History
Wait a minute... you're expecting me to write Sloan's looooooong and winding history?! I think not! Or at least not right now. For the time being, check out the lovely Chart timeline (with a few additions by me)... a real history written by yours truly is coming in the near future. If you really want the lowdown quickly, write me at the addy before and get my arse in gear to write!
Back In 1991
Chris and Jay start a band, later recruiting Patrick (Happy Co.) and Andrew (No Damn Fears). The guys christen it "Sloan" after a mutual friend's nickname and play their debut show in April at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design. They record a live show and send the tape to Dalhousie University radio station CKDU. "Underwhelmed" is included on the Hear and Now compilation (Dressed To Kill Records). Sloan cuts the Peppermint EP at Sound Market Recording with Terry Pulliam.
Souvenirs From '92
The band releases Peppermint themselves and creates murderecords to distribute it. Sloan receive the Best Unrecorded Artist nomination at the East Coast Music Awards. "Ragdoll" is included on the Cod Can't Hear compilation (Dressed To Kill Records again). Geffen Records signs Sloan after its Music West showcase gigs; the label releases Smeared, which comes from the same sessions as Peppermint and is remixed in L.A. by Dave Ogilvie.
By The Time 1993 Came Along
Sloan tours Europe, opens for The Lemonheads in America, and headlines its own North Amercian dates. "Pillow Fight" is included on the Never Mind The Molluscs compilation (Sub Pop). The band wins a CASBY Award and a Juno nomination, both for Best New Band. "Stove"/ "Smother"/ "Laying Blame", a split 7" single with Eric's Trip, is released on Cinnamon Toast Records. ("Stove" and "Smother" find Sloan covering two Eric's Trip songs.)
The (Near) End Of It All: 1994
Sloan records in New Jersey and New York with Jim Rondinelli (Odds). The band releases Twice Removed and spends most of the year touring. SPIN names Twice Removed one of the year's "Ten Best Albums You Didn't Hear." "Stove"/ "Smother" is included on DGC Rarities Vol.1. Sloan release a flexi-disc remix of "Coax Me" plus an unreleased track, "One Professional Care," exclusivly through Chart. Frustrated by lack of support from Geffen, the guys discuss putting their band on hold.
Relaxing In '95
Sloan wins the Best Alternative Band award at the East Coast Music Awards -- just as its hiatus begins. The band honours a previous commitment to play Edgefest. Geffen releases Sloan from its contract, under amicable conditions. The band releases a 7-inch single, "Same Old Flame"/ "Stood Up" --only the second Sloan offering on murderecords. Online rumours about Sloan's "breakup" surface in the national media. Chris tours with the Super Friendz; Andrew plays with the Sadies and Maker's Mark; Jay works at murderecords and co-manages The Inbreds; Patrick co-writes songs with various pals. Smeared is certified Gold (50,000 sold).
Blistering In 1996
The band completes an album at Idea of East Recording in Halifax with Laurence Currie (Cool Blue Halo). Sloan wins the Best Alternative Group Juno. Chart names Twice Removed the #1 Canadian Album Of All Time; "Underwhelmed" is named The #2 Canadian Single Of All Time. Murder releases One Chord To Another, which goes Gold in six months. Sloan plays Edenfest in July, and closes down Toronto's Yonge Street with a live performance at radio station CFNY.
Covering America in 1997
The Enclave releases One Chord To Another in America as a two-CD set; the second is "The Party Disc," recorded casually in Halifax. Sloan lays low, playing a ‘secret' show at Toronto's club Shanghai. The band quietly begins recording a fourth album at Chemical Sound with Daryl Smith.
The Year Of... 1998
Sloan contributes the song "Autobiography" to Nettwerk's 30 Hour Famine benefit CD in March. The new album, Navy Blues, is mixed at Reaction Studios; the first single "Money City Maniacs," is released to radio April 6; the album follows in stores on April 28th followed by an Intimate and Interactive at Much Music that same night. She Says What She Means is Sloan's second single off of Navy Blues.
Settling The Score In 1999
Sloan release the fan-ta-bulous "4 (K)Nights At The Palais Royale", a 2-CD live set recorded in Toronto. Navy Blues kicks arse in sales, with a slot on the Big Shiny Tunes and Frosh CD's. The release of Between The Bridges brings a slot on Late Night With Conan O'Brien, Sloan's American Network debut, and a second show on Open Mike With Mike Bullard.
Rocking Into The (Almost) New Millenium (2000)
Sloan continue to rock the masses with a massive cross Canada tour. Rumours of the release of a rarities compilation abound... are they true? Maybe... just wait and see what happens in the real new millenium. (I mean 2001, you fools!)