BIG WRECK: The TRAGIC STORY Of the Band Behind 'The Oaf' & 'That Song'

[@rnrtruestories]

A lot of people requested them from last week’s Big Shiny Tunes video. So here it is. This video was 16 minutes or so but I cut it down a bit. Here's the RISE & FALL of BIG SHINY TUNES video incase you missed it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y4HXo52jiMeYnJI

[@PeterByker]

re:Big Shiny Tunes, for heavens sake, the LIMBLIFTER story MUST BE TOLD!! I appreciate the depth of coverage @Rock N Roll True Stories, always a pleasure

[@rnrtruestories]

@@PeterBykerthanks

[@Sinsation27]

@rnrtruestories The link points to this video and not the Big Shiny Tunes video 😅

[@frizzlefry851]

Could you do one on I Mother Earth???

[@Sinsation27]

@@frizzlefry851 Would also like to see one with I Mother Earth. Loved that band

[@BrandonBames]

It's times like this that I'm grateful for all the Canadians that have taken over KZbin. This band is CRIMINALLY overlooked. Thanks!

[@breilly66]

No joke. It's been too long since Canadian tv channel "Much Music" did us a similar miracle 30 years ago. Big Wreck and Sloan are both criminally underrated. But Canada knew.

[@lozssaddict]

Absolutely

[@adamchristensen2648]

I underrated big wreck. I have a felony on my record now, but I did my time and learned my lesson. I listen to big wreck and thornley regularly now...just doing my part for society. If you criminally underestimate a band, I won't hesitate to call the cops. See something, say something, you know?

[@BrandonBames]

@@adamchristensen2648 Good on you for doing your time and working to rehabilitate yourself, and congratulations on your new life!

[@cweaver4080]

Oh boy, That Song... That Song is about getting lost in feelings of nostalgia when listening to a special song. And that's what That Song has itself become. Such a good song. That Song.

[@davebenoit5388]

It’s written about a girl but a song can mean anything to anyone

[@skimountains]

​@@davebenoit5388to me it seems more of a memory of a girl and nostalgic of the good times in the relationship.

[@TheComfortInStatic_Official]

Could've have said it better myself. "That Song", though I've listened to it 6,000 times over the years, still gives me chills in the exact same places that it did the first time that I heard it.

[@waynejohnstone3685]

Well said. Because that song is the song that makes me sit and stare.

[@amusingautomatons2692]

That Song is *that* song for me

[@tb18761]

Big Wreck are so damn underrated. So good.

[@hansy3]

I cant stop! At work all day it’s frickin’ ‘ONE LAST CUP OF STARLIGHT…’ nobody minds.

[@mattz1686]

One of my favourite bands, and Ian Thornley is an AMAZING guitar player. He's actually better live - his playing as well as his crazy vocal range. Just stunning. More people need to know about them and appreciate their genius.

[@minkorrh]

Ian Thornley, HAD an amazing vocal range. Obvious in the song Albatross, much worse as of late. Not to diminish him in any way, but he's no Devin Townsend or Chris Cornell, although he certainly had the talent to hit Cornells range a few years ago. Don't get me wrong, I really like the band.

[@jamesfehr2071]

Devin Townsend is in a completely different category. Why not mention Beyonce also? (I know she blows)

[@RH-xs8gz]

Ian Thornley is an absolute songwriting genius.

[@timmckay5117]

Not to mention a super guitar player.

[@michaeljohnson6201]

And vocalist

[@rhondacole4543]

100%!! Phenomenal guitarist and vocalist, too. He's the full package!

[@tednugent723]

yes!

[@TheBillaro]

for 'I'm all surrounded, by the things I thought I'd put away'. life man. life.

[@samsteggles4883]

Best active Canadian rock band right now. Everyone remembers them for their older music but their new music is even better!

[@susanrachel5583]

They sure have had some awesome albums out Albatross and Ghosts are amazing ,Ian Thornleys Album Secrets fire 🔥 🤘

[@ianstuart5660]

Wow, I must check that out. Thanks for the tip!!

[@pierre-claudemeriot6562]

The first song I heard was Lady Like. Such a great groove and solo! Been a massive fan since!

[@bw5530]

You gotta see em live to get it. Soooo good live. Cornell like vocals.

