Presented by Halifax Pop Explosion
Duotang
This performance is part of the showcase that starts on Thursday, March 16at Swan Dive Patio
Duotang is Rod Slaughter (bass) and Sean Allum (drums).
Formed in the summer of 1995, the 2-piece band's mix of mod-rock and post-punk garnered critical attention, and in March, 1996, signed to famed Vancouver independent record label Mint Records. Over the next 5 years, Duotang released three albums: Smash the Ships and Raise the Beams (1996), The Cons and the Pros (1998), and The Bright Side in 2001. All three topped the college radio charts in Canada and allowed Duotang to tour extensively across Canada, United States, and Europe. They shared the stage across Canada with The English Beat, landed the cover of Exclaim magazine and in 2002, won the Prairie Music Award for Best Video for 2001s The Evidence Comes From All Directions.
The duo decided to take a hiatus in 2002 - one that wound up lasting 12 years. In December 2014, at the request of Mint Records, they reunited for a show in Vancouver, and followed it up with a sold-out Winnipeg show. With a renewed vigor, and crop of new songs, the duo went on to play the Winnipeg Jazz Festival, Calgary’s Sled Island and Edmonton's UP&DT Festival.
And now, 15 years after their last release comes Duotang's newest album New Occupation, out October 14, 2016 on Montreal's Stomp records. Opening with a tongue in cheek ode to the reunion, "Nostalgia's a Vice" the 12 track album is the group's best material to date. Other notable tracks include the sing-along "Karma Needs to Come Around", the rocking "Bastard Five" and the mod-influenced "A Suitable Distraction". Yes, it appears Duotang are not only back, but better than ever.
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