The Watchmen are a Canadian rock band. They were one of the most commercially successful bands in Canada in the mid to late 1990s. During their peak years, the band had one platinum record (In the Trees) and three more gold records (McLaren Furnace Room, Silent Radar, and Slomotion). The band has toured Canada a number of times, were the opening act for The Tragically Hip, and co-headlined a national tour with Big Wreck.
History The Watchmen first came together in Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1988. Founding members were Daniel Greaves, Joey Serlin, Sammy Kohn, and Pete Loewen.. Chart Attack, May 31, 1999. by Sarah Chauncey After performing together for several years, they released their debut album, McLaren Furnace Room, in 1992."Go Canada: My list of the greatest Canadian bands to never win a Juno". By Dean Pilling, Calgary Sun, April 01, 2016.
In 1994, Loewen left the band and was replaced by Ken Tizzard. That same year, the band released their second album, In the Trees. The album was certified Platinum in Canada and is the band's most successful album to date.
The band released the albums Brand New Day and Silent Radar in 1996 and 1998, respectively.
In 1999, the band performed as part of Humble & Fred Fest at Fort York in Toronto.. Chart Attack, Howard Druckman, August 28, 1999 Kohn had left the band when they recorded their 2001 album Slomotion; the percussion tracks were created electronically.. Chart Attack, September 25, 2001"Watchmen release innovative collection". UWO Gazette, Volume 95, Issue 25 October 17, 2001 A single from the album, "Absolutely Anytime" was in the Top Ten on the Canadian charts for several weeks."The Watchmen Cometh". Chilliwack Progress, December 7, 2001. Page 34 While touring to support the album, the band took on drummer Ryan Ahoff."Butt-rocking show". IAN NATHANSON -- Ottawa Sun, Sep 7, 2004
In 2003, the Watchmen announced their farewell tour and their intention to disband.. Chart Attack, Nov 17, 2003 They returned to Winnipeg to perform at a fundraiser for the Israel national bobsleigh team."Watchmen rock for Israeli bobsled team". Winnipeg Free Press, 09/25/2003
In 2010, the Watchmen came together for a reunion show at the Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto."Concert Review:The Watchmen with Birds of Wales". Panic Manual, September 25, 2010 They have since continued to perform occasional shows across Canada. In May 2023, Daniel Greaves and Joey Serlin (working as Serlin Greaves) released an album entitled Sad Songs For Sale.
The Watchmen are members of the Canadian charity Artists Against Racism.
Their debut album, McLaren Furnace Room, 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.
Discography Studio albums Year Title Peak chart positions Certifications CAN AUSAustralian chart peaks: Top 100 peaks to December 2010: "Stereo": CAN1992McLaren Furnace Room – –Gold1994In the Trees 32 –Platinum1996Brand New Day 37 –1998Silent Radar 28 68Gold2001Slomotion 6 –Gold
Live albums Live Radar (1998) Last Road Trip Download Series (2004) Live and in Stereo (2017)
Singles Year Title Peak Chart Position AlbumCANCAN AltCAN Content (Cancon)AUS1992 "Cracked"87–2–McLaren Furnace Room "Run and Hide"––––1993 "Must to Be Free"––8–1994 "Boneyard Tree"29–––In the Trees "Wiser"74––– "All Uncovered"23–5–1995 "Lusitana"65–––1996 "Incarnate"2610––Brand New Day "Shut Up"48––– "Zoom"–24––1998 "Stereo"–5–51Silent Radar "Any Day Now"393–– "Say Something"45–––1999 "Brighter Hell"––––2001 "Absolutely Anytime"––––Slomotion2002 "Holiday (Slow It Down)"–––– "Slomotion"––––
References
External links
[ AllMusic Guide page]