[@tacticorememes]

Nah, it's Ian's vocals. I don't compare him to Cornell like everyone else does. Ian said in an interview they didn't have a singer, so he said, "Whelp, guess that's my job, and I'm not a great singer."

[@SMELLGOODER]

I was literally thinking the exact, same thing. Maybe not the exact same, but if you like the way Chris sang, you're probably gonna like BW. And vice-versa. So ya, I couldn't agree more.

[@kikastra]

Obviously being compared to Cornell is not a bad thing, but I really think he's unique. I get the comparison, but sometimes its used as rip-off. There's no rip off going on there. Its his own thing.

[@jeomemo]

Funny that Cornell wasnt a singer as well, he originally wanted to play drums.

[@kikastra]

@@jeomemo and Thornley started off playing piano/keyboards and was even in a band doing so.

[@angiebee532]

Overemphasizing is a brilliant song. In Loving Memory Of is one of my favorite albums. I've seen these guys multiple times live, unbelievable every time. So much talent and a real treat to watch.

[@frontierfishingwithRyanMacD]

I was so happy to see Doherty and Thornley reunite and make music again - those two are AMAZING together. Tragic that Doherty passed away from lung cancer!

[@Spedly]

A few notes: When Myles sings on Breakthrough, Ian said that was basically the 2 of them doing their best Robert Plant scrams back and forth. Eric Johnson also was a guest in their Symphony show in Toronto (a quick clip is shown) One of the big reasons they didnt want Ian to play guitar in Velvet Revolver is because it would take spotlight away from Slash. Anyone whose seen Ian play knows exactly why

[@RH-xs8gz]

Ian Thornley is 10X the guitarist that Slash is.

[@Spedly]

@@RH-xs8gz and thats exactly why

[@Luge_Lessons]

The mid/late 90s Canadian rock scene was unreal. It felt like over night one day in like 1995 I woke up and all of a sudden there were countless world class acts literally coming from our backyard. Our Lady Peace, I Mother Earth, Sloan, Age of Electric, etc, and then all the awesome festivals that featured them. I still love all this music. I thought Big Wreck was all Canadian tbh, but close enough... Canada obviously adopted them as a whole 😂. The 90s Much Music -Big Shiny Tunes - Edgefest - SnowJob era was amazing.

[@eduardofernandez4004]

I Mother Earth is another criminally underrated band.

[@ArsonistArborist]

All great bands, but man, OLP... so nostalgic! 4am was one of the few songs that were constantly overplayed on the radio, but yet, somehow, I never got sick of. That intro was killer. And the drums riff on Innocent. Pretty basic, but so good. Raine Maida has such a chill singing voice, absolutely love it. I'm gunna have to dig into some old jams

[@navbuoy]

I remember acts like the Grapes of Wrath and Big Sugar and another Can-Am group Econoline Crush just blowing up. Yeah, we were spoiled.

[@shaner67]

Thanks for making this video happen on a great unknown in the US band. Being a Canadian I've been lucky enough to hear Big Wreck in rotation on the radio frequently. The band is crazy awesome live with a big raunchy sound. Albatross is one of the best songs I've ever heard live, so much going on between the chords.. Anyway, my 2 cents.. Much love to them and you for bringing light to a great band.. Cheers

[@NerveSalad]

Big Wreck and I Mother Earth are two of my absolute favorite Canadian bands, with IME being one of my favorite bands ever. Thornley solo stuff is also great. Thanks for the video!

[@terryharding4185]

Thornley's voice and Big Wrecks sound is beyond amazing

[@rhettroberts8319]

I was late to the party as far as Big Wreck is concerned, but their song, Blown Wide Open, is one of the best songs I've heard about dealing with mental illness. Truly a tremendous band

[@adamwatson6916]

That whole album was a masterpiece. Their comeback album in 2012 was fantastic as well.

[@Cautela]

The song 'Ghosts' helped carry me through a challenging time for me and my family during the holidays, where I was forced to be away suddenly to deal with some unfair circumstances... Being able to play the lyrics in my head during the ordeal helped me keep my sanity, and I will always be grateful to this band for that.

[@rhondacole4543]

Ah, Ghosts is one of my all time faves!!!

