The Watchmen (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1988 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Founder | Daniel Greaves, Joey Serlin, Sammy Kohn, Pete Loewen |
| Defunct | 2003 |
| Fate | Disbanded; reunited sporadically since 2010 |
| Headquarters | Winnipeg , Canada |
| Products | Rock music albums and singles |
The Watchmen represent a Canadian rock ensemble, distinguished by their significant commercial impact within Canada throughout the mid to late 1990s. Their most notable accomplishments encompass one platinum-certified album (In the Trees) alongside three gold-certified records (McLaren Furnace Room, Silent Radar, and Slomotion). The group has undertaken extensive touring across Canada, including opening performances for The Tragically Hip and a co-headlining national tour with Big Wreck.
History
Originating in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1988, the original lineup consisted of Daniel Greaves, Joey Serlin, Sammy Kohn, and Pete Loewen. Their initial album, McLaren Furnace Room, debuted in 1992.
In 1994, Ken Tizzard succeeded Loewen as bassist, coinciding with the release of their most commercially successful album, In the Trees, which attained Platinum certification in Canada. Later releases such as Brand New Day (1996) and Silent Radar (1998) further established their foothold within the rock genre.
By 1999, the band appeared at Toronto's Humble & Fred Fest. Prior to the 2001 release of Slomotion, drummer Sammy Kohn exited the group; this album notably incorporated percussion produced electronically. The single "Absolutely Anytime" secured a position within Canada's Top Ten charts. Drummer Ryan Ahoff joined during the subsequent tour cycle.
In 2003, The Watchmen declared their disbandment following a farewell tour but briefly reunited for a Winnipeg benefit supporting the Israel national bobsleigh team.
The band reconvened in 2010 for a performance in Toronto and has since played sporadic shows throughout Canada. In May 2023, Daniel Greaves and Joey Serlin collaborated on an album under the name Serlin Greaves titled Sad Songs For Sale.
The Watchmen maintain an association with the Canadian charitable organization Artists Against Racism.
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Highest Chart Positions | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN | AUS | CAN | ||
| 1992 | McLaren Furnace Room | – | – | Gold |
| 1994 | In the Trees | 32 | – | Platinum |
| 1996 | Brand New Day | 37 | – | |
| 1998 | Silent Radar | 28 | 68 | Gold |
| 2001 | Slomotion | 6 | – | Gold |
Live albums
- Live Radar (1998)
- Last Road Trip Download Series (2004)
- Live and in Stereo (2017)
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak Chart Positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN | CAN Alt |
CAN Content (Cancon) | AUS | |||
| 1992 | "Cracked" | 87 | – | 2 | – | McLaren Furnace Room |
| "Run and Hide" | – | – | – | – | ||
| 1993 | "Must to Be Free" | – | – | 8 | – | |
| 1994 | "Boneyard Tree" | 29 | – | – | – | In the Trees |
| "Wiser" | 74 | – | – | – | ||
| "All Uncovered" | 23 | – | 5 | – | ||
| "Lusitana" | "65" | "–" | "–" | "–" | ||
| "Incarnate" | "26" | "10" | "–" | "–" | "Brand New Day" | |
| "Shut Up" | "48" | "–" | "–" | "–" | ||
| "Zoom" | "–" | "24" | "–" | "–" | ||
| "Stereo" | "–" | "5" | "–" | "51" | "Silent Radar" | |
| "Any Day Now" | "39" | "3" | "–" | "–" | ||
| "Say Something" | "45" | "–" | "–" | "–" | ||
| "Brighter Hell" | "–" | "–" | "–" | "–" | ||
| "Absolutely Anytime" | "–" | "–" | "–" | "–" | 'Slomotion' | |
| 'Holiday (Slow It Down)' | '–' | '–' | '–' | '–' | ||
| 'Slomotion' | '–' | '–' | '–' | '–' | ||
External links
- [ AllMusic Guide entry]
- Musical groups formed in 1988
- Musical groups that disbanded in 2003
- Musical groups reunited in 2008
- Musical groups originating from Winnipeg
- Canadian alternative rock bands
- 1988 establishments in Manitoba
- 2003 disestablishments in Manitoba
- 2008 establishments in Manitoba
- Musical groups disestablished in 2003