In 2003, Tangiers included drummer Marco Moniz, Josh Reichmann (vocals/guitars) and, fresh from The Deadly Snakes, James Sayce (vocals/bass) and guitarist Yuri Didrichsons.[1][2]
In March 2003, the released their debut album Hot New Spirit,[3] with the songs "Keep the Living Bodies Warm", "Return to the Ship", and "Ca Va Cool" pushing it to the top of the campus and community radio charts.[4][5] In 2009, Maclean's magazine named Hot New Spirit one of the top-ten Canadian albums of the decade.[6]
Despite radio success, widespread critical praise, and a reputation for being a high-energy party band, Tangier failed to capture live-audience attention, with a Spin Magazine reporter citing "booze-fueled performances" as a possible cause.[7] In 2003, Moniz and Didrichsons left the band, due to personal conflicts. They were replaced by ex-Guided by Voices drummer Jon McCann and keyboardist Shelton Deverell.[8]
In June 2004, the band released their second album, Never Bring You Pleasure.[9][10] They toured Canada, and played a few shows in the US.[11]
Tangiers' third album, The Family Myth was released in 2005, on Frenchkiss Records. It too received rave reviews, but the band broke up soon afterward.[12][13][14] Sayce and McCann left Tangiers and moved to Holland, where they formed the band, Bishop Morocco.[15] Reichmann formed the Josh Reichmann Oracle Band.[16] Moniz moved to the band Bad Breed.