[@johngraves2185]

I love Big Wreck, probably one of the most underrated bands out there.

[@bloodpoetvids]

Great,great band. That In Loving Memory Of album blew me away. Could never understand why they weren't bigger. I got to see them once and they were even more amazing live..

[@JackSole17]

Just blew you wide open eh? Aha

[@phillipicus7446]

Same here and it is one of the most memorable concert I've ever been to

[@lestera34]

Far and away my favorite active rock band and no one else comes close. Thornley and crew fucking rip.

[@EllawoodBlues]

"That Song" a song about feeling nostalgic about a song makes ME feel nostalgic for it everytime it starts! It's one of my favorite songs of all time

[@MKucheran]

Met Ian Thornley twice briefly. He played the bar I worked at two different times. He was nice and seemed down to earth. The second show he played his guitars were out of tune and he yelled at his guitar tech while on stage before taking a brief intermission. Some people might call this deva behaviour, but I took it as him wanting to put on the best performance possible for the fans that showed up. It was a small campus bar, around 400 person capacity and we weren’t even full that night. Any bigger acts would have been forgiven for not taking the gig seriously, but in speaking to him during that quick break I could tell that he played every show like it was his last. I respected that. Big love for Big Wreck and Thornley to this day.

[@shanedrew3974]

Phenomenal musicianship.Killer vocalist.Awesome Rock n'Roll band.

[@Digitalhunny]

'In Loving Memory of...' is one of only a small handful of albums that you can put on & leave it to play all the way through. That album doesn't have a single bad on on it. Can't believe that I got to see these guys, standing front row centre! Parlee Beach, NB 1999. They're an AMAZING band that are just fabulous live! 😘💕

[@krob5375]

I feel the same. There's very few albums I personally can do that with, ILMO is one of them.

[@Digitalhunny]

@@krob5375 Oh hold on now, you a TOOL fan too? What about Portishead?

[@krob5375]

@@Digitalhunny Tool most def. Not super familiar with Portishead, but they have a unique sound from what little I've heard. But 3 other albums I personally put in the "play thru" category and are among my favs are Protest The Hero's Fortress, Mike Oldfields Tubular Bells and Metallica's Ride The Lightning. No skipping allowed😁

[@Digitalhunny]

​@@krob5375 Omg, have I gotta little story for you. We older folks, really think that kids these days don't know great music for the most part, right? Well, when my youngest was in grade 5, his teacher asked them each to pick, draw a picture for show & tell to their whole class. My brilliant little boy picks Mike Oldfield '5 Miles Out' & blew his teacher's mind! All of the other students picked really modern music. Lots of the students had questions for him about the song & what other songs Mike Oldfield creates. That ONE class is in the know about how amazing his music is. Tubular Bells IS fantastic. Even without a near plane crash! 😂😂😂 Metallica brings me way back to my childhood days. I was in my sundress, barefoot, playing with My Little Ponies blasting _my_ all time most favourite Metallica album '...And Justice For All' on my little ghetto blaster, I was 10 y/o! That album plays like a metal oprah & I LOVE it so much. Funny thing is I still have that cassette tape & neither me or my parents can remember where I got it from! It's too heavy for Dad & Mom listens to country so, yeah. Lifetime mystery... for sure. 😂😂

[@krob5375]

@@Digitalhunny Ha that's awesome. I played Songs of Distant Earth on a jobsite last week and got a lot of funny looks haha. My daughter is into a lot of classic stuff, big Queen fan. Her first concert was last year, Greta Van Fleet in Detroit. Was a bit jealous, ngl haha. I told her next time Ghost is playing near us we're going🤘

[@aaronrhaywood]

Best Current Canadian touring Band!, Ian's vocals and guitar playing , just WOW!

[@danderson8431]

I had legit forgotten how much I love “That Song”.

[@JimNedCreek]

Im no Canuck but would very much enjoy a video on MuchMusic from the 80s. Sincerely, Downstairs Neighbor

[@rnrtruestories]

Yes, full video on muchmusic planned later this year

[@andrewmachado6988]

Big Wreck has always been a great rock band. Happy to see a video about them.

[@birdg2112]

Probably my favorite band now that Rush is gone. They are absolutely incredible.

