Paint makes guitar-driven rock music the way it was meant to be experienced: so loud that you can’t hear your neighbour yelling into your ear. At the same time, the band’s signature “wall of sound” achieves a delicate melodic balance with infectious, pop-infused hooks, clever, thought-provoking narratives, and “lyrics that scream out for a new generation to step forward, learn, and take care of the world around us” (Youthink). The songs are an anthemic hybrid: where the screaming tube amps of Brit rock bands like Oasis, Catherine Wheel, and Idlewild meet the social awareness and grand tradition of fine storytellers like Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, and Billy Bragg; where the intellectual indie rock sensibility of Bright Eyes meets the stadium rock grandiosity of U2, Pearl Jam, Radiohead, R.E.M., and the Smashing Pumpkins. To top it all off, the band is comprised of four people who have proven they’re willing to publicly express how much they hate each other but will kick the shit out of any outsider who speaks ill of any of them. They are, in the literal sense of the term, an obnoxious left-wing rock ‘n’ roll family.
Formed in 2001 in Vancouver, Paint's first release, Urban Folk Tales, was praised as “A truly unique first effort, held together by frontman Robb Johannes’ strong vocals. He can sing in hushed tones one minute, before switching to a full on swagger that would make James Brown proud” (Scene and Heard). The album reached the top ten on campus radio in Canada, and Paint's song, “Open Your Eyes,” was featured on UK label E3 Records’ Showcase Internationalcompilation. The band was voted fan favourite in E3 online polling, beating the competition by thousands of votes.
After an extended hiatus, during which time Johannes dabbled in pop, shoegaze, and punk rock on stage and political activism off stage, Paint reformed in 2008 with a clean slate, a new purpose, a new sonic mission, and a take-no-prisoners attitude, along with a relocation to Canada’s music capital of Toronto in mid-2009. The resulting release of the rock opus, Can You Hear Me?, coupled with the band's energetic and impassioned live show, quickly accumulated snowball audiences and critical praise, such as, "5 stars: in your face, but not overpowering, melodic but still harsh, well-crafted but not over-perfected... yet uplifting... (with) an underlying sense of sonic maturity and strong lyrical insight... manages to retain the attractive simplicity of a great rock album" (Youthink) and "...done with so much audacity and seismic guitar crunch... (Paint) wisely keep the sound big, but the anthemic denouements concise" (Montreal Mirror).
Paint promises to be one of the loudest and most unapologetic rock bands of the 2000s -- and not just because of the guitars; rest assured the band won’t back down from anyone with their words or their actions. Not even each other.
Hi Paint! Thanks for the friend invite. I checked out your songs and I like 'Don't Blow Me Away'. I ask for the same kindness and that you check out www.emmyfox.com and sign my guestbook and or become a member. Thanking you in advance. Chat back anytime, Emmyfox!
Hey Superstars! How are you? It's so nice that you thought of me :) I have a few things to do next week, but I'm going to check with my friends too! Maybe I could invade--I was listening to your CD a bunch :) :) Stay out of trouble!
Thanks for submitting for INIC 2010. You guys have some terrific songs. We are accepting submissions through the end of September but we will definitelt be in touch.
I'm sure that everyone will love your upcoming album! Not too much going on for my solo stuff right now but I'll be pretty busy for a while with the a capella group i'm in. We'll be performing every day at the CNE this year, if you're free you should come check out a show one afternoon :)
