Album Notes

The Breakmen formed in 2005 when four of Vancouver BC's best young songwriters and acoustic musicians got together to work on each others' songs. They quickly found an enthusiastic audience for what they were doing, performing to sold out houses and playing a leading role in the flourishing West Coast roots music scene.

The band's sound has matured into a potent blend of acoustic roots and bluegrass music. Known for inspired vocal harmonies, creative instrumental work, and contagious stage energy, the Breakmen have attracted national and international attention. Since the release of their self titled debut album in 2006, The Breakmen have played over 200 festivals, theaters and live stages throughout Canada and the U.S west coast. The album was a national hit and remained on The Roots Music Review-Top 50 chart for 9 months straight, receiving significant national airplay on CBC Radio and roots music radio across the country. CBC Radio 2 has also featured the band twice on their Canada Live series.

Fresh from Ogre Studios with the production team of Ivan Rosenberg and John Raham, The Breakmen recently released their second full length album, "When You Leave Town" (October 10 2008). Comprised mostly of original songs, the album features thought provoking lyrics and song structures from the band's three songwriters, using vocal harmonies and a powerful band sound from the four multi-instrumentalists.

Compared to The Band and Old Crowe Medicine Show, The Breakmen are influenced by a wide variety of musical talents including Bill Monroe, Willie P. Bennett, Nina Simone and Tony Rice, among others.

Press

“To the already long list of Canadians who bleed pure Americana please add The Breakmen. Like their countrymen in The Band before them, they have been known to inspire a bit of the old-time religion with their sublime vocal harmonies.”
-Nathan Baker, San Francisco Bay Gaurdian

“The Breakmen...a fun band with creative ideas, new songs, excellent delivery and a nice bunch of guys. They know how to entertain, they like what they do and they do it with style and zest.”
-George McKnight, Uptown Bluegrass Radio

“This is workin’ man’s music and a little time spent with The Breakmen will surely do the soul some serious good."
-Eden Munro, The Vue Weekly, Edmonton

“The Breakmen back up solid songwriting and great song selection with high energy and a great band presence. They are rapidly developing a large following for their outstanding live performances.”
-Bjorn Weeks, Bluegrass North Magazine

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"When You Leave Town" personnel:

Matthew Lawson
upright bass, lead vocals

Archie Pateman
lead and harmony vocals, banjo, guitar

Ben Rogalsky
lead and harmony vocals, mandolin, guitar, harmonica, banjo, percussion

Lee Watson
lead and harmony vocals, guitar, mandolin

Guests:
Ivan Rosenberg
Dobro, clawhammer banjo, pedal steel

John Raham
drums

Simon Kendall
piano