Ghost of Science

Ghost of Science Start to Finish 1999-2005: The guys in Ghost of Science never looked for a twist-tie in your junk drawer. They didn't know what flavour of jellybean you prefer, or what you're really surfing for on the internet. This was not a band who was trying to peek at what everyone else is doing. Formed four years prior to their first commercial recording, Ghost of Science made an art of patience.

The guys in Ghost of Science never looked for a twist-tie in your junk drawer. They didn't know what flavour of jellybean you prefer, or what you're really surfing for on the internet. This was not a band who was trying to peek at what everyone else is doing.

Formed four years prior to their first commercial recording, Ghost of Science made an art of patience.

For the band, four years was an eternity of writing, rehearsing, performing, re-writing and dropping a multitude of songs. For some musical partnerships, this would have been a lifetime, but for these five guys from Victoria, it was merely a tumultuous childhood, morphing from a carefree quartet called Johnny Action Figure to a darker, more focused five-piece with a new moniker.

Four years allowed this band to cruise easily from a danceable guitar-pop ditty with lyrics of, "Die/It's forever" to a broody Radiohead-esque ballad with a dash of falsetto and a crush of haunting organ. In the first set.

Ghost of Science started out in late 1999; a distraction for four guys who had grown tired of trying to be the next radio hit. They wanted to make music that they could feel proud of, and not worry what anyone else said about it. Music that exhilarates the listener; you know, the stuff of mix tapes and "trapped on a desert island" albums.

Needless to say, it worked. These same four guys made a connection with hundreds of others, and in just over four years, managed to create a fan base of loyal, supportive lovers of music.

In 2003, an opportunity presented itself in the form of a fifth member, and of all things, a cover band side project.

While taking apart the music of Radiohead to recreate the live experience that came along with it, the members of what-would-soon-be Ghost of Science became rejuvenated. By deconstructing music that had inspired them so, they refocused their own sound and discovered their voice.

Thus, we have the band as it finished: just over five years, one name change and a cover band later, Ghost of Science emerged, ready to share their songs with you.

Musically influenced by troubadours like Jeff Buckley and Hawksley Workman, with a smattering of UK-style rock from the likes of Elbow, Muse and of course, Radiohead, Ghost of Science transformed those influences into songs that connect with you, the listener.

Recordings were made throughout their short span, a staggering number of demo tracks, two studio albums and even a live accoustic album. Sadly, only one of these saw the "commercial light of day".

A short, seven song EP entitled [safe] was released in 2004. It marked the ending point of one sound and the birth of something new.

Shortly before the band was put to a final rest, Ghost of Science recorded ten songs in their rehearsal studio. The original intent was to use it as a possible "quick" release to showcase the new, darker, more melodic direction the band had taken. This new direction was influenced, not only by the Radiohead cover side project they had taken on and conquered, but certainly by the new writing energy brought by the recently added fifth member of the band, Ted Gowans.

This new recording also offered the chance to be the testing ground for a new, full length album, recorded and produced by the band themselves. A showcase of the journey they've taken and where they'd arrived.

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But what's going on now?

Well, Ted has been playing and touring with Tegan and Sara for a few years now, and Al has recently joined up with them as their Guitar Tech.

Gilles is currently living in Montreal and making music with various bands, including Tttttttttttttttt (I might've missed a t or two) and Peter Panic.

Ryan has recently moved to Montreal and will probably be turning up on stage somewhere soon.

Tom is in Victoria, playing and touring with various artists. He has recently joined up with Annie Nolan and her band, and will be performing live with her soon.