Sep. 05, 2012 - Issue #881: Sex 2012
Sloan
Back to '94
/ Michael Halsband
Sloan is bringing back the classics with the re-release of its second album, Twice Removed.
However, this isn't just any re-release; this is a deluxe triple-vinyl edition including unreleased demos and a 32-page book that likely has die-hard fans salivating at the mere thought of it.
"There's a lot of extra stuff that might not be of interest to the casual listener but, you know, the total super-nerd fan is going to freak out for all the extra stuff—hopefully," laughs guitarist Jay Ferguson.
Twice Removed was originally released in 1994 on the band's label Murderecords and became a favourite amongst fans and critics. The idea to reissue past albums had been percolating for a number of years, and with Sloan having a year-off after releasing its latest album The Double Cross, Ferguson says it seemed like as good a time as any to get the project underway. Over the course of six months, the band took a stab at the DIY project, piecing together recordings, photos and tackling the graphic design elements required for the project to come to fruition.
"Maybe it would have been more appropriate to do it in 2009 when it would have been the 15th anniversary as opposed to now, which is sort of the random 18th anniversary of the record," Ferguson reflects.
Random anniversary or not, Twice Removed is the album Ferguson credits for shaping Sloan into the band it is today—one that shares vocal and writing duties equally.
"We sort of found our niche," Ferguson says, of Twice Removed. "It's almost like where the modern Sloan began. It almost seems like Smeared was pre-Sloan, even though it's part of Sloan, but I think the Sloan that people know now began with Twice Removed."
Modern Sloan also happens to be the same four guys who set out to make music together more than 20 years ago. Maintaining an original lineup is almost unheard of in today's music industry, and can be the detriment of a band. Ferguson believes the key to keeping the four-piece together and avoiding the standard pitfalls of a band has been maintaining a sense of equality.
"Split the money four ways and your band will stay together," he adds. "Basically, the band is an outlet for everybody; everybody gets to contribute, so it's an 'artistic' platform for everybody, and also, if one person has a song that does well on the radio, everybody benefits, or you know, if someone else's song gets licensed to a television show, then everybody benefits ... the boat is kept at an even keel."
Tue, Sep 11 (8 pm)
Sloan
With guests
Starlite Room, $22
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