Anagram was a Canadian punk rock band from Oshawa, Ontario, Canada later based out of Toronto. The group was known for loud, frenzied and sometimes violent live shows.[1][2]

Anagram
OriginOshawa, Ontario, Canada
GenresPost punk, punk rock
Years active2002 (2002)–2012
LabelsDead Astronaut Records, Blocks Recording Club, Telephone Explosion Records
MembersClayton Churcher
Matt Mason
Willy Mason
Jeff Peers
Jon Schwartz
Chris Levoir
Chris Taylor

History

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Singer Matt Mason founded the band with his fraternal twin Willy Mason.[3] Its members, including departures and replacements, were Matt Mason, lead vocals; Jeff Peers, bassist; Clayton Churcher, drummer; guitarist Willy Mason, singer and saxophonist Jon Schwartz, guitarist Chris Lavoir, bassist Chris Taylor and keyboardist Christopher Sandes. Their self-titled debut EP was released in late 2003.[4]

The band's first full-length album, After Dark, was released in early 2006 to positive reviews.[5] Andrew Steenberg of Exclaim! wrote that the album was "a lesson in how music should be played."[6] They also released a split 12" with The Creeping Nobodies of Toronto and a 7" single in mid-2007.[7]

In 2010, the band released their third album Majewski. It was named in memory of Oshawa musician Michal Majewski.[8][9][10]

Of their live shows, Now wrote, "Their droning hypnotism has been known to arouse urges to violence and maybe a house fire or two."[11]

Anagram disbanded in 2012, playing their final show at The Silver Dollar Room in Toronto.[12]

In 2013, Churcher and the Mason brothers founded the band Surinam.[2][13]

Discography

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Albums

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  • After Dark (2005), Dead Astronaut Records[14]
  • Majewski (2010), Dead Astronaut Records[15]
  • Anagram (2003), Dead Astronaut Records
  • The Creeping Nobies and Anagram (Split, 2006), Dead Astronaut Records, Blocks Recording Club

Singles

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  • "I Didn't Want To Go Anyways" / "What a Mess" (2007), Dead Astronaut Records[16]
  • "Butcher / "Fish" (2010), Telephone Explosion Records[17]

References

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  1. ^ David Marchese (February 2008). "Bands: Anagram". SPIN. 24 (2). SPIN Media LLC: 103–. ISSN 0886-3032.
  2. ^ a b "UNCHARTED: Meet Surinam, the new band from Ontario terrors Anagram"[usurped]. Chris Hampton - Jan 22, 2014
  3. ^ Perlich, Tim (2006-01-12). "Punk puzzle: unravelling the enigma of Anagram". Now. Archived from the original on 2006-12-14. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
  4. ^ "Anagram (5) – Anagram". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  5. ^ Hamilton, Mark (2006-07-06). "Translate! The beautiful mess of Toronto's Anagram". Fast Forward Weekly. Archived from the original on 2009-01-09. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
  6. ^ Steenberg, Andrew (February 2006). "Anagram: After Dark". Exclaim!. Archived from the original on 2012-08-01. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
  7. ^ "The Creeping Nobodies And Anagram". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  8. ^ "Oshawa This Week, July 2009". durhamregion.com. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  9. ^ "Anagram's creepy ode". NOW Toronto, by Jordan Bimm October 22, 2010
  10. ^ "Anagram Majewski". Exclaim!, By Nicole Villeneuve Oct 19, 2010
  11. ^ "Extermination Music Night, August 19". Now. 2006-08-24. Archived from the original on 2007-03-05. Retrieved 2008-02-11.
  12. ^ Levack, Chandler (2012-04-16). "RIP Anagram (2003-2012)". A.V. Club Toronto. Archived from the original on 2012-07-31. Retrieved 2012-04-23.
  13. ^ "Surinam: The Wavelength Interview | Wavelength". wavelengthtoronto.com. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 14 January 2022.
  14. ^ "Anagram – After Dark". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  15. ^ "Anagram – Majewski". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  16. ^ "Anagram (5) – Anagram". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
  17. ^ "Anagram – Butcher / Fish". discogs.com. Discogs. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
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