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The Stills

From Alfawiki
The Stills
Company typeRock band
IndustryMusic
Founded2000
Defunct2011-04-15
Headquarters
Montreal, Quebec
,
Canada
ProductsMusic albums, singles, EPs

The Stills were a rock ensemble originating from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, active between 2000 and 2011.

History

The band’s founding members included lead singer and guitarist Tim Fletcher, guitarist Gregory Paquet, bassist Olivier Corbeil, and drummer Dave Hamelin. Having known each other since they were twelve years old, the group had previously performed together in acts such as Chinatown, Amentum, and The Undercovers.

Their EP titled Rememberese was launched on June 17, 2003, through Vice Records (with the UK distribution handled by 679 Recordings). This was followed by their first full-length album, Logic Will Break Your Heart, which came out in North America on October 21, 2003, and later in the UK on February 23, 2004. Produced by Gus Van Go, the album featured singles like "Lola Stars and Stripes," "Changes Are No Good," and "Still in Love Song." Keyboardist Liam O'Neil contributed to multiple tracks. Critics praised the album for its moody post-punk aesthetic, often likening it to bands such as Interpol and Echo & the Bunnymen.

In 2005, Paquet departed to pursue his university studies; subsequently, Hamelin transitioned to guitar duties and began sharing lead vocal responsibilities with Fletcher. Julien Blais joined as the new drummer, while O'Neil was promoted to a permanent keyboardist role.

Their sophomore album, Without Feathers, released on May 9, 2006 via Vice Records (with the UK edition issued by Drowned in Sound Recordings), showcased a stylistic evolution toward Americana influences. Once again produced by Van Go, the record included collaborations with artists such as Sam Roberts, Emily Haines of Metric, and Jason Collett from Broken Social Scene. In 2007, the band toured the UK supporting Kings of Leon during their spring dates and performed at the Quebec Scene concert sponsored by CBC Radio 3.

After signing with Arts & Crafts, The Stills released their third studio effort, Oceans Will Rise, on August 19, 2008. Critics observed that this album merged elements of their initial 1980s-inspired sound with the warmth found in their previous release.

Significant live appearances included opening for Paul McCartney in Quebec City during the city's 400th anniversary celebrations in July 2008, performing at Toronto's WinterCity Festival in February 2009, and supporting Kings of Leon on their Australia-New Zealand tour in March 2009.

On March 28, 2009, Oceans Will Rise garnered two Juno Award honors for the band: Best New Group and Best Alternative Album.

In April 2010, Paquet rejoined The Stills as Hamelin returned to his original position behind the drum kit.

The band officially dissolved on April 15, 2011.

Other projects

In 2009, Hamelin and O'Neil teamed up with Broken Social Scene's drummer Justin Peroff to form Eight and a Half; their debut self-titled album was released in 2012.

O'Neil lent his instrumental talents to Kings of Leon's 2010 release Come Around Sundown and also participates in the hip-hop collective Da Gryptions.

Fletcher contributed backing vocals on the Sam Roberts Band's 2014 album Lo-Fantasy and has performed guitar for Canadian rapper k-os. In 2014, he established Beat Cops alongside Mikey Heppner from Priestess, releasing Mean Streets in 2015. That same year saw Fletcher issue Punks on the Moon under his project Voizes.

Later on, Fletcher co-founded Megative with former producer Gus Van Go, songwriting duo Like Minds (Jesse Singer and Chris Soper), and dancehall artist Screechy Dan. Their debut single "More Time" arrived in 2017, followed by a self-titled album released via Last Gang Records on July 27, 2018.

Members

  • Tim Fletcher – guitar, lead vocals (2000–2011)
  • Greg Paquet – guitar (2000–2005, 2010–2011)
  • Olivier Corbeil (also known as Oliver Crowe) – bass guitar, backing vocals (2000–2011)
  • Dave Hamelin – drums, lead vocals, guitar (2000–2011)
  • Liam O'Neil – keyboards, backing vocals, percussion (2005–2011)
  • Julien Blais – drums (2005–2010)

Albums

Year Album information Chart rankings
US
Heatseekers 		US
Independent
2003 Logic Will Break Your Heart Template:Smalldiv — 39
2006 Without Feathers Template:Smalldiv 6 18
2008 Oceans Will Rise Template:Smalldiv 17 —
"—" indicates albums that did not enter the charts

EPs

  • The Stills promotional sampler (2003, self-issued)
  • Rememberese (2003, Vice Records/679 Recordings)
  • The Stills: Live EP (2004, Atlantic Records)
  • Live Studio Session (2006, Atlantic Records)

Singles

  • "Lola Stars and Stripes" (2004, Vice Records/679 Recordings)
  • "Changes Are No Good" (2004, Vice Records/679 Recordings)
  • "Still in Love Song" (2004, Vice Records/679 Recordings)
  • "In the Beginning" promotional single (2006, Vice Records)
  • "Destroyer" promotional single (2006, Drowned in Sound Recordings)
  • "Helicopters" (2007, Drowned in Sound Recordings)
  • "Being Here" (2008, Arts & Crafts)
  • "Don't Talk Down" (2008, Arts & Crafts)
  • "I'm With You" (2009, Arts & Crafts)

Compilation appearances

Music videos

  • "Still in Love Song" (2003) – directed by Josh & Xander
  • "Lola Stars and Stripes" (2003) – directed by Olivier "Twist" Gondry
  • "Changes are No Good" (2004) – directed by Dominic DeJoseph
  • "Love and Death" (2004) – directed by Chris Grismer
  • "In the Beginning" (2006) – directed by Associates in Science
  • "Destroyer" (2006) – directed by Eddy Morretti
  • "Helicopters" (2007) – directed by George Vale
  • "Being Here" (2008) – directed by Teqtonik
  • "Don't Talk Down" (2008) – directed by Christopher Mills
  • "I'm With You" (2009) – directed by Carlos and Jason Sanchez

External links

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