| Attack in Black | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Welland, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Hardcore punk (early) Indie rock Folk rock |
| Years active | 2003–2010 |
| Labels | Skate Ahead, Dine Alone, You've Changed Records |
| Associated acts | City and Colour Shotgun Jimmie Daniel, Fred & Julie Grey Kingdom A Day and a Deathwish Daniel Romano Marine Dreams |
| Website | myspace.com/attackinblack |
| Members | |
| Daniel Romano Ian Romano Spencer Burton Ian Kehoe |
|
| Past members | |
| Matt Ellis Aaron Murphy |
|
Attack in Black was a Canadian indie rock band from Welland, Ontario. They first signed to Skate Ahead Records for their self-titled album debut in 2005. In spring 2006, they signed with Dine Alone Records. In late 2008 Ian and Daniel along with Steve Lambke (aka Baby Eagle) of the Constantines, formed their own label, You've Changed Records.
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The band members began their careers playing punk shows. The band immediately had a following in the Welland area, due to having performed in other local acts prior to Attack in Black's formation. Originally composed of brothers Ian and Daniel Romano, guitarist Spencer Burton, and bassist Aaron Murphy, the band recorded a self-titled EP themselves for Grimsby, Ontario label Skate Ahead Records. After its release in 2004, Murphy quit and was replaced by another Welland-area musician, Matt Ellis. Ellis did not stay in the band long, and was replaced by Ian Kehoe, who had previously been in a band with Burton. Kehoe immediately took on the job of writing most of the lyrics for the band. Solo artist Kendra Foord played keys with the band briefly, but left shortly before they toured western Canada due to creative differences.
Closely following the lineup change, Attack in Black toured to the west coast of Canada. Upon their return, they spoke with promoter Joel Carriere, who had just founded Dine Alone Records. He offered to sign them and put out their next EP, and, in early 2006, the band accepted. The four-song Widows EP resulted from this new agreement and was released September 16, 2006.[1]
When the time came to record their first full album, they went to Chemical Sound Studios in Toronto with Ian Blurton for a two-week session (the band's first and last studio & producer experience). Immediately upon completion of the recordings, Dine Alone insisted that the record did not meet their standards and the band was sent back to the studio with local producer Dan Weston.
The album, entitled Marriage, was released on July 31, 2007, coinciding with sold out record launch show at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto, Ontario. Three months following the release of Marriage the band also released the self-recorded album The Curve of the Earth. This record was written and recorded over two nights in Spencer Burton's sun room. It was recorded through a two input tape machine onto an 8 track recorder. Each member of the band sang three songs on the record. It was released on vinyl and digital download only. In 2008 it was released in Germany on the Zeitstrafe label[2].
While on tour with Ladyhawk and Shotgun Jimmie, the release of "Fall Tour Split" was sold. Released on Dine Alone Records on 7" vinyl only. "Fall Tour Split" featured songs by fellow tour-mates; Shotgun Jimmie and Ladyhawk.
Band members Daniel Romano and Ian Kehoe along with Constantines guitarist Steve Lambke started the You've Changed Records label in late 2008. The label's first release was a record by Shotgun Jimmie called Still Jimmie. It was recorded in the bands home studio and features all the members of Attack in Black as Jimmie's backup band.
The third album Years (by One Thousand Fingertips) was released on March 10, 2009 on Dine Alone Records. The album consists of 16 tracks recorded by the band.
Following this release was split LP with Baby Eagle, the solo project of Constantines guitarist Steve Lambke, in May 2009. released on You've Changed Records. Romano subsequently collaborated with Frederick Squire and Julie Doiron on the collaborative folk album Daniel, Fred & Julie, released December 1, 2009. He also released a solo album, Workin' for the Music Man, which was supported by a cross-Canada tour with Jason Collett. His newest solo effort, Sleep Beneath the Willow, was released on April 5, 2011 on You've Changed Records.
Guitarist Spencer Burton released Eulogy of Her and Her under his solo side project Grey Kingdom on March 1, 2011.
Bassist Ian Kehoe also performs as Marine Dreams.[3]
While their fourth album is complete, the band is currently on hiatus[4], with their final show having taken place on August 27, 2011 at the Mansion House in St. Catharines, ON with Diamond Rings.
In October 2011, Dine Alone Records and You've Changed Records re-released the Fake Love Songs tape with one bonus track.
| Date of Release |
Title | Label |
| 2005 | Attack in Black | Skate Ahead Records |
| 2006 | Widows EP | Dine Alone Records |
| 2007 | Northern Towns EP | Dine Alone Records |
| 2007 | Marriage | Dine Alone Records |
| 2007 | The Curve of the Earth | Dine Alone Records |
| 2008 | Fall Tour Split 7" | Dine Alone Records |
| 2009 | Years (by One Thousand Fingertips) | Dine Alone Records |
| 2009 | Attack in Black/Baby Eagle Split EP | You've Changed Records |
| 2009 | Fake Love Songs Tape | Self Released |
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "Young Leaves" | |
| 2008 | "Hunger of the Young" | |
| 2009 | "Beasts" | |
| "Liberties" |
| Year | Event | Won | Nominated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | CASBY Awards[5] | Favourite New Artist, NXNE Favourite New Indie Release (Marriage) |