Single Mothers (band)
| Single Mothers | |
|---|---|
| Origin | London, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Punk rock, post-hardcore, alternative rock |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | Hot Charity, Dine Alone, Secret Voice |
| Website |
singlemothersgang |
Single Mothers is a Canadian punk rock band based in London, Ontario that formed in 2008.[1] The band released its debut studio album Negative Qualities in 2014.
History
Canadian Andrew Thomson formed Single Mothers in 2008 after a break up. The band released two EPs in its early years, Wild Party in 2010 and Single Mothers in 2011, the latter of which was released though Secret Voice — an imprint of Jacob Bannon's Deathwish Inc. founded by Jeremy Bolm of Touché Amoré. Its self-titled EP was promoted with music videos for "Christian Girls" and "Baby".[2][3] Single Mothers headlined a US tour in June–August 2012[4] and supported Pianos Become the Teeth and Title Fight in October–November 2012.[5]
Thomson quit Single Mothers in 2011 to mine for gold in Swastika, Ontario.[6] His father noticed that his son was "drinking too much and hanging with the wrong people in [London, Ontario]," and proposed the idea that he should prospect for gold with his extended family instead. Thomson commented: "I was going to go up there for only a couple months, but I ended up loving it and stayed for three years."[6] During his time away from the band, Thomson also started writing and recording some solo material. In 2013, he released a four-song EP titled Honesty is a Confidence Problem through Secret Voice,[7] and a two-song self-titled EP (under the name Drew Thomson) through No Sleep Records in 2014.[8] Though he later returned to Single Mothers, he intends to continue his solo career and mine for gold.[6][7]
In 2013, Thomson reunited with Single Mothers and the band began working on its debut studio album. The members teamed up with producer Joby J. Ford of the punk rock band The Bronx and initially recorded at his own Big Game Lodge Studio in Los Angeles, California, but later recorded in Toronto, London and New York.[1][9] The band also toured North America in support of Quicksand's reunion tour in January 2013, the UK in support of The Bronx in February 2013, various US dates in March 2013[1] and the east coast US with A Wilhelm Scream.[10] After two years of work, Single Mothers released its debut studio album Negative Qualities on Hot Charity on October 7, licensing the record in Canada to Dine Alone Records.[6][9] The band promoted the album with an online stream of the track "Marbles" in August 2014 and a supporting North American tour August–October 2014.[11] A music video for "Half-Lit" released the day after the North American release of the album.[12]
Lyrics
Vocalist Andrew Thomson's lyrics take the stance of an outsider-looking-in and cover topics such as religion, small-town life, drugs, alcohol, sex and relationships, and pretentious people.[6] In his review of "Christian Girls," Ian Cohen of Pitchfork noted several music themes within the one song, commenting: "In the span of 142 seconds, Andrew Thomson projects his frustration onto concepts vast enough to make it a fair fight, but he can't find a single suitable explanation for his inability to get some after tearing down the entire courtship process ('This ain't a date, it's just coffee!'), human vanity ('Jealousy's attention to the ones who can get it/ Something like coming in second') and organized religion ('I thought it's 'cause she's a Christian/ Turns out the girl just wasn't with it')."[13] Thomson's vocal style was influenced by Bear vs. Shark,[6] The Hold Steady,[6] The Replacements,[6] The Streets[6] and Conor Oberst.[6]
Band members
By 2013, Single Mothers had "been through no fewer than 16 members."[14]
Discography
Studio albums
- Negative Qualities (2014, Hot Charity, Dine Alone)
EPs
- Wild Party (2010, self-released)
- Single Mothers (2011, Secret Voice)
- Meltdown (2016, self-released)
Music videos
References
- 1 2 3 Adams, Gregory (January 9, 2013). "Single Mothers Sign to Dine Alone for Debut Album, Roll Out Tour Dates". Exclaim!. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- 1 2 Yancey, Bryne (February 7, 2012). "Single Mothers (Secret Voice/Deathwish Inc.) release 'Christian Girls' video". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- 1 2 Kraus, Brian (September 22, 2012). "Single Mothers (Secret Voice/Deathwish Inc.) release 'Baby' video". Alternative Press. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- ↑ Whit, Adam (June 22, 2012). "Tours: Single Mothers (US)". Punknews.org. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ↑ Yancey, Bryne (August 13, 2012). "Tours: Title Fight / Pianos Become The Teeth / Single Mothers". Punknews.org. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Cohen, Ian (August 13, 2014). "Rising: Single Mothers". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- 1 2 Shrum (May 14, 2014). "No Sleep Records Welcomes Drew Thomson To The Family". New Noise Magazine. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- ↑ Anthony, David (June 17, 2014). "Drew Thomson went digging for gold but found 'Oxy' instead". The A.V. Club. The Onion. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- 1 2 Adams, Gregory (August 13, 2014). "Single Mothers Reveal Debut Album, Premiere 'Marbles'". Exclaim!. Retrieved August 18, 2014.
- ↑ Yancey, Bryne (August 16, 2013). "Tours: A Wilhelm Scream / Single Mothers (east coast)". Punknews.org. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ↑ White, Adam (August 13, 2014). "Media: Single Mothers: 'Marbles'". Punknews.org. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- 1 2 Remus, Deborah (October 8, 2014). "Single Mothers Release Video for 'Half-Lit'". AbsolutePunk. Spin Media. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
- ↑ Cohen, Ian (January 24, 2013). "Single Mothers: 'Christian Girls'". Pitchfork. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
- ↑ Boyd, Duncan (April 5, 2013). "Concert Reviews: Single Mothers - Call The Office, London ON, April 1". Exclaim!. Retrieved August 19, 2014.