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Formed in 2001, The Paperbacks have operated consistently and quietly from their home base in Winnipeg, Canada, gathering a dedicated following and building up an impressive catalogue of songs and accomplishments. Singer/guitarist Doug McLean, whose previous groups (beloved pop-punkers The Bonaduces and the more politically-oriented
Painted Thin) had dissolved almost simultaneously in 2000, founded The Paperbacks with members of both those projects: bassist Jaret McNabb, drummer Jack Jonasson and guitarist Mike McKenzie. It was a step into slightly unknown territory; though the signature lyrical style of McLean remained, the harder, sloppier edges of both the previous bands had been shed to create a more delicate sound, putting greater emphasis on
harmonies and layered arrangements.
After the release of a 7” single and a cross-Canada tour the following year, McKenzie left to pursue academics; thereafter the band added Jason Churko (guitar) and Tanya Jonasson (keyboards). “An Episode of Sparrows,” their first full-length, was recorded by bassist McNabb in his home studio; it was released in 2003 on Minneapolis-based Pshaw in North America/Newest Industry in Europe. Heavy touring was done throughout Canada, hitting various festivals (Pop Montreal, North by Northeast) and opening on a number of large shows across the the country (with The Weakerthans, The Hold Steady, AC Newman and Feist, among others). An EP with K Records’ Jason Anderson was released on the Endearing label, and the group toured with him, both as The Paperbacks and as his backing band. A major European tour was launched in 2004, bringing them to England, Germany, France, The Netherlands and Denmark.
In 2005, The Paperbacks convened to record their sophomore CD “An Illusion Against Death” with Weakerthans frontman (and longtime fan) John K. Samson producing. Despite the high-profile session, however, the conclusion of these recordings saw several members leave for other opportunities, both musical and personal; this left McLean and McNabb as the sole remaining Paperbacks. The album was released quietly in 2007 on their own Parliament of Trees label, and toured coast-to-coast by the two founders along with new drummer Corey Biluk and what would be a rotating cast of guitarists and multi-instrumentalists.
The line-up solidified in early 2008 with new guitarist Kevin Andrechuck and keyboardist Kevin McLean joining permanently. With the new personnel in place, the group tackled their next recording project, which became the monster 32-song, double CD set “Lit From Within.” Produced once again by McNabb in his home studio, the album took a year to complete and is set for release in January of 2010. Plans to tour domestically and abroad, as well as release additional new music, are underway.
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