Editing Constantines

{{Short description|Canadian indie rock band}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = Constantines
| image           = The Constantines playing at the Vancouver 2010 Olympics.jpg
| caption         = Constantines playing the Vancouver 2010 Olympics
| image_size      = 250
| landscape       = yes
| alias           = Horsey Craze
| origin          = [[Guelph, Ontario]], Canada
| genre           = [[Indie rock]]
| years_active    = {{Start date|1999}}&ndash;2010, 2014&ndash;present
| label           = [[Three Gut Records|Three Gut]], [[Arts & Crafts (record label)|Arts & Crafts]], [[Sub Pop]]
| associated_acts = Shoulder, [[Baby Eagle (musician)|Baby Eagle]], [[Woolly Leaves]], Deloro
| website         = {{URL|arts-crafts.ca/artists/constantines.html}}
| current_members = Will Kidman<br />[[Steve Lambke]]<br />Doug MacGregor<br />[[Bryan Webb]]<br />Dallas Wehrle
| past_members    = Evan Gordon
}}

'''Constantines''' is an [[indie rock]] band from [[Guelph, Ontario]], Canada.<ref>[https://www.therecord.com/whatson-story/2564169-are-the-constantines-breaking-up-or-just-slowing-down-/ "Are the Constantines breaking up or 'just slowing down'?"]{{Dead link|date=March 2022 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. ''Wterloo Record'', Aug 25, 2010</ref>

==History==
Constantines was formed in 1999, by vocalist and guitarist [[Bryan Webb]], drummer Doug MacGregor, and guitarist Paul Bright, all of whom had played together in the emo band Shoulder from 1994 to 1997; with the addition of bassist Dallas Wehrle.<ref name="AbridgedPauseShoulderBiography">{{Cite web|last=Julien|first=Alexandre|author-link=Alexander Julien|date=March 12, 2010|title=Shoulder Official Biography|url=http://www.abridgedpause.com/shoulder|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106075508/http://www.abridgedpause.com/shoulder|archive-date=November 6, 2019|access-date=September 6, 2020|website=Abridged Pause Blog|language=en-US}}</ref> Bright was asked to leave early on and was replaced by [[Steve Lambke]].<ref name="AbridgedPauseShoulderBiography" /><ref>[https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/constantines-emc "Constantines"]. ''The Canadian Encyclopedia'', Janna Whelan, June 7, 2010</ref> Their style has been described as "art-punk", and they have been compared to bands like [[The Clash]], [[Fugazi (band)|Fugazi]], [[Bruce Springsteen]], [[The Replacements (band)|The Replacements]], and [[Nick Cave]].

The name of the band is taken from an episode of ''Coast to Coast with [[Art Bell]]'', in which Bell was playing recordings of ghost voices in static, and one of the ghosts' names was Constantine.<ref>{{cite news| title=The Constantines reject irony | publisher=[[The Georgia Straight]]|url=https://www.straight.com/article-151201/constantines-reject-irony}}</ref>

From their hometown of Guelph the band relocated to [[London, Ontario]] and then to [[Toronto]], where in 2001 they released their self-titled first album. ''[[Constantines (album)|Constantines]]'' enjoyed widespread play on [[campus radio]] and was nominated for a [[Juno Award]] for [[Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year|Best Alternative Album]].<ref>[https://pitchfork.com/features/interview/6169-the-constantines/ "The Constantines"]. ''Pitchfork'', by Jason Crock, October 16, 2005</ref> The first track, "Arizona", is based on the suicide of [[Danny Rapp]], the lead singer of [[Danny and the Juniors]] of "[[At the Hop]]" fame. The song begins with the lyric "This is a song about the death of Danny Rapp. And that great gospel jest called rock 'n' roll." That year they performed at the [[El Mocambo]] in Toronto with Oneida and Grand Total.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20011217085138/http://chartattack.com/damn/2001/09/2413.cfm "LIVE: The Constantines w/ Oneida And Grand Total"]}}. ''Chart Attack'',  September 24, 2001. Review by: Brian Pascual</ref>

