13 Engines
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Founder | John Critchley, Mike Robbins, Jim Hughes, Grant Ethier |
| Defunct | 1997 |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
13 Engines was a Canadian alternative rock group active from the mid-1980s through the late 1990s.
Overview
Established in 1985 under the name The Ikons by four students from York University—vocalist and songwriter John Critchley, guitarist and songwriter Mike Robbins, bassist Jim Hughes, and drummer Grant Ethier—the band independently released a cassette in 1986 before adopting the name 13 Engines. This new moniker paid homage to the automotive industry centered in Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit, Michigan, which were important early markets for their music.
Their initial two albums were recorded in Michigan: Before Our Time (1987) and Byram Lake Blues (1989), both issued through UK-based Nocturnal Records. The song "Beached" from Byram Lake Blues achieved notable college radio airplay, resulting in a 1990 contract with SBK Records in the United States and EMI in Canada.
The band’s first major label album, A Blur to Me Now (1991), produced by David Briggs and John Hanlon, featured singles such as "King of Saturday Night" and "Big Surprise," which received radio exposure. However, shortly after releasing the EP Ignition, which previewed tracks from their upcoming album, SBK Records dropped the band.
In 1993, they launched Perpetual Motion Machine under Atlantic Records with production led by Critchley. This release marked their breakthrough within Canada, highlighted by popular tracks like "More," "Bred in the Bone," and "Smoke & Ashes," and secured them a place on The Tragically Hip's Another Roadside Attraction tour. They also toured alongside Blind Melon, The Watchmen, Moist, and The Tea Party.
Their 1995 album Conquistador, featuring the single "Beneath My Hand," is often considered their strongest work despite its modest commercial performance.
In 1996, Nocturnal Records compiled and released Perfect Largeness: The Nocturnal Years. The band appeared at NXNE in June 1997 to perform songs from a finished but unreleased album before disbanding later that year.
An EP containing singles titled Brave New Waves Session was issued by Canadian label Artoffact Records in 2017.
Post-breakup
Following the dissolution of 13 Engines, John Critchley embarked on a solo career with the release of his album Crooked Mile in 2000. Critchley, along with Grant Ethier and Jim Hughes, moved into music production roles within the industry.
Albums
- The Ikons (as The Ikons) (1986), Independent
- Before Our Time (1987), Nocturnal Records, Resonance (Europe)
- Byram Lake Blues (1989), Nocturnal Records
- A Blur to Me Now (1991), SBK/Capitol
- Perpetual Motion Machine (1993), Atlantic Records, SBK/Capitol, EMI Canada
- Conquistador (1995), EMI Canada, Nettwerk Records
- Perfect Largeness: The Nocturnal Years (Compilation) (1996), Nocturnal Records
EPs
- Ignition (1993), SBK/Capitol, EMI Canada
- Brave New Waves Session (2017), Artoffact Records
EPs & Singles
- "Beached" (1989), Nocturnal Records
- "Big Surprise" (1991), SBK/Capitol
- "King Of Saturday Night" (1991), SBK/Capitol
- "More" (1993), EMI Canada, Atlantic Records
- "Smoke And Ashes" (1993), EMI Canada, Atlantic Records
- "Bred In The Bone" (1993), EMI Canada, Atlantic Records
- "Beneath My Hand" (1995), EMI Canada
- "Personal Golam" / "Waterfall" (1995), EMI Canada
- "Tailpipe Blues" (1995), EMI Canada
- "Slow" (1995), EMI Canada
Included Compilations
- Scoop This (1993), EMI Canada
- Heal It - A Canadian Compilation (1994), EMI Canada
- Have Not Been The Same: The CanRock Renaissance (2012), Pheromone Recordings
- For No Apparent Reason - Sweet Nothing (1987), X Records