Joshuas Habit

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Riding the insurgence of Alberta's new wave of modern rock, Joshua’s Habit was formed in Calgary at the turn of the millennium by frontman Travis Pankiw, guitarists Eddy Whiskey, Dan Orydzuk (aka Zik), Cal Ewing and The Gooch on drums. 

 It wasn't long before they'd become one of the hottest tickets in southern Alberta, and were branching out across the province and the rest of western Canada. The road trips continued for the next couple of years while Pankiw was writing some original material. Opting to go the independent route, they released their debut album in 2002, IMAGES OF ENERGY, featuring the single "Should’ve."  Produced by Todd Kerns (Age of Electric, Slash and the Conspirators) CAUTION - CONTENTS HIGHLY ADDICTIVE and mixed and recorded by Kelly Mihaulics of Ruffmix studios was in the stores in 2004. No videos were made, but the follow-up album fused their diverse classic rock roots with an aggressive modern rock sound. The lead-off "Who Am I" and "Flipside" both got good airplay across the prairies. Other heavy hitters like "Hold On" and "Contagious" kept them busy as they got to know the highways across Canada, from BC to the east coast, and as far north as Dawson City. The airplay they were getting on the new rock stations in pockets also led to a highlight of the tour schedule for the next couple of years, making the lineup for the Big A$$ Border Bash in Cold Lake, Alberta, argued by many as one of the country's best festivals in years.  

Their work ethic was rivalled only by the reputation they were gaining for their live show, and they continued on the road while writing material for the next album. WASH THE FILTH (Produced by Kerns) and recorded in Greenhouse studios in Vancouver debuted in the top 5 on many radio stations' new album charts in 2007.   The lead single "Pointing Fingers" was named the regional winner of the Canadian National Songwriting Competition.  Joshua’s Habit also became national finalists in the Bodog Music contest for a million dollar record deal.  Brad Taylor joined the band on the Wash the Filth tour.  The ensuing tour schedule took them coast to coast, and lasted for a couple of years while they opened for the likes of  Pearl Jam, The Trews, Big Wreck and Jeff Healey. They released the single "Drama Queen," which again did well on the charts, and the accompanying video, which got good rotation on Much Loud.  Joshua’s Habit then went on to win a winners-take all 2009 Star Search Competition put on by Calgary radio station The Vibe 98.5.  This earned them the right to open for Collective Soul and cash in a cool $100,000 to help fund the next album which came in the next year in the form of TORN, as well as the production of the video, for the lead single, "Whiskey and Women."  TORN was recorded live off the floor with the absolute minimal board tampering.  Ripping guitars, pounding drums, driving bass, and emotional and powerful vocals from the band's on-stage magnetism were all captured onto the album in tracks like the singles "Whiskey & Women" and "When I'm Gone."  Joshua’s Habit toured the album extensively in 2010, but at the end of the tour, the band decided to take a break and put the band on hiatus.      

Trav pursued a solo project along with Brad Taylor called Lounge Pistol from 2011 – 2014 and is when they were able to collaborate with some incredible musicians in likes of Earl Pererra (Wide Mouth Mason, The Steadies), Dean Person (Butterfinger, Waylon Payne), Andrew Aubut (DieHearted, The Haunted North), Brad Morrison (Cold Filter), Al Morrison (Cold Filter, Arcana Kings), Jason Arcand (Vagabond).     

Brad Taylor and Trav continued to collaborate and write music throughout the years.  In late 2019, Trav and Andrew Aubut got together to discuss putting a project together.  Andrew suggested that we call up Dean Person (guitar), and Brad Morrison (Bass) to round out the new Joshuas Habit line-up. 

The band started tracking demos and put the final touches on the album recordings in early 2020.  Most of the tracks were recorded remotely during the Covid- 19 shutdown in the spring.  But once restrictions were loosened, the band got together to record some live versions of the new music in Saskatoon, SK at Bud’s on Broadway.  

Note:  Excerpts of the bio are from www.canadianbands.com

  The Habit plans to release a song a month for the next 10 months for the forthcoming album, “The Hard Road” and is planning to embark on a major intercontinental tour.  The 1st radio single to the forthcoming album “THE HARD ROAD” is “Web of Lies”.  Sonically huge. Rhythmically driven, and emotionally written and performed. THE HABIT is back!  Note:  Excerpts of the bio are from www.canadianbands.com