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The KEY FRAMES are a Toronto-based quintet fusing influences of folk, roots rock, country and bluegrass into a hot, driving style that's all their own.
Drawing from inspirations of classic country-rock, old time folk song and the offerings of the AM dial, their thoughtful lyrics, inventive banjo sound, and soaring harmonies go straight to the toes of everybody in the room.
Guitarist Rob Webster and banjo-man Theo Edmands formed the original group, then dubbed the Bindlestiffs, out of a group of late-night deli co-workers who shared a love of various kinds of roots music. When misfortune pulled the band apart, a combination of determination and chance led them to add drummer Dan Schwartz, bass-player Ryan Higgins and, later on, guitarist Brian Passmore to complete the lineup. After playing a series of small shows bringing immediate acclaim, the band came to be known simply as The Key Frames.
With a unique style that goes beyond any expectation of songs about whisky drinkin' or cowboy cartoons, the Key Frames' energetic performances have been known to move feet, shake tails, shatter expectations and even break a few hearts, sometimes all at once.
The band is currently at work on their debut album.
About the Band
Rob Webster
Vocals, Guitar, Harmonica
Rob is originally from Delhi, a little town in southwestern Ontario, which he left in 2001 to experience big city living. In his younger days, he played bass for Brantford-based tobacco-rock acts such as Mitchell and Illegal Operation, and in a strange ironic twist, now finds himself in a country-rock band in downtown Toronto. He still claims to be the only person ever to fill a scuba tank with Clamato and swim across Lake Erie.
Theo Edmands
Vocals, Banjo, Harmonica
Theo is from the fabled town of Woodstock, New York. Armed with his left-handed five-string and his encyclopedic knowledge of all things old-timey, he has played in several New York City bands including Rock Rock Chicken Pox and Flaming Fire. In addition to his musical talents, Theo is also a cartoonist and animator. He once tried to sail to the mouth of the Hudson River on a raft made of milk jugs.
Brian Passmore
Vocals, Guitar
The newest member of the Key Frames, and the only Toronto native in the band, Brian has done an EP of solo work, as well as played guitar with lots of great acts around town, including, most recently, the Natasha Pasternak Band. He brings his vocal pipes as well as some of the sweetest Tele licks in the land. His addition to the lineup has been revitalizing to both the band and its live audiences.
Ryan Higgins
Vocals, Bass
Ryan's musical résumé includes stints in Halifax bands such as Kickline and The Wives (aka The Plugs) prior to his move to Toronto in 2007. Since joining the band that same year, Ryan's voice and songwriting ability (not to mention his bass playing) have made an indelible mark on the sound of The Key Frames. Also sometimes known as 'The Master of Space and Time', Ryan's versatile skill set includes the ability to distinguish between a donair, his son, and a glass of pink lemonade from 860 yards.
Dan Schwartz
Drums & Percussion, Valet
"The Danimal" hails from Montreal where he played in alt-rock bands such as The Vee Gates, The Action (featuring Mr. Danny Passion, aka Schmelvis), The Cheatles, and The Free Radicals. Dan came to Toronto in 1995, and has been drumming with alt-country bands ever since, joining the Key Frames after an infamously deafening jam session in the winter of 2006. In his spare time, Dan is a vocal coach and also runs a website entitled "CBC Variety Programs of Yesteryear."