once about taking both the artists and the listeners to a place they couldn't visit otherwise. Better yet, an unforgettable journey displaying several different moods, emotions and observations throughout. Whatever happened to that? Good music took time to create, and talent to achieve; something becoming less of a necessity today. Whenever I stumble upon a new group of artists that still understand what music is and should always be about, I can't help but feel a sense of excitement because it's consistently becoming a rare occurrence. Toronto quintet the Warped 45's are one of those rare occurrences. Get out the shot glasses, Jack Daniels and cigarettes, because you should be properly equipped for the voyage they are about to take you on with their debut full length album 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan.

Equipped with everything from folk to rock n roll, all the way to country, the release reminds the listener of a young Blue Rodeo or Tom Petty. There are even moments of brilliant acoustic guitar displaying hints of Iron & Wine, but equipped with strings and other peaceful, yet intriguing instruments: banjo, harmonica and mandolin to name a few. Look no further than the magnificently put together song "To the Daybreak", displaying all the elements of a band that understands how to create good music; possessing a peaceful, yet heavy sound at the same time. A notable aspect of 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan is that in can appeal to fans of any genre. Tracks like "(Bring on That) New Depression" and "Radio Sky" could even lure in fans of a popular mainstream artist like City & Colour or the Tragically Hip.

Are you solely a fan of music from the east coast? No problem, you will find comfort in a song like the beautiful mandolin based "Why Oh Why". Or simply looking for an upbeat camp fire, cottage or driving sing-a-long song? You will feel satisfied with heavy tracks like "Leader of the Lost Expedition" and "We Know One Thing". Both present heavy guitars a la Neil Young, the latter being equipped with energetic, fun hand claps and a catchy guitar riff displayed in several different tones. Now is probably the best time to crack out the whiskey and cigarettes, because these tracks will have you singing, clapping and feeling good; taking your thoughts away from every day life, and sending you to a place you will consistently hope to remain.

Perhaps the best feature of 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan is the fact that every track will translate with ease to a very high energy, exhilarating and enjoyable live experience. The Warped 45s are everything that the Canadian music scene needs today. But hey, don't just take my word for it, go and check them out for yourself. There is definitely a good reason why these guys won the 2009 Rogers Fan Choice Award at NXNE, and they should not be avoided; unless of course, you aren't a fan of good music. If this is indeed the case, I'm sorry for distracting you from your daily viewing of Much Music and MTV.

For those that do enjoy good music, and are hoping to take in a good live experience, be sure to check out The Warped 45s at their CD Release Party on August 20th at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto. - Fazer Online Music Magazine

1. Great Lake Swimmers
2. Neko Case
3. Deep Dark Woods
4. Timber Timbre
5. Dan Mangan
6. Son Volt
7. The Wooden Sky
8. Carolyn Mark/NQ Arbuckle
9. The Warped 45s
10. Amelia Curran



1. Great Lake Swimmers Lost Channels (Nettwerk)
Since 2001, Toronto's Great Lake Swimmers have been steadily producing some of the most emotionally affecting and quietly radiant indie folk of the decade. On their fourth album, the band burst from their hushed cocoon and blossomed into a more polished and sonically upbeat version. With Lost Channels, they hit a dynamic high note without compromising their typically unflinching exploration of the shadowy edges of the human psyche. Partially recorded in remote corners of the Thousand Islands region of Ontario, the album exudes an air of searching and alienation consistent with the Swimmers' earlier work. This time, however, Tony Dekker's serene voice hovers coolly over richer, more varied arrangements than have previously been seen from the brooding folksters.

Dekker, the band's diffident ringleader, believes the greater range of tempos and moods on Channels is due in part to a loosening of his creative reins. "On earlier records I had a clear vision of what I thought things should sound like and was very adamant about trying to match the outcome to what I heard in my head," he says. "With this one I gave up more of that creative control and allowed everyone to add their own unique creative touches."

The result is a brighter tone and a wider assortment of textures to augment Dekker's soul-searching lyrics. "Everyone understood that we were doing something a little bit different with Great Lake Swimmers songs," says Dekker. "But at the same time they were very mindful about the universe of the songs."

