May 20
MAY 20th 2006.
Hello. Mike here. There's a lot to be said, so I'll thank you in advance for reading, and I'll do my best not to be TOO wordy. That being said...
On Monday, we played our final show at the Underground in Hamilton, Ontario. We'd like to start by saying thank you to anyone who came out and supported us. We saw some old friends, and some new folk we'd never seen at a show before who were very enthusiastic. That really meant a lot and it really helped us to give it our all. We'd also like to say that it was great to get to play with Eleven Minutes Away (Deep Elm) at that show. Their bassist, Rob is a great dude who has helped us with shows in the past and it was truly an honour to share the stage with them. If you don't know who I speak of, check them out.
www.myspace.com/elevenminutesaway
Moving on, this marks the end of a year. It's been almost two years since the band started, and this lineup got together last spring. In the time since, we released two cd's, toured, and had more experiences in one summer than many people are lucky enough to have in a lifetime. We are all very thankful for that. But our breakup was announced for several reasons. School and college is a big factor in people's lives when they are our age. That being said, there were conflicting interests as to where to move forward with the band. But now that it is over, I should say that there is no animosity whatsoever. We ended it on good terms at a point where we realized that between work, school and our own personal lives... we cannot possibly move forward with this band with all our hearts behind it.
And i decided a long time ago that I wouldn't keep it going if we weren't doing it at 110%.
So here is the big news. In the weeks leading up to the final show, I went through a rough patch personally. I did a lot of thinking about my life and the band and the future. During this time, an old friend and member of an old band i was in got in contact with me. We talked about school next year and how we may all end up in the same city etc. It was good to hear from him and it got me excited about the idea that i COULD start a new life at school somewhere else, and perhaps I could take the band with me.
It was at that moment i decided that, instead of waiting til the fall to start again, why not do it now? So this is all being said to introduce this new band. I decided that since the band started, it has gone through numerous lineup changes and other complications. After all that time and effort, I didn't feel the need to start from scratch. So it was decided to keep the name, Play Oliver. But for all intensive purposes, this is an ENTIRELY new band. It is a new attitude, new image, new style, new commitment, and most importantly, a new sound. Colin decided that the new lineup was something he was still interested in, so he moved from bass to guitar.
The new lineup is as follows:
Mike Riley - lead vocals/guitar - 20
Colin Konrad - lead guitar/vocals - 18
Sam Loughead - vocals/guitar -18
Bryan Carroll - bass/vocals -15
Matt Norris - Drums - 19
Myself, Matt and Sam all had experience in a band together a year ago. Matt and Sam then moved on to form something with Bryan, and Colin and I have been in numerous bands together over the years. So this lineup is comfortable with each other and it feels like home.
We'll be entering the studio in June to record our full length with Alex Mycan who is responsible for recording the last Sydney (Blackbox Recordings) record. We're very excited to do this with with him and now that the cd has been demoed, we are very excited to get it done and out so everyone can hear it.
We have decided against the idea of a full out tour this summer. BUT we'll be playing around 30-40 shows throughout Ontario and Quebec in the summer. For now, the band is based in a town called Lindsay, about an hour north of Toronto... come September it may change to London. But for now, it's one day at a time. I've posted a new songs at purevolume and myspace and well have a new website running soon and proper promo shots. We'll be doing a video this summer. More shows will also be announced soon, in the meantime, I've posted the shows we have confirmed. We really hope to see you at these shows and well be announcing new details as they come.
Thank you so much for all of the support in the past two years and now, and into the future. it means the world. Let us know what you think of the new stuff. We'll be all over myspace and such answering questions about the new members etc. If you'd like any merch or to play a show or book us for something, let us know.
www.myspace.com/playoliver
www.purevolume.com/playoliver
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December 5
new purevolume? first blog? what?? this is nuts. too bad we have no friends haha. but we started as losers on myspace. now we suck slightly less. and purevolume is WAYYY cooler than myspace. im stoked. shizzo.
Mike
Leave a Comment
brownshoes
you.are.talented.
posted Mar 20
theslowdrugeffect
marry me?
posted Aug 28
thedurz
wow your lyrics are amazing. every single song is
fantastic. come play in toronto :) xoxo kat
posted Apr 14
cammycatastrophe
I love you guys. The show you played in Brampton a few
weeks ago was amazing.
posted Apr 13
myfairhairedboy
is that you playing the piano? very pretty. :] i like
the piano.
posted Apr 12
x_kylap
You guys are awesome. Keep playing.
posted Feb 08
-apple-juice-
hey i dont know what this does but oh well. all the
songs are great. my favorite is curtains! its awesome
posted Jan 29
xhotpinkpistol
Hii. You Guys Are Amazing. I saw one of your
shows. When you came to Lindsay. Come again soon x) I
couldn\'t believe how incrediable you really are.
posted Dec 27