Vanderpark

Though its members had been friends since adolescence, Toronto-based Vanderpark officially formed in 2001. Taken from the Dutch term for "from the park" -- in reference to how the guys grew up -- at the base of the band's groove-rock sound were vocal harmonies and technical, tight playing that often incorporated elements of pop, funk, rock, blues, and soul. The guys took influences from bands like moe., <a href="spotify:artist:4wQ3PyMz3WwJGI5uEqHUVR">the Allman Brothers</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:1w5Kfo2jwwIPruYS2UWh56">Pearl Jam</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:2TI7qyDE0QfyOlnbtfDo7L">the Dave Matthews Band</a>, and their longtime friendship added to their comfortable on-stage chemistry. At one point a sextet that included a keyboard player, lineup changes eventually found Vanderpark comprised of David Stulberg (vocals/guitar), Marcus Wong (vocals/guitar), Dan "Booch" Buchman (percussion), Alan Demsky (bass), and Hanaya Haddad (drums). For a time, the guys were students at various universities in Ottawa, Toronto, and Montreal, which (though inconvenient to practicing) helped the group foster a broad Canadian grassroots following. The band's popularity grew as the guys toured relentlessly around central Canada and the Maritimes; they supported <a href="spotify:artist:0ZIwOAzDuGPspzK7yiTc4S">Little Feat</a> on the Canadian leg of their summer 2005 tour and scored an opening spot for <a href="spotify:artist:2PSiyldxmJze7xiqbz658m">the Spin Doctors</a> on their only Canadian appearance that year. Vanderpark's debut album, All Your Hands, was self-released in 2005 as well. ~ Corey Apar, Rovi