Biography Wikipedia
from Wikipedia:
Two Hours Traffic is a Canadian indie rock band, based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. They are named after a line in the prologue to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Although often described as the band that Halifax guitarist Joel Plaskett took "under his wing", they have increasingly become known as purveyors of original, well-crafted power pop songs. Critics draw comparisons to 1970s power pop band Big Star, but the band members tend to cite Nick Lowe as a prime influence. The band's achievements include a nomination for the Polaris Music Prize in 2008 for the album Little Jabs.
History
Founded by Liam Corcoran (lead vocals and guitar), and Alec O'Hanley (guitar, keyboards and vocals), the group added bassist Andrew MacDonald and drummer Derek Ellis to its roster in 2002 after meeting while attending the University of Prince Edward Island. While all were age 19, the quartet recorded a demo titled The April Storm. After handing a copy of the EP to Canadian musician Joel Plaskett at one of his Charlottetown performances, a collaborative relationship formed. In 2005 the band released their full-length album simply titled Two Hours Traffic, which saw them work directly with Plaskett, who produced the album and added guitar tracks to two songs (3 and 10). Plaskett's sister, Anna Plaskett, also played French horn on two of the album's tracks (7 and 12).
The group has performed and toured with various East Coast artists such as Plaskett himself, In-Flight Safety, and Wintersleep. The self-titled album was recognized with the group's first nomination at the 2006 East Coast Music Awards, for Rock Recording of the Year. Their videos "Better Sorry than Safe", "Stuck for the Summer" and "Jezebel" have been in rotation on MuchMusic. The group released a six-song EP entitled Isolator on September 26, 2006. Isolator was also produced by Joel Plaskett. It was nominated for Alternative Recording of the Year at the 2007 East Coast Music Awards.
Their second full-length album, Little Jabs, produced by Joel Plaskett, was released on Bumstead Records in July 2007. Documentary film director Ron Mann directed the video for "Jezebel", Mann's first foray into music videos. Little Jabs has led to the band's most chart success to date, reaching the top ten of Chart magazine's Canadian College Radio Top 50 Chart.
The band won Group of the Year and Alternative Rock Recording of the Year at the 2007 Music P.E.I. Awards.
Their songs have also garnered some airplay on several American television shows, including Gossip Girl, The OC , The Secret Life of the American Teenager, One Tree Hill and Castle. Most recently their songs have been featured on CBC's new comedy 18 to Life.
In 2008, Little Jabs was shortlisted for the Polaris Music Prize.
The band's 2009 album, Territory, was produced by Plaskett as well and mixed by Howard Redekopp. The album boasts some of the band's finest work and showcases a slightly darker and more atmospheric sound than it's predecessor, Little Jabs.
Two Hours Traffic were also winners of the 8th annual Independent Music Awards Vox Pop vote for best Poster (artwork by Rebecca Ford).
In September 2011 it was announced that the band would be parting ways with guitarist Alec O'Hanley. The announcement also indicated that the band would carry on and are working on a new record for release in 2012.
Other projects
Liam Corcoran is part of Charlottetown band The Express. Alec O'Hanley and Andrew MacDonald are also members of the Charlottetown band The Danks.
Members
Liam Corcoran lead vocals
Andrew MacDonald bass guitar
Derek Ellis drums
Former Members
Alec O'Hanley guitar
