The Watchmen, led by singer Danny Greaves, will be performing at the Horseshoe Sept. 24–25. Courtesy Reil Munro.
By Karen Bliss
Danny Greaves, vocalist from the popular ‘90s rock band The Watchmen, still plays live with the band, but he’s been working on solo material, composing for film, and has ventured into the restaurant biz.
The Watchmen—Greaves, guitarist Joey Serlin, bassist Ken Tizzard and drummer Sammy Kohn—broke up in 2003, but for the past three years have reassembled for sporadic shows. Their first show this year will be at the Horseshoe Tavern (368 Queen St. W.) for two nights, Sept. 24 and 25. A week earlier, on Sept. 18, they will be at Blue Mountain in Collingwood with 54.40 during the Centurian Cycling Festival.
“I don’t think anybody is interested in having us exist the way it used to, even if that were possible,” says Greaves.
“I don’t know if it is anyway, just because of the nature of the industry, but we’re doing it for the original reasons that we used to—because we missed each other and decided to get together and see if anybody still cared and people do and we do and we’re having fun.”
Greaves is a Liberty-area resident and business owner. Last December, he bought into the landmark 24-hour diner The Lakeview (1132 Dundas St. W.) with three experienced partners. Previous to that, he co-owned the Chelsea Room, a lounge bar which closed in 2007.
“[The Lakeview] has been there since the ‘30s—when essentially you could see the lake, which I don’t think people realize,” he said.
“We’ve been lucky enough to be pretty rammed. For me it’s just fun, taking my kids there. I’m involved a little bit, but not as much so because music’s still happening for me. We’re still looking for another bar in the neighbourhood. I like the social components. I like to talk to people and have fun and shoot the shit and find out who they are and find out who you are.”
The Lakeview partners are also opening a coffee shop called The Abbott in Parkdale on Spencer Avenue, one street over from where Greaves lives. “The first black doctor in Toronto, Dr. Abbott, lived on Spencer, which I think is really cool from a historical standpoint,” Greaves says.
Anderson Ruffin Abbott (1837-1913) was the first black Canadian to become a licensed physician.
For the past decade, Greaves has also been scoring movies (Kanadiana, The Pedestrian, The Risen), which has influenced the direction he’s taking for his first solo recording. “The music itself is Pro Tools oriented,” he said, referring to the digital audio workstation software.
“I guess it could be called movie music, sort of atmospheric pop. For me, the best thing about it is doing it because I wanted to, not because I have to feed my family or because I’m in the machine.”
While Greaves can’t say if The Watchmen will release a full album again, there is the possibility of a new EP. Two new songs, “Trampoline” and “Miss Monday Morning,” are available for free in the “media” section of the band’s website. “It wouldn’t be hard to make four or five,” he says. “We’re all so busy with other stuff so it’s hard to physically get us in the same spot. I think what’s fun is there’s no specific plan.”
The Watchmen does, however, have a brand new documentary DVD, All Uncovered, which will be for sale at the upcoming shows. Directed by Reil Munro, Greaves says it includes footage from 1988 to present-day, including archival home movies from Kohn’s personal collection.
“I’m amazed that it could be put together. Usually, you plan for what it’s eventually going to be for; Reil just went through tons of old stuff, recording in Seattle, playing this big German festival, talk shows in Australia, stuff I didn’t even know existed. I think the diehards will enjoy it. It’s a nice document of what’s gone on.