The Carnations

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The Carnations
Origin Toronto, Ontario
Canada Flag of Canada
Genre(s) Indie rock
Years active 1995–2004
Label(s) MapleNationWide
Universal
Alphabetty Records
Ductape Records
Sycamore
Associated acts All Systems Go!
Andy Stochansky
Small Sins
Website http://www.thecarnations.com/
Members
Thomas D'Arcy (1995—2004)
Nathan Rekker (1996—2004)
Stephen Krecklo (1995—2004)
Patrick Conan (2001-2004)
Former members
Ian LeFeuvre

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. Their sound has been likened to other Canadian bands of the indie rock persuasion such as Thrush Hermit[1] and Sloan[2].


Contents

[edit] History

The first album, Superluminal, was released in 1997 and received favourable reviews in Toronto's Eye Magazine and the Toronto Star. One song, Bald Avenger, was selected for the CFNY New Rock Search CD in Toronto. D'Arcy was just sixteen years old, and Krecklo seventeen, not even old enough to play in a bar at the time, as the Canadian legal drinking age is at least 18.

In 1998, the band released a split seven inch single on Sycamore Records in Barrie, Ontario. The single was named one of the top ten of the year by NOW Magazine.

The Carnations' self-titled 2001 mini-CD was produced by Ian Blurton (producer of The Weakerthans). A small deal with a UK label called Alphabetty Records saw the release of the single, Scream & Yell. Record Collector Magazine called it "Single Of The Month", and the entire limited run of 1000 sold out in one year, almost entirely at live shows and through mail order.

At the time, new drummer Ian LeFeuvre kept his day job, D’Arcy joined All Systems Go! (Bad Taste Records), sharing singing and song writing responsibilities with John Kastner (ex-Doughboys), and Krecklo became a member of Andy Stochansky’s band (RCA Records). The self-titled album was completed a few months later and ready for release on Toronto’s Ductape Records, whose roster at the time included The Meligrove Band, Four Square, Dead Letter Dept., and The Moops.

D'Arcy has stated: "Although I don't consider [ Elvis Costello or The Pixies] to be direct influences on our music, I can definitely see how one might draw that comparison. For what it's worth, my favourite band is the Beatles."[3]

D'Arcy went on to form Small Sins in 2000, another indie rock act, which includes Stephen Krecklo in its live incarnation.

In early February of 2004, the band announced via their website that they would be dissolving, thanking their fans and stating that "unfortunately, all good things must come to an end eventually, so, this is the end."[4] The band performed one last show on February 28th, 2004 at Toronto's legendary Horseshoe Tavern, along with The I-Spies and The Cardiacs.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

  • 1997: Superluminal
  • 1999: A Return to Melody
  • 2001: The Carnations
  • 2003: In Good Time

[edit] 7" Singles

  • 1998: The Carnations / The Persuasion Split single
  • 2000: The Carnations / Nero Split single


[edit] External links

[edit] Media

[edit] References

  1. ^ EYE Magazine's "In Good Time" review 2003-09-29. Thomas D'Arcy. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
  2. ^ Toronto Star's Review of "In Good Time" 2003-10-03. Thomas D'Arcy. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
  3. ^ The Carnations. Thomas D'Arcy. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.
  4. ^ The Final Show. Thomas D'Arcy. Retrieved on 2007-09-28.