Scott Loomer (songs, singing, acoustic guitar, banjo)
John Dehaas (bass guitar)
Brian Duguay (electric guitar, vocals)
Andrew Lindsay (electric & acoustic guitars, vocals)
Mike Taylor (piano, organ, vocals)
Iain Thomson (drums)
Jim Whitford (pedal steel)
Influences
Johnny Cash, The Clash, Hank Williams, The Replacements, Jayhawks, Uncle Tupelo, The Beatles.
Sounds Like
Loomer prove it pays to persevere, their sophomore release picking up where the last left off. Anyone savouring a hickory wind over the tang of jet exhaust or wide-open spaces to city skylines will rejoice in Loomer’s lonely sound, blending world-weary with a dark horse joie de vivre. Consider “Bang The Nails” (one of 12 pristine, rock solid originals underscoring a distinctly powerful songwriting talent), which erupts into an otherworldly blend of McGuinn’s Byrds and McCulloch’s Bunnymen torn and further twisted by Jim Whitford’s delicious pedal steel. From out of the gloom bursts “Anastasia,” its delicate petals pushing sunward in one goose bump-inducing love song that transforms into a vast, sweeping anthem. The sticky confection that is “Caramel Heart,” suggesting Ron Sexsmith on peyote, transforms itself into an oversized hook of dramatic proportions. “Old Grey Ford” injects banjo into the band’s mix, adding a down-home feel while providing an uplifting foil to Loomer’s poetically mournful temperament. The energy-laden “Dirt Angel” is a full-on charge recalling L.A.’s Long Ryders, Mike Taylor’s keyboard assault standing tall, while the simple, straightforward “Turnbuckle” boasts a sweet chorus and pedal steel/piano accompaniment that evokes Gram mid-burrito. Triumphant highlight “Sunday Driver Down” is a joyful, full-throated, four-minute vision of grandeur that burrows deep into the brain. Wild West Island may not, in fact, represent the Second Coming but it’s surely a stone’s roll away. (Newtone)
Exclaim Magazine
"Songs of the Wild West Island, the band's sophomore effort, is a consistently challenging and poetically lovely work, full of literary allusions and just the right amount of alt-country swagger....Sounding like a beautiful amalgamation of the Gourds and Arcade Fire, Songs of the Wild West Island is a heady and heartening display of emotion and quiet intensity. Rarely settling for the norm, Loomer makes music of a distinct quality, songs that assess the past, present and future with equal apprehension." – Darryl Smyers, Dallas Observer
“As the weather turns warm, more people will start searching for their summer album. You know, the one you play at the cottage or on a quiet highway at night with your car windows rolled down. Loomer’s latest could easily be that album. With delicate country tracks, mellow vocals, slow, melodic slide guitar, even a cameo by Sarah Harmer, this record will work best in a secluded country cabin.” - Bryan Borzykowski, NOW magazine
"Like his south-of-the-northern-border brethren, Scott Loomer and his crack band understands the electric and eclectic web that connects the power of rock to the passion of country to the introspection of folk and the inherent wisdom in throwing them all into the musical cement mixer to see what happens. In Loomer's case, it's alt.-country perfection." - Brian Baker, Country Standard Time
"What sets Loomer apart from the usual alt-country mold is that they revel in and even celebrate the non-country contradictions in their music. On the hypnotic Caramel Heart for example, they lock into a propulsive groove where the drums hang in lockstep to an urgent bass line and a Hammond organ and the pedal steel guitars ride over top like late era Velvet Underground taking a walk with Gram
Parsons. While they transcend themselves on more occasions than just the one here, the bottom line is that in between a few cowpunk stompers, straight ahead ballads (including one with a gorgeous counterpoint vocal by Sarah Harmer) and the above-noted cosmic cowboy melting pot, Loomer on Songs of the Wild West Island show signs of grace and greatness unheard since late-period Uncle Tupelo." - Bob Klanac, Scene Magazine
“This is a band on the eve of an enormous break-through…masterfully sophisticated melodies…will undoubtedly appear on a lot of different Lists of the Year for 2006.” – Jan Janssen, Real Roots Café, Netherlands
“An alt-country gem.” – Bob Harris, BBC, Maverick Magazine, UK-
Please stop the Company Store and buy a copy of the new Loomer album - Songs Of The Wild West Island, or the debut album, Love Is A Dull Instrument. Go to the Loomer Company Store or buy on iTunes
Songs Of The Wild West Island. 12 idiosyncratic new songs of hope, despair, resurrection and a 2-headed calf.
