the Schomberg Fair

Roots Rockin' Gospel Magic! Easily the hardest hitting and most dynamic band in Roots-Rock today, the Schomberg Fair combines inspired lyrics with a devastating live performance. Akin to Dan Sartain or the Gun Club, these Torontonians summon up the soul of the deep blues; pair it with the frenetic spirit of early punk and the magic of 60’s psychedelia. Expect blistering banjos, gospel inflected vocals, bleeding fingers and thunderous drums. In 2006, the band’s front man Matt Bahen and bassist Nathan Sidon were inspired to start the band after Bahen successfully had his fingers reattached; having lost them in a construction accident month’s earlier. After adding drummer Pete Garthside to the lineup, The Schomberg Fair set out on a mission to lead a sonic evolution of the Roots-Rock genre. In 2009 The Schomberg Fair established their foothold in Canada with the release of the full-length “Gospel”. The album was supported by two cross-Canada tours and earned the band top spots on national campus radio stations across the country, CBC radio regular rotation, and glowing reviews nationwide. In 2011/2012 the Schomberg Fair built on this momentum releasing two EPs “Mercy” and “Providence” eight months apart. The two EPs are companions; individual parts of a whole, tied together with a graphic novella written by the band and saw the experimental sound of the group developed further to feature louder guitars, a full gospel choir and increased psychedelia. The releases were met with overwhelming critical acclaim which recognized the band as an important force in Canadian music while also seeing the band reach new heights in CBC and college radio play, holding a spot in the national college top 40 for 7 weeks. Backed by increased national touring in 2012 and plays at major Canadian festivals across the country, the Schomberg Fair have spread excitement for the band from coast to coast. “If their next full-length album can sustain such intensity, it's safe to say that the Schomberg Fair will deserve to be included in the conversation about not only Canada's best roots rockers, but Canada's best bands, period.” – Jason Schneider, Exclaim! Magazine “They’re Awesome!” - Craig Norris CBC Radio 3 “You'd have to be iron-hard-hearted, deaf drunk, dead, or all three to not appreciate the rumbling blues-punk roots of Toronto tripod of "speed-gospel" The Schomberg Fair” –Ottawa Xpress “The Schomberg Fair’s CD knocked me on my ass with their Gun Club take on traditional form, so for those of you who like their twang a bit on the dark and gloomy side...” - Montreal Mirror “Just when everybody’s feeling a little too drunk and tired, these guys will swagger on to the stage and tear the place up with their unusual style of speed-gospel. People who were putting their scarves on will be tearing off their shirts.” - CHARTattack Roots Rockin' Gospel Magic! Tweet us up! @SchombergFair