Jack Union - A Fine Madness

Tracks

		Track Name	Length
	1	I Am	03:16
	2	Old Intro	02:48
	3	Attack of the Mustard Man	02:58
	4	The Stand	03:35
	5	Way to LA	03:42
	6	He Said She Said	02:51
	7	Only One	04:23
	8	Fingers Grecko	02:50
	9	Stoneface Man	03:01
	10	Surf the Freedom	02:44

Photos

Videos

No Video

Information/Write-up

The Jack Union emerged from the prairie town of Vulcan, Alberta in the late 1990s, driven by a shared love of loud guitars, big choruses, and the kind of road-tested rock that thrives in small clubs and packed community halls. Brothers Sean Blanchette (vocals) and Ryan Blanchette (rhythm guitar) joined forces with lead guitarist Simon Steele, bassist Ken Wanamaker, and drummer Ryan Shearer, cutting their teeth on covers while working the southern Alberta bar and festival circuit.

It wasn’t long before their setlists began leaning heavily on their own material—gritty, blue-collar rock anthems with a melodic edge. That sound came into focus on their 2001 independent debut, A Fine Madness, recorded with producer Joey Moi (Nickelback, Default) at Green House Studios in Burnaby, British Columbia. Tracks like “I Am,” “The Stand,” “Attack of the Mustard Man,” “Surf the Freedom,” and “Only One” earned radio spins across the prairies—particularly from Calgary’s CJAY-92—and the band supported the release with a video for “I Am” and a string of western Canadian tour dates.

By the mid-2000s, The Jack Union had relocated to Calgary and widened their reach across western Canada, even landing a development deal with Sam Feldman & Associates in Vancouver. Lineup changes brought in guitarist Buster McCoy and drummer Nathan Giebelhaus, and the group—now going simply by “Jack Union” due to legal concerns—self-produced a lean, high-energy EP in 2004 at Calgary’s Yard Dog Studios. Songs like “Moderation” and “Whispering” showcased a heavier yet more polished sound, broadening their appeal while retaining their punch.

Their reputation as a high-octane live act continued to grow, leading to marquee festival slots, including the now-legendary Big A$$ Border Bash in Cold Lake—hailed as one of Alberta’s greatest rock events. But ongoing legal hurdles over the band’s name slowed momentum, and after several more years of touring and writing, the members went their separate ways.

Though their time together was relatively short, The Jack Union left an imprint on the western Canadian rock scene—a reminder that sometimes the most memorable bands are the ones who burn brightest on their own terms.
-Robert Williston

Sean Blanchette: vocals
Simon Steele: lead guitar
Ryan Blanchette: rhythm guitar
Ken Wanamaker: bass
Ryan Shearer: drums

Produced by Joey Moi, Pete Couillard
Engineered by Joey Moi
Assistant engineer: Pat Sharman
Digital engineer: Ryan Anderson
Recorded and mixed at Green House Studios, Burnaby, British Columbia
Mastered by Jamie Sitar at Suite Sound Labs, Vancouver, British Columbia

Printed by Interesting Records
Management: Evil Twin Entertainment Inc.

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