[@SniZeppelin]

It's the Spring of 1998, and I had just spent an amazing week in Hawaii with great friends. After an overnight flight from Honolulu back to the mainland, once I get home, I turned on MTV while unpacking. Instead of the usual mindless drivel on there such as boy bands, rap, or The Spice Girls...No, Instead I see and hear Big Wreck and "The Oaf" video for the very first time. I was mesmerized. I went out and bought the CD from Tower Records that afternoon, and have been a huge fan ever since. More recently, I saw them live in December. They are just as amazing now as when I first saw them. LIke others on here, I always thought they would be a superstar band all over the World. All Canadians I know tell me that they are that they are hugely "Big" over there. I'm so happy to hear that!! We love you Big Wreck, and hope you keep rocking forever!!

[@ginoames]

Big Wreck should be a huge band. They are so good

[@senschic1]

Blown wide open is one of my favorite songs of all time

[@refraktr6223]

I saw them in montreal in 2017 for the 20th anniversary of the album in loving memory of (not long after I became obsessed with the band and the album) and it was an amazing experience . I’m so glad you made a video about BW, they are underrated in my opinion

[@MeszarosWreckords]

Thank you... Big Wreck rulez 🔥

[@Declined469]

I love this band, I love this band so much. It reminds of those awesome years growing up in my late teens and having a great old time. Things were so much more happier back then. I remember the first time I heard the song, “The Oaf”, I was hooked as soon as I heard that song. That album that song was on had all good songs in my opinion. I cannot wait to unpause the video after writing this. I have always been curious about the history of this band. Thank you so much for making this video. You rock!!! Cheers!!!

[@OpethianDream2112]

Enjoyed the video, learned a few things. I saw them on their first US tour w DT, been fan ever since. Just surprised you only touched on the last 10 years. Ghosts and Grace street are two of their best records and deserved more of a mention i think.

[@peachmelba1000]

The Pleasure and The Greed is a really good album. I used to listen to the entire thing twice a day. Once on the train into the city for work, and then again heading back home at night.

[@CommercialForest]

I saw them at a Suhr Guitar NAMM party about 10 years ago. Ian was amazing both vocally & as a guitarist

[@slickmechanical]

Just saw them in Edmonton at the end of November. Wicked show. They're still putting down bangers.

[@alanvaughan2937]

one of the Best bands you will ever hear ..go see them Live they are Beyond Good

[@bloodsling]

Big Wreck/Ian Thornley..criminally underrated. An amazing vocalist,helluva guitar player too. Lucky enough to see them live in the early 00's

[@cds1957]

“In Loving Memory of “ is a masterpiece.

[@Jack-mo2vo]

Saw this band 2 years ago with my dad. That was my first concert and they were incredible live

[@davidp158]

Thanks for shining some light on Big Wreck. They have produced some powerful and amazing music, and Ian is a stellar guitarist and vocalist.

[@jsm3233]

In Loving Memory of was definitely the best album of the year in 1997. Went camping one weekend and played it on repeat, until Princess Diana died and the mood suddenly changed.

[@ScottysShineShop]

NICE! Just saw them live a few months ago in London. Awesome band

[@vwhisp1394]

From Detroit. Love Big Wreck.

[@Kinger1625]

I have been a fan since their first release!!! They are so underrated, and Thornley is a MONSTER player! MONSTER singer as well! Just saw them in November again, and they were amazing again! Love this band! Wish more knew them!

[@thedaredevils145]

Thank you for doing a history on my fav band of all time!!! ❤

[@rnrtruestories]

You’re welcome

[@davevan9150]

Ian is a good musician and songwriter, thanks for recognizing that.

[@MegaMicah12]

I recently got into these guys a few months ago thanks to finding their debut at a record shop, and I loved it! Nice to learn a bit more on them now.

[@ben10nnery]

The riffs in Inhale are just 👌👌

[@ianstuart5660]

Fantastic chronology! Love Thornley and Big Wreck!

[@capnmo6718]

Every now and then, I throw on In Loving Memory Of... and get transported back to my late teens, nostalgic about how much I loved that album.

[@WhoTube277]

Love 'Big Wreck.' One of my favourites. Saw Thornley at Mod Club in 2010. One of the best shows I've ever been to.

