Mercury City | en

Although they are only 24, the members of Mercury City have already been playing together for a decade. They bonded through their music as teenagers and have been like brothers ever since. Phil describes the meaning behind the band’s name as “a place where you would come to fulfill your dreams, where everything is possible…a place that doesn't exist except in everyone's dreams…we are that place!”

Burn met Phil at the age of 12. Phil was in search of a lead guitarist for the band he was putting together, so that he could perform “Silver” by Moist in the amateur show at their school. Burn didn’t know how to play guitar, but it sounded like a good reason to learn.

A year later, Phil told Burn that he knew of a great drummer. He said the only problem was that the guy had never played real drums; he played in the air. Not ones to be deterred, Phil and Burn said, “Why not,” and Allan joined the band.

Practicing on the kit at the school, Allan learned to play the drums in only two weeks. Another two weeks later, the band played songs from U2 and Collective Soul and an original called “Self Control” at the annual school amateur show. In that moment, when they felt the electricity in the room as they connected with the audience, the guys realized there was something special going on.

As high school wore on, though, the guys went their separate ways for a few years. However, Burn and Allan reconnected in 2002 and decided to form a new band…and PÜR was born. They recorded their first EP, and it went on to sell 5,000 copies independently in Quebec and spawned a hit radio single with the title track “Purification.”

Two years later, they reunited with Phil and created Mercury City. They went through a string of ups and downs until 2007, when things started looking up. They sent a package to the former guitarist of Moist (the first band they ever covered), Mark Makoway, who had become an successful mixer (David Usher, Matt Mays and El Torpedo, Evans Blue). Mark liked the music and signed on to mix Mercury City’s debut album, and he enlisted the help of producer Trevor Kustiak, engineer Michael "Dull Boy" Langford and manager Mari Dew (Evans Blue, Vaeda, Rains) to solidify the production team.

Burn, Phil and Allan spent the month of October 2007 recording with Trevor in The Pocket Studios in Toronto, and by early 2008 their debut album, The Heat From The Sun, was complete. The 10 songs that comprise the album are based on real events, real emotions and real problems. There is certainly darkness in it, but ultimately light wins out, and the album delivers an uplifting message of faith, hope, and the beauty of simplicity.

In order to carry the energy of Mercury City's debut album into their live show, the band added lead guitarist Simon Roy in February 2008, making their lineup complete. The lifelong friends were lucky to find not only a great musician but also a kindred spirit in Simon, and together, these four set out to conquer to the world. As Burn says, “If, through our music, we are able to touch you and help you; if we’ve been your friend for a minute, an hour, a week, a month or a year; then we are achieving our mission as a band.”

Their debut album The Heat from The Sun was recorded at The Pocket Studios. Mercury City's first single “Someone Like You” is now being played on Sirius Iceberg 95, CBC Radio3, Yahoo! Music U.S. and Canada, Energie 98.9 FM in Quebec, and the single officially launches to radio in Canada in early July.

“Early feedback …

“Really impressed with Mercury City - more than just a couple good songs here.” – Gregg Steele VP/Rock Programming, Sirius Satellite Radio/New York

“I get a huge amount of music across my desk every day and Mercury City truly stood out among the rest. They have a unique sound with massive hooks. I expect to hear a lot about them in the near future.” – Gina Juliano Sr. Program Director, Yahoo! Music/LAUNCHcast Radio .


Bruno "Burn" Alain Lead vocals, Guitar
Simon Roy Lead guitar
Allan Gilbert Drums, Backing vocals
Phil Bouillon Bass, Backing vocals

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