The Reason (band)
Encyclopedia
The Reason is a Canadian rock
band, formed by Adam White and James Nelan in 2003.
) and James "Cubby" Nelan (guitar
) formed The Reason in late 2003 after the passing of their punk rock band, Sewing With Nancie. Eventually adding Erik Mikalauskas (guitar
), Cam Bordignon (drums
) and Sean Palmer (bass
), The Reason began to write songs and immediately released their first EP
- Problems Associated With Running. The band replaced Mikalauskas with Jeremy Widerman on guitar shortly afterwards, and went on tour {http://www.thereason.ca/newsite/tour.php}. They soon signed to Smallman Records & Management after the label witnessed the band performing a concert. In the 12 months that followed they played over 200 shows across Canada and the northern USA, and quickly developed poise well beyond their short existence.
They released their first full-length album, Ravenna, on Smallman Records in 2004, which helped them join tours with Alexisonfire
, Boys Night Out
, Murphy's Law
, No Use for A Name
and Strung Out
, and shows at CMW, Wakefest, Edgefest, and Wakestock. The album combined aggressive pop with punk that triggered comparisons to Grade
and early Get Up Kids
. According to Chart Magazine, The Reason had "sharpened their attack, tightened up arrangements and honed their harmonies to precision-drilled perfection"
In 2005, The Reason replaced Sean Palmer with Ronson Armstrong on bass and started work on their next release, patiently writing and recording songs over the next two years. They attracted the attention of Juno-winning producer Gavin Brown
(Billy Talent
, Three Days Grace
, Thornley
), who agreed to work with The Reason "as a labour of love" after hearing the demo
. With Brown's help, The Reason's album, Things Couldn't Be Better
, was released March 20, 2007.
At the end of September 2008, the band announced via myspace
that drummer Cam Bordignon had left the band during the writing process for FOOLS
, their upcoming record. The split was amicable and it was also announced that close friend Steve Kiely was to replace Cam as the new permanent drummer for The Reason.
The band recorded FOOLS at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, North Carolina in November 2008. The month-long experience had a rejuvenating effect on the band, partly because of the great locale and partly because of the work of producer Steven Haigler (The Pixies, Brand New
, Clutch
). Haigler played a pivotal role in developing the band's new sound, which steered away from its previous heavier style.
In 2010, the band parted ways with Smallman and are now managed by SRO/Anthem (Rush
, Thornley
).
They also said goodbye to guitarist Jeremy Widerman, who is now replaced by Michael Caputo.
FOOLS was released on August 24, 2010, as the band begins a cross-Canada tour.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band, formed by Adam White and James Nelan in 2003.
History
Adam White (vocalsSinging
Singing is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
) and James "Cubby" Nelan (guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
) formed The Reason in late 2003 after the passing of their punk rock band, Sewing With Nancie. Eventually adding Erik Mikalauskas (guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
), Cam Bordignon (drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
) and Sean Palmer (bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
), The Reason began to write songs and immediately released their first EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
- Problems Associated With Running. The band replaced Mikalauskas with Jeremy Widerman on guitar shortly afterwards, and went on tour {http://www.thereason.ca/newsite/tour.php}. They soon signed to Smallman Records & Management after the label witnessed the band performing a concert. In the 12 months that followed they played over 200 shows across Canada and the northern USA, and quickly developed poise well beyond their short existence.
They released their first full-length album, Ravenna, on Smallman Records in 2004, which helped them join tours with Alexisonfire
Alexisonfire
Alexisonfire was a five-piece, Juno-nominated post-hardcore band that formed in St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada in 2001. The band consisted of George Pettit , Dallas Green , Wade MacNeil , Chris Steele , and Jordan Hastings .They describe their music as "the sound of two Catholic high-school girls...
, Boys Night Out
Boys Night Out
Boys Night Out may refer to:* Boys Night Out , a Canadian emo/post-hardcore band** Boys Night Out , their self-titled album* Boys' Night Out , a 1962 comedy...
