The Withouts

For those familiar with southern Ontario indie rock, The WitHouts' sound can be easily summed up as a merger between The Weekend (R.I.P.) and C'Mon — wailing guitars matched with candy-coated vocals (though the lyrics are a lot less high school than The Weekend's). It's no coincidence, then, that this debut EP was produced by C'Mon's Ian Blurton and mastered by fellow rock stalwart Noah Mintz (who is also credited for crafting the music for one of the disc's five tracks). The WitHouts don't really stray from the girl-fronted power-pop formula, and it doesn't hinder them on this EP. But it'll be interesting to see if they've got the chops to carry that blueprint over the course of a full-length. They get bonus points for environmental friendliness, as the jewel cases that house their EP are used. - CHARTattack

For those familiar with southern Ontario indie rock, The WitHouts' sound can be easily summed up as a merger between The Weekend (R.I.P.) and C'Mon — wailing guitars matched with candy-coated vocals (though the lyrics are a lot less high school than The Weekend's). It's no coincidence, then, that this debut EP was produced by C'Mon's Ian Blurton and mastered by fellow rock stalwart Noah Mintz (who is also credited for crafting the music for one of the disc's five tracks). The WitHouts don't really stray from the girl-fronted power-pop formula, and it doesn't hinder them on this EP. But it'll be interesting to see if they've got the chops to carry that blueprint over the course of a full-length. They get bonus points for environmental friendliness, as the jewel cases that house their EP are used. - CHARTattack

Cherise Burda has a voice that sounds engineered to front a power pop band. Her vocals are sticky-sweet, with an ageless girlishness that leaves you wondering whether she’s 16 or 34. But when called for, she can muster a subtle, prickly sneer that allows her to deliver pointed jabs that add an ironic edge to the The WithHouTs’ candy-coated melodies. The debut EP from the Toronto-based quartet — whose members have done stints in Noah’s Arkweld and Two-Minute Miracles — is the sort of high-energy power pop that Mint Records used to release in the early aughts (think Operation Makeout). Veteran producer Ian Blurton adds a hint of messiness — the intro to opener “FallOver” features snarling bar-rock guitar — - Eye Weekly - Toronto

Cherise Burda has a voice that sounds engineered to front a power pop band. Her vocals are sticky-sweet, with an ageless girlishness that leaves you wondering whether she’s 16 or 34. But when called for, she can muster a subtle, prickly sneer that allows her to deliver pointed jabs that add an ironic edge to the The WithHouTs’ candy-coated melodies. The debut EP from the Toronto-based quartet — whose members have done stints in Noah’s Arkweld and Two-Minute Miracles — is the sort of high-energy power pop that Mint Records used to release in the early aughts (think Operation Makeout). Veteran producer Ian Blurton adds a hint of messiness — the intro to opener “FallOver” features snarling bar-rock guitar — - Eye Weekly - Toronto

It's been just a few weeks short of a year since I last saw the local independent band THe WitHouts, and in that time they've written and recorded an EP's worth of tunes. I was told that the EP was recorded in only a single weekend, but it was produced by Ian Blurton (of C'Mon) and mastered by Noah Mintz, so there were some quality people behind the scenes. I've been digging Over The Border, track four of five on the EP, mostly because of the super-catchy chorus... and so I decided to join them at Sneaky Dee's to celebrate the release of the EP.

THe WitHouts
Cherise's stage presence is almost exactly what you might expect from only hearing her voice. When I saw them back in November 2007, I described her vocals as "candy-coated", and I think it's fair to describe her stage presence in the same way. But this isn't typical female singer-songwriter stuff, this is alternative power-pop with more than a few hooks. Cherise claimed to have suffered from laryngitis in the weeks prior to the show, but if she hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have been able to tell. The band put on a decent show, working through the material on the EP plus some, with a few moments of fun interaction between Cherise and Kate Harrison (bass). http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=40259984797&h=3kiVR&u=WsAY7 - Pete Nema Concert Reviews

It's been just a few weeks short of a year since I last saw the local independent band THe WitHouts, and in that time they've written and recorded an EP's worth of tunes. I was told that the EP was recorded in only a single weekend, but it was produced by Ian Blurton (of C'Mon) and mastered by Noah Mintz, so there were some quality people behind the scenes. I've been digging Over The Border, track four of five on the EP, mostly because of the super-catchy chorus... and so I decided to join them at Sneaky Dee's to celebrate the release of the EP.

