Saint Alvia, formerly The Saint Alvia Cartel,[1] was a band formed in 2005 from Burlington, Ontario, Canada. The band's self-titled debut album was nominated for a Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year at the 2008 Juno Awards.[2]

Saint Alvia
Also known asThe Saint Alvia Cartel
OriginBurlington, Ontario, Canada
GenresRock
Punk
Reggae
Years active2005–2013
LabelsStomp
Warner Music Canada
MembersGreg Taylor
Ben Rispin
Matt Richmond
Greg Fisher
Jon Laurin
Adam Michael
WebsiteSaint Alvia

History

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Saint Alvia was formed by Rob Pasalic (formerly of Boys Night Out) and Greg Taylor (formerly of Jersey and Grade). The band is named after Ernest Alvia Smith, Canada's last living recipient of the Victoria Cross for valor in World War II.

With roots in punk rock, the band drew inspiration from other genres which included rock and roll, blues, soul, dancehall reggae, country, new wave and hip hop. After recording and releasing demo tracks via MySpace in 2006, the band was signed to Montreal's Stomp Records and released their self-titled debut album in May 2006. The lead single "Don't Wanna Wait Forever" was released in the summer of 2007 and went into the Top 20 for Modern Rock Radio in Canada.

The band followed the 2007 release with 2008's critically acclaimed Between the Lines.

Saint Alvia played their final show on 7 December 2013.[3]

They reunited [at least] one last time for Walk off the Earth's Mike Taylor's Memorial and Tribute Concert.[4]

Members

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  • Greg Taylor – Vocals / Guitar
  • Ben Rispin – Vocals
  • Matt Richmond – Drums / Vocals
  • Greg Fisher – Guitar / Vocals
  • Jon Laurin – Keyboards
  • Adam Michael – Bass, Backing Vocals

Former members

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  • Brandon Bliss – Keyboards / Vocals
  • Rob Pasalic – Vocals / Guitar
  • Chuck Coles – Bass
  • Mike Casarin – Bass

Additional musicians

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  • Fatty McGinty of the Creepshow- Trombone (Try To Forget)
  • John Coombs of The Next Best Thing – Trumpet (Try To Forget)
  • Adam Michaels – Guitar (Stones On The Road)
  • Jon Atley – Bongoes (Don't Wanna Wait Forever)
  • Laura Jane Bradfield – Vocals (Blonde Kryptonite)

Between The Lines

  • Fatty McGinty of The Creepshow – Trombone (Decadencia De Civilizacion, Roll With it)
  • Ricky Snips of The Snips – Trumpet (Decadencia De Civilizacion, Roll With it, Mornings In Feng Tu)
  • Wade Mcneil of Alexisonfire/Black Lungs – Additional Vocals ( Mornings in Feng Tu)

Discography

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Albums

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  • The Saint Alvia Cartel – 4 song demo (2006 – Self Released)
  • The Saint Alvia Cartel (2007 – Stomp Records)
  • Between The Lines (2008 – Stomp Records)
  • Jonxer 7-inch (2010 – Paper and Plastic)
  • Static Psalms (2013 – Divergent Recordings)

Compilations

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  • Borrowed Tunes – A Neil Young Tribute (Thrasher)
  • Juiceboxdotcom.com compilation – Don't Wanna Wait Forever ( Phil B's Sunshine Remix)

Singles

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  • Don't Wanna Wait Forever
  • Time To Go
  • Blonde Kryptonite
  • Between The Lines
  • Walk Before You Run DMC
  • Romeo
  • Mothers Day
  • Define Me

Awards

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Interviews

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Erik Leijon (2 September 2008). "Saint Alvia Shorten Name". Chart. ISSN 1198-7235. OCLC 679784246. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2011.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  2. ^ "Artist Summary". Juno Awards Database. Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on 6 July 2011. Retrieved 25 February 2011.
  3. ^ Destrukto (6 December 2013). "Burlington's Saint Alvia announce farewell show and final album". Canadian Music News. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  4. ^ "Watch Mike "Beard Guy" Taylor Memorial and Tribute Concert". CBC Music. Archived from the original on 21 December 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2019.