At our core, theCrates are a three-piece band out of Toronto, Ontario. We’ve been playing together as a form of release and creative expression, squeezing rehearsals and recording sessions in between day jobs, family life, and the general chaos of everyday living. Our music threads its way through rock, folk, indie, and Americana, rooted in emotion, honesty, and a need to get the songs out before it’s too late.

Over the years, we’ve written more than 60 original songs. Only 11 have made it to tape so far, but that’s just the beginning. With Things We’ve Done finally complete, we’re already looking ahead to album two. It’s going to be a lot harder than the first, so expect a shift in tone. What won’t change is the emotional depth of Mike’s lyrics and the raw power behind every track. Stay tuned.

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We haven’t played live much lately because for the past year and a bit, we’ve been holed up finishing our debut album, Things We've Done. From the start, the goal was never just to release a collection of singles, it was to build a true album, one that flows and tells a story. But like most indie bands, time and money forced us to stretch that process out longer than expected.

The journey has been eye-opening. Working with our producer, Lukas, gave us a chance to revisit old songs and explore them in new ways. It allowed us to go beyond the raw feel of a three-piece band and elevate our sound without losing what makes it ours. It’s been a long road, but we're proud of where it’s taken us, and even more excited for what’s ahead.

"Static shows there's friction in the power."

Lyrics:

Something bad happened tonight
I'm the eye I'm the eye
Horns blow out of tune in the dark
And it never felt quite the same

And the leaving wasn't easy
And the healing was even worse
Like a body without a hearse
I'm cursed
The healings even worse
Hmmm mmmm mmmm mmmm mmmm

Static shows there's friction in the power
Choose wisely, choose wisely
They're yelling they're screaming they're killing
On the pavement
Take it back man, go take it back

And the leaving wasn't easy
And the healing was even worse
Like a body without a hearse
I'm cursed
The healings even worse

The healings even worse


Ahhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhaaaaa
Ahhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhaaaaa

And the leaving wasn't easy
And the healing was even worse
I'm a body without a hearse
I'm cursed
The healings even worse
The healings even worse
Healings even worse
The healings even worse

HEY!!
Ahhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhaaaaa
Ahhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhaaaaa
Ahhhhhhhh ahhhhhhhhaaaaa

"I left you with nothing more than a box of guitar strings and a fable."

Lyrics:

I went down to Atlantic avenue
Where the cops drive in full pursuit
I sat in front of Shelby's
Just hoping to catch a glimpse of you

Got a call from Barron's brother
He was light on kilos lease
I watched the sun fade away
I heard you took a plane to grieve

But nothing really gets me
'Cept you can't come around
I'll be gone before my body even hits the ground

Been weeks inside these dim wall lights
I wonder if my mom's alright
My brother left his wife tonight
She didn't care to put up a fight

The sky paints halos on the sidewalk
We can't run on like this forever
I heard it's snowing in Cali
I guess we really can't predict the weather

But nothing really gets me
'Cept you can't come around
But I'll be gone before my body even hits the ground

It's funny the things I remember
Your sunken eyes and a carving in the table
And I left you with nothing more
Than a box of guitar strings and a fable

I ran down through Atlantic Avenue
The cops now drive in full pursuit
I sat in front of Shelby's
Just hoping to catch a glimpse of you
And I lay my head on Shelby's front lawn
Just hoping to catch a glimpse of you

But nothing really gets me
'Cept you can't come around
But I'll be gone before
But I'll be gone before my body even hits the ground
Ya I'll be gone before my body even hits the ground
Hey I'll be gone before my body even hits the ground

"The medication spun my head around, till I could no longer hear that sound."

Lyrics:

The medication made me feel real old
I found you upstairs nursing a cold
The medication made me made me slow
Sooner than later I'll forget what I know

What I know

I begged you not to go you know I did
I found you outside coughing in the shed
And there's poison in the water
And my heart begins to crack

HEY!

The medication spun my head around
Till I could no longer hear that sound
Of you calling out from under
As I step out into rolling thunder
And there’s poison in the water
Ya there’s poison in the water

I won’t be coming back
I won’t be coming back
I won’t be coming back
No oh oh
I won’t be coming back
I won’t be coming back
I won’t be coming back
No oh oh
I won’t be coming back
Oh oh oh
Whoa oh
Whoa oh oh
Oh oh oh oh
Whoa oh
Whoa oh

"You used to sing out hallelujah, but you stopped singing songs along the way."

