The Watchmen (band)
Canadian rock band
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The Watchmen are a Canadian rock band. They were one of the most commercially successful bands in Canada in the mid to late 1990s. During their peak years, the band had one platinum record (In the Trees) and three more gold records (McLaren Furnace Room, Silent Radar,[1] and Slomotion). The band has toured Canada a number of times, were the opening act for The Tragically Hip, and co-headlined a national tour with Big Wreck.
The Watchmen | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Genres | Rock, alternative rock |
| Years active | 1988–2003, 2008–present |
| Labels | MCA (1991–1996), EMI (1997–2002) |
| Members | Daniel Greaves Joey Serlin Ken Tizzard Sammy Kohn |
| Past members | Pete Loewen Grant Page |
History
The Watchmen first came together in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1988. Founding members were Daniel Greaves, Joey Serlin, Sammy Kohn, and Pete Loewen.[2] After performing together for several years, they released their debut album, McLaren Furnace Room, in 1992.[3]
In 1994, Loewen left the band and was replaced by Ken Tizzard. That same year, the band released their second album, In the Trees. The album was certified Platinum in Canada and is the band's most successful album to date.
The band released the albums Brand New Day and Silent Radar in 1996 and 1998, respectively.
In 1999, the band performed as part of Humble & Fred Fest at Fort York in Toronto.[4] Kohn had left the band when they recorded their 2001 album Slomotion; the percussion tracks were created electronically.[5][6] A single from the album, "Absolutely Anytime" was in the Top Ten on the Canadian charts for several weeks.[7] While touring to support the album, the band took on drummer Ryan Ahoff.[8]
In 2003, the Watchmen announced their farewell tour and their intention to disband.[9] They returned to Winnipeg to perform at a fundraiser for the Israel national bobsleigh team.[10]
In 2010, the Watchmen came together for a reunion show at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto.[11] They have since continued to perform occasional shows across Canada. In May 2023, Daniel Greaves and Joey Serlin (working as Serlin Greaves) released an album entitled Sad Songs For Sale.
The Watchmen are members of the Canadian charity Artists Against Racism.[12]
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Peak chart positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN [13][14] |
AUS [15] |
CAN [16] | ||
| 1992 | McLaren Furnace Room | – | – | Gold |
| 1994 | In the Trees | 32 | – | Platinum |
| 1996 | Brand New Day | 37 | – | |
| 1998 | Silent Radar | 28 | 68 | Gold |
| 2001 | Slomotion | 6 | – | Gold |
Live albums
- Live Radar (1998)
- Last Road Trip Download Series (2004)
- Live and in Stereo (2017)
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak Chart Position | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN [17] |
CAN Alt [18] |
CAN Content (Cancon) [19] |
AUS [15] | |||
| 1992 | "Cracked" | 87 | – | 2 | – | McLaren Furnace Room |
| "Run and Hide" | – | – | – | – | ||
| 1993 | "Must to Be Free" | – | – | 8 | – | |
| 1994 | "Boneyard Tree" | 29 | – | – | – | In the Trees |
| "Wiser" | 74 | – | – | – | ||
| "All Uncovered" | 23 | – | 5 | – | ||
| 1995 | "Lusitana" | 65 | – | – | – | |
| 1996 | "Incarnate" | 26 | 10 | – | – | Brand New Day |
| "Shut Up" | 48 | – | – | – | ||
| "Zoom" | – | 24 | – | – | ||
| 1998 | "Stereo" | – | 5 | – | 51 | Silent Radar |
| "Any Day Now" | 39 | 3 | – | – | ||
| "Say Something" | 45 | – | – | – | ||
| 1999 | "Brighter Hell" | – | – | – | – | |
| 2001 | "Absolutely Anytime" | – | – | – | – | Slomotion |
| 2002 | "Holiday (Slow It Down)" | – | – | – | – | |
| "Slomotion" | – | – | – | – | ||