United Steel Workers of Montreal (or USWM) were a six-piece alternative country ensemble based in downtown Montreal. The band members included Gern F (vocals/acoustic guitar), Felicity Hamer (vocals/accordion), Sean "Gus" Beauchamp (vocals/acoustic guitar), Matt Watson (electric guitar), Flipper Frumignac (bass) and Dylan Perron (banjo/mandolin). The band draws on punk rock, bluegrass and country influences, and is part of a "citygrass" scene of alternative country musicians in Montreal which also includes Katie Moore and Lee Mellor and the Mudhounds.
The band began as an informal busking collective, playing every Tuesday in Montreal's Lucien-L'Allier metro station. After about seven or eight months, they booked a rehearsal space and began to actively record and perform as a permanent band. Their debut album Broken Trucks and Bottles was released in April 2005 and featured Sean Moore on banjo, mandolin and guitar. Shortly after the album's release Moore left the band and was replaced by Kevin McNeilly, while session man Roger Dawson also became a member.
Light years will burn 'fore i return
I left it all behind with no concern
For things back then can't be again
Forever trapped in time that never bends
She waits for signals i might send
But they don't come so she pretends
I ran away but i'll be back yesterday
No turning back
Once you're lost you never will be found
No gravity
Never get my feet back on the ground
Love and escape do not compute
I see the photograph before you shoot
I'm standing still but still i'm spinning
This journey ends at the beginning
It seals my fate in the great figure eight
No turning back
Once you're lost you never will be found
No gravity
Never get my feet back on the ground
No turning back
Once you're lost you never can be found
No gravity