Counterparts (band)

Counterparts

Counterparts performing in Trier in 2014. From left to right: former bassist Eric Bazinet, drummer Kelly Bilan and vocalist Brendan Murphy.
Background information
Origin Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Genres Melodic hardcore, metalcore
Years active 2007 (2007)–present
Labels Victory, Verona, New Damage, Pure Noise
Associated acts Carrion, Snakecharmer
Website counterpartshc.com
Members Brendan "B" Murphy
Jesse Doreen
Kelly Bilan
Adrian Lee
Brian Kaczmarczyk
Past members Curtis Washik
Chris Needham
Ryan Juntilla
Alex Re
Eric Bazinet

Counterparts is a Canadian melodic hardcore[1] band formed in 2007 in Hamilton, Ontario. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Brendan "B" Murphy, guitarists Jesse Doreen and Adrian Lee, bassist Brian Kaczmarczyk and drummer Kelly Bilan. The band's two most recent albums, released through Victory Records, have received critical acclaim from Rock Sound and Exclaim! magazines.

History

Formation

Counterparts formed in Hamilton, Ontario[2] in 2007.[3] Counterparts consisted of vocalist Brendan "B" Murphy, guitarist Jesse Doreen, guitarist Curtis Washik, bassist Eric Bazinet, and drummer Ryan Juntilla. In mid-2009, Washik departed from the band, and Alex Re joined the band temporarily as their guitarist before becoming their permanent guitarist.[4][5] In March 2009 Counterparts toured Canada.[3] In 2010 Shane Told, from the band Silverstein, signed them to his Verona Records label.

Lead vocalist Brendan Murphy was featured on the song "The Artist" on Silverstein's fifth album, Rescue.[6] He also appeared in their music video.

Prophets (2007−10)

The band's debut album Prophets was released 23 February 2010 on label Verona Records. In 2010, Juntilla left the band, and was replaced by Chris Needham.[7] A split EP, featuring Needham on drums was released 21 November 2010 with Hardcore punk band Exalt.[3] The band toured North America in support of the album.[3][8]

The Current Will Carry Us (2011−12)

In spring of 2011, the band was signed to Victory Records. The band continued to tour until the summer of 2011, when they announced that they were recording a new album.[9] During this time, Needham left the band to see a speech therapist.[10] A search for their next drummer was started, but ultimately, Juntilla rejoined the band, just in time to start recording for their second album, The Current Will Carry Us. The Current Will Carry Us was released October 24, 2011 on Victory.[11] A music video was released for the song "Jumping Ship".[12][13]

Music critic Andrew Kelham, of Rock Sound magazine, gave a rating of 8 to the album. He called it "brilliant" and stated that The Current Will Carry Us "is a great first impression for the many who are yet to become acquainted with the Canadian melodic-yet-frenetic hardcore quintet." [14] Kiel Hume of Exclaim! magazine writes that Counterparts have the energy, talent, and attitude to wake up the genre. He states: "The Current Will Carry Us basically does that to a genre many people thought was on its last breath."[15]

Kyle Brownlee, formerly of Canadian deathcore band Majesty, filled in for Juntilla for the entirety of the band's Canadian headliner tour, later on in summer of 2012, it was announced that Juntilla departed from Counterparts because he no longer wanted to be a part of the band. In the same announcement, the band appointed Kelly Bilan, formerly of I Am Committing a Sin and Dead and Divine, to be his replacement. [16] Days after the announcement, bassist Eric Bazinet commented on his Tumblr page that Juntilla had left the band in February and most of the members have not spoken to him since then. He had left to pursue interests in a band he was in during Counterparts.[17] Bazinet added that on their last tour with Juntilla, "he was especially uninterested."[18]

The Difference Between Hell and Home and Re's and Bazinet's departure (2013−2015)

The bands latest album The Difference Between Hell and Home was released on July 24, 2013 to positive critical reception. A music video for the track "Witness" was posted ten days prior to the release of the album.

In late 2013, guitarist Alex Re posted on his personal Facebook page that he had left Counterparts and would be playing his last show with the band at their hometown show in December.[19] Adrian Lee replaces Re. Re left to pursue a career, and is studying Broadcast at Mohawk College. In 2014, bassist Eric Bazinet announced that after seven years, he was leaving the band to pursue a career, and to spend time with family.[20] After Basinet's departure, Blake Hardman from Hundredth filled in on bass for the band on the Fuck the Message Tour that was headlined by Stick to Your Guns. Shortly afterwards, the guitarist of Kills and Thrills, Brian Kaczmarczyk, joined on bass, becoming the only non-Canadian member of the band.

