The Great Atomic Power was born when preparation met opportunity, Sepiatone met High Definition, and coincidence met destiny. In June, 2005 (a time that seems increasingly further away), Toronto singer Tory Cassis was asked to put a band together for a fundraiser at the Eastminster Church on the Danforth. Tory thought about this for about four seconds, then decided to ask friends David Matheson (Moxy Fruvous, Betty and the Bobs, Johnny Kemp) and Murray Foster (Moxy Fruvous, Great Big Sea, Tina Licious) if they wanted to sing some three-part harmony. They each picked five songs they’d always wanted to perform and started arranging harmonies. Sweet-strumming dobro player Jason LaPrade and top-drawer drummer-producer Mark Mariash were pulled into the mix shortly thereafter. The gig was the most fun any of them had had with clothes on in quite some time, and the decision was made to shift the band from singular event to going concern. Thus, The Great Atomic Power was born. The band’s repertoire ranges from old Louvin Brothers and Mills Brothers to the Beach Boys, Gillian Welch and Tom Waits, with a few Cassis and Matheson gems thrown in as well. Dobro, banjo, trumpet, upright bass, acoustic guitar and three-part harmony give the band the feel of something from Tennessee or West Virginia, circa 1943. As opposed to picking songs we think will fit the band, we tend to pick songs we like, and hope that the band alchemy changes them into songs that fit. It doesn’t always work, but it’s fun to try. About Us