Thomas D'Arcy
Encyclopedia
Thomas D'Arcy, is a Canadian
singer and songwriter born in Guernsey
, Channel Islands
. He has been part of such bands and indie rock acts as The Carnations
, All Systems Go!
, Small Sins
(formerly known as The Ladies and Gentlemen), Another Blue Door, The I-Spies and The Suspenders, among others.
, Ontario
in 1981, and in 1994, when he was 15 years old he learned to play the bass guitar
. In 1995, he formed a band called Pseudonym with three other high school friends, which would later transform into The Carnations
, of which D'Arcy was the lead singer and principal songwriter. They played in nightclubs they were not yet old enough to get into (due to the legal drinking age in Ontario being 19) and turned their love of bands like Weezer
, Supergrass
, Buzzcocks
and Television
into a power pop sound all their own.
In 2000, John Kastner
(ex-Doughboys) saw The Carnations play a show at Toronto's Horseshoe Tavern
, and later invited D'arcy to join his new band, All Systems Go!
, which he accepted. He also continued to play in The Carnations, as well as a band called Another Blue Door.
In 2001, D'Arcy conceived Small Sins
(formerly known as The Ladies and Gentlemen) as a self-contained solo unit. A veteran of the vital Toronto
indie scene, D'Arcy was burning out on the band dynamic's pseudo-democracy, wanting to take more of the reigns himself. As a result, D'Arcy not only sang and played nearly every instrument on the Small Sins' debut, but also wrote, produced, and recorded it almost entirely on his own. When he put together a touring band he called on four exceptional musicians - Steve Krecklo (fellow member of The Carnations) on guitar, banjo, and keyboards as well as Todor Kobakov on keyboards, Brent Follett on drums, and Kevin Hilliard on percussion and handclaps.
The Carnations called it quits, announcing on their website that they would be dissolving, in 2004. Thomas D'Arcy continues to record under the Small Sins moniker.
D'Arcy has also been a DJ at Toronto's Cloak & Dagger pub, a producer, and a student of philosophy.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
singer and songwriter born in Guernsey
Guernsey
Guernsey, officially the Bailiwick of Guernsey is a British Crown dependency in the English Channel off the coast of Normandy.The Bailiwick, as a governing entity, embraces not only all 10 parishes on the Island of Guernsey, but also the islands of Herm, Jethou, Burhou, and Lihou and their islet...
, Channel Islands
Channel Islands
The Channel Islands are an archipelago of British Crown Dependencies in the English Channel, off the French coast of Normandy. They include two separate bailiwicks: the Bailiwick of Guernsey and the Bailiwick of Jersey...
. He has been part of such bands and indie rock acts as The Carnations
The Carnations
The Carnations were a Canadian indie rock band started in 1995 by Thomas D'Arcy on lead vocals and bass, and Steve Krecklo on vocals and guitar. It expanded in 1996 to include Nathan Rekker on guitar and vocals, and later Patrick Conan on drums.-History:...
, All Systems Go!
All Systems Go!
All Systems Go! is a Canadian punk rock group, and features members of Big Drill Car, Doughboys, the Asexuals and The Carnations. The band was formed after Frank Daly and Mark Arnold's previous band Big Drill Car broke up in 1995 and John Kastner's and Peter Arsenault's previous band The Doughboys...
, Small Sins
Small Sins
Small Sins is the Toronto-based indie rock act of Thomas D'Arcy, former member of The Carnations. The Small Sins were once known as The Ladies and Gentlemen, but due to legal reasons they had to change their name...
(formerly known as The Ladies and Gentlemen), Another Blue Door, The I-Spies and The Suspenders, among others.
Career
D'Arcy's family immigrated to TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
in 1981, and in 1994, when he was 15 years old he learned to play the bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
. In 1995, he formed a band called Pseudonym with three other high school friends, which would later transform into The Carnations
The Carnations
The Carnations were a Canadian indie rock band started in 1995 by Thomas D'Arcy on lead vocals and bass, and Steve Krecklo on vocals and guitar. It expanded in 1996 to include Nathan Rekker on guitar and vocals, and later Patrick Conan on drums.-History:...
