The Veer Union

Canadian hard rock band the Veer Union first surfaced in April 2009 through their major-label debut Against the Grain, whose heavy post-grunge sound centered on the commanding presence of frontman Crispin Earl. Despite repeated departures of both labels and fellow musicians across the following decade, Earl sustained a loyal following and a distinct group identity by relentless touring and respectable chart performance from Divide the Blackened Sky in 2012 and Decade in 2016.

The group actually originated in 2004 when Earl and guitarist Eric Schraeder occupied neighboring rehearsal spaces in downtown East Vancouver. Both musicians had already logged time in separate projects: Earl supplied material to Tommy Lee’s solo album and led Everything After, while Schraeder briefly recorded for Hollywood Records with Forty Foot Echo. Seeking a fresh direction, the pair withdrew into the studio and soon encountered lead guitarist James Fiddler and bassist Marc Roots; drummer Neil Beaton completed the roster, enabling the Veer Union to hit the road with its raw, gravel-voiced hard rock.

Recording initially under the name Veer, they issued the self-released Time to Break the Spell in 2006. Two years later an offer from Universal Records arrived, prompting the newly renamed the Veer Union to deliver Against the Grain. Although the album achieved modest commercial and chart success, the band was dropped. Undaunted, they issued the darker, heavier Divide the Blackened Sky on the independent Rocket Science Ventures label in spring 2012. Bassist Marc Roots and guitarist James Fiddler exited before the next project, and while former bass tech Winston Wolfe joined for live dates, no permanent guitarist replaced Fiddler. After the 2013 Life Support, Pt. 1 EP, further lineup flux ensued until Schraeder also departed, leaving Earl as the sole remaining member.

Following a three-year recording hiatus, Earl unveiled a completely new configuration for Decade in 2016, an album marking the tenth anniversary of the band’s debut. Archival and fresh material continued to appear over the subsequent two years, encompassing Best of 2006-2016 in 2017 plus both Decade II: Rock & Acoustic and Decade III: Demos & Rarities in 2018.