adams rib

adams rib, initially began in 1996, as a concept in the basement studio of founding member Derek Lathrop in Mississauga, Ontario. A recent graduate from Humber College’s renowned Music Program, Derek was a talented drummer, percussionist, guitarist and engineer looking for a new outlet for his musical endeavors as both singer and songwriter. His turbulent experience in numerous bands inspired the idea to form a collective - a musical environment where he could play and record his music, drawing on the multitude of musical talent in his surrounding area, without being dragged down by the baggage that comes with being in a “band”.

The resulting "SCENES FROM A CORNER STORE" was produced, engineered, written, and performed by Derek with guest appearances by a long list of local musical talents (a.k.a. his friends) and released independently in 1998. Derek assembled a band and spent the next two years in a series of cross-Canada tours and coincident T.V. and radio appearances, festival dates, and more than a few insanely wild gatherings with local fans along the way. “The baby years of Adams Ribs touring history were riddled with some really overblown out of control adventures. It would make a great book. Maybe someday I’ll write it all down”, says Derek.

During that time Derek was prolific and wrote incessantly. Many of the songs would find their way onto to subsequent releases: NEVADA (1999), HOLLOW BODIES (2000), FOREVER CAFÉ (2001) and PUSHING FORWARD LOOKING BACK (2003). Along with the music, Adams Rib produced a number of videos : Scenes From A Corner Store, Title Less, Thinking About This and Find A Moment, were all subject to video treatments which were featured or added to rotation on MUCH MUSIC.

adams rib continued touring Canada (12x and counting) and a twist of fate took them “on the water”. This change resulted in Adams Rib spending up to six months a year performing on Cruise Ships around the world. During breaks they toured and added appearances on the sidestage at the Molson Amphitheatre with SANTANA, STING, STEVIE NICKS, GOO GOO DOLLS and COUNTING CROWS to festival dates with LOVERBOY, JUDAS PRIEST and NICKELBACK to their growing road log.

Then along came "BLUE", a work-in-progress since September 2003. “I wanted the songs to come together naturally. Doing a lot of the work at home enabled me to really take my time and hone the songs”, Derek explains. Featuring 14 excellent tracks, BLUE is certain to fans of performers such as John Mayer, Jack Johnson, Dave Matthews, and Bob Marley. BLUE was recorded in a variety of locations in Southern Ontario, with the help of Derek’s longtime musical friends. “I prefer the setup of this particular project. It enabled me to work with a lot of uniquely talented people, and it kept things fresh.”

BLUE marks the first time someone other than Derek sat in the producer’s chair. Dan Brodbeck (Holly McNarland, Deloris O’Riordan, CRANBERRIES) produced two tracks including the good time, laid-back reggae vibed “High” which entered the canadian top 200 in late 2007.

2008 began with the release of a new single "water" from the "Blue" CD. A video was shot in march for "water". Derek has also finished producing the first all spanish adams rib recording. The new compilation was entitled "perdido en traduccion". Which means "lost in translation". The songs are a selection from the adams rib back catalogue that derek translated and two new songs written in spanish for the purpose of this release. adams rib plans released this recording online only in May. There are no plans for an official CD release . With the ever changing market the band plans to change it's approach to releasing music by embracing the digital domain a bit more.

Which brings us to september of 2008 when derek and touring band members Dave Buland on bass , Bruce McCarthy on drums and long time colaborator Peter Grant on guitar, set out to try to capture the essence of a live adams rib show. The end result after a quick week of recording was the latest adams rib offering "FREE MUSIC". The CD was recording and mixed at derek's home studio. The recording was produced by Derek who also wrote all the songs with the exception of "suicide hearts", which was written by Peter Grant. "We wanted to capture the spirit of our live show so we played the tracks live off the floor. We also tried to capture the variety of musical styles we tackle in an adams rib show", says derek the bands leader. Thus reflecting in the CD's diverse musical offerings drawing from folk, latin, reggea, funk and rock elements. "We spent alot of time working these songs on the road before recording them", says Derek. The recording was released online in October and in the spirit of the title adams rib is giving some music away for free which is what the band plans to do with this one, utilizing the various adams rib websites.

February 2009 saw adams rib perform for the first time in Chile the country in which Derek was born. The feature show was at the famous renaca beach in Vina del Mar. adams rib was promoting the new spanish recording which was very well received. They came back to Canada to spend the spring, summer and fall of the year touring the country. More media more tv more gigs more parties. "No such thing as having too much fun" has become a band modo. The year saw Sam Sino (drums) and Marcus Walker (bass) enter the fold for some touring and recording. The new album is entitled "august and everything after". The bands eighth studio recording. Much like free music the songs were mostly honed on the road and then recorded in derek's home studio. Look for an official release in 2010 to be followed by more touring.

"Passionate, driving, and very personal", is what EYE MAGAZINE in Toronto has said about the band. "Two things caught my attention - the singer must have written the music and his unique sound will soon be catching a bigger audience." posted the CAMBRIDGE TIMES.

This is an act definitely pushing forward in the true indie spirit for ten years now with no signs of slowing down. Enjoy the music that has been posted and be sure to visit the website to find out more about adams rib.