It's summer, and singer Blaine Braun and bassist Mark Radloff get together for a beer and a barbeque with some friends. They played in a band together in the past, and the conversation ended up revolving around what the both of them were doing musically. Blaine had just finished up with TWIST, a powerhouse modern rock act that had featured former members of platinum selling ECONOLINE CRUSH. TWIST had enjoyed some success in Canada, their debut CD had spawned two video's and garnered them late night talk show appearance's and radio support. Mark had just come off the road of a tour filling in for Vancouver rock act MORNING MAKER, a band that had enjoyed some success and opened for acts such as DEFAULT, NICKLEBACK and DANKO JONES. Unfortunately the tour was cut short by an early morning bus accident, in which Mark ended up being hurt in the crash. The two started discussing the possibility of working together again, and many drinks later the decision was made.
This was the beginning of TOURIST.
While Mark recuperated, he and Blaine started writing songs and recruiting players. While in the midst of the first demo, Mark starting talking to Greg Whitbeck from MORNING MAKER. The band had recently dissolved and as MORNING MAKER's main songwriter and lead guitarist he was trying to decide what direction to move in. A jam was arranged and the chemistry was incredible. Greg laid down some tracks on the first batch of songs Mark & Blaine had recorded. Without ever having played a live show those first songs from TOURIST had them selected as a 2004 Vancouver's 99.3 CFOX SEEDS winner, joining former winners, NICKLEBACK, DEFAULT and MATTHEW GOOD.
Things started getting busy.
With a huge sound, great songs and a stadium class live show, the band was landing gigs opening for bands such as The Offspring, Billy Talent, Thornley, Finger Eleven, Clutch and others. Management was acquired, and as some small tours followed, the discussions with labels and booking agents began. There was a buzz happening.
Then the unthinkable happened.
Corporate mergers, label's being bought by bigger label's... whole A&R departments wiped out. After watching two potential record deals disappear, many bands may have called it quits. Instead, the guys played more shows wrote more songs and continued to make new friends. One of the people that took the time to listen was Mike Fraser (AC/DC, SLIPKNOT, SATRIANA, METALLICA, AEROSMITH, HEDLEY, HINDER). Mike loved the band and the band loved Mike, unfortunately Mike was also busy for months in advance so the band decided to start making the record themselves. After recruiting Mark Henning (TWIST) and the fun begins, we fast forward a couple of months. The band sits down to discuss potential people to mix. Lists are made, beer is consumed and talk centers around Mike. When Blaine and Mike talk... a cancellation has given Mike a free week and he's available to mix the record! More beer is consumed in celebration.
Mix begins at the world famous Warehouse in Vancouver, and the band discovers two things... One: Greg is an easy mark when it comes to XBOX NHL HOCKEY and... Two: the record sounds amazing!! Shortly after the recording, the band started looking for a permanent drummer. Blaine's former band mate, Bob Wagner had suddenly become available. Blaine and Bob had talked about doing this from the start, but Bob had previously been committed elsewhere. With Bob's addition, the band had stepped up a level, to where the band's huge sound could truly be appreciated. More live performances follow, and along with a tour for the BUDWEISER TRUE MUSIC series the band continues to work towards building a bigger fan base and developing their live show. "It's been a crazy few years" says Blaine, "Alot of hurry up and wait..." Finally, the wait is over.
Tourist's debut "The Relevance Of Motion" mixed by Mike Fraser and mastered by Dave Collins (Soundgarden, Queens of the Stone Age, No Doubt) available throughout Europe and South America on Sept 29, 2006 on MTM MUSIC / PsychoActive. Available worldwide through AMAZON , MUSIC BUY MAIL , ITUNES and CDBABY .
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