Weeping Tile (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1992 |
| Headquarters | Kingston , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
Weeping Tile was a rock group originating from Kingston, Ontario, Canada, established in 1992.
History
The band was initiated by singer-songwriter Sarah Harmer in 1992 following her impromptu performance substituting for an opening act in Ottawa. Their name was inspired by the drainage piping commonly installed around building foundations. Beginning as a duo with bassist Joe Chithalen, the ensemble soon expanded to include Gord Tough on guitar and Chris Smirnios on drums.
In 1994, they released a seven-track cassette debut that quickly attracted the attention of a major record label. This cassette was subsequently reissued as Eepee in 1995, paving the way for their first full-length album, Cold Snap, which arrived in 1996.
During the period between these releases, the band's lineup underwent considerable changes: Joe Chithalen was succeeded by Harmer's sister Mary; Gord Tough was replaced by Luther Wright; and Chris Smirnios gave way to Cam Giroux. After Mary Harmer's exit, Rebecca Henderson, known as "Sticky," took over bass duties. This configuration also created an alternate identity called The Wadds, where members rotated instruments to highlight their musical flexibility. Although The Wadds recorded five tracks, they were never commercially distributed.
Their sophomore album, Valentino, came out in 1997. Despite receiving positive responses during live shows and strong support from campus radio stations, Weeping Tile failed to break into mainstream markets and were dropped by Warner Records in 1998. That same year, they independently produced the cassette This Great Black Night before ultimately disbanding.
Harmer emphasized that the group prioritized artistic expression over commercial success and suggested that internal group dynamics played a larger role in their dissolution than issues with their record label.
Post-breakup activities
Following the breakup, Sticky joined forces with Merrill Nisker for a live collaboration named The Shit before founding Ass Machine. This band released three independent albums and built a reputation locally for their intense performances. Although they attracted media coverage during the 1999 NXNE Festival, Ass Machine did not secure any recording contracts. Sticky later contributed bass to Music Maul and Velvet Claws and launched her solo album Life on the Sideboard in 2013.
Harmer included a cover of "Silverado," originally by Music Maul’s Trevor Henderson, on her 2010 solo release Oh Little Fire. She went on to establish herself successfully as a solo artist. Meanwhile, Luther Wright’s project, Luther Wright and the Wrongs, issued six albums and gained notable recognition for their 2001 country-style reinterpretation of Pink Floyd's The Wall, titled Rebuild the Wall.
Although Weeping Tile has not produced new albums since parting ways, members continue to perform together locally in Kingston and occasionally contribute to one another’s solo endeavors. They also participated in covering Rheostatics' "Public Square" for the 2007 tribute compilation The Secret Sessions, featuring shared vocals by Wright and Harmer.
Related
Singer-songwriter Georgia Harmer, daughter of Mary Harmer and Gord Tough, launched her debut album in 2022.
EPs
- 1995: Eepee
- 1998: This Great Black Night
Albums
Compilations
- 2007: The Secret Sessions