As a fan of both Big Wreck and Thornley, I wanted to create a page soley dedicated to both of these amazing groups. I wanted to pull out all of the fans that are across the country, continent and the world, to show that their music and themselves as artist are still very much alive and respected. Let me tell you all a bit about these groups.
Big Wreck got their huge break in 1995, when they singed with Atlantic Records, and in 1997 they released their debut album 'In Loving Memory of...'. 'In Loving Memory of...'is a hard rocking-13-song master piece, with such hits as the bands first single 'The Oaf' and the following hits, 'Blown Wide Open' and 'That Song'. But ironically Ian became the vocalist for Big Wreck by default saying: "I became the singer by default, I was writing the stuff, and couldn't find anyone to sing it whose voice I could stand listening to.". Ian does claim that there was one thing he had to learn: "was to get over my shyness of singing." Ian states.
In 2000 Big Wreck went back into the studio to record their follow up to 'In Loving Memory of...'.
'The Pleasure and The Greed'...The band were more experimental using banjo's, blues based grooves and power riffs. On such hits as 'Ladylike' and 'Inhale.
But if Big Wreck's debut---which largely expanded on their early demos---put fans in chaos, this-16-song collection were sure to send them into a frenzy. Ian says that 'Mistake' "is the best thing we've done".
But in 2002 Big Wreck went on to retire, and Ian went back to Toronto and played as a session musician on albums by Nickelback, Sarah Harmer, and Stephen Fearing, before launching his new band---THORNLEY.
For Ian, this new project is the acuamlation of more than a decade's worth of playing and writing. Ian began working on this project as Big Wreck began winding down in 2002.
"I had a lot of fun making music with Big Wreck, and it was a good time in my life."
The new stuff Ian had been working on didn't actually contain many power chords. Ian says it's "lighter" than the usual big Wreck stuff.
Ian recorded his debut cd 'Come Again',and the first single 'So Far So Good' and it brought old and new fans aboard. Ian proving that he's still got it. When you ask Ian if he still keeps in contact with the former members of Big Wreck:"Yeah, actually I do."
The original line up for Thornley's new band at the time was: Tavis Stanley(guitar), Sekou Lamumba(drums)and Ken Tizzard. After an year and a half of touring, there were some changes made in the band(not for musical diferences) Sekou and Ken went their own ways. Where Ken went on as a solo artist. In came Cale Gontier(bass) and E-Paul(drums).
They are now currently in the studio recording the follow up to 'Come Again'. Ian keeps adding new songs to his my space sight, that hopefully will appear on the new cd. I encourage you to go and have a listen, you will not be dissapointed at all, with the amazing penmanship and muscianship that Ian keeps delivering.
To this day you can still hear Big Wreck songs on the radio across the nation, young and old have been turned on to Big Wreck's music. Ian still keeps it alive for all to hear and enjoy when he preforms live.
Ian Thornley has an intense relationship with his music. The results are always brilliant, and Ian is easily one of the most gifted and underrated musicians that I have ever had the pleasure of meeting and listening to, even from the days of Big Wreck...
Laura
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