The Conscience Pilate Live At The Horseshoe - Tuesday, July 2nd!
TCP return to legendary music venue for double bill with High Flyers!
Toronto, Canada – Thursday, June 6, 2024 – Billed as a Long Weekend Recovery Show, Toronto’s The Conscience Pilate (TCP) announce a homecoming show at legendary Queen Street music venue, The Horseshoe Tavern. A co-headliner performance with alt-rock funksters High Flyer, the one-night-only show will also include an opening set by singer/songwriter Jessie Gosling. The night promises to include a hit list of glam-rock classics as well as new material that TCP have been releasing since the band’s recent resurgence after a 25-year hiatus.
Formed in the midst of Toronto’s thriving mid-90’s live music scene, indie art rockers amassed a loyal following for their unique sound which is best described as a combustion of CBGB’s post-punk flavoured with the edgy romanticism of 80’s alternative. TCP regularly appeared on the Horseshoe’s iconic stage and the venue continues to hold a special spot in TCP’s legacy. The list of shows includes many sold-out solo performances as well as high-profile opening sets for major recording artists such as Canada’s Thrush Hermits, the UKs Fluffy and Manic Street Preachers during the rockers 1996 “Everything Must Go” Canadian tour.
In spite of consistent media and public interest, The Conscience Pilate shocked fans by disbanding after just one album and at the height of their popularity. Over the years, the creative bond between founding members bassist Edward Pond and vocalist and guitarist Neil Leyton led to a fateful meeting in Montreal where they decided to reform the band. The pair went on to write, record and release seven singles and have a full album in the works.
The Conscience Pilate’s guitar-driven pop sound has remained true to their musical roots, there recent musical offerings emerge with an even more polished sound that digs deep with lyrics that tell a story in an irresistibly visual and evocative setting. The singles, including Little Things, Hope, Blue Shadows, Bloom and Army of Devils and Break Like Waves, have gone on to define a whole new musical era for the revolutionary glam band.
While Pond and Leyton remain the core of the band with many of their past musical collaborators returning for the live performances including The Conscience Pilate alumnus guitarist Stacy Stray whose credentials include the Valhounds, Die Mannequin and C.J. Sleeze. Veteran guitarist Michael “Mick” McKenzie known for his recent work with Lowest of the Low, who attended the band's first gig at the Gasworks in 1995, also joins the live lineup as does long time friend, and newest member, drummer Justin “Juice” Kadis from Yoko Casionos.
To purchase The Conscience Pilate music and for more information please visit: www.theconsciencepilate.com.
Tickets for the Long Weekend Recovery Show on Tuesday July 2nd are available at www.horseshoetavern.com.
Picture left to right: Mick McKenzie, Stacy Stray, Neil Leyton, Edward Pond and Justin Kadis
ABOUT THE CONSCIENCE PILATE
The Conscience Pilate formed during the height of the Toronto’s club scene in the late '90s when songwriting duo Edward Pond and Neil Leyton finished film school. Unlike other bands of that dominant grunge era, TCP brought a flair of glam and style with their focus on 70’s and 80’s pop-rock influenced by David Bowie, Poseurs, Suede and Manic Street Preachers.
Their lofty art-school name is inspired by David Bowie’s performance as Pilate in Martin Scorsese’s screen adaptation of The Last Temptation of Christ coupled with the complexity Pond’s Catholic School upbringing. They went on to move a few letters around, add a “the” in tribute to Syd’s Floyd and a band name was born.
Inspired by their shared love of movies, the duo wrote and recorded a 1996 debut EP called “Living in a Movie Scene” which quickly rose to number one on the Sam The Record Man’s independent release chart. The recording met with wide-spread successes which included many sold-out performances including regular Orange Alert events. A club night modelled after a 60’s style music, film, art and fashion, Orange Alert included regular performances by The Conscience Pilate, Vertigo featuring Mark Holmes of Platinum Blonde fame, The Spy and The Toppermost.
After TCP disbanded, Neil Leyton moved to the UK and eventually settled in Portugal 12 years ago, where he continues to perform, record and produce, and he fronts the acclaimed collective Lusitanian Ghosts. Edward Pond remained in Toronto where he produces music and has built a successful career as a noted photographer.