, Murphy's Law
Murphy's Law (band)
Murphy's Law is an American hardcore band from New York City, New York, formed in 1982. While vocalist Jimmy Gestapo remains the only founding member of the band, the line-up has consisted of former members of bands such as Skinnerbox, Danzig, The Bouncing Souls, Mucky Pup, Dog Eat Dog, Hanoi...
, No Use for A Name
No Use for a Name
No Use for a Name is a punk rock band from San Jose, California, United States formed in 1987 by Chris Dodge , Steve Papoutsis , Rory Koff and John Meyers...
and Strung Out
Strung Out
Strung Out is a Californian punk rock band from Simi Valley, California, formed in 1992. They are known mainly for their musical style, which fuses aspects of punk rock and heavy metal to form their primary sound. They have released seven albums on Fat Wreck Chords and appeared on numerous...
, and shows at CMW, Wakefest, Edgefest, and Wakestock. The album combined aggressive pop with punk that triggered comparisons to Grade
Grade (band)
Grade was a Canadian hardcore/emo group. Grade's first release was the Grade/Believe split which was released in 1994 on a small Canadian label - Workshop Records. And Such Is Progress followed in 1997 and Separate the Magnets was released in 1998, earning them critical praise and high profile...
and early Get Up Kids
The Get Up Kids
The Get Up Kids are an American alternative rock band from Kansas City, Missouri. Formed in 1995, the band was a major player in the mid-90's emo scene, otherwise known as the "second wave" of emo music...
. According to Chart Magazine, The Reason had "sharpened their attack, tightened up arrangements and honed their harmonies to precision-drilled perfection"
In 2005, The Reason replaced Sean Palmer with Ronson Armstrong on bass and started work on their next release, patiently writing and recording songs over the next two years. They attracted the attention of Juno-winning producer Gavin Brown
Gavin Brown (musician)
Gavin "Golden" Brown is a multi-platinum, multi-Juno Award-winning Canadian record producer, songwriter, and musician.Brown is based in Toronto, Canada and Los Angeles, California. Having worked with a variety of acts, Gavin is best known for both his ability to develop and break young artists,...
(Billy Talent
Billy Talent
Billy Talent is a Canadian post-hardcore band from Streetsville, Ontario. They formed in 1993 with Ben Kowalewicz as the lead vocalist, Ian D'Sa on lead guitar, bassist Jon Gallant and drummer Aaron Solowoniuk ....
, Three Days Grace
Three Days Grace
Three Days Grace is a Canadian rock band, formed in Norwood, Ontario, Canada in 1992, originally under the name Groundswell. After a breakup in late 1997, the band regrouped in the same year under its current name and with a line-up consisting of guitarist and lead vocalist Adam Gontier, drummer...
, Thornley
Thornley (band)
Thornley is a Canadian post-grunge/hard rock band formed by Ian Thornley in 2002. The band was started when Ian Thornley returned to Toronto after the breakup of his earlier band, Big Wreck. With the help of Chad Kroeger of Nickelback, Thornley signed on to Kroeger's 604 Records...
), who agreed to work with The Reason "as a labour of love" after hearing the demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
. With Brown's help, The Reason's album, Things Couldn't Be Better
Things Couldn't Be Better
Things Couldn't Be Better is the second studio album by Canadian rock band The Reason. The song "We're So Beyond This" features guest vocals by Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara.-Track listing:#"My Broken Legs"#"This Is Just The Beginning"#"All I Ever Wanted"...
, was released March 20, 2007.
At the end of September 2008, the band announced via myspace
Myspace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
that drummer Cam Bordignon had left the band during the writing process for FOOLS
FOOLS (album)
FOOLS is the third studio album by Canadian rock band The Reason.-Track listing:#"Come & Go"#"Where Do We Go From Here"#"Run"#"Cry Like The Rain"#"That's All I Know"#"The Ending Of Us All"#"Dogs"#"Work With Me"#"I'll Be Around"#"My Love Is Gone"...
, their upcoming record. The split was amicable and it was also announced that close friend Steve Kiely was to replace Cam as the new permanent drummer for The Reason.
