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.
Whistleblower
Arkells Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
They keep spilling from my hands on to paper.
I’m in Virginia.
It’s 3am and I can’t fall asleep.
Just a little bit of faith is what I want,
It’s what I need in my institutions.
So I wait, so patiently
But when it happens, over and over
Can we hear it for the whistleblower?
Wait! Won’t you look around you?
Won’t you look beside you now and figure out the score?
Read. Skim down the front page and you’ll see my given name presenting yours.
You can say it any way you want.
You can frame it any way you can.
But I can tell you I’ve read the fine print written by your steady hand.
You can say it any way you want.
You can frame it anyway you can.
What’s behind your good intentions
On your heart, a hidden hand?
The Arkells's song Whistleblower appears to be about a person who is struggling to keep quiet on something for the sake of stability and order. The lyrics "Words, they keep dropping. They keep spilling from my hands onto the paper" indicate that the person has a lot to say and has been keeping it inside for a long time. They are in Virginia at 3 am and cannot sleep, which further highlights the weight of the burdens they have been carrying.
The main theme of the song seems to be about the importance of telling the truth, even if it goes against the norm or may potentially jeopardize the status quo. The chorus "But when it happens, over and over. Can we hear it for the whistleblower?" implies that speaking up and speaking out against injustice is admirable and should be applauded.
The second verse further emphasizes this theme, encouraging listeners to look around them and "read down the front page" to see the truth. The lyrics "What’s behind your good intentions, on your heart, a hidden hand?" questions the motives behind the actions of people who claim to have good intentions, but who may be hiding something.
Overall, the song seems to be a call for listeners to be brave and speak up, with the hope that change can be made for the better.
Line by Line Meaning
Words, they keep dropping.
The words keep coming and keep flowing out of me.
They keep spilling from my hands on to paper.
I can't help but write everything down as the words keep flowing.
I'm in Virginia.
The setting of the song is in Virginia.
It's 3am and I can't fall asleep.
Despite the late hour, I can't stop thinking and writing.
Just a little bit of faith is what I want,
All I need is a little faith in the institutions around me.
It's what I need in my institutions.
I am looking for integrity and righteousness in the institutions.
So I wait, so patiently
I am waiting for the changes to happen patiently.
But when it happens, over and over
The same corrupt practices keep happening repeatedly.
Can we hear it for the whistleblower?
Let's give a round of applause to the people who are brave enough to speak up and expose corruption.
Wait! Won't you look around you?
Take a good look at your surroundings and assess the situation.
Won't you look beside you now and figure out the score?
Take note of the people around you and determine where they stand in the situation.
Read. Skim down the front page and you'll see my given name presenting yours.
If you read the latest news, you'll see that my name is associated with yours.
You can say it any way you want.
You can try to spin the situation any way you want.
You can frame it any way you can.
You can try to manipulate the situation in your favor.
But I can tell you I've read the fine print written by your steady hand.
I have analyzed the situation thoroughly and I know what's really going on.
What's behind your good intentions
I'm wondering what your true motivations are behind your seemingly good intentions.
On your heart, a hidden hand?
Are you hiding something or do you have ulterior motives?
Lyrics © ENTERTAINMENT ONE U.S. LP
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
fun
I believe this song is better than anything on their first album. I'm glad they're not going through a sophomore slump. I am thoroughly impressed!
Moby Dick
2:20-2:44 gives me chills everytime
zaray656
Last week I saw this guys live and it was the first time I had ever heard of them they were performing at my University campus. They start playing this song and I do "wow this song is dope as hell I wish I knew its name". A week later it's on my copy of NHL 13 and I am stoked. Shout out to this song for making my day.
Monce
Amazing song, jus discovered and have it on repeat.
jvapa
I can't believe a song this good had no downloads anywhere!!
Ben Peterkin
Definitely has the energy and sound of a classic Arkells song, excited to hear the rest of the album
TheGoddessCaroline
Love this song for some reason even if it sounds a bit tinny on a computer. I wish more of their songs were in this vein but then again I haven't heard many of the others. Here's to more!! Congratulations Arkelles, keep going!
smiklc
Love you guys...especially live! Shows in Halifax for Alexander Keith's bday and at Ottawa Bluesfest rocked. Looking forward to your album and your single Whistleblower kills!
TheGoddessCaroline
I wait for this song when I'm driving and when it comes on it totally makes my day. Love your catchy, happy hook and great raw voice. Timing is everything and you nailed it on this one. Thanks for making my day and making my drive feel good. "When it happens....!!" It's what I need...
David Decary
This song is being looped in my appartment for a couple of days, thanks to the Jays commercial. You know you love your baseball team when they even deliver awsome music in their ads.