Weeping Tile (band)
Encyclopedia
Weeping Tile was a Canadian
rock band in the 1990s.
in 1993, when she was invited to fill in for the opening band at a Thomas Trio and the Red Albino concert in Ottawa
. Taking the name Weeping Tile from the pipes
that are placed around the foundations of homes to draw groundwater away from the building, she did the show as a duo with Joe Chithalen
on bass, and later added other musicians, Gord Tough on guitar and Chris Smirnios on drums, to round out the lineup.
The band released its debut effort, a seven-song cassette, in 1994, and was quickly signed to a major label. That cassette was re-released in 1995 with the title Eepee
, and in 1996 they released Cold Snap
, their first full-length album.
Between Eepee and Cold Snap, the band's line-up changed almost completely, leaving Harmer as the only original member. Chithalen was replaced by Harmer's sister Mary, Tough was replaced by Luther Wright, and Smirnios was replaced by Cam Giroux. Upon the departure of Mary Harmer, Spin the Susan alumnus Rebecca Henderson (a.k.a Sticky) was brought in on bass guitar. Her presence led to the formation of The Wadds, an alter-ego band which would perform after the Weeping Tile set was completed, usually with the musicians switching instruments. This gave Harmer the opportunity to demonstrate her versatility on the drums, and showcased Sticky as a bandleader and singer. Some live recordings of these performances are extant. The Wadds also recorded five songs but they were never released.
In 1997, they released their follow-up album, Valentino
. Although they were a popular draw on the live music circuit and a regular presence on campus radio
, Weeping Tile never broke through to mainstream success, and in 1998 they were dropped from their record label. Later that year they recorded another independent cassette, This Great Black Night
, but shortly afterward the band broke up.
Sticky partnered with Merrill Nisker
in a live project called The Shit, and later extended the thema of Weeping Tile and The Wadds in a group called Ass Machine. The latter group released three independent albums and was locally notorious for its on-stage aggressiveness, but no record deals ensued, despite having received media attention as a band worth watching during the 1999 NXNE Festival
. Sticky now plays bass with the bands Music Maul and Velvet Claws; Harmer covered "Silverado", a song by Music Maul's Trevor Henderson, on her 2010 solo album Oh Little Fire
.
Harmer went on to success as a solo artist, and Wright's new band, Luther Wright and the Wrongs
, attracted considerable attention with their album Rebuild the Wall
, a country music interpretation of Pink Floyd
's album The Wall
.
Although Weeping Tile have not recorded a new album as a unit since the breakup, they still sometimes play together on stage in Kingston, Ontario
, and sometimes perform on each other's solo recordings. They also recorded a cover of Rheostatics
' "Public Square" for the 2007 tribute album The Secret Sessions
, with both Wright and Harmer sharing vocal duties.
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...
rock band in the 1990s.
History
The band was started by singer-songwriter Sarah HarmerSarah Harmer
Sarah Harmer is a Canadian singer-songwriter and activist.-Biography:Born and raised in Burlington, Ontario, Harmer gained her first exposure to the musician's lifestyle as a teenager, when her older sister Mary started taking her to concerts by the well-known Tragically Hip. At the age of 17, she...
in 1993, when she was invited to fill in for the opening band at a Thomas Trio and the Red Albino concert in Ottawa
Ottawa
Ottawa is the capital of Canada, the second largest city in the Province of Ontario, and the fourth largest city in the country. The city is located on the south bank of the Ottawa River in the eastern portion of Southern Ontario...
. Taking the name Weeping Tile from the pipes
Weeping tile
A weeping tile is a porous pipe used for underground drainage. The pipe is typically plastic with small slits cut lengthwise into it. It is buried and surrounded by aggregate larger than the slits. The aggregate rocks prevent excessive soil from falling through the slits into the weeping tile...
that are placed around the foundations of homes to draw groundwater away from the building, she did the show as a duo with Joe Chithalen
Joe Chithalen
Francis Joseph Chithalen was a Canadian musician. He was a bassist for a number of bands in the Kingston music scene of the 1990s, most notably Weeping Tile, The Mahones, and Wild Blues Yonder....
on bass, and later added other musicians, Gord Tough on guitar and Chris Smirnios on drums, to round out the lineup.
The band released its debut effort, a seven-song cassette, in 1994, and was quickly signed to a major label. That cassette was re-released in 1995 with the title Eepee
Eepee
eepee was a 1994 EP by Weeping Tile. It was the band's first recording.Originally released independently, eepee was subsequently rereleased the following year after the band signed with Warner Music Canada.-Track listing:...
, and in 1996 they released Cold Snap
Cold Snap (album)
Cold Snap is a 1996 album by Weeping Tile. The band's first major label album, it features a somewhat more rock-oriented sound than the band's debut independent release.-Track listing:All songs written by Sarah Harmer# "Poked" – 2:59...