, of which D'Arcy was the lead singer and principal songwriter. They played in nightclubs they were not yet old enough to get into (due to the legal drinking age in Ontario being 19) and turned their love of bands like Weezer
Weezer
Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
, Supergrass
Supergrass
Supergrass was an English alternative rock band from Oxford. The band consisted of brothers Gaz and Rob Coombes , Mick Quinn and Danny Goffey ....
, Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks
Buzzcocks are an English punk rock band formed in Bolton in 1976, led by singer–songwriter–guitarist Pete Shelley.They are regarded as an important influence on the Manchester music scene, the independent record label movement, punk rock, power pop, pop punk and indie rock. They achieved commercial...
and Television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
into a power pop sound all their own.
In 2000, John Kastner
John Kastner
John Kastner is a Canadian musician and composer born in Beaconsfield, Quebec. He is well known as the singer for Montreal hardcore punk band the Asexuals as well as singer-guitarist for Montreal alternative band Doughboys and alternative band All Systems Go!....
(ex-Doughboys) saw The Carnations play a show at Toronto's Horseshoe Tavern
Horseshoe Tavern
The Horseshoe Tavern is a concert venue located at 370 Queen Street West in downtown Toronto, and has been in operation since 1947. Owned by "JC", Ken Sprackman, Craig Laskey and Naomi Montpetit, the venue is a significant part of Canadian musical lore...
, and later invited D'arcy to join his new band, All Systems Go!
All Systems Go!
All Systems Go! is a Canadian punk rock group, and features members of Big Drill Car, Doughboys, the Asexuals and The Carnations. The band was formed after Frank Daly and Mark Arnold's previous band Big Drill Car broke up in 1995 and John Kastner's and Peter Arsenault's previous band The Doughboys...
, which he accepted. He also continued to play in The Carnations, as well as a band called Another Blue Door.
In 2001, D'Arcy conceived Small Sins
Small Sins
Small Sins is the Toronto-based indie rock act of Thomas D'Arcy, former member of The Carnations. The Small Sins were once known as The Ladies and Gentlemen, but due to legal reasons they had to change their name...
(formerly known as The Ladies and Gentlemen) as a self-contained solo unit. A veteran of the vital Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
indie scene, D'Arcy was burning out on the band dynamic's pseudo-democracy, wanting to take more of the reigns himself. As a result, D'Arcy not only sang and played nearly every instrument on the Small Sins' debut, but also wrote, produced, and recorded it almost entirely on his own. When he put together a touring band he called on four exceptional musicians - Steve Krecklo (fellow member of The Carnations) on guitar, banjo, and keyboards as well as Todor Kobakov on keyboards, Brent Follett on drums, and Kevin Hilliard on percussion and handclaps.
The Carnations called it quits, announcing on their website that they would be dissolving, in 2004. Thomas D'Arcy continues to record under the Small Sins moniker.
D'Arcy has also been a DJ at Toronto's Cloak & Dagger pub, a producer, and a student of philosophy.
Small Sins
- 2006: Small SinsSmall Sins (album)Formerly known as The Ladies and Gentlemen, Small Sins' debut is now remastered, including a new bonus track. Small Sins is a project from former Carnations member Thomas D'Arcy.-Track listing:#"Won't Make It Easier"#"Threw It All Away"#"Stay"...
- 2007: Mood Swings
- 2007: The Mellow EP
- 2010: Pot Calls Kettle Black
The Carnations
- 1997: Superluminal
- 1998: The Carnations / The Persuasion Split single 7"
- 1999: A Return to Melody
- 2000: The Carnations / Nero Split single 7"
- 2001: The Carnations
- 2003: In Good Time