United Steel Workers of Montreal (or USWM) were a six-piece alternative country ensemble based in downtown Montreal, Quebec. The core band members included Gern f Vlchek (vocals/acoustic guitar), Felicity Hamer (vocals/accordion), Sean "Gus" Beauchamp (vocals/acoustic guitar), Matt Watson (electric guitar), accompanied by Roger Dawson, then Eddy Blake Eaton and finally Flipper Frumignac (on bass), and Kevin Mcneilly, then Christopher Reid, and finally Dylan Perron (on banjo/mandolin). The band drew on punk rock, bluegrass and country influences.
History
The band began as an informal busking collective, playing every Tuesday in Montreal's Lucien-L'Allier metro station. "De terre et d'acier: The United Steel Workers of Montreal fait le point sur la nouvelle scène country montréalaise.", Voir, January 3, 2008. After about seven or eight months, they booked a rehearsal space and began to actively record and perform as a permanent band. Their debut album Broken Trucks and Bottles was released in April 2005 and featured Sean Moore on banjo, mandolin and guitar. Shortly after the album's release Moore left the band and was replaced by Kevin McNeilly, while session man Roger Dawson also became a member.
The new lineup followed with Kerosene and Coal in 2007."United Steel Workers Of Montreal Kerosene & Coal". Exclaim!, By Kerry Doole Jul 19, 2007 That same year, a Montreal Mirror readers' poll voted them the third best act in the city, behind only Arcade Fire and electronic duo Team Canada."Best of Montreal Readers Poll 2007", Montreal Mirror, 2007-05-31. Retrieved on 2008-09-23. In 2007 Dawson left the band and was replaced by bass player Eddy Blake Eaton.
From 2008 to 2001, the group toured extensively throughout Canada, with an emphasis on small, out-of-the-way towns. They also appeared at industry showcases, including performances at 2007 Canada Music Week"It’s A Good Day For Breastfeeders and Steel Workers". Torontoist, March 2007, By Amanda Buckiewicz and shows at the 2008 SXSW and Ottawa Bluesfest."Support your local blues chapter", Ottawa XPress, July 3, 2008. Their music has also been playlisted on CBC Radio 3. "USWM in Concert" CBC Radio 3, 2007-11-19. Between tours the group continued performing in Montreal."Three Cheers For The United Steel Workers of Montreal". Montreal Gazette, May 1, 2008. Adam Kinner In an announcement posted to their official website, USWM disbanded at the end of 2011, citing both personal reasons and creative differences in the band.
Discography 2005 Broken Trucks and Bottles 2007 Kerosene and Coal 2009 Three on the Tree
References