[@AstralFrost]

One of the best rock bands of our time. Been listening since childhood.

[@deanruthlessrecords]

I 100% Completely Missed This Band. Thanks for the short documentary about them.

[@TapRiot]

Amazing band. Ian Thornley is amazing. Definitely underrrated. Oh My, the Oaf, and so far so good by Thornley, still heavy in my playlist rotation.

[@CapitanFantasma1776]

Thanks! I grew up friends with Brian's older brother John Doherty. I remember Brian as a little fellow! He moves on stage just like a Doherty! God Bless Brian.

[@MrSonicAlchemy]

Nice background information on this great band. Seeing them live is mind-blowing! So great! Thornley is one the best rock front men I have ever seen. Insane guitarist and Cornell level vocalist all in one.

[@rnrtruestories]

Thanks

[@Saskyoilfan]

Just saw them play a few months ago. Ian is a brilliant guitar player they sounded amazing still

[@TheLaird406]

Big Wreck is one of the best bands making music right now!

[@adamyoung7999]

Totally agree 💯

[@JebusFinklestein]

Absolutely amazing live!

[@RB-oc7ti]

Myles Kennedy (AlterBridge) always pumps up Ian Thornley for becoming a friend during old tours together and giving him useful guitar tips that he’s since successfully used. Conversely, Ian often credits Myles for vocal techniques that he uses all the time. Two of my favorite artists (both being great singers, musicians, and songwriters!) and I hope they get together for a project in the near future!💪👍🎸

[@gmw3083]

Those velvet revolver guys screwed up. 1 guitar too many. What? GnR had 3 guitars. Many bands did. Slash is often a weenie....

[@kered0198]

Best band EVER.. ... period!

[@martingrenier7780]

Saw them in Sudbury last year. Ian Thornley is very underated singer and guitar player. It was a bery good show!

[@brookslight16]

awesome video - well made @mrtruestories - Albatross is an absolute masterpiece. Ghosts is near the same level. ...but for the Sun is incredible too. Live, the band is on another level, it's incredible to hear some of their impromptu jams and Thornleys voice is pitch perfect most nights.

[@rnrtruestories]

Thanks

[@victoria383]

Saw them open for Nickleback at the Starfish Room in Vancouver. One of the best concerts I've ever seen

[@caged-melody]

I’ve never heard of this band till today. I did see the Tragically Hip twice in L.A I was 16 when the band opened for Page and Plant in 95 @ Irvine Meadows. They BLEW the headliners!!! They were so amazing! I saw them agin in 2002 or 03. They played the house of blues on sunset strip. Again the greatest band that I’ve seen live. Even to this day I feel they are the greatest band I’ve seen live.

[@SMELLGOODER]

I just checked em out. And I've gotta say..... I really like what I heard. I gad never even heard of BW until THIS video.

[@Angelicus-p5p]

Four bands were going on a summer tour in 2020 called Saints and Sinners until all things were halted. Would have been EPIC! They were Big Wreck, The Tea Party, Moist, and Headstones (lead is actor Hugh Dillon, co-creator of Mayor of Kingstown based on penitentiary town Kingston, Ontario). All still produce music. Compare Traveling Wilburys 'Tweeter and the Monkeyman' to the Headstones version.

[@normang3668]

Honestly I think there are a ton of underrated Canadian bands, not just underrated on a world scale but even here in Canada.

[@JasonMarr-q2w]

Matthew good band. Songs like Alabama motel room, weapon, strange days etc. Current swell song Rollin and keys to the kingdom. The tea party. Splendor Solis

[@Digital_Piss]

I fell in love with their album In Loving Memory when I was like 13, such a killer record 🤘

[@adamyoung7999]

Same story as me (only I was 15 at the time). Probably bought 4 copies of that CD. I don’t know if you’ve been keeping up with them, but BW’s newer stuff is as good as anything they’ve put out. I especially love the entirety the three 7 ep’s.

[@Digital_Piss]

@@adamyoung7999 the craziest thing is I grew up in Austin TX and we had a municipal music television station that played everything you couldn't see on MTV, how else would a teenage boy in central Texas ever hear Big Wreck

[@skyusstarlet6514]

Big Wreck is *SUPER* underrated !! Cuz they’re just MEGA GOOD!!

