USS (Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker) was a Canadian alternative rock musical duo from Toronto.[1] The band was composed of vocalist and guitarist Ashley Buchholz (aka Ash Boo-Schultz) and turntablist/hype man Jason "Human Kebab" Parsons.
USS | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker |
| Origin | Toronto, Canada |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2004–2022 |
| Labels | Coalition Music |
| Past members |
|
| Website | ussmusic |
The band's sound is a mixture of drum and bass beats, grunge-like guitar riffs, and 2-step rhythms. "We like to call what we do the campfire after-party", Ash Buchholz has said; "It's like you're at Nirvana Unplugged but there's a drum and bass party and glow sticks all around you."[2] The duo announced their split in 2021 and performed their final show on June 11, 2022.
History
edit
Formation and first release: 2004–2008
editUSS hails from the Greater Toronto Area, Buchholz being from the city of Markham and Parsons from the adjacent town of Stouffville.[3] They met in 2004 while stocking the beer fridge and discussing music when they worked at a golf course.[2][3][4] The pair hit it off instantly.[5] A few months later, Buchholz's sister was looking for someone to DJ at her upcoming wedding and Parsons was suggested for the job.[4] According to Buchholz, "It was love at first scratch", and he later moved into Parsons' parents' basement to begin experimenting musically.[4]
The band's name came about when Buchholz sketched out a map of exactly who he wanted to be in life. At the top, he wrote, "Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker".[2] Although this title was to become the band's moniker, the duo says that the name is for everyone: "It's singular — it's the title of a characteristic, not the title of two guys", Buchholz said.[2]
By July 2008, the two began to perform live, and they released their first independent EP, Welding the C:/ (pronounced "Welding the C Drive") later that same month.[1][2] The band then parted ways to pursue different avenues; Parsons travelled to Alberta to work on an oil pipeline and Buchholz went to the US on a pilgrimage. A friend of Parsons' later called him to say that Toronto radio station 102.1 The Edge had begun playing their first single, "Hollowpoint Sniper Hyperbole". The duo then returned to Toronto to shoot a video for the song, which was later added to the MuchMusic channel.[1][5]
Questamation: 2009–2011
editIn March 2009, USS released their first full-length album, Questamation, through their independent label, Smashing World Records.[6] For the recording, the duo teamed up with Matthew Von Wagner (Crystal Castles, Alpha Galates) for production and engineering, while Chris Davies and Charles Topping 'aided musically'.[6] Music engineer Bob Ludwig was recruited to master the original album in Portland, Maine.[5] James Black of Finger Eleven is featured playing guitar on "P.S. I Can Change".[citation needed] On March 14, they won the award for Favourite Group/Duo at the CMW Indie Awards in Toronto. During their performance, the duo lit up the stage with a high-energy set, complete with handstands and full-size cardboard cutouts of Barack Obama and Albert Einstein.[7]
In November, they supported illScarlett on the Canadian leg of their 1UP! Tour.
Shortly after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, various musicians from the Toronto area came together on February 2, 2010, at The Sound Academy, for the 102.1 The Edge-sponsored Toronto Plays For Haiti benefit.[8] USS headlined the event, alongside Choclair, The Salads, Die Mannequin, The Trews, and Moneen. That evening, on impulse, Human Kebab played DJ to Canadian hip hop artist Maestro Fresh Wes.[9]
In March and April, the band embarked on their Highway to Health tour. USS travelled from Barrie to British Columbia with The Stables, a Durham Region band along for the ride as direct support.[10][11]
USS brought home their second consecutive COCA Award (Canadian Organization of Campus Activities) for Emerging Artist, (Winner of Emerging Artist Award 2009/2010), on June 25, 2010.[12]
In September, Smirnoff launched their "Be There" campaign for the Nightlife Exchange Project. The countries that participated were Canada, United States, the UK, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Germany, India, Ireland, Lebanon, Poland, South Africa, Thailand, and Venezuela. USS were named as the Canadian curators, to deliver Canadian nightlife to India.[13] In October, the duo flew to Mumbai for the campaign.[14]
In December, USS released the track "Mavericks", a collaboration with Canadian fiddler Ashley MachIsaac. The single's lyrics reference surfer Jeff Clark.[15][16]
USS earned two spots on 102.1 The Edge's top songs of 2010, with "Anti-Venom" at No. 26 and "3 Purple Butterflies" at No. 74.[17]
The 2011 soundtrack to Major League Baseball 2K11 (MLB 2K11), released by 2K Sports, single "Anti-Venom" from Questamation.[18] It was also on the Nintendo Wii and 3DS version soundtrack to Need for Speed: The Run, released by EA Black Box and Firebrand Games in November 2011.