THe WitHouts
Cherise's stage presence is almost exactly what you might expect from only hearing her voice. When I saw them back in November 2007, I described her vocals as "candy-coated", and I think it's fair to describe her stage presence in the same way. But this isn't typical female singer-songwriter stuff, this is alternative power-pop with more than a few hooks. Cherise claimed to have suffered from laryngitis in the weeks prior to the show, but if she hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have been able to tell. The band put on a decent show, working through the material on the EP plus some, with a few moments of fun interaction between Cherise and Kate Harrison (bass). http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=40259984797&h=3kiVR&u=WsAY7 - Pete Nema Concert Reviews

Quite a few CDs have passed through my hands since I last published three short reviews earlier this year. (Oh man, I look back and see that was in February! Okay, yes, it's been a while.) More often than not, a CD will get me interested in photographing a band because, after all, it is the photography and live shows that really draw me in. But here are a few more short reviews of submitted CDs that I've decided to add to my permanent collection.

THe WitHouts: The candy-coated vocals of Cherise Burda (vocals, guitar) against a power-pop musical backdrop makes this EP produced by local rocker and producer Ian Blurton a fun listen. Something here reminds me of a cleaner version of Dressy Bessy. I can't stop listening to Over The Border with its free-spirited lyrics and super-catchy chorus. See and support them at their CD Release party at Sneaky Dee's on Thursday Nov 13th. http://www.petenema.com/article.php?story=quick_shots-7 - Pete Nema CD Reviews

Quite a few CDs have passed through my hands since I last published three short reviews earlier this year. (Oh man, I look back and see that was in February! Okay, yes, it's been a while.) More often than not, a CD will get me interested in photographing a band because, after all, it is the photography and live shows that really draw me in. But here are a few more short reviews of submitted CDs that I've decided to add to my permanent collection.

THe WitHouts: The candy-coated vocals of Cherise Burda (vocals, guitar) against a power-pop musical backdrop makes this EP produced by local rocker and producer Ian Blurton a fun listen. Something here reminds me of a cleaner version of Dressy Bessy. I can't stop listening to Over The Border with its free-spirited lyrics and super-catchy chorus. See and support them at their CD Release party at Sneaky Dee's on Thursday Nov 13th. http://www.petenema.com/article.php?story=quick_shots-7 - Pete Nema CD Reviews

Comprised of veterans and current members of Canadian indie heavyweights like Two Minute Miracles & Noahsarkweld, THe WitHouts are the next great Canadian rock band.

The EP explodes with the energy of The Ramones, and the sexiness of The Sounds. If this is the future of Canadian rock, we’re all going to be OK.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=86865423 - Trevor Weeks, Photographer - CBC Radio Three

Fem-fronted melodic rock is the name of the game on THe WitHouts' debut EP. Fortunately they make up for their appalling use of capitalization by way of their infectious, radio-friendly sound. Produced by prolific Toronto producer/musician Ian Blurton (Blurtonia, C'mon), this brief five-tracker is a far poppier record than might be expected. Veruca Salt, Elastica, and Letters to Cleo are familiar points of reference for this vaguely punk-infused power-pop act. The production and songwriting are well-polished, leading to immediate melodies on "Down & Out" and "Blackout." Cherise Burda's voice carries the songs admirably well, and everyone else handles their part solidly. These songs certainly don't rewrite any books, but they are fun and fancy-free, with choruses made to hum. - Indieville.com

Comprised of veterans and current members of Canadian indie heavyweights like Two Minute Miracles & Noahsarkweld, THe WitHouts are the next great Canadian rock band.

The EP explodes with the energy of The Ramones, and the sexiness of The Sounds. If this is the future of Canadian rock, we’re all going to be OK.
http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=86865423 - Trevor Weeks, Photographer - CBC Radio Three

The Withouts - Fall Over

The best way I can think of to describe The Withouts is old school Liz Phair meets the Ramones. That's exactly what you'd think -- female pop vocals, four-chord guitar, energy. It's not ground-breaking, but it's fun.
http://www.twowaymonologues.com/track-fu/163/ - Two Way Monologues

The Withouts - Fall Over

The best way I can think of to describe The Withouts is old school Liz Phair meets the Ramones. That's exactly what you'd think -- female pop vocals, four-chord guitar, energy. It's not ground-breaking, but it's fun.
http://www.twowaymonologues.com/track-fu/163/ - Two Way Monologues