Attack in Black
| Company type | Indie rock group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Headquarters | Welland, Ontario , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Attack in Black was an indie rock group originating from Welland, Ontario, Canada, formed in 2003. Their musical style transitioned from hardcore punk roots toward indie and folk rock influences.
History
Initially, Attack in Black performed hardcore punk gigs, sharing stages with bands like Death by Stereo, Every Time I Die, Built to Spill, and Billy Talent. The members had already developed a local fanbase in Welland through their previous musical projects before coming together as Attack in Black.
2004–2005: Attack in Black
The founding members were Ian Romano on drums, his brother Daniel Romano handling vocals and lead guitar, Spencer Burton on guitar, and Aaron Murphy playing bass. Murphy was soon replaced by Matthew Ellis, with whom they recorded a self-titled EP that Skate Ahead Records from Grimsby released in 2004. Ellis left shortly thereafter, leading to the addition of bassist and vocalist Ian Kehoe, who had prior experience playing alongside Burton and became the band's main lyricist. Keyboardist Kendra Foord briefly joined but exited before their western Canadian tour due to artistic disagreements.
2006: Widows, Northern Towns
Once the lineup solidified, Attack in Black embarked on a tour across western Canada. Early in 2006, they signed with the newly established Dine Alone Records and released the four-track EP Widows on September 16. Soon after, they followed up with another EP titled Northern Towns. That autumn, the band supported acts including Cancer Bats, Alexisonfire, and the UK band Bayside.
2007: Marriage, The Curve of the Earth
At the beginning of 2007, Attack in Black toured Canada alongside Sparta and Moneen, then appeared at the UK’s Give it a Name Festival.
For their debut full-length album, recording took place over two weeks at Toronto’s Chemical Sound Studios with producer Ian Blurton. However, Dine Alone Records considered the initial recordings unsatisfactory and requested further work with local producer Dan Weston.
The album, named Marriage, was released on July 31, 2007, coinciding with a sold-out launch event at Toronto's Horseshoe Tavern. Three months later, the band self-produced and released The Curve of the Earth, recorded over two nights in Spencer Burton’s sunroom using an 8-track machine. Each member contributed vocals to three songs. This release was available on vinyl and digitally and saw a 2008 release through Germany’s Zeitstrafe label.
While touring alongside Ladyhawk and Shotgun Jimmie, they released the "Fall Tour Split" as a 7" vinyl on Dine Alone Records featuring three tracks from each band.
In 2008, Daniel Romano and Ian Kehoe collaborated with Constantines guitarist Steve Lambke to launch You've Changed Records. The label’s first release was Shotgun Jimmie’s Still Jimmie, recorded at Attack in Black’s home studio with the band serving as Jimmie’s backing musicians. Following this, Attack in Black put out the EP Fake Love Songs.
2009–2010: Years (by One Thousand Fingertips)
The band's third studio album, Years (by One Thousand Fingertips), debuted on March 10, 2009. Shortly thereafter, in May 2009, they issued a split LP alongside Baby Eagle, the solo endeavor of Constantines guitarist Steve Lambke, through You've Changed Records. The group eventually disbanded, performing their concluding concert on August 27, 2010, at the Mansion House located in St. Catharines, Ontario.
Post break-up
In March 2015, Dine Alone Records brought out the band's initial EPs on vinyl under the title The First and Second Efforts of a Band That Died Before You Could Kill Them. Later, in October 2017, Dine Alone reissued the album Marriage. The label continued by releasing Got Live If You're Interested in 2018 and also re-released Fake Love Songs that same year, featuring one additional track.
Following the group's dissolution, Daniel Romano teamed up with Frederick Squire and Julie Doiron to produce the folk album Daniel, Fred & Julie, which was released on December 1, 2009. Romano also launched a solo project titled Workin' for the Music Man, accompanied by a nationwide tour with Jason Collett. Since then, Romano has consistently delivered solo albums almost every year.
Spencer Burton, who also records under the name Grey Kingdom, has steadily put out new albums. Likewise, Ian Kehoe, known as Marine Dreams, continues to release music annually.
Discography
| Release Year |
Album or EP Title | Record Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Attack in Black - EP | Skate Ahead Records |
| 2006 | Widows - EP | Dine Alone Records |
| 2007 | Northern Towns - EP | Dine Alone Records |
| 2007 | Marriage (reissued 2017) | Dine Alone Records |
| 2007 | The Curve of the Earth | Dine Alone Records |
| 2008 | Fall Tour - Split 7" | Dine Alone Records |
| 2009 | Years (by One Thousand Fingertips) | Dine Alone Records |
| 2009 | Attack in Black/Baby Eagle - Split EP | You've Changed Records |
| 2009 | Fake Love Songs - Cassette | Independent |
| 2015 | Attack in Black - EP | Dine Alone Records |
| 2015 | The First and Second Efforts of a Band That Died Before You Could Kill Them | Dine Alone Records |
| 2018 | Fake Love Songs - EP | Dine Alone Records |
| 2018 | Got Live If You're Interested | Dine Alone Records |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Director Name |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "Young Leaves" | Marc Ricciardelli |
| 2008 | "Hunger of the Young" | Marc Ricciardelli |
| 2009 | "Liberties" | Marc Ricciardelli |
| 2009 | "Half Moon on the City High" |
Awards
| Year | Award Event | Awards Won | Nominations Received |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | CASBY Awards | 'Favourite New Artist', 'NXNE Favourite New Indie Release' (Marriage) |