The Nils was a Canadian power-pop punk rock band originating in Montreal, Quebec which produced several releases between 1978 and 1994.
The band was founded in 1978 by then 12-year old Alex Soria with his brother Carlos Soria. The band never achieved widespread fame despite critical success and a following amongst other musicians in the genre. "... but what surprises me most is how many I run into, or hear from, whoy say they loved the Nils or were directly influenced by them. The Goo Goo Dolls, Superchunk, Jawbox, Meat Puppets, Down By Law, Bob Mould and many of the power-pop punk bands(too many to name), all rave about the Nils"
"Nobody played an SG like that little fucker, crushing his big nose
into the mic and singing a great lyric while playing a great riff.
Alex was very underated in the guitar department."-Sean Friesen, The
Asexuals
They performed for the first time
on stage in 1980 as Alex was only 14 years old. Their first release was a
5 track demo tape simply called
Now
in 1982. It most certainly got the attention of Los Angeles
punk/hardcore label BYO Records who sended them the money to record the
now legendary "Scratches and Needles" to be the first track on the line
up of their LP compilation called "Something to Believe In" realeased in
1984. It was at the time really significant to be featured on pole
position of the tracks lining, right ahead of famous groups like D.O.A.,
Youth Brigade and 7 Seconds
Many people can't understand why no one signed them up with a
nice contract right then. It should have happened right there since
"Scratches and Needles" is such an amazing song with its violent yet
melodious vocals, full of rage and emotions. That same year The Nils
recorded "Call of The Wild" for the compilation "Primitive Air Raid"
from Psyche Industry Records which featured Montreal local bands like
the Asexuals, Fair Warning and Genetic Control.
In 1985, on the same label was released the 4 track 12" EP "Sell
Out Young" followed in 1986 by another 4 track 12" EP with Siegfried
Records that is now know as "The Paisley Album". This album is now a
real collector's item since there is only around 500 copy of it with the
original pocket sleeve. Finally in 1987 the New-York Label Rock
Hotel/Profile Records proposed them to record an album simply called
"The Nils" which is less abrasive then what they have done before but
remains a very good album. Carlos then left for California and Alex put
together a band
called Los Patos that didn't have very much success and The Nils
were together again as soon as Carlos was back in Montral and recorded
14 demos and made a few concerts before spliting up again in 1994. Alex
formed a band called Chino in 1998 and recorded the CD EP "Mala Leche"
on Mag Wheel Records that lasted until 2002. The Nils made a few
concerts in Canada again during the spring of 2003 but split up again so
that Alex could concentrate on a solo accoustic project. Alex tragicly
died in Montreal the 12th of December 2004, hit by a train. MPG Records
released the accoustic material that Alex and Carlos had recorded
previously and came out "Next of Kin" a very deep,inspired album
containing unplugged material as well as a few live tracks.
New Releases ! (All previously unreleased material!)
It Must Be Someting (Vynil), The Nils
(M.P.G. Records) | 2009
The Title is the Secret Song (CD + DVD!), The Nils
(M.P.G. Records) | 2009
The CD-DVD ''The Title Is The Secret Song'' is
now officially available. Price is 40$ CAD Shipping and taxes included
for Canada and the US. Send me an email at
sales@thenils.net
or thenilsband@gmail.com
for more infos. Paypal
accepted.
Re-Issues:
Now + Sell Out Young (Split Vynil), The Nils
(Just Fucking Music) | 2009
Paisley + Mala Leche (Split Vynil), The Nils,
Chino (Just Fucking Music) | 2009
Next of Kin (Vinyl), Alex
Soria (M.P.G. Records) | 2009
Mag Wheel also still offers:
ON CD only:
-''Mala
Leche'' from Chino
-The Nil's Tribute Album
On iTUnes you can still get to download:
-''Greenfields
in Daylight''
-Alex Soria solo album ''Next of Kin''
-''The
Nils'' first EP
Sincerely hoping you will all be satisfied
fans, Niko
The Nils Email
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