for hot, fresh, innovative talent - especially right here
in Toronto. The following group meets - and in my opinion,
exceeds - all of the criteria above.
Down With Webster is a seven piece group from Toronto. The group is made up of Tyler - bass and keyboards, Pat - vocals and guitar, Marty - drums, Bucky - vocals, Cam - vocals, Kap - hypeman, and Diggy - DJ. The group started out way back when members Tyler, Pat, and Marty were in the same music class in junior high. The boys initially set out to play a talent show at school - which they won. Soon after the group evolved to the seven piece genre defying group we know and love. The guys grew up in the Beaches, a neighborhood right here in Toronto. Reading up on their bio and watching interviews, this is one band that is no overnight success - they have been together for over a decade. In fact, their rigourous work ethic led them to sell out shows in their hometown - before they even relased a single, music video or were signed to a major label. Along the way, they also caught the eye of industry heavy hitters Timbaland and Gene Simmons of KISS. Both who were in a bidding war to sign the group to their respective labels. Instead, they opted to go with Motown/ Universal Records.
In 2008, the group won the Rogers Mobile/ Universal Music best unsigned artists in Canada award. However, it seems that 2009 was their breakout year. In 2009, they made a month-long appeareance on Warped Tour and Virgin Festival; and their debut album, Time to Win Vol.1 was released. Their success has continued to grow in 2010. They became Juno nominated artists. Hosted MuchMusic's Spring Break special - where they also got to open for Lil' John. Were nominees and performers at the 2010 MuchMusic Video Awards. Performed to a crowd of at least 10 000 in their hometown this past summer at the CNE. The CNE Bandshell was my first Down With Webster concert. I remember Cam mentionning to the crowd that evening, hoping that one day the band will get to play and sell out the Air Canada Centre.
Cut to a month later, and the start of that dream became a reality. Down With Webster were listed as one of the performers - openers actually - at WEDay in Toronto; a rock concert for social change. Twenty thousand youth gathered into the ACC on September 30th; while not a Down With Webster show, they showed how hard work and dedication pays off.
Down With Webster is most definitely one of the most dedicated bands out there. These guys are always on the road. They are currently touring with 3OH3! and Hellogoodbye across the U.S. (with four
Canadian dates - unfortunately, none in Toronto). I can honestly say it's one thing to enjoy their music and videos, but seeing them live is essential. Unlike a lot of bands, they are all about the power of the live show. These guys have definitely set the bar high for any future shows I'll attend. They have incredible energy, as they interact and challenge their crowd to have as much fun as them. Their concert at the CNE Bandshell this past summer was hands down, the best concert I have ever been to!
Fans who were unable to catch them on The Streets of Gold Tour, can rejoice! The boys will be headlining their own tour, WINtour, across Canada in the new year. In addition, their much-anticipated sophmore release - Time to Win: Volume 2 is set to hit stores early 2011!!! Still not convinced??? Check out some footage I captured of their show at the CNE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDFWeZRoPig. Visit their official site www.downwithwebster.com where you can become a fan on Facebook (they are one of the few bands who actually replies to their fans!), and follow them on Twitter. Request their latest single 'Whoa Is Me' at your local radio station! Spread the word, and while doing so never forget to live.laugh.love
- Sinem Tekin
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