Approved: 2011–2012
editUSS released their next single, "N/A OK" on February 14, 2011.[19]
In an interview with Eye Weekly, Parsons elaborated on what the duo was working on:
It's amazing. We're working with Tawgs Salter, who's done records with Lights, The Midway State, and Josh Groban, and he's been helping us define what the new USS is, from a songwriting perspective. We're free to be quirky, acoustic, singer-songwriter, electronic turntable-based music, but in a bigger sounding format that has global aspirations. We've returned more to the minimal that we showed on our first EP, Welding The C:/, but we're doing it with the right producer, to make it sound as big and powerful as we can be. At the start of the year we did a song with Ashley MacIsaac, and we followed that with what's hopefully going to become our new EP. [14]
Approved, the band's second EP, was released digitally worldwide on May 3, 2011, the day of the release party at Toronto's MOD Club and the kickoff date for the USS Approved Spring/Summer Cross-Canada tour. The physical copy was exclusively released in Canada at the band's shows[20] or on their official website. In an interview with Niagara Music Scene, Buchholz explained the EP's title: Approved, because it seems like everyone has issues of self-worth. YOU'RE ALL GOOD ENOUGH! Most of life is just overcompensation for not feeling like you are good enough. APPROVED!
By the end of summer 2011, the second single from Approved—"Yo Hello Hooray (Everyday)"—had begun receiving regular rotation on Canadian rock radio stations.[21] "Yo Hello Hooray (Everyday)" is the band's highest-charting rock radio single in Canada to date.[22]
"N/A OK" was nominated in the Rock category at the 2012 Canadian Radio Music Awards.[23] The third single from Approved, "Damini", charted on the hits Canadian rock radio chart.[24]
Advanced Basics: 2013–2015
editOn June 4, 2013, USS released "This Is the Best", the first single from their third EP, Advanced Basics.
The band flew to London to perform in Trafalgar Square for Canada Day International alongside Canadian rock icons The Tragically Hip plus Jann Arden, The Sheepdogs, and Arkells.[25]
USS released Advanced Basics in Canada on February 11, 2014. The album was funded through crowdsourcing site PledgeMusic, with the project titled "#Letsgetweirdtogether".[26] To promote it, the band played pop-up shows across Toronto, which were filmed and released on YouTube.[27] The song "Yin Yang" was later used to promote the fall lineup for CTV television.[28][29]
The band toured Canada in March/April 2014 with Hedley and Classified.[30]
On July 18, 2014, USS headlined This Is the Fest at Echo Beach in Toronto. The show was part of the Edgefest Concert Series, presented by 102.1 The Edge. They were given the opportunity to handpick the lineup, which included artists such as MS MR, Said the Whale, Bear Hands, Wildlife, Dear Rouge, and more.[31] In the fall, they toured across Canada with Mother Mother.[32]
In 2015, the duo was nominated for a Juno for Breakthrough Group of the Year[33] and 102.1 The Edge's Casby Award for Favourite New Song for Shipwreck.[34]
Final albums: 2017–2021
editIn January 2017, USS released their second studio album, New World Alphabet.[35][36]
On October 26, 2020, the band announced via Twitter that their upcoming album, Einsteins of Consciousness, would be their last,[37] and posted a message saying goodbye to their fans and promising one final tour when it's appropriate to do so.[38] The record was released on January 8, 2021.[39]
Final Freakquency Tour: 2021
editOn June 24, 2021, the band began selling tickets to their final farewell tour, dubbed the Final Freakquency Tour.[40] This began on November 20 in Buffalo, New York, following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. The tour was set to end on December 18, 2021, with the band's final performance in Toronto.[41] However, due to the rise of the coronavirus Omicron variant, the show was postponed to June 2022.[42]
