Arkells

Arkells

Arkells in early 2014
Background information
Origin Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Genres Alternative rock
Years active 2006 (2006)present
Labels Universal Music Canada, Dine Alone
Website arkellsmusic.com
Members Max Kerman
Mike DeAngelis
Nick Dika
Tim Oxford
Anthony Carone
Past members Dan Griffin

Arkells are a Canadian rock band, formed in Hamilton, Ontario. In 2006, they signed with Dine Alone Records,[1] and have since signed with Universal Records Canada.[2] They have released four albums, two EPs and a number of singles that have charted in Canada. The band has won multiple Juno Awards, including one for their album High Noon in 2015.[3]

Arkells performing live in Buffalo, New York, during the summer of 2013

Band history

Arkells are an alternative rock band originally from Hamilton, Ontario. The band is named after Arkell Street in the Westdale neighbourhood of Hamilton, near McMaster University where they lived and would practice their music. All five original band members attended McMaster where Kerman graduated with an honours BA in Political Science. Kerman met guitarist Mike DeAngelis at a McMaster Welcome Week event where the two discovered they had an identical taste in music. [4] In late 2008, Arkells toured Canada as opening act for Matt Mays & El Torpedo.[5] Later that year, on November 22, they performed the halftime show at the Vanier Cup in their hometown.[6] In early 2009 they toured with Waking Eyes across Canada.[7] Arkells were featured on Aux.tv's Alt Sessions where they performed their full EP.[8]

On October 22, 2009, Arkells won a favourite new artist CASBY Award (short for Canadian Artists Selected by You) from Toronto radio station 102.1 The Edge at a ceremony and concert at Toronto's Kool Haus.[9] The band also performed at the event.[9]

The band has continued raising their profile and experiencing success in 2010. On April 18, 2010, Arkells won the Juno Award for New Group of the Year,[10] and on May 15, 2010, were hand-picked to open for Them Crooked Vultures at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto.

They also made headlines while playing a set at Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto after the 2010 Much Music Video Awards, when rapper Shad and pop singer Kesha joined them onstage to freestyle and sing along during a cover of Ms. Jackson by Outkast.[11] "Whistleblower" has also been used as the Intro Music to the 2011-2012 Calgary Hitmen hockey team and featured in EA Sports NHL 13 video game.

In 2011 the band wrote and recorded their second album Michigan Left, which was released on October 18 of that year. The first single, "Whistleblower", was released to iTunes on July 5, 2011. The band also released a second song, "Kiss Cam", on July 12. "Whistleblower" will be released as a 7" single, and "Kiss Cam" will serve as the single's B-side.[12]

Arkells performing at the Burlington Sound of Music Festival, June 2010

On 6 October 2011 it was announced that Dan Griffin would be leaving the band to go back to school.[13] He was replaced by Anthony Carone [13]

In 2012 Arkells won the 2012 Juno Award for Group of the Year.[14] The band has become known for performing spontaneous Motown cover sets, most recently at an Osheaga after party in Montreal, and while stranded in St. John's Newfoundland. In September 2012, the band played Jian Ghomeshi's "1982" book launch in Toronto. The band has also started a tradition of sending fans signed postcards and free downloads at Christmas.[15]

On April 7, 2014, Arkells released the first track, "Never Thought That This Would Happen" from their third album, which was produced by Tony Hoffer (Beck,The Kooks, M83). One month later, on May 13, the band released the album's first single "Come to Light", and confirmed the title of the record would be "High Noon". The record was released on Dine Alone/Universal Records, August 5, 2014.[16]

Arkells have become known for their extensive touring schedule. This has included American touring with Lights, Tokyo Police Club, The Postelles, X Ambassadors, and Lydia; European touring with Billy Talent, Augustines, British Sea Power, and Anti-Flag as well as Canadian touring with Metric, the Tragically Hip, Hollerado, Sam Roberts and numerous other Canadian bands.