From the sweeping, melancholy splendour of the album's opening notes to the banjo-brushed heartache of the Carter Family cover that closes it, the Swimmers' universe is fraught with murky depths and perilous rapids. It's a course they've always navigated with quiet confidence. This time around they seem to have perfected their stroke.
Rachel Sanders

2. Neko Case Middle Cyclone (Anti-)
Expanding on the genre-bulging genius of Fox Confessor Brings the Flood, Ms. Case's Middle Cyclone levels most conventions expected of a country artist. A beautiful rumination on the conflicts between humanity and its host environment, Cyclone is also a master class in songwriting. Neko's stunning voice and clever lyrics are still the album's centrepiece, but atypical song structures, time signature manipulations, subtle psychedelic production experiments and fantastic instrumental interplay raise this effort into a class of its own. Middle Cyclone is a game-changing album that transcends all musical boundaries, standing proudly as one of the best records not only of the year, but also of the past decade.
Scott A. Gray

3. Deep Dark Woods Winter Hours (Black Hen)
Anyone calling this third album from Saskatoon's Deep Dark Woods sombre has completely missed the point. Singer/guitarist Ryan Boldt's tales of lost love, life and money are delivered with such weighty tones that "How Can I Try" and "Two Time Loser" merely sound like the consequences of an adventurous life. As most musicians are writing songs about the pain of turning 25, the Deep Dark Woods are more concerned about finding themselves 25,000 miles from home. Winter Hours showcases a band much too focused to look back in anger.
Daniel Sylvester

4. Timber Timbre (Out of This Spark)
Taylor Kirk comes on more Gene Vincent than Muddy Waters, but his work as Timber Timbre is haunted, harrowing blues where terror lurks in tension behind a smooth veneer. One is never sure if Kirk is the velvet voice of a seductive devil himself, or an honest man surrounded by spirits and faced with dire circumstance. With subtle shadings from violins, organs, plinking pianos and gospel choirs, Kirk takes you on a sparse, spooky and seductive late night drive to destinations unknown. Even the joyous, major-key moments are more like a weepy sigh of relief after the first sign of sunlight ends a lonely night of the soul.
Michael Barclay

5. Dan Mangan Nice, Nice, Very Nice (File Under: Music)
The songs that make up Vancouverite Dan Mangan's second LP Nice, Nice, Very Nice simply feel huge. The secret is Mangan's impassioned enthusiasm, as songs like "Road Regrets" nearly persuade you to drive across country, make new friends and dance madly on foreign beaches. Despite Mangan's best attempts to sound mysterious, Nice, Nice, Very Nice is a simple album; you comprehend precisely what songs like "Fair Verona" are about even if you've never uttered a word of English in your life.
Daniel Sylvester

6. Son Volt American Central Dust (Rounder)
Trumpeted as a return to the straightforward sound of the band's earlier output, this album instead showed that Jay Farrar's mindset is clearly focused on the present. Although several tracks addr - Exclaim! Magazine

"Then we rolled over to the Silver Dollar for a very refreshing surprise that goes by the name of Warped 45's. These unassuming, nice country boys in jeans and T's brought us back classic rock of the Tom Petty, Neil Young variety. Solid melodies and solid lyrics, remember when that's what good music was? They remind me of cottage nights in the woods around the campfire in Northern Ontario. This is the music of genuine heart and soul, at times they sounded like a happy Tom Waits, if that is possible. These guys are great musicians, I will be back for them." - CBC

Before you head to The Foggy Goggle this Monday, don't forget your wheatgrass and overalls-you're going to need them. Alt-country rockers The Warped 45s are playing Halifax for the first time, and these Ontarian boys have a rural sound that Maritimers will enjoy.

McEathron cousins Ryan and Dave are the lead songwriters of the band, bringing a clean, wholesome sound-think Steve Earle if he was born into the Canadian indie scene.

In an email interview, Ryan describes the band's music as "the back-porch soundtrack."

But this won't be an afternoon in the hammock. The band has never been one to lull its audience, and has the success to prove it: The warped 45s most recently received the Rogers Fan Choice Award, given to the act voted "best performance" by the thousands of showgoers at this year's North By Northeast festival in Toronto. But regardless of the buzz, their music remains rooted in simple ambitions.

"I would love for people to hear our music on a drive to the cottage or sitting on a back porch with friends and family," writes Ryan.

They rock the blue jeans and flannel shirts, sing poignant melodies about hubcaps and river streams, and if you feel like you may see a harmonica pulled out during the show, you'd be damn right. The show will consist of material from the band's upcoming album, 10 Day Poem for Saskatchewan, which is destined to become part of Canadian campfire sing-alongs.

"I don't think our grandmother would let us get away with any other style of music," Ryan explains. So its safe to say you'll walk away from the show with your clothes technically still on, but be prepared to get your pants metaphorically rocked off.

-Ryan Hemsworth - The Coast