In October 2021, NHL on Sportsnet introduced new theme music composed by the band,[43] titled "Never Stop".[44]
Discography
editStudio albums
- Questamation (2009)
- New World Alphabet (2017)
- Einsteins of Consciousness (2021)
- The Science & Artfunkel Victory Lap (2021)
EPs
- Welding the C:/ (2007)
- Approved (2011)
- Advanced Basics (2014)
Singles
| Song | Year | Chart peak | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN | CAN Alt [45][46] [47][48][49] | |||||
| "Hollow Point Sniper Hyperbole" | 2007 | — | × | Welding the C:/ | ||
| "2 15/16" | 2008 | — | — | Welding the C:/ | ||
| "Laces Out" | 2009 | — | 23 | Questamation | ||
| "Anti-Venom" | — | 22 | ||||
| "Mavericks" | 2010 | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "N/A OK" | 2011 | — | 8 | Approved | ||
| "Yo Hello Hooray (Everyday)" | — | 7 | ||||
| "Damini" | 2012 | — | 8 | |||
| "This Is the Best" | 2013 | 75 | 3 | Advanced Basics | ||
| "Yin Yang" | 2014 | 95 | 3 | |||
| "Shipwreck" | — | 14 | ||||
| "Nepal" | 2015 | — | 14 | |||
| "Work Shoes" | 2016 | — | 2 | New World Alphabet | ||
| "Who's with Me" | 2017 | — | 18 | |||
| "California Medication" | — | 22 | ||||
| "Medicine" | 2018 | — | — | Einsteins of Consciousness | ||
| "Big Life (26 Letters)" | 2018 | — | — | Einsteins of Consciousness | ||
| "Odd Times" | 2020 | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Happy" | 2020 | — | 9 | Einsteins of Consciousness | ||
| "Feel Alive" | 2020 | — | — | Einsteins of Consciousness | ||
| "Turquoise 1:11" | 2021 | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "Never Stop" | 2022 | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| "—" denotes a release that did not chart. "×" denotes periods where charts did not exist or were not archived. | ||||||
| Year | Video | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | "Laces Out" | Brockstreet Films |
| 2012 | "Damini"
"Yo Hello Hooray" |
tj derry |
| 2013 | "This Is the best" | CutCartel |
| 2014 | "Yin Yang" | David F. Mewa |
| 2015 | "Nepal" | David F. Mewa |
| 2016 | "Work Shoes" | Philip Sportel |
| 2017 | "California Medication" | Kirk Hipkiss |
| 2019 | "Big Life (26 Letters) | David Mewa |
| 2020 | "Odd Times" | Brent Hallman (Tivoli Films Inc./Hallman Animation Studios) |
| 2020 | "Happy" | Brent Hallman (Tivoli Films Inc./Hallman Animation Studios) |
| 2021 | "Pages" | Brent Hallman (Tivoli Films Inc./Hallman Animation Studios) |
References
edit- ^ a b c Artist bio on MuchMusic.com Retrieved March 11, 2009
- ^ a b c d e Carey, Steve, “Good old fashioned Victoria block party”, Victoria Times Colonist, Aug 17, 2008 Retrieved March 11, 2009
- ^ a b Arbour, Ross, “Band needs your help”, yorkregion.com, Oct 17, 2008 Retrieved June 4, 2011
- ^ a b c Interview for Crave TV[permanent dead link] Retrieved March 11, 2009
- ^ a b c Paul, Andrew, "Vocab Junkies", See Magazine, Aug 14, 2008 Retrieved March 11, 2009
- ^ a b "USS Ready To Be Ubiquitous Again"[usurped], ChartAttack, January 27, 2009, Retrieved March 11, 2009
- ^ "Canadian Music Week: USS Takes Fav Group At 2009 Indies. Retrieved June 12, 2009
- ^ "Toronto Plays For Haiti benefit gig at Sound Academy, Tuesday 2 February, 2010". Musicvice.com. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ "The Chronicle". Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
- ^ FrontseatBurnhole. YouTube. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ "Concert Photography and Reviews from Toronto, Barrie, Southern ON: Concert Photos and Review: Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker (USS), Ascot Royals @ The Mansion Nightclub - 03.17.2010". Attherockshowblog.blogspot.com. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ "Music - Emerging Artist - Awards - History - COCA - Canadian Organization of Campus Activities". Archived from the original on July 25, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2011.
