Stereos are a Canadian pop band from Edmonton, Alberta, formed in 2008. Their musical style fuses aspects of electronic music, rock, and pop. Their breakout came from appearing on the MuchMusic original series, disBAND. In October 2009, they released their debut self-titled album, Stereos.

Stereos
Stereos at their 10-Year Anniversary show in Toronto in 2019
Stereos at their 10-Year Anniversary show in Toronto in 2019
Background information
Also known asStand By Me
Turn It Up
OriginEdmonton, Alberta, Canada
GenresPop rock
Years active2008–2013, 2019-present
LabelsSonny Boy Records
Universal Music Canada
Island/Def Jam
MembersPatrick Kordyback
Miles Holmwood
Robert Chalifoux
Daniel Johnson
Aaron Verdonk

Biography edit

 
Pat Kordyback

2008–2009: Early days and record deal edit

The band formed roughly two years prior to its 2008 appearance on disBAND under the name Stand By Me.

Basically we played this big showcase during Canadian Music Week, Gene Simmons was there, everyone from Universal. After we played, they brought us all up to a big room and just sat us down and they’re like ‘Here’s the deal’.

— Miles Holmwood[1]

After meeting disBAND Guru Greig Nori, Stand By Me was advised to change their name due to copyright issues. Turn It Up was chosen. Later, in order to perform several shows in Toronto, Ontario, Universal Music Canada A&R rep Mark Spicoluk advised the band to change their name again, and the band chose the name Stereos. After receiving the thumbs up from the judges from disBand, Stereos went to a large gig to receive a contract from the President of Universal Music Canada and judged by Kiss member Gene Simmons.[2][3]

On June 4 their music video for "Summer Girl" debuted on the MuchMusic Countdown. The single also debuted at #2 on the Canadian Hot 100 based on the large number of downloads in the first week and in June 2009, Stereos' debut single, "Summer Girl" sold over 120,000 units in Canada and has been certified CRIA double platinum in digital downloads.[4] The band released their self-titled debut album Stereos on October 20, 2009 and was certified gold by the CRIA in January 2010 with sales of over 40,000 copies. The band started their first ever Cross-Canada tour on November 7, 2009 in Windsor, Ontario.

2010–2011: The Show Must Go...On The Road Tour and second studio album edit

Stereos went across Canada in March and April 2010 on Hedley's The Show Must Go...On The Road Tour. Hedley announced the tour in support of their new album The Show Must Go which was released November 17, 2009. "Fefe Dobson and Stereos were along for the whole trek, while Faber Drive and Boys Like Girls joined on select dates."[5]

In March 2010, the band received two Juno Award nominations which were for Best New Artist, and Best Pop Album.[6] They released two other singles that charted moderately,"Turn It Up" peaked at #31, and "Butterflies" at #51. The song "She Only Likes Me When She's Drunk" failed to chart.

Stereos' second album, titled "Uncontrollable" was released on December 14, 2010. The first single from the album, "Uncontrollable" was released on October 25, 2010 and peaked at #42 on the Canadian Hot 100. The second single,"Body Move" was released in February 2011, just before their cross Canada tour. In mid April the band's drummer, Aaron, sustained a broken hand, leaving him unable to perform, causing the band to cancel their remaining shows.[7][8]

2019–present: 10-Year Reunion and Return from hiatus edit

On March 10, 2019, Stereos announced a 10-year reunion show to take place on May 11, 2019, at Toronto's Rec Room during Canadian Music Week on their Facebook page, which ended up selling out.[9] A second 10-year reunion show in the band's hometown of Edmonton took place on August 16, 2019 and also sold out.[10] On October 20, 2019, the band announced they were officially back in the studio recording new material. On February 3, 2020, the band announced via their social media pages that they would be releasing a brand new single, titled "Sunset Gold" which was released on February 28, 2020.

