The Pocket Dwellers are a Canadian seven-member experimental hip-hop group from the Toronto area.[1] The band's main genre is hip-hop, but their music is influenced by jazz, funk, soul and breakbeat.
Pocket Dwellers | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | Blue Note |
| Members | Dennis Passley Nigel Williams John Griffith Marco Raposo Gord Shields Christian McKibbin Sheldon Moore |
History edit
The Pocket Dwellers began forming together in 1996. That year the band performed at EdgeFest in Toronto.[2] In 1999 the band performed in Hamilton as part of Showcase '99.[3]
The Pocket Dwellers released their first full-length record in 2000 after they signed a recording deal with Song Corp, and a second album, Digitally Organic, later that year.[4] Song Corp went bankrupt in early 2001, leaving the second album with no promotion.[5]
The next release was the album recorded live during sold out performances at a club in Toronto called the Reverb. The recording was released under Urbnet records.
In 2005 they signed with Blue Note/EMI and released PD-Atrics. The recording was more hip hop based and involved less live instrumentation than had been employed in the past.[6] In 2006 the band was nominated for a Juno award for best new group.[7][8]
Members edit
- Dennis Passley "Deknow" – tenor saxophone
- Nigel Williams "N.I.Gel" – vocals
- John Griffith "Quest" – saxophone, flute
- Marco Raposo "Red" – drums[9]
- Gord Shields "Jupiter" – bass guitar
- Christian McKibbin "Holy C" – guitar
- Sheldon Moore "S-luv" – turntables
- guest musicians:
Discography edit
Albums edit
- Limited Edition - EP (1998)
- Digitally Organic (August 29, 2002)[10]
- Lifecheck (August 19, 2003)
- PD-Atrics (October 4, 2005)
- Conception: The Mix Tape Volume 2 (2005)
References edit
- ^ Larry LeBlanc (30 December 2000). "Song Corp launches Foreplay". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 91–. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ "Pocket Dwellers Tour Canada & The States"[usurped]. Chart Attack, Aug 9, 2001.
- ^ "Live Reviews: Ivana Santilli, Pocket Dwellers, Dream Warriors August 20-22, 1999 Showcase '99, Hamilton"[usurped]. Chart Attack, Shawn Despres, August 22, 1999
- ^ "CD REVIEWS: U2, Pocket Dwellers, Blur, Godsmack and many more."[usurped]. Chart Attack, October 31, 2000 By: Debbie Bento
- ^ "Bankruptcy leaves industry reeling". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. 26 May 2001. pp. 50–. ISSN 0006-2510.
- ^ "The Sum of Pocket Dwellers' Parts". Exclaim!. By Susana Ferreira, Jan 01, 2006
- ^ "Nickelback leads in Juno nominations". CBC Arts Feb 15, 2006
- ^ "Pocket Dwellers come into their own". By MARK DANIELL -- For JAM! Music, February 28, 2006
- ^ "Pocket Dwellers find new horizons". Queens University Journal, September 27, 2005
- ^ "Pocket Dwellers Digitally Organic". Exclaim!, By Del F. Cowie. Dec 01, 2000
- Pocket Dwellers at allmusic.com