Biography
A Canadian acoustic folk-rock trio often viewed as the rightful heirs to Ian & Sylvia or 3's a Crowd, the Waltons craft understated, predominantly acoustic sounds that sidestep both sentimentality and self-importance. College friends Jason Plumb on lead vocals and acoustic guitar, Keith Nakonechny on bass and vocals, and Dave Cooney on drums launched the band in Regina, Saskatchewan, in 1987, taking Plumb's compositions into local clubs. Four years of performances across western Canada preceded their 1991 relocation to Toronto, where they soon gained traction within the city's active folk community.
Guitarist John Switzer, who had earlier shared that same circuit with Jane Siberry, encountered the Waltons and offered to helm their first album, Lik My Trakter, which appeared as a self-release in 1992. Local music awards followed, leading to a deal with Warner Music Canada that brought a 1993 reissue of Lik My Trakter in both Canada and the United States. Keyboardist Todd Lumley joined temporarily to expand their sound during a tour supporting the Barenaked Ladies and became a permanent member in 1994, the year the gold-certified reissue helped secure a Juno Award for Best New Artist.
Early 1995 saw the six-track EP Simple Brain, mixing live recordings with initial demos, before the full-length Cock's Crow arrived under the guidance of Barenaked Ladies producer Michael Phillip Wojewoda. Dave Cooney departed ahead of the supporting tour and was succeeded by Sean Bryson. The group resurfaced in 1998 with Empire Hotel, again produced by Wojewoda.
Guitarist John Switzer, who had earlier shared that same circuit with Jane Siberry, encountered the Waltons and offered to helm their first album, Lik My Trakter, which appeared as a self-release in 1992. Local music awards followed, leading to a deal with Warner Music Canada that brought a 1993 reissue of Lik My Trakter in both Canada and the United States. Keyboardist Todd Lumley joined temporarily to expand their sound during a tour supporting the Barenaked Ladies and became a permanent member in 1994, the year the gold-certified reissue helped secure a Juno Award for Best New Artist.
Early 1995 saw the six-track EP Simple Brain, mixing live recordings with initial demos, before the full-length Cock's Crow arrived under the guidance of Barenaked Ladies producer Michael Phillip Wojewoda. Dave Cooney departed ahead of the supporting tour and was succeeded by Sean Bryson. The group resurfaced in 1998 with Empire Hotel, again produced by Wojewoda.
Albums
