Ian's Big Wreck

After spending a few days listening to Ian Thornley's "Big Wreck" and "Thornley", I have come to the conclusion that Ian should have kept the name Big Wreck. Think about it...

1997: Big Wreck's debut album "In Loving Memory Of..." is a huge success in Canada, spawning #1 hits "The Oaf", and "That Song", not to mention other radio singles "Blown Wide Open" and "Under The Lighthouse." The album went 2x Platinum (200,000+ sold) and put Big Wreck on the map. Well done, great album. I would also like to mention the fine production by producer Matt DeMatteo.

2001: Big Wreck returned with their sophomore and FINAL album "The Pleasure and the Greed." This album barely crossed the "heavy metal" line and offered heavier riffs but didn't live up to its predecessor. It was a commercial failure, probably due to poor marketing. Perhaps, the four year gap in-between albums caused this turn off? It's really 50/50, bands have to keep in the publics eye, especially after a breakthrough debut album. In 2002, the band called it quits. Why? Who knows.

2004: Ian Thornley returns with his new band, Thornley. Their debut album, "Come Again", is another success in Canada, with #1 hits "So Far So Good" and "Come Again." This album went Gold in Canada (50,000+ sold) and Thornley was nominated for two Juno Awards in the wake of Come Again: New Group of the Year and Rock Album of the Year.." Some thanks goes out to Chad Kroeger, who signed Thornley to 604 Records. It's a heavy but great album! WHAT IF BIG WRECK NEVER BROKE UP? This album would have solidified the band in Can-Rock music as a headliner.

2009: Five...years...later. Thornley releases "Tiny Pictures." It's a solid album but why the five year gap? Ian explains the troubles of being with a record label as the issue. Fair enough, it is hard to get an album out nowadays. Lead single "Make Believe" is another radio hit, however, didn't reach the magnitude of prior singles. It also was produced by Grammy Award winning producer Nick Raskulinecz (Foo Fighters, Velvet Revolver, Rush). Nevertheless, this could have been Big Wreck's fourth studio album.

Now, I'm not knockin' Ian Thornley for branching off from BW and creating Thornley. There are probably SO many reasons as to why BW didn't work but in a dream world, Canada would have benefited from Big Wreck. They would've been another band to join the likes of Tragically Hip, Sloan, Rush, I Mother Earth, Our Lady Peace, Matthew Good Band, Nickelback and Three Days Grace. We should, however, be thankful for the music Ian Thornley has provided us. Cheers to future releases.