In 2023, they participated in an all-star recording of Serena Ryder's single "What I Wouldn't Do", which was released as a charity single to benefit Kids Help Phone's Feel Out Loud campaign for youth mental health.[11]

Discography edit

Studio albums edit

List of albums, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Album details Peak chart positions Certifications
CAN
[12]
Stereos 3
Uncontrollable 60
Cheap Thrills
  • Released: November 4, 2022
  • Label: Sonny Boy Records
  • Format: CD, digital download

Singles edit

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
CAN
[15]
CAN
CHR

[16]
CAN
HAC

[17]
"Summer Girl" 2009 2 7 9
  • MC: 2× Platinum[13]
Stereos
"Throw Ya Hands Up" (feat. Jhevon Paris) 3 11 14
  • MC: 2× Platinum[13]
"Turn It Up" 30 13 16
"Butterflies" 2010 51 33 32
"She Only Likes Me When She's Drunk"
"Uncontrollable" 42 21 32 Uncontrollable
"Body Move" 2011 33
"Sunset Gold" 2020 Cheap Thrills
"Look Good" 2021
"Glory Days"
"Hands Off You"
"Way Back Home"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Promotional singles edit

List of promotional singles, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
CAN
[15]
"I Like It (Like That)" 2010 Stereos
"Like U Do"
"Paid Like This"
"La Dreamin'" 75 Non-album single
"Out of Love Song/Back Home"
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Other charted songs edit

List of other charted songs, with selected chart positions
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
CAN
[15][18]
"Bye Bye Baby" 2009 43 Stereos
"Get with You" (feat. Far East Movement) 31
"Jet Black Cadillac" 70

Music videos edit

"Summer Girl" — 2009
"Throw Ya Hands Up" — 2009
"Turn It Up" — 2009
"Butterflies" — 2010
"Wingin' It Theme" — 2010[19]
"She Only Likes Me When She's Drunk" — 2010
"Uncontrollable" — 2010
"Body Move" — 2011

References edit

  1. ^ "EXCLUSIVE: disBAND's Stereos Gets Signed". MuchMusic.com. May 12, 2009. Archived from the original on September 5, 2012. Retrieved June 26, 2009.
  2. ^ "Stereos Appear On DisBand Finale Tonight". Chartattack.com. May 27, 2009. Archived from the original on May 31, 2009. Retrieved June 26, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ^ "Stereos Sign With Universal Music Canada". Chartattack.com. Archived from the original on June 8, 2009. Retrieved June 26, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ "Canadian Recording Industry Association (CRIA): Gold & Platinum". Cria.ca. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
  5. ^ Harper, Kate (November 16, 2009). "Hedley Announce Canadian Tour". Chart Attack. Archived from the original on November 20, 2009. Retrieved November 17, 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ "From all directions — Juno-nominated Stereos' merchandise table tosses more than a few curves - The Sault Star - Ontario, CA". The Sault Star. June 7, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
  7. ^ "New Stereos Album Being Released Later This Year | Canada's Music Magazine - RockStar Weekly". www.rockstarweekly.com. Archived from the original on July 24, 2011.
  8. ^ "Stereos announce release date for sophmore [sic] album | MuchMusic.com | Blog". Blog.muchmusic.com. October 20, 2010. Archived from the original on October 29, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
  9. ^ https://www.facebook.com/stereos/?eid=ARAACUHntXQM3Qt9zgNbDjjfFFV94amQ6ojx-UqY6P540CB7YYy0DRgXdcD7GKUiyJCyDQ9Huuk0xaWw [user-generated source]
  10. ^ Pop sensation Stereos reunite
  11. ^ Brent Furdyk, "Feel Out Loud: Alessia Cara, Serena Ryder & More Canadian Artists Collaborate On New Single Promoting Youth Mental Health Initiative". Entertainment Tonight Canada, March 2, 2023.
  12. ^ Peak position for Stereos albums on the Canadian Albums Chart:
  13. ^ a b c d e "Gold/Platinum searchable database". musiccanada.com. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  14. ^ "Stereos – Uncontrollable". AllMusic. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  15. ^ a b c "Stereos Chart History (Billboard Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 20, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  16. ^ "Stereos Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  17. ^ "Stereos Chart History (Canada Hot AC)". Billboard. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
  18. ^ "Stereos and Far East Movement - Get With You - Canadian Singles Top 100". acharts.us. Retrieved January 15, 2010.
  19. ^ "Family.ca: Video Player". Family.ca. Retrieved July 28, 2010.

External links edit