United Steel Workers of Montreal:The Band


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The United Steel Workers of Montreal View USWM's EPK :: Press Clippings Montreal's beloved six-piece, THE UNITED STEEL WORKERS OF MONTREAL, have wowed audiences from coast to coast with the infectious draw of their unique brand of blue-collar alt-country. A potent mix of blues, jazz, country and swing, The USWM’s live performances are filled out with dry wit, tall tales and some outright lies. Dancing is optional but hard to avoid. Following in the wake of their critically acclaimed albums, Broken Trucks and Bottles and Kerosene & Coal, THREE ON THE TREE sees the band branching out from their earthy, acoustic-country-punk roots to experiment with gospel (Jesus We Sweat), historical ballads (Mary Gallagher), Spanish horn arrangements (Glen Jones) and thundering premonitions of death (Three Hard Knocks). Lead singer Gern f., guitarist Shawn 'Gus' Beauchamp and electric guitar master Matthew Watson each pour a diverse helping of tunes into the mélange. Rockabilly bassist Eddy Blake and banjo/mandolin player Chris Reid's combined upbeat, energetic stylings give the album an unmistakable pop and swing. Huge in heart, narrative scope and emotion, THREE ON THE TREE swoops down over the industrial grimness of Shot Tower sashaying through the street-level social turbulence of What a Riot and peers into a delicate room where lead singer Felicity Hamer's velvety vocals balance the melody of Little Girl like a frail tea-cup on her saucer. All of the most loved conventions of The USWM's previous work are represented, from the stirring rallying cries of Rise Up and The Line to light hearted foot stomping romps like Making Babies and Lorelei. The United Steel Workers of Montreal were voted Montreal’s #1 Folk/Roots Band and #2 Best Live Act, and have been recorded live by CBC Radio 1, 2 and 3. The band has been receiving critical acclaim, playing SXSW, NXNE, CMW, Pop Montreal, Toronto International Film Festival, Festival de musique émergente, Quebec City’s 400th anniversary, Ottawa Bluesfest. Berlin’s Popkomm, Nancy France Jazz Festival and received nominations for the Quebec Independent Music Awards and the MIMIs. They have released two stunning videos for Émile Bertrand and Meaner than You. THREE ON THE TREE will be unleashed upon a rapidly swelling international audience, all hungry to hear more, and will see the band touring extensively across Canada, the US and Europe. * * * * * * * AWARDS 2008 USWM Nominated for GAMIQ and MIMI awards 2008: The Mirror's Best of Montreal places The USWM as #3 for Best Musical Acts and #1 for Best Country/Folk Act. 2007: The Mirror's Best of Montreal places The USWM as #3 for Best Country/Folk Acts. 2006: Best Musical Acts #6. CHARTS • CBC Radio - Top 30 Charts • #5 !Earshots Folk/Blues/Roots National Radio Charts • !Earshots National Radio Charts Top 100 Chart PRESS CLIPPINGS The USWM are the quintessential Montreal band...one of the best, hardest working and most loved bands in the city. Possessing a blue-collar charm that's impossible to fake and a punk-country sound impossible to mistake HOUR read more Their live gigs have achieved a legendary cult-like status…they sing about you and me, and to you and me. It’s real, it’s about a good time, it’s about life. Nightlife Magazine read more The thing I like most about the album is how adaptable the band is. ...the rage [Felicity] sings with on Glen Jones ...[the way] Gern is able to control his gravelly pipes on the lovely duet The Line...those moments are what transforms the United Steel Workers of Montreal from another fantastic bar band not to miss into a complete band that packs a record full of surprises. HEROHILL read more It doesn't take long to realize that USWM is doing something different than most bands out there. The lead vocals are unique and the harmony vocals are outstanding. antiMUSIC read more Breathtaking harmonies, strings, and banjo ...can make you stomp a hole into the dance floor on one track ...and hold your girl tight as you sway to the next. Herohill read more The USWM eat the crowd with a raucous country-marries-urban-roots set. After Felicity's sass has met Gern's grit, a vocal shot of Tom Waits if he'd been born in a motel in the Ozarks, you are feeling that familiar flush of pride and thinking "we've done it again." Because USWM are indeed from Montreal. The Gazette read more The hoot-and-holler meter went highest when the United Steel Workers of Montreal thundered through a set of "Citygrass" music. Brad Wheeler, Globe and Mail read more When you convince people to slow dance in the middle of the room, you pretty much rule. Matt Semansky , Chartattack read more Six-pack of Canadian: top 6 bands to see during Canadian Music Week Vit Wagner , The Toronto Star read more *Critic's Pick: Front-porch casual approach to picking, Broken Trucks and Bottles* has no shortage of closing-time charm Tim Perlich, NOW read more Men at work; Modern bluegrassers, United Steel Workers of Montreal come by hard-times image honestly. Jason Schneider, The Record read more USMW deliver the genuine country-blues goods James Sandham, Spill Magazine read more United Steel Workers Of Montreal kick sweet honkytonk butt Mary Dickie,** Toronto Sun read more A gem of a disc and one helluva debut Bob Klanac, Scene Magazine read more A unique addition to the Montreal music scene Dave Gossage, Tüna: read more A must have! Indigo Books and Music: read more This album is magic Jonas read more An important piece of the Montreal roots music scene Matthew Large, Notre Dame de Grass read more Spirited bluegrass and old-timey twang is hard to resist Jordan Zivitz, The Montreal Gazette read more Top
		THE BAND Gern f Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Harmonica Felicity Hamer Lead Vocals, Accordion, Higher Math Matt Watson Tele, Mandolin, Banjo, Backing Vocals Shawn ‘Gus’ Beauchamp Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Mandolin, Tele, Pig Harmonies Eddy Blake Stand up Bass, Backing Vocals Chris Reid Mandolin, Banjo, Backing Vocals HOME

		-- The UHW Studio Is an independent recording studio that Gern f. built around around The United Steel Workers of Montreal’s debut album, Broken Trucks and Bottles. He designed the UHW Studio with the aim to provide recording opportunities for local independent bands. Since then, a number of successful recording projects have been launched out of the studio by many of the same Montreal bands The USWM has played alongside in the Montreal music scene.
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