McLaren Furnace Room is the first major label album by Canadian band, The Watchmen. Originally released by SUMO Productions in Canada in 1992 (with the help of MCA Records), the release impressed MCA Records Canada who signed the band and released the album in 1993 on a much wider scale. The title of the album refers to the basement of the McLaren Hotel that served as the band's rehearsal studio.
The album was certified Gold in Canada by the Canadian Recording Industry Association on March 6, 1996.
Known as a tireless touring band, they reportedly played 150 shows a year across Canada from 1987 to 1991. A show in Toronto at the Horseshoe Tavern in 1991 caught the attention of producer Chris Wardman's girlfriend. She promised to put Wardman in touch with the band. Wardman eventually made it out to one of their shows and promised them a production commitment.
Jake Gold's The Management Trust signed them to a management deal and his music production outfit SUMO Productions. Using their clout with MCA Records, SUMO was able to release the band's debut McLaren Furnace Room in 1992. The band then signed directly to MCA Records Canada.
At that time in the band's history, the principal songwriter was guitarist Joey Serlin.
A video for the lead single "Cracked" was filmed and released in 1992 while a video for the second single "Run & Hide" was released in 1993. Both videos saw modest play on MuchMusic.
The album was named the winner of the Slaight Family Polaris Heritage Prize at the 2026 Polaris Music Prize gala.Allie Gregory, "Polaris Music Prize Announces 2026 Winners". Exclaim!, September 22, 2026.
Track listing All songs and lyrics written by Joey Serlin except for "Cracked" with music written by The Watchmen, and "Sleep", with lyrics by Danny Greaves and music by The Watchmen.
Album credits
Personnel Sammy Kohn - Drums Pete Loewen - Bass & Vocals Joey Serlin - Guitars & Vocals Danny Greaves - Vocals & Mouth Organ
Additional personnel Jason Sniderman - Mellotron on "Must To Be Free" Lazyman lefty - Congas Kroo-b - Piano Chris Wardman - Dragon Noises
Production Chris Wardman - Producer, Mixer Earl Torno - Mixer, Engineer Eric Apps - Engineer, Assistant Engineer Mike Gurarie - Assistant Engineer Recorded & Mixed at Winfield Sound, Toronto Mastered by Howie Wienberg at Masterdisk, New York
References Citations
Sources Liner notes from The Watchmen: McLaren Furnace Room. The Watchmen Bio The Watchmen - Videos Watchmen Singer Becomes Doctor Keep An Eye On Those Watchmen CRIA Searchable Database