Waltons (band)

The Waltons
Background information
Origin	Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Genres	alternative rock, folk rock
Years active	1987–2001
Labels	Warner Sire Reprise Elektra
Associated acts	Barenaked Ladies Spirit of the West
Past members	Jason Plumb, Keith Nakonechny, David Cooney, Todd Lumley, Steve Pitkin, Sean Bryson

The Waltons were a Canadian alternative rock band formed in 1987 in Regina. The band received a 1994 Juno Award for Best New Group.

History

The band was originally known as "Neurotic Paperboy", before changing to The Waltons. They released two independent demo cassettes, '89 Demonstrations and Demo Sandwich, in 1989 and 1990. The band was formed in 1987 by vocalist/guitarist Jason Plumb, Bass guitarist Keith Nakonechny and drummer David Cooney.^[1]

In 1992, with producer John Switzer, they released their debut album, Lik My Trakter ("like my tractor") independently. Also in 1991, they were nominated for two CFNY-FM CASBY Awards for 'Most Promising Band' and 'Best Western Canadian Band'. The following year, they signed to Warner Music Canada, and toured as a supporting act for Barenaked Ladies. Todd Lumley also joined the band that year, playing keyboards and accordion. The album became their commercial breakthrough, spawning the Top 40 hits "Colder Than You", "In the Meantime" and "The Naked Rain". The song "The Living Room" also received heavy airplay on many alternative stations around Canada.

In 1994, the band won a Juno Award for Best New Group.^[2] Also that year they released the Simple Brain EP, including the title track (which the band had written for the film soundtrack Naked in New York), as well as covers of Simon and Garfunkel's "The Boxer" and Weddings Parties Anything's "Under the Clocks".

In 1995, the band followed up with Cock's Crow, produced by Michael Phillip Wojewoda and including two songs co written with Spirit of the West's John Mann and Geoffrey Kelly. That year, Cooney left the band to pursue other interests. He was replaced by Steve Pitkin. After the recording of Cock's Crow, Sean Bryson replaced Pitkin.

In 1998, the band released Empire Hotel. A live album, Liv, followed in 2001, after which the band broke up. Plumb went on to record his own solo music, though he still performs some Waltons songs in concert..

Discography

• 89 Demonstrations (1989)
• Demo Sandwich (1990)
• Lik My Trakter (1992)
• Simple Brain (1994)
• Cock's Crow (1995)
• Empire Hotel (1998)
• Live (2001)

References