15 November 2024
Ian Blurton’s FUTURE NOW is set to unleash their latest sonic assault, Crimes of the City, with a digital release on October 30, followed by vinyl and cassette editions on November 15. This new album, released through Toronto’s Pajama Party Records, showcases Blurton’s relentless pursuit of raw, unfiltered rock. With only 300 limited vinyl copies—150 in classic black and 150 in blood splatter—Crimes of the City is a true collector’s item, while a super-limited edition of cassettes will also be available through small-batch label Northern Haze.
Described as a collision of influences like DANZIG, CHEAP TRICK, BUDGIE, and BLUE ÖYSTER CULT, this album taps into a classic sound while maintaining a fresh, unpredictable edge. For fans who crave a blend of hard-hitting riffs, anthemic choruses, and a stripped-back recording approach, Crimes of the City is exactly what they’ve been waiting for.
In creating Crimes of the City, Blurton and his band set out to produce a record that feels less like a polished studio creation and more like a real, live experience—full of the human grit and energy of a performance.
The album delivers exactly that: ten songs crammed into a relentless 33 minutes, powered by Marshall amps, Gibson guitars, and ferocious double-kick drumming. Blurton sought to combine the spirit of classic albums like WISHBONE ASH’s Argus and JUDAS PRIEST’s Sad Wings of Destiny, but with a sound all their own. He’s joined by a stellar lineup in FUTURE NOW, including Glenn Milchem (BLUE RODEO, TERRA LIGHTFOOT) on drums, Anna Ruddick (FEFE DOBSON, RANDY BACHMAN) on bass, and Aaron Goldstein (Kathleen Edwards) on guitar. Together, they form a formidable force, crafting songs that are meant to hit hard and hit fast.
The album’s creation was a different process from the band’s previous efforts, particularly 2022’s Second Skin. Where Second Skin was more intricate, Crimes of the City pares things back to basics. “We spent a lot of time on the songs, but once we’d narrowed 20 demos down to 10, we just put them down,” says Blurton. “This time we didn’t want to go crazy with too many mics on everything or get too caught up in editing or overworking things. We just wanted a record that felt really human. We don’t use backing tracks, or any kind of ‘tricks,’ live. It’s just the band. Four people with a lot of very unique and disparate musical experience and some trusty tube amps. And that’s what this record is about.”
And that’s where the album belongs: live. Blurton and the band don’t rely on tricks or gimmicks during their performances. No backing tracks, no autotune, no excess. It’s just four musicians drawing on years of experience, and their trusty tube amps, to deliver high-octane, riff-driven rock.
Crimes of the City isn’t without its surprises, though. Fans of rich vocal harmonies will appreciate the contributions of Gregory Macdonald (SLOAN), who steps in with backup vocals reminiscent of QUEEN, THE SWEET, and DEF LEPPARD. His harmonies add a layer of glam to the record’s otherwise raw and gritty sound.
The visual presentation of Crimes of the City is as striking as the music itself. The album cover features artwork by Last Johnny on the Left, designed to look like a vintage B-movie poster, which fits perfectly with the album’s unapologetically cinematic feel. The record’s layout was done by Louis Durand, while Kelly Shee captured the album’s cover photo.
Blurton and FUTURE NOW will take Crimes of the City on the road in November, kicking off with a series of shows across Ontario and Quebec. The tour will include stops in cities like London, Peterborough, and Toronto, where they’ll celebrate the album’s official release at The Garrison. With a live show that has been described as “incendiary” and “electrifying,” fans can expect an unforgettable night of heavy riffs and hard-hitting energy. More tour dates across Canada are expected to follow in 2025.
For those looking for an album that embraces the power of live rock, while offering a gritty, no-frills approach to recording, Crimes of the City is a must-listen. With its release just around the corner, Crimes of the City promises to bring FUTURE NOW’s raw, unvarnished rock straight into listeners’ homes.
About FUTURE NOW:
FUTURE NOW is the electrifying brainchild of Ian Blurton, one of Canada’s most respected and enduring figures in the rock scene. Blurton, whose career stretches back to the mid-80s with his iconic work in CHANGE OF HEART, has spent decades shaping the sound of Canadian alternative and hard rock. His ability to blend genres—from punk to psych, metal to stoner rock—has made him a true chameleon in the music world, always pushing boundaries while maintaining a signature intensity in every project he undertakes. With FUTURE NOW, Blurton steps into a new phase of his career, embracing a heavier, more direct rock sound that draws heavily from the classic rock and metal influences that have shaped his musical DNA.
Originally conceived as a live band to tour Blurton’s solo project, Signals Through the Flames, FUTURE NOW quickly developed into more than just a backing group. The chemistry between the members was undeniable, and their collective experience brought a powerful, cohesive sound to the table. Each musician in FUTURE NOW brings something unique to the band, contributing to a diverse and dynamic sonic landscape.
FUTURE NOW’s music is as much a reflection of their collective experience as it is a tribute to the timeless qualities of rock. Their sound pulls from a broad spectrum of influences, ranging from the dark, riff-heavy world of early heavy metal to the more melodic, harmony-laden styles of classic hard rock.
Since their formation, FUTURE NOW has carved out a reputation for their high-energy, no-frills live performances, where the emphasis is always on musicianship, connection with the audience, and delivering an unrelenting rock experience. The band refuses to rely on studio tricks or backing tracks in their performances, instead opting to give audiences the raw, undiluted energy of four musicians pushing themselves to the limit. It’s this commitment to authenticity that has helped FUTURE NOW build a loyal following among fans of heavy, guitar-driven rock.
Ian Blurton’s vision for FUTURE NOW is clear: to create music that feels as immediate and vital as the rock records that inspired him, but with the freedom to explore new territory. Over the years, FUTURE NOW has proven themselves to be a band unafraid of taking risks, blending diverse influences while staying true to the spirit of rock’s rebellious and powerful origins. With a lineup of seasoned musicians who bring their own unique flavor to the band, FUTURE NOW is a testament to the enduring power of rock and roll, and Crimes of the City is their boldest statement yet.
Looking ahead, FUTURE NOW is poised to continue expanding their reach, with plans for more Canadian dates in 2025 and beyond. The band’s commitment to pushing their sound forward while respecting the traditions of the genre ensures that they will remain a fixture in the Canadian and international rock scenes. Whether in the studio or on stage, FUTURE NOW delivers rock music that is as heavy, melodic, and dynamic as it is authentic, and they show no signs of slowing down anytime soon.FUTURE NOW is:
Ian Blurton – Guitar/Vocals
Glenn Milchem – Drums/Backup Vocals
Anna Ruddick – Bass
Aaron Goldstein – Guitar
See FUTURE NOW Live:
Sat, Nov 9 – London @ The Rec Room (w/ TUMBLE)
Fri, Nov 15 – Peterborough @ Bar 379 (w/ TUMBLE)
Sat, Nov 16 – Sudbury @ Cosmic Dave’s
Fri, Nov 22 – Hamilton @ The Casbah (w/ THE GOLDEN SHITTERS + TUMBLE)
Sat, Nov 23 – Toronto @ The Garrison (Record Release Party w/ BIBLICAL + TUMBLE)
Thurs, Nov 28 – Ottawa @ House of Targ (w/ DOUBLE TALKER + TUMBLE)
Fri, Nov 29 – Montreal @ Turbohaus (w/ LOW SIXES + SICK THINGS + TUMBLE)
More Canadian dates to follow in 2025.
Add Comment