Three O'Clock Train
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1984 |
| Headquarters | Montreal , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Three O'Clock Train is an alternative country group originating from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The band initially operated between 1984 and 1996 before reuniting in 2012.[1]
Origins
Prior to establishing Three O'Clock Train, lead vocalist and guitarist Malcolm "Mack" Mackenzie fronted the punk ensemble The Pseuds, which frequently performed in Montreal's club scene. Several tracks originally played by The Pseuds, such as "Be My Baby," were later recorded by Three O'Clock Train.[2]
The formation of Three O'Clock Train occurred in 1984 when Mackenzie joined forces with guitarist Stefan Doroschuk from Men Without Hats and brothers Alex Soria and Carlos Soria, both from The Nils, who handled the rhythm section.[3] Following the early exit of the Soria brothers, Dave Hill took over on bass and Pierre Perron on drums, while Doroschuk was succeeded by Mackenzie’s brother Stuart.
The band’s discography began with the EP Wig Wam Beach released in 1986,[4] followed by the full-length album Muscle In in 1987,[5] both issued through Pipeline Records. Alongside peers like Blue Rodeo, they played a significant role in revitalizing Canadian roots rock.[3] Their songs were featured in the soundtrack for the 1987 National Film Board drama Train of Dreams,[6] and they were among the pioneering acts to perform live on CBC Stereo’s program Brave New Waves.[7]
Hiatus and return
While touring nationally to promote Muscle In, Mackenzie experienced disenchantment and abruptly left the band’s show in Edmonton, heading straight back to Montreal after only completing the first set. After a period of inactivity, Mack and Stuart Mackenzie resumed activity in 1989 as a duo, collaborating with Dave Bidini and Dave Clark from Rheostatics who performed as their rhythm section. Subsequently, guitarist Rod MacKenzie-Shearer, bassist Eric Hammerbeck, and drummer Rob Burgess joined to finalize the band's incomplete album It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry, which was released in 1991 under Justin Time Records. By 1994, the group’s lineup expanded to include keyboardist Kevin Komoda, bassist Roger Dawson, and drummer Gordie Adamson.
In 1996, Just a Memory Records compiled and reissued both Wig Wam Beach and Muscle In together, coinciding with the release of Mack Mackenzie’s eponymous solo album through Justin Time.
Reunion
In 2012, the group came back together to produce Moon, which was succeeded by the 2016 release Train of Dreams. To promote the latter album, they embarked on a brief tour across Canada alongside Ford Madox Ford.
Presently, the ensemble includes the Mackenzie siblings, with Bob Eaglesham on guitar, Larry Vitas handling bass duties, and Colin Burnett on drums.
- ↑ "Brendan Kelly's Q&A: Catching up with Mack MacKenzie and Three O'Clock Train". Montreal Gazette, July 13, 2016.
- ↑ "YUL Bands". web.archive.org
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Michael Barclay, Ian A.D. Jack and Jason Schneider, Have Not Been the Same: The Can-Rock Renaissance 1985-1995. ECW Press. ISBN 978-1-55022-992-9.
- ↑ "Three O'Clock Train on track with new EP". Montreal Gazette, April 10, 1986.
- ↑ "Don't risk missing this Three O'Clock Train". Montreal Gazette, February 12, 1987.
- ↑ "Film finds Train right on time". Montreal Gazette, April 30, 1988.
- ↑ "Bambury is making new waves for leading-edge Canadian rock". Montreal Gazette, January 26, 1989.