- ^ "SMIRNOFF© LAUNCHES THE WORLD'S FIRST NIGHTLIFE EXCHANGE". Newswire.ca. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ a b [1] [dead link]
- ^ Mavericks (location)
- ^ "Corus Radio". YouTube. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ "102.1 the Edge". Edge.ca. Archived from the original on January 23, 2013. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ "[47]Reviews". 47reviews.blogspot.com. March 14, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ "Corus Radio". YouTube. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ Chee Kam. "USS Announce 'USS Approved' EP; Canadian Tour Announced « News « PureGrainAudio.com". Puregrainaudio.com. Archived from the original on November 18, 2015. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 3, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Canadian Active Rock & Alt Rock Chart Archive". Canadianrockalt.blogspot.ca. December 6, 2011. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ "Nominees Announced for 2012 Canadian Radio Music Awards – 2016 Canadian Music Week May 4-14, 2016". Cmw.net. Archived from the original on May 22, 2015. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on September 3, 2014. Retrieved April 14, 2012.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) - ^ "Afternoon Concert". Canada Day International. Archived from the original on November 19, 2015. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ "New Album? New Tour? NEW EVERYTHING! | Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker". Archived from the original on December 6, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2016.
- ^ USS Day - February 11th, 2014 Retrieved March 20, 2015
- ^ CTV Fall Lineup 2014 (feat. Yin Yang by USS) Retrieved January 25, 2015
- ^ Commercial for CTV 2014 Fall Lineup - Extended Version (feat Yin Yang by USS) Retrieved January 25, 2015
- ^ Photos+Review+Setlist: Hedley w/Classified & USS Air Canada Centre[usurped] The Heavy Press. Retrieved March 20, 2015.
- ^ This Is The Fest Rocks Toronto Archived April 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine The Edge. Retrieved March 20, 2015
- ^ Mother Mother With Guests USS (Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker) Archived April 2, 2015, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved March 20, 2015
- ^ Junos 2015 nominations: Drake, Leonard Cohen, Magic!, Hedley get nods for best in Canadian music National Post. Retrieved on March 20, 2015
- ^ "The 2015 Edge CASBY Music Awards - 102.1 the Edge". Edge.ca. Archived from the original on August 12, 2012. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ "TOUR". Ussmusic.com. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
- ^ "New World Alphabet: USS Album Review". thereviewsarein.com. January 18, 2017. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
- ^ @USSMusic (October 26, 2020). "Our final studio album, 'Einsteins of Consciousness', is coming out January 8th" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ @USSMusic (October 26, 2020). "Heart emoji" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "USS Releases Final Album, Einsteins of Consciousness". thereviewsarein.com. January 10, 2021. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
- ^ @USSMusic (June 24, 2021). "ON-SALE NOW! Get your tickets to our Final Freakquency Tour happening this fall" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "USS Final Freakquency Tour – Sound Check Entertainment". soundcheckentertainment.ca. June 22, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ^ Chong, Joshua (December 18, 2021). "Toronto's theatres and venues scrambling as Ontario announces new COVID-19 capacity limits for indoor public". The Toronto Star. ISSN 0319-0781. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ "NHL Puck Drop 2021: State of the Art New Sportsnet Studios Facility Officially Unveiled Tonight". Sports Video Group. October 13, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2022.
- ^ USS [@USSMusic] (October 13, 2021). "We were honoured to have teamed up with @Sportsnet and the @nhl to record their brand new theme song, Never Stop! Tune in tonight at 7pm ET for @CanadiensMTL vs. @MapleLeafs – and at 8pm MT for @Canucks vs. @EdmontonOilers to hear it on air! 🏒🥅" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Canadian Active/Alternative Charts". Proboards.com. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ "Canadian Active/Alternative Charts". Proboards.com. Retrieved November 17, 2015.
- ^ "Canadian Active Rock & Alt Rock Chart Archive: Alternative Rock - April 19, 2011". America's Music Charts. Retrieved June 14, 2011.
- ^ "Canadian Active Rock & Alt Rock Chart Archive: Alternative Rock - December 6, 2011". America's Music Charts. December 6, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ^ "Canadian Active Rock & Alt Rock Chart Archive: Alternative Rock - June 5, 2012". America's Music Charts. Retrieved June 5, 2012.