advertisement
FYI

The Glorious Sons: Runaway

The chart-topping Juno-nominated rockers have just released an unexpected but winning cover of a Kanye West hit. The gritty voice of Brett Emmons delivers the acerbic lyrics on the dark piano ballad in convincing fashion.

The Glorious Sons: Runaway

By Kerry Doole

The Glorious Sons - "Runaway" (Black Box/Universal):  Life must seem rather glorious to these Kingston rockers right now. Nominated for a 2018 Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year for Young Beauties And Fools, the band recently played a sold-out homecoming arena show at the Rogers K-Rock Centre.


On a recent UK visit, they recorded this cover of Kanye West’s hit single, “Runaway,” at Fiction Studios in London, releasing it on Friday. It may seem an unlikely choice for a hard rock band, but frontman Brett Emmons explains in a press release that they are all big admirers of Kanye.

advertisement

"Chris Koster [guitar, vocals] is a gigantic Kanye fan, and he’s been covering the song for years. We played it in a church once together, and my voice just kind of worked with the song. I can remember listening to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy all the time in university. It is by far my favourite Kanye album. I had never heard rap sound like that before. In my opinion, this album is one of the most important of the 21st century, and “Runaway” is one of the most perfect pop songs ever written.”

After a slow electric piano intro, Emmons delivers a signature gritty vocal performance on a song full of anger and self-laceration. Piano-based ballads usually veer to the sentimental and romantic, but not this one. Sample lyrics: "Let's have a toast for the douchebags, the assholes, the scumbags, the jerk-offs that'll never take work off."

The numbers around The Glorious Sons are undoubtedly impressive. They include over 26 million streams in North America, nearly 150k singles sold, and nine consecutive top 10 radio singles in Canada, including recent No. 1 “Everything Is Alright.” The band is currently on the road in Europe, closing out in Copenhagen on March 10, followed by US dates, beginning March 13. One Canadian show date is July 28 at Empire Rock Festival in Belleville. Itinerary here

advertisement

advertisement
Swiftcouver sign in Vancouver.
Destination Vancouver/Instagram

'Swiftcouver' sign in Vancouver.

FYI

Music Biz Headlines: FACTOR's Missing Millions, Les Cowboys Fringants' Anglo Fans

Topics in the headlines this week include Andy Kim Christmas, Martin Scorsese exploring the Beatles and Taylor Swift's Vancouver takeover.

FACTOR's missing millions remains the biggest Canadian music industry story this week. On the eve of his star-studded charity concerts, Hall of Fame songwriter Andy Kim reflects upon his career with candour, while Taylor Swift's three shows in Vancouver this week keep her in the headlines.

We look at these topics and much more in our weekly roundup.

keep readingShow less
advertisement