At the Juno Awards of 2015, Arkells won the Juno Award for Group of the Year and the Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year. High Noon was also long listed for the Polaris prize in 2015. [17]

On October 23, 2015 the band released a new EP, “Study Music”’ which they self-produced and released on Universal Music Canada/Dine Alone Records. Arkells began teasing new material from their forthcoming album on tour in the spring of 2016. The fourth album, Morning Report was released on August 5, 2016.[18] The first single, "Private School", debuted on May 6 2016. The video features cameos from Lights, Dave Monks of Tokyo Police Club and Steve Jocz (formerly of Sum 41), who also directed the video.[19]

Band members

Past members

Discography

Albums

Release date Title Chart positions Label
CAN
[20]
2007 Deadlines EP Self-release
2008 Deadlines EP (digital re-issue) Dine Alone Records
October 28, 2008 Jackson Square
October 18, 2011 Michigan Left 5 Universal Music Canada[21]
August 5, 2014 High Noon 3 Universal Music Canada / Dine Alone Records
October 25, 2015 Study Music EP 55
August 5, 2016 Morning Report 3 Universal Music Canada / Last Gang Records

Singles

Year Song Peak Chart Positions Album
CAN
[22]
CAN
Alt

[23][24]
CAN
Rock

[25]
2008 "Oh, the Boss Is Coming!" 4 Jackson Square
2009 "Ballad of Hugo Chávez" 12
"Pullin' Punches" 14
2010 "John Lennon" 42
2011 "Whistleblower" 5 Michigan Left
"Michigan Left" 7
2012 "On Paper" 15
"Ticats are Hummin’" non-album single
2014 "Come to Light" 81 2 2 High Noon
"Never Thought That This Would Happen" 46
"Leather Jacket" 88 1 2
2015 "11:11" 12
2016 "Private School" 1 4 Morning Report
"Drake's Dad"
"My Heart's Always Yours" 4 10

References

  1. "Arkells biography". dinealonerecords.com. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  2. "Arkells Sign With Universal Music Canada". universalmusic.ca. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  3. "Arkells win twice at 2015 Junos in Hamilton". Retrieved 2016-08-10.
  4. "Arkells 'proud to be a Hamilton band' | McMaster Daily News". Dailynews.mcmaster.ca. 2010-05-10. Retrieved 2016-08-02.
  5. Nema, Pete (November 12, 2008). "Concert Review: Matt Mays & El Torpedo, Arkells". petenema.com. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  6. Rollo, Heather (November 17, 2008). "2008 Desjardins Vanier Cup packed with entertainment". vaniercup.ca. Archived from the original on November 24, 2008. Retrieved May 21, 2014.
  7. Harper, Kate. "Arkells and Waking Eyes Head West Archived January 29, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.", Chart Attack, 2009-01-19. Retrieved on 2009-01-31.
  8. "Arkells' "Michigan Left" remixed by Bad Biz, featuring members of Tokyo Police Club". AUX.TV. 2011-10-21. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  9. 1 2 Archived November 2, 2009, at the Wayback Machine.
  10. "Juno Awards 2010 Press Release" (PDF). Junoawards.ca. April 18, 2010. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  11. Archived June 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine.
  12. Archived March 25, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  13. 1 2 "A Band Update: Where's Dan?". Archived from the original on March 10, 2012. Retrieved October 19, 2011.
  14. Rockingham, Graham. "Hamilton's Arkells win big at Juno Awards gala". The Hamilton Spectator. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
  15. "Arkells - Timeline Photos". Facebook.com. 2012-12-10. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  16. Hudson, Alex (2014-05-13). "Arkells Unveil 'High Noon' LP, Premiere New Lyric Video". Exclaim.ca. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  17. Brophy, Aaron (2015-06-16). "2015 Polaris Music Prize Long List Is Here - Polaris Music Prize". Polarismusicprize.ca. Retrieved 2016-08-02.
  18. Slingerland, Calum (August 3, 2016). "Arkells Morning Report". Exclaim!. Retrieved 2016-08-10.
  19. West, Jenny. "How to Get Enrolled in The Arkells Private School | The Zone @ 91-3". www.thezone.fm. Retrieved 2016-08-10.
  20. "Arkells - Chart history (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved August 8, 2016.
  21. "Arkells Sign With Universal Music Canada | Universal Music Canada". Universalmusic.ca. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  22. "Canadian Hot 100 - Chart History: Arkells". Billboard. 2016-05-17. Retrieved 2016-05-17.
  23. "AMERICA'S MUSIC CHARTS powered by MEDIABASE". Americasmusiccharts.com. Retrieved 2015-06-19.
  24. Peaks in Alternative Rock:
  25. "Billboard.biz search: Canada Rock". billboard.com. Retrieved 3 May 2015.

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