The Armchair Cynics Return: Lost Demos, Upscaled Videos & Victoria’s 2000s Scene

The Armchair Cynics sit down with Jonathan to revisit a wild chapter of Canadian alt-rock: the Killing the Romance era, the story behind “Coal Mine,” why “Starting Today” still hits, and the hard drive discovery that unearthed unreleased demos.

They break down recording with Dave Genn, sessions with Chad Kroeger & Joey Moi at Mountain View, mixes by Mike Fraser, and why the band passed on a Theory of a Deadman tour. They also dive into AI video upscaling (restoring “A Blaze,” “Coal Mine,” and “Bang” from old MuchMusic sources), Victoria, BC music scene of the 2000s, and reuniting at 604’s studio on the legendary Little Mountain Sound console. Plus: life after the band—production, coral farming (Beyond the Reef), and an AC/DC cover band—then back together to record again.

🎧 Listen to Verses on all audio platforms. 📺 Watch the newly upscaled videos soon and follow for 604 Decades releases.

Timestamps:

0:12 - Intro

1:38 - How it went for the Armchair Cynics

4:28 - How 604 discovered the band (the Victoria connection)

10:35 - AI upscaling + MuchMusic archives: restoring “A Blaze,” “Coal Mine,” “Bang”

20:28 - The timing in their lives for committing to music

23:35 - Working with Dave Genn, Chad Kroeger & Joey Moi (Mountain View) Mixes by Mike Fraser; studio gear & Little Mountain console

27:28 - Saying no to a Theory of a Deadman tour—what changed

28:47 - Why the island is a weird place

30:22 - Life after the band

36:54 - Reuniting at 604, vinyl ideas & the 604 Decades plan