Lyrics:

We passed each other a while ago
But I still talk with people I ignore
And the birds are singing song in time
To this morning that was mine
But Im just staring up at a busted window

If we cross on the street one day
Would it be best to just keep on walking
I wear my hood up when it is grey
If I’m honest it still hurts when we get talking
So for me it’s best to just be on my way

I’m getting tired of getting down
Tired of getting down
I'm tired of you not around
I’m getting tired of getting down

You used to sing out hallelujah
But you stopped singing songs along the way
And I take back what already's been given
Though we say it, things don’t feel ok
Now hallelujah's something we just don’t say

I’m getting tired of getting down
Tired of getting down
I'm tired of you not around
I’m getting tired of getting down

I guess there's something in the blue
Leaves me stuck on these memories of you
And the things that you said get lost in my head
And I wonder why you left so soon
I’m so alone I may as well be on the moon

Guess that’s the thing about feeling lonely
It can stick around like a darkened bruise
But there's a strange comfort in the feeling
Of why you left so soon
Oh i may as well be on the moon

Cause I'm getting tired of getting down
I'm tired of getting down
Tired of you not around
I'm tired of you not being around
I'm getting tired of getting down
I'm getting tired of getting down
I'm getting tired of getting down
Mmm mmm mmm mmm mmm
Mmm mmm mmm mmm

"I need the summer days when the nights grew longer, when we’d dance by the moon and we’d spin and spin."

Lyrics:

Sylvie don’t believe in God no more
Ever since the flood came through her door
Sylvie don’t believe in hallowed angels
Sylvie don’t come outside no more

There’s a cold breeze blowing through the maple
The smell of rain lingers in my step
Sometimes I still feel chased by this darkness
And it’s getting harder to reach the secrets that I kept
Ya it’s getting harder to reach the secrets I kept

Hey Sylvie
Hey Sylvie
Don't you miss me
Don't you miss me

I wonder if Sylvie stopped thinking of me
Some days I walk that old path alone
And every once in a while I’ll knock on her door
But Sylvie, she's never at home

Hey Sylvie
Hey Sylvie
Don't you miss me
Don't you miss me

I need the summer days when the nights grew longer
When we’d dance by the moon and we’d spin and spin
Now there’s a warm breeze blowing through this graveyard
But I don’t know anymore if im gonna be let me in
Ya I don’t know anymore if im gonna let me in

Hey Sylvie
Hey Sylvie
Don't you miss me
Don't you miss me

So come on home now
Come on home now
Come on home

Come on home now
Come on home now

Hey Sylvie
Hey Sylvie
Don't you miss me
Don't you miss me
Don't you miss me

Hey Sylvie
Hey Sylvie
Don't you miss me
Don't you miss me

"If my hands weren't bound before they sure are now."

Lyrics:

And If the devil he wont hold us
And if we can't just float on high
Well we'll just sit and watch the world roll on past us
Tell me baby when'd you grow so blind

I see these walkways getting narrow
I know this lightning won't last long
I feel I'm walking the wrong way backwards
And i've lived this way for far too long

I hear those demons chasing shadows
Go smell the roses but they gone died
I crane my neck to see apparitions now
Like how you stood once by my side

So I place this gun on my hip so it shows
Now they're throwing stones at my misdeeds
I take that drink any way it flows
I wear a heart on my sleeve that bleeds

I know you won't be coming back here
There's boiler makers they’re in the way
And if I ruled the world by Sunday
Well even then I doubt you'd stay

If my hands weren't bound before they sure are now
This metal jacket shows decay
I know you're scratching to get from inside this place
Oh Lord just please take back this day

So I place that gun on my hip so it shows
Now they're throwing stones at my misdeeds
I take that drink any way it flows
I wear a heart on my sleeve that bleeds

Just one more night you lay beside me
Before the crest of waves wash it all away
And I'll lay my 12 string beside my 12 gauge
But oh me oh my they look the same

Now one day soon they'll come collecting
And you best believe now that we'll all pay
And if I ruled the world by Sunday
Well even then I doubt you'd stay

So I lay my 12 string beside my 12 gauge
But oh me oh my they look the same

And If the devil wont hold us
And if we can't just float on high
We'll just sit and watch the world roll on past us

Just tell me baby was it all a lie

"Sometimes the love comes after the loss."

Lyrics:

I miss you most when I'm happy
You were my saving grace
So save me
Save me grace

Caught between my heart and a hard place
Most times I just miss your face
It made my
It made my day move easy

So save me grace
Go save me grace
Save me
Save me grace

Went down to the Markham fair
I never thought that I'd find you there
But I caught you
As you walked on by

All I did is bend like tin
My chest just thumps and heaves on in
Cause I can't be your man no more

Sometimes the love comes after the loss
And I know now I know we ain't gonna beat this
Sometimes the love comes after the loss
And I know now we ain't gonna beat this

Second act
Down in the red room
My head spins too soon
And time moves on

Final act
Drown in a monsoon
A darkened eclipsed room
Still time moves on

I know you let me go
Well oh no it can't be so
Cause I can't be your man no more

Sometimes the love comes after the loss
And I know now I know we ain't gonna beat this
Sometimes the love comes after the loss
And I know now we ain't gonna beat this

And all I did is bend like tin
My chest just thumps and heaves on in
Cause I can't be your man no more

So save me grace
You go save me grace
Most times
Most times I just miss your face

"Cause you're nowhere and you're the only one I want around."