, their first full-length album.
Between Eepee and Cold Snap, the band's line-up changed almost completely, leaving Harmer as the only original member. Chithalen was replaced by Harmer's sister Mary, Tough was replaced by Luther Wright, and Smirnios was replaced by Cam Giroux. Upon the departure of Mary Harmer, Spin the Susan alumnus Rebecca Henderson (a.k.a Sticky) was brought in on bass guitar. Her presence led to the formation of The Wadds, an alter-ego band which would perform after the Weeping Tile set was completed, usually with the musicians switching instruments. This gave Harmer the opportunity to demonstrate her versatility on the drums, and showcased Sticky as a bandleader and singer. Some live recordings of these performances are extant. The Wadds also recorded five songs but they were never released.
In 1997, they released their follow-up album, Valentino
Valentino (album)
Valentino is a 1997 album by Weeping Tile. It was the band's second and final album for Warner Music Canada.-Track listing:All songs written by Sarah Harmer.# South of Me# Through Yr Radio# Unshaven# Judy G.# 2" # I'm Late# Old Perfume# I Repeat...
. Although they were a popular draw on the live music circuit and a regular presence on campus radio
Campus radio
Campus radio is a type of radio station that is run by the students of a college, university or other educational institution. Programming may be exclusively by students, or may include programmers from the wider community in which the radio station is based...
, Weeping Tile never broke through to mainstream success, and in 1998 they were dropped from their record label. Later that year they recorded another independent cassette, This Great Black Night
This Great Black Night
This Great Black Night is a 1998 EP by Weeping Tile.It was recorded following the band's departure from Warner Music Canada. It was sold only at live shows; the band toured that year as a supporting act for Ani DiFranco....
, but shortly afterward the band broke up.
Sticky partnered with Merrill Nisker
Peaches (musician)
Merrill Beth Nisker , better known by her stage name Peaches, is a Canadian electronic musician and performance artist who lives in Berlin, Germany. Her songs are noted for disregarding traditional gender norms and their use of sexually explicit lyrics...
in a live project called The Shit, and later extended the thema of Weeping Tile and The Wadds in a group called Ass Machine. The latter group released three independent albums and was locally notorious for its on-stage aggressiveness, but no record deals ensued, despite having received media attention as a band worth watching during the 1999 NXNE Festival
North by Northeast
North by Northeast is an annual five-day live music and film festival and music conference in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, held each June....
. Sticky now plays bass with the bands Music Maul and Velvet Claws; Harmer covered "Silverado", a song by Music Maul's Trevor Henderson, on her 2010 solo album Oh Little Fire
Oh Little Fire
Oh Little Fire is the fifth album by Canadian singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer, released in 2010. It is her first album of new material since 2005's Polaris Music Prize-nominated I'm a Mountain...
.
Harmer went on to success as a solo artist, and Wright's new band, Luther Wright and the Wrongs
Luther Wright and the Wrongs
-History:The band began as a side project for Wright when he was a member of Weeping Tile. When that band amicably parted ways following their 1998 recording This Great Black Night, the Wrongs became Wright's primary band. The band membership has shifted a number of times since its inception...
, attracted considerable attention with their album Rebuild the Wall
Rebuild the Wall
Rebuild the Wall is a 2001 album by Canadian alternative country band Luther Wright and the Wrongs. The album is a cover of Pink Floyd's progressive rock classic The Wall, reimagining each track as a bluegrass country song.-Track listing:...
, a country music interpretation of Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
's album The Wall
The Wall
The Wall is the eleventh studio album by English progressive rock group Pink Floyd. Released as a double album on 30 November 1979, it was subsequently performed live with elaborate theatrical effects, and adapted into a feature film, Pink Floyd—The Wall.As with the band's previous three...
.
Although Weeping Tile have not recorded a new album as a unit since the breakup, they still sometimes play together on stage in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
, and sometimes perform on each other's solo recordings. They also recorded a cover of Rheostatics
Rheostatics
Rheostatics was a Genie Award-winning Canadian indie rock band, active from 1980 to 2007.Although they had only one Top 40 hit, "Claire" in 1995, they were simultaneously one of Canada's most influential and unconventional rock bands, a band whose eclectic take on pop and rock music has been...
' "Public Square" for the 2007 tribute album The Secret Sessions
The Secret Sessions
The Secret Sessions is a tribute album to Canadian indie rock band Rheostatics, released March 16, 2007 through the web label Zunior. The album was released to coincide with the band's farewell show scheduled for March 30, and features Canadian indie rock artists performing Rheostatics songs...
, with both Wright and Harmer sharing vocal duties.