Emerging from Guelph, Ontario, during 1999, The Constantines comprised Bryan Webb and Steve Lambke on vocals and guitar, bassist Dallas Wehrle, keyboardist Will Kidman, and drummer Doug McGregor. The quintet shifted its operations to Toronto by 2001 and delivered its debut self-titled album. That record fused raw, moody arty dub-punk with traditional rock drive and pop contours, securing instant broad acceptance. It earned a Juno nomination for Best Alternative Album while claiming the top spot on college radio playlists throughout Canada and the United States. The group maintained a heavy touring schedule across 2002 and released the Modern Sinner Nervous Man EP through Suicide Squeeze that April. Ongoing road dates combined with extensive critical praise generated mounting excitement by summer 2003, which the August arrival of Shine a Light on Sub Pop only intensified. Performances continued through October. Following extensive touring and recording sessions that occupied much of 2004, the band returned in 2005 with Tournament of Hearts. It later signed with Arts & Crafts and issued the more restrained Kensington Heights in 2008.