Lyrics:

This morning brought the same a quiet place
By noon I was into something and I forgot your face
When evening rolled around there was almost no more to mend
But in the stillness of the night it comes back again

But wait

She remembers things that went away so long ago
But I thought those things died when we said so
You've been feeling twisted to tell me but you won't
I wanna go and see you but I don't

But wait

Words poison the air your broken face
Whispers growing louder in this empty space
And when she says is this really real do I say the truth
I wish I never knew what this love could really do

Hey wait a minute here
You're the only one I want around
Hey wait a minute here
Cause you're nowhere
So I walk this ground to a desolate sound
Hey wait a minute here
Cause you're nowhere and you're the only one I want around

This time my world just goes on without you
And I wonder if you kick and spit in regret
I'd jump into the future just a little
To see what's really gone and what's left

And the curve brings more answers than the lesson ever did
How you lied about love and the winter that came in

I can only collect myself so much
Before I lose my way again
And if these means really justify the end
I'm afraid I'll never look at you again

Hey wait a minute here
Cause you're the only one I want around
Hey wait a minute here
Cause you're nowhere
Wait a minute here
You're nowhere
Hey wait a minute here
Cause you're nowhere
And you're the only one I want around

Around
You're the only one
The only one
You're the only one
The only one

Hmmm mmmmm

"Run our eyes red till the next morning comes, but tonight we'll sleep so sound."

Lyrics:

She shadows me in an old dark hoodie
Signs say it's another few miles
But I know this rhythm well
And it hits like a heartache

Hey La La don't you run out on me

Got half the load and we're filling up now
Her curls swinging smiling at me
And oh how it mows down the rhythm
But it can shake like an earthquake

Hey La La don't you run out on me
Hey La La don't you run out on me

Don't we always get stuck on time
Forget to remember we built this
We can go run off on a line
But then she screams the floorboards are tilted

Hey La La don't you run out on me
Hey La La don't you run out on me
Hey La La don't you run out on me
Hey La La La La

It'll all be worth the wait
Between parked cars and graffiti benches
We walk a little more softly now
Piss on the wall and a kiss in the corner

I can't complain if you're down in sorrow
Playing Punisher to push back tomorrow
Running backwards now just to borrow
The love that we sang with the sparrow
Tell my wife I'm sorry I came home so drunk!

Hey La La don't you run out on me
Hey La La don't you run out on me
Hey La La don't you run out on me
Hey La La La La

Same trick pitch on every swing
Whiskey ‘n cigarettes and we're singing our songs
Run our eyes red till the next morning comes
But tonight we'll sleep so sound

Hey La La don't you run out on me
Hey La La don't you run out on me
Hey La La don't you run out on me
Hey La La La La

"We go on like wind in tunnels like driftwood out to sea."

Lyrics:

She couldn't have loved you any better
No matter how hard you held her hand
If you could stand still just stand still
You surely would cross paths

Quarter to six now bleeds to seven
And the stars slowly show their face
Down at the bus stop there's a girl
Who can't stay in one place

He reads her horoscope to see how her days go
She reads the stars and sees things she dont know
And they think about each other sometimes
they think about each other sometimes

I admit it but think of all the time
Time time time time
If you ever become invisible again
May home you always find

We go on like wind in tunnels
Like driftwood out to sea
And if I wait here forever
Will you come back to me

And we cross miles of rivers
And roads we go down just splinter
But ya know babe I figure
One of them will lead back to you

But you know babe I figure
That one of them will lead back to you

"Lay my body in the pine in the pine, so I can rest my wearied mind."

Lyrics:

All the things I’ve done
You’ve only faded away
All the things I’ve said
No I couldn’t stop

Like breathing underwater in my mind (most of the time)
I reached for things I couldn’t find (it’s been on my mind)
How much for the victim toll (on my roll)
Oh god my aching soul (ohhhhhh ohhhhh)

Only in the blink of an eye
Only in the middle of the night
Only with a heavy sigh
It's only when I say goodbye

All the things you’ve done
I’ve only faded away
But more the things you haven’t done
Ya it was more the things you couldn’t say

I know this time hurt us bad (but it’s all the same)
I guess I never saw the signs (it’s been on my mind)
Lay my body in the pine in the pine (on my roll)
So I can rest my wearied mind (ohhh ohhh)

Only in the blink of an eye
Only in the middle of the night
Only with a heavy sigh
It's only when I say goodbye

Only in the blink of an eye
Only in the middle of the night
Only with a heavy sigh
It's only when I say goodbye

Only in the blink of an eye
Only in the middle of the night
Only with a heavy sigh
It's only when I say goodbye

You had to be right and I couldn’t let it go
Don’t go to bed angry baby it’s only living though
How much for the years gone by
What a cost for a lie