Big Wreck – That Song

I first discovered this band through deKe on his blog, The Distortion Den. After that, someone brought up a song, and I knew I knew the band from somewhere. deKe always surprises me with something. I never know if it’s going to be heavy metal, power pop (Sloan), hard rock, or just rock. 

When people talk about great Canadian rock bands of the late ’90s and beyond, Big Wreck is right there. They were a thinking person’s hard-rock band, and it all started with a chance meeting at Berklee College of Music.

In the early ’90s, guitarist-vocalist Ian Thornley, a Toronto native with a passion for Jeff Beck, Soundgarden, and Zeppelin, enrolled at Boston’s Berklee College of Music. There, he met guitarist Brian Doherty, bassist Dave Henning, and drummer Forrest Williams. The four clicked immediately, bonding over odd time signatures, vintage amps, and songs. They called themselves Big Wreck, a tongue-in-cheek nod to the chaos of their early practice sessions. They soon began gigging around Boston.

They have been a highly successful band in their history. They have released 8 albums, and 5 have been in the Canadian top ten. This song was on their debut album, released in 1997, called In Loving Memory Of. The album peaked at #48 in Canada and #31 on the US Heatseekers Chart. That Song peaked at #31 in Canada, #7 on Canadian Alt Rock charts, and #32 on the US Mainstream Rock charts. 

After listening to them, I can see why they were at Berklee. They are very talented, and it shows in their songs. However, they don’t sound too polished, and they keep some of the raw edges. They seem genuine, and many talented bands tend to show off rather than concentrate on songs, and Big Wreck does. 

That Song

So I always get nostalgic with that song
But in my room it’s forced
It has to be in some car across the street
And I always catch the back of your head in a crowd
Just don’t turn around
It’s never you and you ruin those memories
And those photos are great if I catch them with the side of my eye
But if I stare, it just turns into you and me
We’re just standing there

And now its over
Would you hear me
Scream at the top of my lungs
And when you go there
Would you hear me
Scream at the top of my lungs

So I always fool my friends and we head down there
You think that we are en route
We just drove past your old house and you weren’t there
And I’m always great when I’m hanging with your buds and they lie
They think that I’m just fine
Its always been that way, just a pocketbook Brando

And when you hold him
Would you hear me
Scream at the top of my lungs
You love my whisper
But did you hear me
Scream at the top of my lungs

So you crank that song
And it might sound doom
So just leave the room
While I sit and stare
Cause this is rare
I really love that tune
Man, I love that song
I really love that song
I love that song

So when you go there
Would you hear me
Scream at the top of my lungs
And when you’re hated
Would you hear me
Scream at the top of my lungs

So you crank that song
And it might sound doom
So just leave the room
While I sit and stare
Cause yeah, that’s rare
I really love that tune
Man, I love that song
I love that song
I love that song

…

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

24 thoughts on “Big Wreck – That Song”

  1. Pingback: Big Wreck – That Song – MobsterTiger

  3. Thanks for the shout out dude! Great track and Thornley always brings it live plus he’s a super chill guy. There new album drops on Oct 24th!
    Check it out!

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  4. Another fine Canadian band of the 90s…glad you found them! They had that sweet spot that got them played on classic rock and alternative rock stations

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      3. Update: have been listening to them while playing a video game. They are very talented. Listening to other songs, I hear the lead singer from Blur and also a Chris Cornell aspect to the singers voice. I’m sold!

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