From their native Montreal - a town in the midst of solidifying its reputation as an indie music goldmine - Throwback had emerged as a unique export.
The bands unique sound mixes roots rock, folk, jazz, and funk into a musical blend that slowly incorporated jam-band virtuosity into its original harmony-based melodic blueprint. Early comparisons to groups like Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young and Blue Rodeo have been widened to include envelope-pushing influences like Moe, Talking Heads and Steely Dan.
The group came together as a trio in 2002, when singer-songwriter Erik Lind teamed up with lead guitarist Mike Libis and drummer Micah Shapiro at McGill University. Excited support soon spilled off campus as they kept up a regular concert schedule in and around the Montreal area. After bassist Lisa (Dee) Perusse joined in 2003, the quartet expanded their fan base to the United States. A successful American tour in 2004 cemented a relationship with their cross-border fans that keeps growing.
Throwback's first disc, Border Crossing, was recorded in Montreal as the band's home base was becoming a mecca for rock n' roll enthusiasts worldwide. The record sold through it's initial 1000-copy pressing in under 4 months. Sold-out shows at Le Cabaret Music Hall and Club Soda in 2004 and 2005 year provided strong evidence that the group was becoming an important member of the city's multi-faceted musical community.
Throwback had become a mainstay of the American college circuit. With the addition of keyboard player David Cohen in early 2005, the band continued to build on the special improvisational excitement that encompassed their live act. The band's second release, Live at Club Soda, captures the energy and innovativeness of the band on stage in their hometown, in the fall of 2005.
Throwback announced in March of 2006 that the band would be separating indefinitely, with members moving on to pursue various other projects.
---- "You just don't expect acoustic pop of this calibre to come from Montreal. There are talented melodists at work here, some superb harmonies, and at least two tracks that hint the songwriting could eventually become world-class." (The Montreal Gazette, Jan. 20, 2005)
---- "[Throwbacks] distinctive music blends Phish-like jamming with intricate, multi-part harmonies and strong songwriting." (The Montreal Gazette, Feb. 9, 2006)
---- "Throwback has a propensity for rich, melodic songs laced with strong hooks and economic but sparkling instrumental work - the buoyant title cut having all the makings of a radio hit." (Relix Magazine, June, 2005)
---- "Kicking off their set with a grooving, electronic opening, the band deftly demonstrated one of the principal reasons for the ever-increasing buzz: they're stage tight: very stage tight... Throwback delivered and the audience responded with near-hysteria." (The McGill Tribune, Sept. 20, 2005)
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