While accounts vary, Single Mothers was either founded amidst a nervous break-down or as a means for payback. What is known, is that it was shakily hatched
by Drew Thomson in his hometown of London, Ontario in 2008. Having lined up
shows before he had a band or any music of his own, Thomson would quickly gain a
reputation as a gifted troubadour; known for his enunciated howl and literary lyrics
that married poetic penance with vignettes of small town ennui. But he was also an
incendiary character; firing his band outright in 2009, and at one point having two
different versions of the band existing at the same time.
Somehow the right core of characters fell into place, solidifying the band’s feral take
on punk rock; gritty rock ‘n’ roll sensibilities counterbalanced with hooks, dynamics
and musicality.
Released as the S/T EP by Secret Voice in 2012, the first pressing of the 7” would
sell out in weeks, then sell thousands of copies in the ensuing years.
Negative Qualities is an unrelenting ten song behemoth of a debut album that was
two years in the making; written across two provinces, initially started in Los Angeles
then finished in London, Toronto and Upstate New York. It represents a band pushed
to their most savage state, it’s their pound of flesh slammed down on the counter as
raw statement. And now, they’re looking to collect. But as Thomson rallies “I am who
I am” on Negative Qualities one can only wonder if this is a declaration of acceptance or a derision of him and his band? As such, the album will either be the first
of many or the band’s final record. Ultimately, it is up to Single Mothers and their
inherited behaviour to decide.
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