In February, Hamilton’s Huron will set out on a string of Ontario tour dates alongside Toronto’s The Great Bloomers. The tour dates will support their debut full length self titled album, which came out in 2010 on Latent Recordings and was produced by Ian Blurton.
Huron were quick to gain recognition in Canada as every band’s favourite backing band. Often called on by the likes of Tom Wilson, The Cowboy Junkies, Shotgun Jimmie, The Great Lake Swimmers, and more, it’s easy to see why their impressive session playing resumes might over shadow the fact that in 2008 they came together to create one hell of a rock and roll band and helped to further define their hometown of Hamilton, Ontario as a burgeoning scene in Canada. Lucky for you, dear listeners, Huron’s output lands somewhere between completely familiar and completely unfamiliar rock and roll.
The Hamilton Spectator wrote in early 2010, “Catch Huron before they hit the big time” and shortly after the band was named a band to watch in the National Post. In an album review Exclaim! stated, “A powerful live force, Huron’s dynamic debut is rooted in country tones, but stands apart because of its unique amalgamation of rock riffage and pop finesse.” Their much buzzed about live show is not to be missed on these upcoming tour dates. Tour dates, bio, and more below.
DOWNLOAD hi-res media materials:
http://www.audiobloodmedia.com/?page_id=2475
VIEW Huron performing live in a warehouse:
http://vimeo.com/11155264
BIO
Huron: Riff Rock?
I am not a riff guy. I’ve never understood it. I’m aware of what heavy guitar riffs can do to people, though. They make some people bang their heads violently and get positively rowdy: all good things. But to me, riffs always felt repetitive, similar, and kind of boring.
But after hearing Huron’s new debut record - which takes equal cues from the likes of both Black Sabbath and Big Star - I finally get it. Let me explain this change of heart.
Cam Malcolm, Aaron Goldstein, Adam Melnick, and Pete Hall are four gentleman from Hamilton who are serious music-makers. Each one has an extensive and impressive musical resume, and their individual history is important in understanding why their self titled debut album, feels so fresh:
Cam is the most prolific songwriter I know. Sometimes prolific is used to describe quantity and not necessarily quality, but this is not the case with Cam’s songs; each one is top notch. He embodies the youthful spirit of Joel Plaskett and the musicality of Neil Young.
Aaron, or “the Good Reverend Overdrive” as he is often affectionately called, loves guitars. While he plays a prized vintage Gibson SG in Huron, his day job is behind the pedal steel guitar, and has quickly become the most sought after young studio musician in Canada. He has appeared on a pile of excellent albums, from rockn’stoner Ian Blurton to electro-duo the Junior Boys and has performed live with everyone from roots-rock heroes the Cowboy Junkies to the Arkells (when we’re lucky enough).
Pete fronted critically acclaimed, ethereal and introspective indie rockers A Northern Chorus. He has played side man to - among others - The Great Lake Swimmers and Julie Fader, and his workman-like attitude and has seen him on the road since he was 18.
Adam is a musician’s musician. The kind of player that can compliment any guitar-strumming songwriter, and has the type of musical skill that is the source of envy to everyone around. On a personal note, he will sit at the nearest piano and play “Martha My Dear” on command, and this makes me very happy.
When I heard that these four were getting together to start a band, I was immediately excited about the possibilities. All of them can play a slew of instruments (and very well), all of them can write, and all of them can grow beards (though Cam’s is questionable).
Cam’s “King and Country” reminds me of heavier, more badass version of the Beatles’ “Two of Us”. Aaron’s “Chicken Wing” is Cold Roses-era Ryan Adams. “The War Between” could stand up to any 90’s shoe-gaze classic.
While this collection of songs (produced by Ian Blurton) could win over any Sabbath fan (I think), they deeply connect with me: a lover of soul, folk, country, and pop. Their songs aren’t just riffs, they are accompanied by lyrics that are meaningful, verses I can groove to, and choruses I can sing a long with. With that said, when the heavy riff finally hits in the “Big Dig” at 3:25, it all comes together: only a pounding riff can provide that brand of physical release. Thank you, Huron: you’ve made riff-rock make sense. By: Max Kerman
TOUR DATES
Feb. 17 @ Jimmy Jazz, GUELPH (w/ The Great Bloomers)
Feb. 18 @ The Garrison, TORONTO (w/ The Great Bloomers)
Feb. 19 @ Call the Office, LONDON (w/ The Great Bloomers)
Feb. 22 @ Mansion House, ST. CATHARINES (w/ The Great Bloomers)
Feb. 23 @ The Historic Red Dog, PETERBOROUGH (w/ The Great Bloomers)
Feb. 24 @ The Mansion, KINGSTON (w/ The Great Bloomers)
Feb. 25 @ Cafe Dekcuf, OTTAWA (w/ The Great Bloomers)
Feb. 26 @ The Casbah, HAMILTON (w/ The Great Bloomers)
Mar. 18 @ The Townehouse, SUDBURY (w/ Shotgun Jimmie)
Mar. 19 @ Milards Garage, SUDBURY (w/ Shotgun Jimmie)
LINKS
http://huronmusic.ca
http://myspace.com/huronband
http://twitter.com/huronmusic
