The Stills

History

The band's original lineup consisted of lead vocalist and guitarist Tim Fletcher, guitarist Gregory Paquet, bassist Olivier Corbeil and drummer Dave Hamelin. The band members had known each other since the age of 12 and played in various bands prior to forming the Stills, including Chinatown and Amentum.

Their EP, Rememberese, was released on June 17, 2003 by Vice Records (and in the UK by 679 Recordings), followed by their debut album; both were produced by Gus Van Go. Logic Will Break Your Heart was released in North America on October 21, 2003, and in the UK on February 23, 2004, and included the singles "Lola Stars and Stripes", "Changes Are No Good" and "Still in Love Song". Keyboardist Liam O'Neil played on several of the album's tracks. The album elicited critical acclaim and comparisons to Interpol and Echo & the Bunnymen, with AllMusic citing its "brooding post-punk soundscapes and art rock swagger".

Paquet left the band in 2005 to finish his university degree, and Hamelin moved to guitar, sharing lead vocal duties with Fletcher. Julien Blais joined as drummer, and O'Neil became a full-time member of the band on keyboards.

The Stills' second album, Without Feathers, was released May 9, 2006 on Vice Records (and in the UK by Drowned in Sound Recordings). Again produced by Van Go, it marked a distinct shift in sound, from the 1980s-influenced post-punk revivalism of the debut to a happier, more Americana-oriented sound, which Pitchfork termed "cheerful and heartfelt". It featured guest appearances from Sam Roberts, Emily Haines (Metric) and Jason Collett (Broken Social Scene). They supported Kings of Leon on that band's UK spring tour in 2007.

They signed with Arts & Crafts for the release of their third album, Oceans Will Rise, which was released August 19, 2008. Critics noted that the album "reconciled the mannered 1980s sound that first got them noticed with the open-hearted earthiness of their sophomore effort".

On July 20, 2008, the Stills played in Quebec City, opening for Paul McCartney, for the city's 400th anniversary. On February 7, 2009, they played at Nathan Phillips Square as part of Toronto's WinterCity Festival, and again supported Kings of Leon on a tour of Australia and New Zealand in March 2009.

On March 28, 2009, the Stills were awarded two Juno Awards (Canada's music awards) for their album Oceans Will Rise, in the categories of Best New Group and Best Alternative Album.

On April 29, 2010, the band announced that Paquet was rejoining the band and Hamelin was moving back to drums.

On April 15, 2011, the Stills announced on their site that they had officially disbanded.

Other projects

In 2009, Hamelin, O'Neil and Broken Social Scene drummer Justin Peroff formed the band Eight and a Half, releasing their self-titled debut in 2012.

O'Neil played various instruments on Kings of Leon's 2010 album Come Around Sundown, and is involved with hip-hop act Da Gryptions.

Members

EPs

Singles

Compilation appearances

Music videos