In 2002 they added keyboard player [[Evan Gordon (musician)|Evan Gordon]] to the lineup and released the [[Extended play|EP]] ''[[The Modern Sinner Nervous Man]]''. Gordon left the band soon after to pursue his own song writing. He was replaced by Will Kidman, and the band released ''[[Shine a Light (Constantines album)|Shine a Light]]'' in 2003.  This album was the band's first to be released outside of Canada on the [[Sub Pop]] record label. It topped the !earshot National Top 50 chart in September that year.<ref>[http://earshot-online.com/charts/index.cfm?intChartTypeID=101&dWeekOfID=2003-09-16 "The National Top 50 For the Week Ending: Tuesday, September 16, 2003"]. ''!earshot''.</ref> ''Shine a Light'' also earned the band their second Juno Award nomination for Alternative Album of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://junoawards.ca/artist-profile/constantines/|title=Constantines {{pipe}} Nominations|website=[[Juno Award]]s|access-date=2021-11-28}}</ref>

In 2004, the label Sub Pop reissued the band's self-titled album.<ref>[http://drownedinsound.com/releases/3775/reviews/10059- " Constantines: The Constantines"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106092903/http://drownedinsound.com/releases/3775/reviews/10059- |date=2018-11-06 }}. ''Drowned in Sound'',</ref> The next year, they embarked on a cross-Canada tour with [[The Weakerthans]] called ''The Rolling Tundra Revue''. Later in the year their album ''[[Tournament of Hearts (album)|Tournament of Hearts]]'' was released September 27 by Toronto record label [[Three Gut Records]] in Canada, and on October 11 by Sub Pop in the United States.

The members of Constantines have occasionally played shows under the name Horsey Craze, [[cover version|covering]] [[Neil Young]] songs. In early 2006, they released a [[gramaphone record|vinyl]] only split-album with [[The Unintended]]. Constantines recorded four Neil Young covers for the [[LP album|LP]], while The Unintended performed four [[Gordon Lightfoot]] songs.<ref name="BarclaySchneider2011">{{cite book|author1=Michael Barclay|author2=Jason Schneider|author3=Ian A.D. Jack|title=Have Not Been the Same: The CanRock Renaissance, 1985-1995|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=xLIiOE_jCpAC&pg=PT936|date=June 2011|publisher=ECW Press|isbn=978-1-55490-968-1|pages=936–}}</ref>

In 2007, following the demise of their Canadian former record label Three Gut Records, Constantines signed with [[Arts & Crafts (record label)|Arts & Crafts]]. On January 15, 2008, they released a limited edition [[7"]] on white vinyl, entitled ''Hard Feelings''. Their fourth full-length album, ''[[Kensington Heights]]'', was released on April 15 in Canada and April 29 in the US. The band played SP20 that summer, a festival in [[Redmond, Washington]] celebrating the 20th anniversary of [[Sub Pop]] Records.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Sub Pop 20th anniversary schedule|url = https://www.seattletimes.com/entertainment/sub-pop-20th-anniversary-schedule/|website = Seattle Times|date = 2008-07-11|access-date = 2024-08-14}}</ref> 

Guitarist Steve Lambke has released four albums and a split 12" under the name [[Baby Eagle (musician)|Baby Eagle]], and keyboard player Will Kidman has appeared and recorded under the name Woolly Leaves.<ref>{{cite web |first=Sarah |last=Murphy |url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/woolly_leaves_performs_never_ending_song_about_nothing_boff |title=Woolly Leaves Performs 'Never Ending Song About Nothing' (BOFF) |website=[[Exclaim!]] |date=January 11, 2012 }}</ref>

