The Kramdens

History

Craig Norris (lead vocals, accordion, keyboards), Robert Leader (drums, percussion, vocals), Michael T Plater Findlay (guitar, lap steel, mandolin, vocals), Steve Knox (guitar, banjo, harmonica, vocals) and Mike Ostler (bass, vocals) have been together twenty five years and throughout that time have produced five records.

The band released their first record ..."semi-stylish" in 1997 which topped many campus radio charts and led to a national TV appearance on CTV’s E-Now, as well as a showcase slot at the prestigious NXNE Music Festival. Their second record, "Radio For Now", was released in 1999 and garnered stunning reviews as well as gave the band its first airplay on commercial radio, including rotation at CHTZ-FM and CHOM-FM. 2001’s "Quiet Collision", was picked up by Sextant Records, a label with EMI and gained airplay for both singles “Sometimes I Feel” and “Breakwall.” On this CD the band recorded a cover of the New Order song "Love Vigilantes", to which a video was produced by director Angus McLellan of Guerilla Force Films and Bleeding Apple.

Appearances on Canada AM, Open Mike with Mike Bullard and a CASBY Awards nomination from CFNY-FM, or Edge 102 for Favourite New Indie Release helped build the band’s national profile. Along with an extensive performing schedule, 2003 saw the European release of Quiet Collision by TB Records. The band has spent the past year working on two albums – one, a full-length follow-up to Quiet Collision, and the other a special limited-release fifteenth anniversary album released in Summer 2005.

November 4, 2008, the band released its fourth full-length album. This self-titled disc was released by SunnyLane Records, and features ten new songs. Recorded over an eighteen-month period in the band's own studio, this album showcases a greater depth in songwriting and instrumentation than previous releases. With songs ranging from the familiar roots sound the band has been known for ("More Than I Deserve", "Mary Phelan Hill"), to more introspective, piano and synthesizer coloured ballads ("Winter Lightning", "The Ballad of Charles Lawrence Hannah","Before it Starts"), to brooding and explosive guitar-driven songs ("The Talbot Trail", "Out On The Roman Line"), this album is a significant departure for the band.

In July 2015, "No One Here is Reflecting Any Light" was released at the Hillside Festival, marking the band's twenty-fifth year together. The album includes all-new material, as well as a cover of frequent collaborator Dave Teichroeb's song "The Duster". Recorded over a year, the album ranges from energy-laden driving rock ("No One Can Disappear Like You") to nuanced and thoughtful ballads. The album was warmly received, and was played in its entirety at the band's sold-out twenty-fifth anniversary show at the RiverRun Centre.

Currently working on new material, the band will be performing at the Home County Festival in London, Ontario, amongst other festivals and dates in 2016.

Current

Past

Discography