Duncan and Luke Major, Jamie March, and a combination of Jon Hynes, Mat "Chewy" Lacombe, Phil Churchill, Geraldine Hollett and Brad Power.
Influences
Elvis Costello AND the Attractions, Bruce Springsteen AND the E-Street Band, Lou Reed, Ron Hynes, The Replacements, The Clash, The Pathological Lovers, The Constantines, Fur Packed Action, Guided by Voices, Trailer Camp, Hot Snakes, Sloan, Pavement
Biography
Formed by brothers Luke and Duncan Major over the winter of 2007,
Mercy, the Sexton is leading a new wave of East Coast pop. Their sound
is fresh and forward, built upon an affection for New Wave and 70s
punk. They write hard-hitting pop songs that blend guitar and synth
hooks with sharp, honest lyrics. The band is currently based in St.
John's where they play gigs regularly, rehearse in their subterranean
jamspace and live downtown.
Mercy, the Sexton's debut album ‘Another Month’ was released in April
of 2008, and was awarded the inaugural Atlantis Music Prize later that
year. Since the album’s release the band has toured Eastern Canada
with Mardeen and Two Hours Traffic and showcased at North by
Northeast, Pop Montreal, Canadian Music Week and at the ECMAs.
Another Month is now virtually out of print. There might be a few copies left at Fred's Records in St. John's. Another Month is available on iTunes for only $6.93. Click the iTunes button to check it out.
And the Critics:
“Three years ago, Springsteen came on my car radio, talking about starting out with his band. They would play anywhere, for anyone, and learn any song, because they wanted to play that badly. Three days ago Mercy, the Sexton took me straight back to that sunny morning. They love to play, and because they love, the crowd loves them. Because they want to be there, the crowd wants to be there with them. They are the band that just loves to play”
-Dana Cooper, Writer, The Scope
“The high-energy pop is punctuated with dandy New Wave harmonies, clever lyrics and enough guitar edge to hold the interest of those of us who winced the first time synthy keyboards took over the airwaves.”
-Ken Simmons, The Telegram
"Clever and catchy, fast and young, Mercy sound the way a great weekend feels. Beats you can dance to, melodies you can hum, these guys have boiled down dance-rock and taken only the essentials, leaving the lame and the obvious behind.”
-Zach Goudie, CBC Radio
“Mercy, the Sexton have this irresistible danceability to their rock music that catches you and never lets you go.”
-Kevin Kelly, The Newfoundland Herald
“Not only are these songs energetic, they’re completely unforgettable.”
-Robert Hiscock, Product of Newfoundland
But, concerning the name:sex·ton (sek'st?n)
n. An employee or officer of a church who is responsible for the care and upkeep of church property and sometimes for ringing bells and digging graves.
A sexton is also a sort of tank.
To hear the episode of The Great Eastern which contains the exclamation for which Mercy, the Sexton is named click here.
Hey pals, Nice work on the Atlantis Prize. This calls for another Haligonian video shoot. You can recruit some dancers from the Blue Moon for this one.
I just wanted to say that you guys were awesome last night! My friend and I really enjoyed it(not that I ever expected anything less). And I must say, I was far too excited when you threw in 'Harder Than It Seems', lol. I did want to say this last night but I'm shy so, electronically it is. ;-)
Just a reminder to listen in FRIDAY afternoon at 4:30-6 pm CST to hear MERCY, THE SEXTON on “This Great White North” an ALL CANADIAN music show from Austin, Texas It’s on 91. 7 KOOP-FM Listen here
i wish i could have stayed for your set the other night:( thanks for asking ye-yeti to play that show at the ship. we really need as many shows as we can get. see you saturday!!<3
ok, so i can't stop playing your album, or singing it in my head all day long!!!
how's that for hooks?
can i book you guys for a show Friday Sept. 12, 2008??? i don't know about payment yet, i've never booked a show, but i'm paying for the venue (it'll be my 30th b-day) so, let me know, 'k? YAY!!! =D
holy fuck! you guys were awesome last night!!! i can't wait to pass the cds on and share you with the world!
sorry i never met up at the other bar, i got drenched on the way home and by the time i was dry it was last call ='( no worries, we'll hang in NL soon enough. it was great to see y'all again!