In December 2009, the band celebrated their tenth anniversary with a tour of southwestern Ontario.  Shortly thereafter, keyboardist Will Kidman left the band.  This, coupled with Webb's move from his home in Montreal back to Guelph, fueled rumours of the band's demise.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.guelphmercury.com/News/article/680515 |title=GuelphMercury - After 45 years, Buffett's insurance engine of growth |publisher=News.guelphmercury.com |date=2012-03-02 |access-date=2012-04-02 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>  Although Webb hinted that the band might return.<ref>{{cite web |last=Khanna| first=Vish| url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/constantines_go_on_indefinite_hiatus |title=Constantines Go on Indefinite Hiatus?|website=[[Exclaim!]] |date=2010-08-11 |access-date=2012-04-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100817013607/http://www.exclaim.ca/articles/generalarticlesynopsfullart.aspx?csid1=146&csid2=844&fid1=48747 |archive-date=2010-08-17 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
[[File:The Constantines at Hillside Festival 2015.jpg|thumb|right|The Constantines performing at the 2015 Hillside Festival in Guelph, ON]]Constantines went on an unofficial hiatus for several years.

In 2014 Constantines reformed for a reunion tour,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://beatroute.ca/2014/10/07/the-constantines-distance-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107010227/http://beatroute.ca/2014/10/07/the-constantines-distance-makes-the-heart-grow-fonder/|title=The Constantines: Distance makes the heart grow fonder|last=Laugher|first=Nick|website=[[BeatRoute]]|date=2014-10-07|access-date=2021-11-27|archive-date=2018-11-07|url-status=dead}}</ref> performing at festivals around Canada, including SappyFest<ref>[https://www.vice.com/en/article/sappyfest-x-show-review-2015/ "We Saw the Constantines' Dress Up in Gorilla Suits and PUP Return a Shoe at SappyFest X"]. ''Noisey'', by Matt Williams, Aug 5 2015,</ref> and at Kazoo!Fest in Guelph.<ref name=needham>[https://exclaim.ca/music/article/constantines-mitchell_hall_guelph_on_april_8 "Constantines Mitchell Hall, Guelph ON, April 8"]. ''Exclaim!'', By Tom Beedham, Apr 09, 2017</ref> In May 2015 the band performed at Massey Hall in Toronto with Chad VanGaalen<ref>[https://exclaim.ca/music/article/constantines_chad_vangaalen-live_at_massey_hall_live_videos "Constantines & Chad VanGaalen "Live at Massey Hall" (live videos)"]. ''Exclaim!'', By Alex Hudson, Oct 03, 2015</ref>

Constantines were on the line-up for Wayhome summer 2017 music festival in Oro-Medonte, Ontario.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://wayhome.com/|title=WayHome Music & Arts|website=WayHome|language=en-US|access-date=2017-02-28}}</ref> and once more performed at Kazoo!Fest.<ref name=needham />

In 2020, Constantines digitally self-released charity single "Call Me Out" written in 2017 and recorded in 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/constantines_share_new_song_call_me_out_for_charity|title=Constantines Share New Song "Call Me Out" for Charity|last=Hughes|first=Josiah|website=[[Exclaim!]]|date=9 June 2020}}</ref> The song was not published on [[List of streaming media services|streaming platforms]] and instead was only made available as a purchasable [[Bandcamp]] download with 100% of its proceeds being donated to [[Black Lives Matter]] Toronto and the [[Unistʼotʼen Camp]] Legal Fund.<ref name="call-me-out">{{cite web|url=https://theconstantines.bandcamp.com/track/call-me-out|title=Call Me Out {{pipe}} Constantines|website=[[Bandcamp]]|date=9 June 2020}}</ref>

==Members==
===Current members===
*Will Kidman – keyboards, guitar, [[percussion]], backing vocals
*[[Steve Lambke]] – [[guitar]], [[electronic keyboard|keyboards]], [[vocals]]
*Doug MacGregor – [[drum kit|drums]]
*[[Bryan Webb]] – vocals, guitar
*Dallas Wehrle – [[bass guitar]], [[backing vocals]]