Tragedy Will Find Us (2015−present)

In the spring of 2015, vocalist Brendan Murphy announced in an interview that their latest album, Tragedy Will Find Us, is expected to be released in the summer of 2015.[21] On April 23rd, the band announced that they have signed to Pure Noise Records, and New Damage Records. Pure Noise will release their upcoming album in the U.S., while New Damage will release it in Canada. [22]

Band members

Current members
  • Brendan "B" Murphy – lead vocals (2007present)
  • Jesse Doreen – guitar (2007present)
  • Kelly Bilan – drums, percussion (2012present)
  • Adrian Lee – guitar (2013present)
  • Brian Kaczmarczyk – bass (2014present)

Former members
  • Curtis Washik – guitar (20072009)
  • Ryan Juntilla – drums, percussion (20072010; 20112012)
  • Chris Needham – drums, percussion (20102011)
  • Alex Re – guitar, backing vocals (20092013)
  • Eric Bazinet – bass (20072014)
Former touring members
  • Kyle Brownlee – drums, percussion (2012)

Timeline

Discography

Counterparts discography
Studio albums 4
Music videos 5
EPs 2
Singles 2

Studio albums

EPs

Music videos

See also

References

Citations
  1. Kraus, Brian (22 June 2014). "16 Modern Precursors Of Melodic Hardcore". Alternative Press. Retrieved 27 April 2015. Before the likes of Defeater, Touché Amoré, the Ghost Inside, Counterparts, Being As An Ocean and many more became the new faces of melodic, emotional hardcore, there were upperclassmen who were setting the stage.
  2. "Counterparts Artist Page". radio3.cbc.ca. CBC Radio 3. Retrieved 19 January 2012. External link in |work= (help)
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Bands » Counterparts » About". www.punknews.org. Punknews.org. Retrieved 19 January 2011. External link in |work= (help)
  4. "Counterparts". victoryrecords.com. Victory Records. Retrieved 19 January 2012. External link in |work= (help)
  5. "Counterparts » The Current Will Carry Us » Credits". allmusic.com. AllMusic. Retrieved 19 January 2012. External link in |work= (help)
  6. Harper, Kate (June 2, 2011). "Music Review » Silverstein — Rescue". Exclaim! (Toronto: Chart Communications). chartattack.com. ISSN 1198-7235. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  7. "November 2010 Update". Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  8. "Artists » Article » Counterparts » Bands & Artists - Counterparts". Rock Sound (London: Freeway Press). www.rocksound.tv. ISSN 1465-0185. OCLC 63197250. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  9. aubin (31 August 2011). "Counterparts to release 'The Current Will Carry Us'". www.punknews.org. Punknews.org. Retrieved 19 January 2011. External link in |work= (help)
  10. "Important July Update (MUST READ)". Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  11. "The Current Will Carry Us", worldcat.org (WorldCat), OCLC 754758595, retrieved 19 January 2012 External link in |periodical= (help)
  12. Smith, Roz (1 December 2011). "Albums » Counterparts » The Current Will Carry Us". The Aquarian Weekly (New Jersey: Diane Casazza; Chris Farinas). aquarian.com. ISSN 1067-5108. OCLC 27253154. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  13. aubin (13 October 2011). "Videos: Counterparts: "Jumping Ship"". www.punknews.org. Punknews.org. Retrieved 19 January 2011. External link in |work= (help)
  14. Kelham, Andrew (6 December 2011). "Album Reviews » Counterparts » The Current Will Carry Us". Rock Sound (London: Freeway Press). www.rocksound.tv. ISSN 1465-0185. OCLC 63197250. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  15. Hume, Kiel (24 October 2011). "METAL REVIEWS: » Counterparts The Current Will Carry Us". Exclaim! (Toronto: 1059434 Ontario Inc). www.exclaim.ca. ISSN 1207-6600. Retrieved 19 January 2012.
  16. Counterparts (23 July 2012). "Facebook - COUNTERPARTS.". {{URL|example.com|optional display text}}. Facebook. Retrieved 23 July 2012.
  17. "Counterparts part ways with drummer Ryan Juntilla". Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  18. "Before he did leave, did you guys have an inkling...". Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  19. "Alex Re - Just to set the record straight, I am no longer... - Facebook". Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  20. "After 7 years, 17 countries and several hundred...". Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  21. Counterparts Interview - New Album - Tragedy Will Find Us (Exclusive). YouTube. 17 April 2015. Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  22. "Welcome Counterparts to Pure Noise : Pure Noise Records". Retrieved 12 June 2015.
  23. 1 2 "Counterparts". Retrieved 12 June 2015.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Sunday, February 14, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.