[@TheAlvinealy]

The first time I heard them was when I saw them open for Dream Theater in Boston in late '97. I bought their album and became a fan.

[@sirtickletoast2942]

Big wreck is a fan favourite for my family, my parents see them upwards of 2-3 times a year! They’ll go to concerts in Regina, Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer if they go through there! It seems like they’re always touring! Love to see the Canadian representation! More Canadian bands stories please! Billy talent would be a great next one!!

[@jaysutherland5360]

Big wreck was the first band I discovered outside of listening to my parents music. I don't recall how many times I've seen them live. Ian Thornley is such an unbelievable guitarist, it's like he's making sweet sweet love to his guitar during a solos. As unfortunate it is that some members of come and gone, big rack will always be one of my most favorite bands to listen to. I've been lucky enough to bring my youngest daughter to one of the concerts and she absolutely fell in love with the band.

[@susanrachel5583]

Big wreck my favourite band !

[@chrisw3421]

I just saw Big Wreck perform here in Buffalo, NY 2 nights ago. Really great show, super tight band... and that drummer they have now is a huge improvement, glaringly huge improvement!

[@dominiquez5643]

Great band you chose! They are killers! Love the first 2 albums!

[@jimmygownley9573]

I just listened to Ghosts. Thanks Andertons! I can’t wait to start pretending I’ve known about them for years!

[@crashtestjeffy]

This is crazy! I live in Barrie, Ontario and Big Wreck just played our New Years Eve 2024 show. They're a decent band for sure. I saw them open for The Hip a few times.

[@vwharman]

Man, I have loved this band since they came out, and still do. Saw them on the ghosts tour a few years ago and they play so well live. Great band.

[@nerfherder9021]

awesome video!! well done Sir. Big Wreck is underrated

[@wattsun7946]

Severely underrated band in a sea of great music that came out at once.

[@markarita3]

Saw them live (about 12 years ago, with Sloan)...BEST sound mix I've ever experienced...totally blow away.

[@williamyates694]

I was a manager of a BlockBuster music store in Atlanta. We got a promo copy of Big Wreck. I played it and loved it. Whenever I played this in the store, it would sell a few copies. They should have been bigger but didn't get much push from their label.

[@JesseCookMusic]

I saw them play last year. They put on a hell of a rock and roll show

[@AggressiveBeagle]

Always been a fan of this band people say they are overlooked but at least their music is out there for everyone to discover and when they do they will most definitely enjoy it

[@trendmassacre8423]

I remember seeing these guys open for Dream Theater back in 1997 at First Ave. in Minneapolis MN. I really didn't know what to think of them at the time, but later on I gained a lot of respect for them.

[@Free2Smooze]

This is awesome! Thanks. Do Matt Good next, please.

[@scottbyrne4965]

LOVE Big Wreck! Albatross and Ghosts are perfect records.

[@VanIsleNuckFan]

Seen em live last year, what a great show!

[@chadbrownmusic]

To me this album is an "Appetite for Destruction" album. In my dream world. This album is so good.

[@Nut-ml5wc]

Love Big Wreck!

[@joeywaters7927]

They’ll always be a top 10 band for me. I’ve been listening to them since 1999, and I still cannot believe that the US didn’t embrace them. Luckily they play Nashville quite a bit, so I get to see them live every couple of years.

[@ignatiusd]

This is the one I've been waiting for. Really loved their breakout album!

[@RichM0410]

A buddy turned me on to Big Wreck about 6 years ago. Excellent band! 👍

[@The6stringpenguin]

Saw them open up for Dream Theater at Irving Plaza in 1997, and they blew us away, and most DT fans are highly critical of other musicians. Saw them at CBGB a few years after that and hung out with them before the show. Fast forward, and Thornley’s first album has still been in constant rotation in my car since it came out!! ❤

[@smartphoneguitar6780]

Absolutely great band. Ian Thornley is a genius.

[@mikewilliams4336]

Great play by play with no fluff....enjoyed this story format...quick and to the point. Great job!

[@philfarina3470]

Great band. Ghosts is a great album as well as there recent releases