Single Mothers has made a compelling case for bullshit. Not bullshit as in the self-serving act of using untruths for personal gain but rather how red flags, stacked odds and strike outs can somehow inspire a collective recklessness to keep at it.
For Single Mothers, bullshit came early. Its members were born throughout Ontario in the late 80s and early 90s, all to lower class families and many to single parent households. Some grew up on native reservations while others were raised by maternal grandparents. Some were the byproducts of one night stands. Some have 20 siblings. All ended up in London, ON – restless, frustrated and hungry to escape.
Founded by poet and vocalist Drew Thomson in 2008, the band began as a means for payback. However, due to Thomson’s short fuse and tendency to destroy equipment, Single Mothers quickly ran through 9 members. Known to fire his entire band outright- which he did in 2009- and to have two different versions of the band existing at the same time, Thomson would simultaneously dissolve the band and keep it going. At one point, the band even continued on without him.
Somehow the right characters fell into place. Guitarist Micheal Peterson was tricked into the band; originally joining as drummer before moving on to bass then guitar then front man before returning to guitar. Drummer Matt Bouchard joined but was fired after getting into a car accident (but was later reinstated), and bassist Evan Redsky came on board in between stints in the navy and theatre school.
What emerged was a very different band. They were dangerously explosive live and exuded a palpable tension that clearly bled into the music. Creating feral punk with rock ‘n’ roll sensibilities, Single Mothers exuded serious songwriting chops as evidenced by their penchant for melody, hooks and dynamics. Also noticeable was Thomson’s distinctive howl and clear enunciation of literary lyrics that are vignettes of small town
ennui and misguided bravado.
Overlooked by their hometown, the band quietly posted their final EP online and disbanded in early 2011. The S/T EP achieved a cult following and was later released by Deathwish’s Secret Voice in early 2012. Promoted on the strength of the band’s Christian Girls music video, the EP sold out in weeks.
In May 2012, the band decided to give it one last push: they quit their jobs, gave up their homes and procured a tour van through money willed to them by a deceased grandparent. Temporarily relocating to Montreal, they couch surfed and began writing their debut album, and practiced for the first time in a year. Despite little touring experience, they booked six weeks of shows across North America that summer then joined Title Fight on a 33 date North American tour last fall.
Kicking off 2013 by signing to Dine Alone Records in Canada and XL Recordings’s Hot Charity imprint for the rest of the world, Single Mothers aren’t resting on their laurels. This January, they’re supporting Quicksand on select North American dates before recording their debut album with The Bronx’s Joby J. Ford at his Big Game Lodge Studio in Los Angeles, California. Thereafter, Single Mothers will be supporting The Bronx across the UK this February before spending March touring the US east coast and playing SXSW.
While they haven’t put their differences aside, Single Mothers has accepted that all the bullshit, the tension and the incompatibility that has destroyed them at times has not only gotten them here but has motivated them to work even harder. And, if that’s to be believed then a ton of wrongs can lead to a right.
MERCY UNION: Four friends from New Jersey decided to come together over the past year in a basement. Over their countless meetings in the shadow of Manhattan in Jersey City, the four members of Mercy Union – Jared Hart (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Rocky Catanese (lead guitar), Nick Jorgensen (bass) and Benny Horowitz (drums) – pushed their creative limits through endless riffs and backbeats, and in the process, the band was born.
While navigating topics as heavy as the air in that tight basement, these musicians blended their individual styles into a unique and wistful sound that moves one’s soul. From the driving & sweeping centerpieces, “Young Dionysians” and “Silver Dollars,” to the dreamy, romantic twang of “Layovers,” The Quarry is influenced both by the timeless music of the band’s home state as it is the classic tradition of punk, soul and Americana music. There is something familiar about the music presented here; it’s not quite déjà vu or nostalgia but it harkens back to the music cherished during one’s formative years. The Quarry washes over you – it is nothing you’ve heard before and has the comfort you didn’t know you needed. Hart had the following to share about the album and what it represents to him:
“‘The Quarry’ embodies the human thought process. It represents the ability to look
at your life and memories from the outside, and hopefully gain some perspective.
These songs explore elements of worry, gratitude, loss, and self-worth. It’s a record I’ve been hesitant to approach until the right pieces fell into place.”
With an infinite number of miles under their collective belts, thanks in part to their previous projects which include The Gaslight Anthem, The Scandals, and Let Me Run, Mercy Union sought to road-test The Quarry immediately. In the months that followed the recording of the album, the band supported acts such as California’s Racquet Club (feat. members of Samiam, The Jealous Sound), John Nolan of Taking Back Sunday, The Menzingers and Dave Hause on various tours and one-off gigs.
SHY TOOTH (members of Polar Bear Club/Coming Down)
$15 adv, $20 at door (21+)
18+ w/ adv ticket
FEE FREE Tickets available at Needle Drop Records (21+)
8pm doors, 9pm music
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