User:Ra ekim/Defending otis

Defending Otis
Defending Otis is an independent rock band from Brantford Ontario, Canada.

2001-2002

The group formed in 2001 when singer/guitarist/song writer, Michael Pursley met bassist/producer, Dan Roberts while attending school in Hamilton Ontario.

They completed the group's first recorded project, a two song demo EP which included songs "The Man Who Is Greater Than and Fate. Guitarist, Kazuto Okawa later contributed to the track The Man Who Is Greater Than on the EPs re-release during a brief time with the band in 2002.

2003-2004

Defending Otis made their debut in 2003 as a rock trio with Pursley (vocals/guitar), Roberts (bass) with the addition of, Brad Weber (drums). The group played regularly in indie music venues in southern Ontario with their brand of 90s influenced, high energy rhythmic rock.

The group released their second untitled EP featuring songs, Last One Standing, Communication Fails and Outdated. After the release, the band added lead guitarist, Brandon Bothwell from late 2003 who later parted from the group in early 2004.

2005-2009

In late 2005, Defending Otis broke up to pursue new musical projects. Weber and Roberts went on to form Winter Equinox and Pursley took a break from live performance.

During the summer of 2005, Pursley met Lee Tessmer while working in Jasper Alberta, Canada, and the two began to collaborate to record an acoustic album. Their album, Love, Lies & Fireflies was completed in late 2007. The album was produced by Pursley and former band member, Brad Weber, who played drums on the album. It also featured Dan Roberts on bass and the guest vocals or Emma Acott.

Love, Lies & Fireflies, Defending Otis (2007)

1. Hold On 2. Last One Standing 3. Home 4. The Man Who Is Greater Than 5. Contrived 6. Never Look Back 7. Rise 8. Long Way From Freedom

In 2008 the group began working on their follow up album, Lost Travelers with friend and producer Brad Weber. The album is expected to be released in March 2010 and will be the band's first full length album.

Lost Travelers, Defending Otis (2010)

1. Better Life 2. Nothing Left To Say 3. Sad Song 4. The Everybody Steps 5. Warm Bullets 6. Ladders 7. Easier To Say Good-bye 8. (interlude) 9. The Graduate 10. Communication Fails 11. Strong Enough 12. Complete

The band is now performing as a five piece group with Pursley (vocals/guitar), Tessmer (guitar/vocals), Kyle Skillman (drums), Gautam Vaidya (bass) and Ryan Kohn (keys).