===Former members===
*[[Evan Gordon (musician)|Evan Gordon]] – keyboards

==Discography==
===Albums===
*''[[Constantines (album)|Constantines]]'' ([[Three Gut Records]]) – June 5, 2001 ([[Sub Pop Records]] - August 10, 2004)
*''[[Shine a Light (Constantines album)|Shine a Light]]'' (Three Gut Records/Sub Pop Records) – August 19, 2003
*''[[Tournament of Hearts (album)|Tournament of Hearts]]'' (Three Gut Records) – September 27, 2005 / (Sub Pop Records) - October 11, 2005
*''[[Kensington Heights]]'' ([[Arts & Crafts (record label)|Arts & Crafts]]) – April 15, 2008

===EPs===
*''[[The Modern Sinner Nervous Man]]'' (EP, [[Suicide Squeeze Records]]) – April 16, 2002
*''[[Nighttime Anytime]]'' (EP, [[Sub Pop]]) – July 8, 2003

===Singles===
*''Young Lions'' (single, Sub Pop) – August 10, 2004<ref>[https://www.vice.com/en/article/a-completely-biased-ranking-of-the-60-best-canadian-indie-rock-songs-of-the-00s-part-ii/ "A Completely Biased Ranking of the 60 Best Canadian Indie Rock Songs of the 00s Part II"]. ''Vice'', Cam Lindsay Apr 10 2017</ref>
*''Hard Feelings'' (7" single, Arts & Crafts) – January 15, 2008
*''Islands in the Stream'' (7" single with [[Feist (singer)|Feist]], Arts & Crafts) – 2008
*''Our Age'' (7" single, Arts & Crafts, B-side is cover of "[[Fuckin' Up]]" by [[Neil Young and Crazy Horse]]) – November 25, 2008
*''Too Slow for Love'' (Electronic-only companion for Kensington Heights) – March 17, 2009
*''Thank You For Sending me An Angel'' (7" included in vinyl reissue of ''Shine A Light'' ) 2014
*''Call Me Out'' (digital, self-released) - June 9, 2020<ref name="call-me-out" />

===Splits===
* ''[[Constantines Play Young/Unintended Play Lightfoot]]'' [[LP album|LP]] (Blue Fog Records) – 2006

===Compilation appearances===
* ''The 20 Year Design Theory'' (AntiAntenna Recordings) – "The Young and the Desperate" – June 1, 2001
* ''Patient Zero'' – "Young Lions" (Sub Pop) – June 1, 2004
* ''[[CBC Radio 3 Sessions, Vol. 1]]'' – "Blind Luck (live)" – June 15, 2004
* ''Wide Awake, Crescent Shaped: Volume 10'' – "St. You (live)" – June 15, 2004
* ''Songbook Of Songs'' (Sub Pop) – "Working Full-Time" – May 24, 2005

===TV appearances===
*''[[Beautiful Noise (TV series)|Beautiful Noise]]''

==See also==
{{Portal|Music|Canada}}
*[[Music of Canada]]
*[[Canadian rock]]
*[[List of bands from Canada]]
*[[List of Canadian musicians]]
*[[:Category:Canadian musical groups]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://arts-crafts.ca/artists/constantines.html Constantines] official website
*{{WordPress|theconstantines}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20070625040153/http://www.threegutrecords.com/cons.php Constantines] on former label [[Three Gut Records]]
*[https://www.subpop.com/artists/constantines Constantines] on [[Sub Pop]]

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Constantines, The}}
[[Category:Suicide Squeeze Records artists]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1999]]
[[Category:Canadian indie rock groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Guelph]]
[[Category:Sub Pop artists]]
[[Category:Arts & Crafts Productions artists]]
[[Category:1999 establishments in Ontario]]