Member Since: 6/28/2005
Band Website: http://www.petermurray.ca
Band Members: Some of Peter's regulars: Michael Holt (rhodes piano, backups), David Celia (guitar, backups), Steve Zsirai (bass), Chris Lamont (drums), Davide DiRenzo (drums), Justin Abedin (guitar), Kevin Fox (bass, guitar, cello), Dafydd Hughes (rhodes piano); NYC detachment: Chris Tarry (bass), Aaron Comess (drums), Steven Elliot (guitar)
Influences: The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, XTC, Neil Young, Jeff Buckley, Pink Floyd, Crowded House, Neil Finn, Elvis Costello, Joni Mitchell, Jimi Hendrix, King's X, Radiohead, The Mommyheads, Steely Dan, The Police, Frank Zappa, NRBQ, Sly & Robbie, Aerosmith, Amhad Jamal, The Who, Stevie Wonder, Lewis Taylor, Richard Thompson, D'Angelo, Weezer, Jon Brion, Ron Sexsmith, Jaco Pastorius, Stone Temple Pilots, Level 42, UB40, Michael Holt, Justin Abedin, David Celia, Davide DiRenzo, Chris Lamont, Dafydd Hughes, Peter Cardinali, The Roots, Yes, Genesis, Van Halen, Jodi Phillis, Talk Talk, Iron Butterfly, Tower of Power, Martin Sexton, Wooden Stars, Sisters Euclid, The Specials, Bob Marley, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Chris Cornell, Soundgarden, Rheostatics, Martin Tielli...
Lots of spins lately: Jan and Steve, Wu Tang Clan, Andy Patridge demos, Kevin Gilbert, Ben Gunning, Brad Mehldau, Keith Jarrett, Costas Andreou, Jodi Phillis, early Van Halen, Neil Finn, Meshuggah, Autorickshaw
Sounds Like: "Simply, seriously, one of the finest high-brow, sophisticated pop releases of 2006."
NotLame.com
"Ants and Angels is consistently entertaining, ultra-musical, and a worthy addition to the Canadian power-pop canon."
Don Breithaupt, author of Steely Dan's Aja (part of the 33-1/3 series, to be published by Continuum in 2007)
"A sophisticated gem ... totally inspiring."
IntelligentPop.com in comparing Ants and Angels to "Ben Folds' almost-as-good Rockin' the Suburbs."
"There seem to be more and more artists, 40 years after the Beatles, who still look upon them as inspiration for intelligent, creative, multi-layered pop. Peter Murray's CD is one of the best debuts in the genre to come along in quite a while."
George Graham, Program Director, Pennsylvania Triple-A station WVIA-FM
"This is Pop!"
Chalkhills Recommends, a guide to CDs that are not "mass-marketed, easy-to-find pabulum," posted on the XTC fansite Chalkhills
"A set of songs that would likely find those with far more experience gushing with envy ... Murray's effusive power pop exudes hooks a-plenty but this ear candy also has a solid underbelly ... Fact is, Ants and Angels is a heavenly find."
Lee Zimmerman, Entertainment News & Views
"Engaging, grown-up singer-songwriter pop ... Murray's golden pipes and patient guitar hooks suggest what Duncan Sheik might have been."
the editors of Download.com
"Not only does he come across with the skill and confidence of a veteran, Murray has also done his musical history homework, matching clever lyrics with catchy choruses and impressive musicianship. If you're into fun and quirky rock that avoids sounding dated or overly literate, Peter Murray's Ants & Angels is a worthwhile addition to your musical diet. It's smart without outsmarting the listener, and catchy without losing its substance."
Adam Miller, BeingThere.com
"Superior Canadian power pop… Ants and Angels has the sound to be a good summer album, but the lyrical depth to be a whole lot more."
Jeremy Searle, americanaUK
"This is witty, tuneful and a lot of fun to listen to. Peter Murray has paid his dues and clearly knows his stuff. 'Gen X DJ on E' has got to be one of the titles of the year and should become a powerpop anthem for a generation. Catch this guy before he's huge."
Raymond, CDBaby review
Record Label: Junction Triangle Records
Type of Label: Indie