The band recorded FOOLS at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, North Carolina in November 2008. The month-long experience had a rejuvenating effect on the band, partly because of the great locale and partly because of the work of producer Steven Haigler (The Pixies, Brand New
Brand New
Brand New is an American rock band from Long Island, New York. Formed in 2000, the band currently consists of vocalist/guitarist/lyricist Jesse Lacey, guitarist/vocalist/lyricist Vincent Accardi, bassist Garrett Tierney, drummer Brian Lane, and guitarist/keyboardist Derrick Sherman.In the late...
, Clutch
Clutch
A clutch is a mechanical device which provides for the transmission of power from one component to another...
). Haigler played a pivotal role in developing the band's new sound, which steered away from its previous heavier style.
In 2010, the band parted ways with Smallman and are now managed by SRO/Anthem (Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
, Thornley
Thornley (band)
Thornley is a Canadian post-grunge/hard rock band formed by Ian Thornley in 2002. The band was started when Ian Thornley returned to Toronto after the breakup of his earlier band, Big Wreck. With the help of Chad Kroeger of Nickelback, Thornley signed on to Kroeger's 604 Records...
).
They also said goodbye to guitarist Jeremy Widerman, who is now replaced by Michael Caputo.
FOOLS was released on August 24, 2010, as the band begins a cross-Canada tour.
Band members
- Adam White - VocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with... - James Nelan - GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, VocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
, KeysKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments... - Michael Caputo - GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Ronson Armstrong - BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, VocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Chris Henry - DrumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Former members
- Jeremy Widerman – Guitar (2004–2010)
- Cam Bordignon – Drums (2004–2008)
- Sean Palmer – Bass (2003–2005)
- Erik Mikalauskas – Guitar (2003–2004)
- Joe "Juice" Deumars – Drums (2002–2004)
- Steve Kiely – Drums (2008-2011)
EPs
- Silence Is Bliss (2002) (Recorded during the transition from "Sewing With Nancie" to "The Reason")
- Problems Associated With Running (2003)
Full Lengths
- RavennaRavenna (album)Ravenna is the first studio album by Canadian rock band The Reason and was released on September 13, 2004.- Track listing :#"Reclaiming The Throne"#"The Joke and the Gentleman"#"A Timeless Classic"#"Papercuts and Exit Wounds"#"150"...
(2004) - Things Couldn't Be BetterThings Couldn't Be BetterThings Couldn't Be Better is the second studio album by Canadian rock band The Reason. The song "We're So Beyond This" features guest vocals by Sara Quin of Tegan and Sara.-Track listing:#"My Broken Legs"#"This Is Just The Beginning"#"All I Ever Wanted"...
(2007) - FOOLSFOOLS (album)FOOLS is the third studio album by Canadian rock band The Reason.-Track listing:#"Come & Go"#"Where Do We Go From Here"#"Run"#"Cry Like The Rain"#"That's All I Know"#"The Ending Of Us All"#"Dogs"#"Work With Me"#"I'll Be Around"#"My Love Is Gone"...
(2010)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot 100 | Modern Rock Tracks Modern Rock Tracks Alternative Songs is a music chart in the United States that has appeared in Billboard magazine since September 10, 1988. It lists the 40 most-played songs on modern rock radio stations, most of which are alternative rock songs... |
|||
| 2005 | "150" | - | - | Ravenna |
| 2007 | "All I Ever Wanted" | - | - | Things Couldn't Be Better |
| 2007 | "This is Just the Beginning" | - | - | |
| 2007 | "We're So Beyond This" | - | - | |
| 2010 | "The Longest Highway Home" | - | - | Fools |
Trivia
- Their official video for 'We're So Beyond This' features Sara Quin of Tegan and SaraTegan and SaraTegan and Sara are a Canadian indie band composed of identical twin sisters Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Keirsten Quin . Both Tegan and Sara play guitar and keyboard and write songs.-History:...
, who contributed vocals to the song.
Interviews
- Interview With The Reason at Virgin Festival 2007- From Toronto Music Scene