Colin MacDonald

History

The band started their career with the name One I'd Trouser, a line taken from a song in Monty Python's The Meaning of Life. They changed their name to Trouser and eventually changed their name to The Trews. They released an EP as One I'd Trouser, and a second EP under the name The Trews.

In the early summer of 2002, the band entered Rocksearch, a high-profile contest that is held annually by CHTZ-FM, a St. Catharines rock radio station. Winning the contest would prove to be their big break as they soon landed a recording contract with Bumstead Productions.

The release of their first full-length CD House of Ill Fame followed in 2003. Produced by Big Sugar's Gordie Johnson, the album contained the singles "Every Inambition", "Not Ready to Go", "Tired of Waiting", "Fleeting Trust" and "Confessions". "Not Ready to Go" hit number one on Canadian rock radio and was the most played song of 2004 in that format. The band was nominated as New Group of the Year at the 2004 Juno Awards and "Not Ready to Go" was nominated as Single of the Year in 2005. House Of Ill Fame has been certified platinum in Canada. It was re-released with a bonus live album called The Live Cut which featured live versions of songs taken from the album.

The song "Hollis and Morris" on their first album, refers to an intersection in the city of Halifax and not an intersection in Antigonish as previously speculated. The band has mentioned during concerts and in interviews that the corner of Hollis and Morris is notorious for prostitution.

The band released a follow-up to House of Ill Fame on August 16, 2005. The album, Den of Thieves, was produced by legendary producer Jack Douglas (Aerosmith, Cheap Trick, John Lennon, New York Dolls). The first single, "So She's Leaving", was released to radio June 28, 2005, and was followed by the singles "Yearning", which was their second single to reach number 1, "Poor Ol' Broken Hearted Me", and "I Can't Say". In the summer of 2005, the band was invited to share the stage with the Rolling Stones at the Phoenix Concert Theatre in Toronto as part of the Stones' Bigger Bang Tour. In fall of the same year, they were invited to open for Led Zeppelin singer Robert Plant on his cross-Canada arena tour. Den of Thieves was certified Canadian Gold in April 2006. The album was released 18 April 2006 in the United States on Red Ink and Sony BMG.

Dalton's departure

On 14 July 2015, drummer Sean Dalton stepped down from the band sending this message to fans via email:

"To all the hard core Trewbadours out there: Well what can I say folks its been an amazing run. The years playing with the Trews have been best years of my life. Countless hours in the jam space and playing thousands of live shows all over the world have shaped me as a musician, and playing with such great guys has made me a better human being. I will miss it very much.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, I've decided to step down from the drum throne. Nothing weird goin' on here folks...just time to do what's best for me and the family. I wish the Trews nothing but the best, and was so fortunate to play with the best friggin' band in the country. I'll be hanging with you all in the crowd at the next show."

Gavin Maguire took over as the band's drummer. In November 2023, Theo Mckibbon replaced Chris Gromley as the band's drummer.

Dalton has since taught music. In 2024, he had his first major acting role as the lead character in Nik Sexton's theatrical film Skeet, for which he received a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Lead Performance in a Drama Film at the 13th Canadian Screen Awards in 2025.

Discography

Band members

Current

Colin MacDonald - rhythm guitar, lead vocals (1996–present)

John-Angus MacDonald - lead guitar, backing vocals (1996–present)

Jack Syperek - bass guitar, backing vocals (1996–present)

Theo Mckibbon - drums (2024–present)

Touring

Jeff Heisholt - keyboards, backing vocals (2008–present)

Past

Rose Murphy - drums (1996)

Ramsey Clark - drums (1997–2001)

Sean Dalton - drums, backing vocals (2001–2015)

Gavin Maguire - drums (2015–2018)

Chris Gormley - drums (2019–2023)

Nominations and awards

Juno Awards

2004: New Group of the Year – Nominated

2005: Single of the Year ("Not Ready to Go") – Nominated

2009: Group of the Year – Nominated

2009: Rock Album of the Year (No Time for Later) – Nominated

2010: DVD of the Year "Acoustic: Friends and Total Strangers" – Nominated

2019: Rock Album of the Year (Civilianaires) - Nominated

East Coast Music Awards (ECMA)

2005: Group of the Year – Won

2006: Video of the Year (So She's Leaving – Director: Stephen Scott) – Won

2011: DVD of the Year (The Trews Acoustic – Friends & Total Strangers – Director: Tim Martin) – Won

2011: Fan's Choice Video of the Year (Highway of Heroes – Director: Tim Martin) – Won

2012: Fan's Choice Entertainer Of The Year - Nominated

2012: Fan's Choice Video Of The Year ("Hope & Ruin") - Nominated

2012: Group Recording Of The Year ("Hope & Ruin") - Nominated

2012: Song Of The Year ("Hope & Ruin") - Nominated

2012: Rock Recording Of The Year ("Hope & Ruin") - Won

2013: Fan's Choice Entertainer Of The Year - Nominated

2014: Fan's Choice Entertainer Of The Year - Nominated

2014: Group Recording Of The Year ("...Thank You & I'm Sorry") - Nominated

2014: Rock Recording Of The Year ("...Thank You & I'm Sorry") - Won

2015: Group Recording Of The Year ("The Trews") - Nominated

2015: Rock Recording Of The Year ("The Trews") - Won

2015: Fan's Choice Entertainer Of The Year - Nominated

Independent Music Awards (US)

2008: Best Hard Rock Song ("Hold Me in Your Arms") – Won

2009: Vox Pop best Concert Photo taken by Nancy Desrosiers

2010: Best AAA/Alternative Song International Acoustic Music Awards (US) "Sing Your Heart Out" - Won

2012: Rock Artists / Group Or Duo Of The Year - Nominated