Attack in Black | |
|---|---|
 Attack in Black performing in 2006 | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Welland, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres |
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| Years active | 2003–2010 |
| Labels |
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| Members | Daniel Romano Ian Romano Spencer Burton Ian Kehoe |
| Past members | Matt Ellis Aaron Murphy Kendra Foord |
| Website | myspace.com/attackinblack |
Attack in Black was a Canadianindie rock band fromWelland, Ontario, formed in 2003, whose music evolved fromHardcore punk toindie rock andfolk rock.
Attack in Black began by playing hardcore punk shows and opening for bands such asDeath by Stereo,Every Time I Die,Built to Spill andBilly Talent.[1] They already had a following in the Welland area, having performed in other acts prior to Attack in Black's formation.
The original band was Ian Romano (drums, percussion), his brotherDaniel Romano (vocals, lead guitar), guitaristSpencer Burton, and bassist Aaron Murphy. Murphy soon quit and was replaced by another Welland-area musician Matthew Ellis, and the band recorded a self-titled EP forGrimsby, Ontario label Skate Ahead Records, which released it in 2004.[2] Ellis did not stay in the band long, and was replaced by bassist and singer Ian Kehoe,[3] who had previously been in a band with Burton. Kehoe took on the job of writing most of the lyrics for the band. Solo artist Kendra Foord played keyboards briefly, leaving shortly before they toured western Canada due to creative differences.
Closely following the lineup change, Attack in Black toured to the west coast of Canada. Upon their return, they spoke with promoter Joel Carriere, who had just foundedDine Alone Records. They were signed in early 2006; the four-songWidows EP was released September 16, 2006.[4][5] Shortly after that, they released the EPNorthern Towns.[6] That fall, they opened forCancer Bats andAlexisonfire and, in the UK,Bayside.[7]
In early 2007, the band toured Canada withSparta andMoneen, then headed to the UK for theGive it a Name Festival.[8][9]
When the time came to record their first full album, they went toChemical Sound Studios in Toronto withIan Blurton for a two-week session (the band's first and last studio and producer experience). Dine Alone said that the record did not meet their standards and the band was sent back to the studio with local producerDan Weston.[10]
The album, entitledMarriage, was released on July 31, 2007, coinciding with a sold-out launch show at theHorseshoe Tavern in Toronto. Three months later, the band released the self-recorded albumThe Curve of the Earth.[11] The album was written and recorded over two nights in Spencer Burton's sun room. It was recorded through a two-input tape machine onto an 8-track recorder. Each member of the band sang three songs on the record. It was released on vinyl and digital download only. In 2008 it was released in Germany on the Zeitstrafe label.[12]
While on tour withLadyhawk andShotgun Jimmie, "Fall Tour Split" was released.[13] Released on Dine Alone Records on 7" vinyl only, "Fall Tour Split" was three songs by fellow tour-matesShotgun Jimmie and Ladyhawk.[14][15]
In 2008, Daniel Romano and Ian Kehoe then teamed up withConstantines guitaristSteve Lambke and foundedYou've Changed Records. The label's first release was a record by Shotgun Jimmie calledStill Jimmie.[16] It was recorded in the band's home studio and features all the members of Attack in Black as Jimmie's backup band. Attack in Black then released the EPFake Love Songs.[17]
The band's third albumYears (by One Thousand Fingertips) was released on March 10, 2009.[18] This was followed by a split LP withBaby Eagle, the solo project ofConstantines guitarist Steve Lambke, released on You've Changed Records in May 2009.[19] The band members then went their separate ways, with their last show taking place on August 27, 2010 at the Mansion House in St. Catharines, ON.[20]
In March 2015, Dine Alone Records released their first EPs on vinyl, entitledThe First and Second Efforts of a Band That Died Before You Could Kill Them.[21][22] In October 2017, Dine Alone re-releasedMarriage.[23] And in 2018, Dine Alone releasedGot Live If You're Interested, and re-released (with one new song)Fake Love Songs.[24]
Romano collaborated withFrederick Squire andJulie Doiron on thefolk albumDaniel, Fred & Julie, released December 1, 2009. He also released a solo album,Workin' for the Music Man,[25] which was supported by a cross-Canada tour withJason Collett. Since then, he has released at least one solo album nearly every year.[26]
Spencer Burton, who also records under the moniker Grey Kingdom, has also continuously released albums.[27][28]
Ian Kehoe, aka Marine Dreams, also records annually.[29][30][31]
| Date of Release | Title | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Attack in Black - EP | Skate Ahead Records |
| 2006 | Widows - EP | Dine Alone Records |
| 2007 | Northern Towns - EP | Dine Alone Records |
| 2007 | Marriage (re-released 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 |
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "Young Leaves"[32] | Marc Ricciardelli |
| 2008 | "Hunger of the Young"[33] | Marc Ricciardelli |
| 2009 | "Liberties"[34] | Marc Ricciardelli |
| 2009 | "Half Moon on the City High"[35] |
| Year | Event | Won | Nominated |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | CASBY Awards | Favourite New Artist, NXNE Favourite New Indie Release(Marriage) |
| International | |
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| Artists | |
