The band is currently made up of: Max Kerman (vocals, guitar), Mike DeAngelis (vocals, guitar), Nick Dika (bass), Tim Oxford (drums), and Anthony Carone (vocals, keyboard, guitar)
Originally called Charlemagne, the band changed their name when another band of the same name threatened to sue them. The band is named after Arkell Street in the Westdale neighbourhood of Hamilton, ON, near McMaster University, where they lived and would practice their music. All five original band members attended McMaster where lead singer Max Kerman graduated with an honours BA in Political Science. Kerman met guitarist Mike DeAngelis at a McMaster Welcome Week event where the two discovered they had an identical taste in music.
In 2006, they signed with Dine Alone Records, and have since signed with Universal Records Canada and Last Gang Records.
Arkells' debut album Jackson Square was released 28 October 2008 on Dine Alone Records. In late 2008, Arkells toured Canada as opening act for Matt Mays & El Torpedo.
In April 2010, Arkells won the Juno Award for New Group of the Year, and on May 15, 2010, were picked to open for Them Crooked Vultures at the Air Canada Centre in Toronto. They made headlines while playing a set at Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto after the 2010 Much Music Video Awards, when rapper Shad and pop singer Kesha joined them onstage to freestyle and sing along during a cover of Ms. Jackson by Outkast.
In 2011, the band wrote and recorded their second album Michigan Left, which was released on October 18 of that year. On 6 October 2011 it was announced that Dan Griffin would be leaving the band to go back to school. He was replaced by Anthony Carone.
In 2012, Arkells won the 2012 Juno Award for Group of the Year.
On May 13, 2014, the band released the single "Come to Light", and confirmed the title of the record would be High Noon. The record was released on Dine Alone/Universal Records, August 5, 2014. The band would go on to with the Juno Award for Group of the Year and the Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year at the 2015 Juno Awards. High Noon was also long listed for the Polaris prize in 2015.
On October 23, 2015, the band released a new EP, "Study Music", which they self-produced and released on Universal Music Canada/Dine Alone Records.
Arkells began teasing new material from their forthcoming album on tour in the spring of 2016. The fourth album, Morning Report, was released on August 5, 2016.
At the Juno Awards of 2017, Arkells were nominated for Juno Award for Group of the Year and the Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year. They performed their viral hit "Drake's Dad" live on the television broadcast
The Arkells released their fifth studio album, Rally Cry, on October 19, 2018, accompanied by a Canadian tour featuring Lord Huron as the opening act. The tour featured the Arkells' largest arena show at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto on February 16, 2019.
On February 25, 2020 the band released the new single and video "Years in the Making". Later that year, on July 30, they released the single "Quitting You", and announced the release of Campfire Chords, a full-length album featuring acoustic versions of earlier songs, on August 20. Each member recorded his part at home during the COVID-19 quarantine and sent it to Carone, who then edited, mixed and produced the pieces into complete songs.
On March 25, 2021 the band released the new single and video "You Can Get It", featuring guest vocals by K.Flay.
Michigan Left
Arkells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Only to hear Curtis Granderson's gone.
Reminders they come in empty lots,
67' took these city blocks.
Can we meet in the middle?
Can I turn you around?
Let's talk a little and we can go downtown.
I'll be taking any beauty I see
And I'll try to give it to ya.
Let's not hear that story again,
One that's drilled in to our heads.
I'll hold dear neighbors and friends,
Who hold dear ideas of dissent.
I was confused the day that we met,
All I kept hearing was "Michigan Left".
Those old nicknames, they don't make any sense
He said let me explain
Arkells' song Michigan Left tells the story of a person driving to work and hearing the news that Curtis Granderson, a well-known baseball player, has left. This event triggers a series of memories and reflections on the city and the people who live in it. The song seems to be an ode to the city of Detroit, its culture, its people, and its history.
The chorus of the song has a very positive and hopeful tone. It talks about trying to bring some beauty into people's lives and bridging divides between people. The line "Let's talk a little and we can go downtown" suggests that the singer wants to connect with people and show them the best of what the city has to offer. The singer also talks about how he wants to hold onto dissenting ideas, which suggests that he values diversity and dissent in the community.
The first verse of the song starts with the singer hearing the news about Curtis Granderson leaving the city. This event triggers reminiscences about the city, and the singer talks about how empty lots can serve as reminders of the past. The line "67' took these city blocks" refers to the Detroit riots of 1967, which were some of the most violent riots in US history.
Overall, Michigan Left is a song about hope and resilience, and it celebrates the city of Detroit and its people.
Line by Line Meaning
Driving to work, I had the radio on,
While driving to work, the radio was playing in the background.
Only to hear Curtis Granderson's gone.
The news on the radio was about the departure of Curtis Granderson.
Reminders they come in empty lots,
Empty lots can serve as a reminder of something or someone.
67' took these city blocks.
A reference to the Detroit riots of 1967 and how they impacted the city blocks.
Can we meet in the middle?
A plea to find common ground in a disagreement.
Can I turn you around?
A question about whether one's perspective can be changed.
Let's talk a little and we can go downtown.
Suggesting a conversation and then going towards a central area.
Decorations won't be wasted,
Appreciating the beauty of decorations and seeing value in them.
I'll be taking any beauty I see
Noticing the beauty around and keeping an eye out for it to take in.
And I'll try to give it to ya.
Sharing the beauty and positivity with others.
Let's not hear that story again,
Avoiding a familiar story that has been overplayed.
One that's drilled in to our heads.
Referring to a story that is overemphasized and repeated often.
I'll hold dear neighbors and friends,
Valuing the relationships with neighbors and friends.
Who hold dear ideas of dissent.
Appreciating the opinions and ideas of those who disagree.
I was confused the day that we met,
Feeling confused on the day of meeting someone.
All I kept hearing was "Michigan Left".
Being introduced to a term and hearing it frequently.
Those old nicknames, they don't make any sense
Realizing that certain old nicknames or terms may not have relevance anymore.
He said let me explain
Requesting or agreeing to an explanation for something previously misunderstood.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
max
Still in disbelief that I saw these guys at a bar with maybe 20 people watching back in 2008.. met the band a few times after that and they remembered me
B-Bum
Holy shit this is the most Canadian reply
Babba
They now fill hockey stadiums it's actually insane
mayalogy
These guys are great, I can't believe they aren't huge yet..
Babba
They are now!
Kevin Stephan
Just saw these guys in buffalo, they killed it. Awesome band, tons of energy, they put on a great live show.
kaelan15
just saw them at the sound of music. one of the best bands ive ever sen live! Hamilton pride!
Austin Pugh
this is why there are no dislikes, you guys are amazing, keep it up
Ben Doherty
wow. rarely does a song hit you so hard in the first 10 seconds... i hope the rest of their stuff is this good!?
Matt Sears
A “Michigan left” is a right turn followed by a U turn resulting in a left turn without going through the intersection