Including the haunting duet, "Only Lovers" featuring Sarah Harmer.
Loomer limped into existence back in the spring of 99 with little fanfare and even fewer expectations. Born out of the ashes of Toronto alt country stalwarts The Saddletramps, and built around the idiosyncratic song writing skills of Scott Loomer, they released their internationally acclaimed debut album Love is a Dull Instrument in the summer of 2004. Their sophomore release, "Songs Of The Wild West Island" was released in late 2006 to rave reviews.
This is one of those "where did these guys come from?" records that - once you hear it - commands serious attention All wrapped up with a bent sense of humour and a hint of that typically Canadian self-deprecating way, Loomer begs an audience, if not a following. Eric Thom, Exclaim Magazine
With Love Is a Dull Instrument Scott Loomer and company have fused the guitar lonesome of Son Volt with the lilting romanticism of The Jayhawks to blissful effect. One of the finest country rock albums of the year." Bob Klanac, Scene Magazine
An absolutely superb album. I think its fantastic! I like everything on it. Bob Harris, BBC
Fantastic. Corrie Gregory, Miles of Music
(Their) debut 'Love is a Dull Instrument' distills the bands first couple of years into thirteen magnificently executed songs that draw on some of the darker aspects of life and the relationships that inform our day to day. - Peter Gow, Americana UK
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Alt.country of the highest quality. And we're talking about bands like Uncle Tupelo, Whiskeytown, and Richmond Fontaine. A mandatory purchase Top 2004, Bart Ebisch, www.alcountry.nl
- Jim Reil, CKCU
Scott Loomer and his band mates have crafted the best alt-country album of the year - Eric Sorenson, fufkin.com
A wonderful explosion of country rock. Surely one of Americana's best bands outside of superstardom. Michael Mee, NetRhythms UK
Not a single throw away moment. It's almost embarrassing, there isnt a single track that isnt good...a western mood that gets under the skin and provokes long shudders of pleasure up and down the spine. Buscadero magazine, Italy
Several Best of 2004 lists later, and upon completing a successful tour of the UK in the summer of 2005, Loomer got down to the task of recording their second album, the highly anticipated Songs of the Wild West Island, set to release in fall 2006.
Loomer are; Andrew Lindsay, Brian Duguay, Michael Taylor, Iain Thomson , John Dehaas and Scott Loomer
And thats the story so far"We play because we love the music. It's not like we want our own action figures or anything. Although, that would be nice"Scott Loomer
Hi Scott and Band, thank you very much. These are very emotional tunes, sung and played with passion and a special feeling. Beautiful collaboration with Sarah on Only Lovers. Five Stars!!!
My new single 'Come North' is out now on Leftarm Records, and is taken from the album 'Book of Days' produced by Fran Ashcroft (Gorillaz/Dandy Warhols). Check it out, your feedback is much appreciated!
Hi Scott, Jim, Brian and ya'll, we are back from Amsterdam & reality is slowly creeping up on us... Great catching up with you in The Dam & get back to the UK real soon!, Dave & Chris
I was a guest on a Glasgow radio show last night and just had to play Caramel Heart and rave about how good Loomer are:-)
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GREAT show at the Dakota the other night! glad I drove the 100+ miles through the blinding snow, was worth it to see swing dancing during your riveting "Psychotic Killer"! Have a great time 'over there'!
So we (Paula, Dave and I) got back from a gig the other night, skinned up and put 'Songs of...' on. Covered the thing in unwanted harmonies. You would have hated us but, boy, did we enjoy ourselves.
hey really enjoyed the show you did in bristol last month. Was good to finally get your new album too, have played it a lot - my mates and I love it! cheers joel
I been to two State Fairs and a goat-ropin', and have NEVER heard a band like you 'uns. Dang. Good to see you made the effort to play in far away lands, any chance of Toronto or Buffalo shows?? Peas be upon you, Alex Thermionicon
Hey - great to see you at Belladrum - you get the vote as my "find of the season". Spreading the word - learning a few of your tunes - hope to see you back in England soon.
guys..... great doing business with you in the uk.... special thanks to mike and jim for livening up our sets.... ireland was the f*cking riot i predicted.... hope to see you all soon... scott, keep in touch man... hope all is well with you and yours.... pete, del, andy, dana
So sorry I couldn't make it to dinner. NEVER take Tramadol on an empty stomach, man. I thought I was going to throw up my arse by the end of it. That was a real bummer we couldn't catch up properly. I thought you were fuckin' fantastic at The Village, though. You can read a review of our set on my blog, if you wish. Had worse.
