Don Kerr is a Canadian multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He is the drummer, lead singer and front man of Toronto band, Communism. He plays in Ron Sexsmith's band,"Don Kerr / Ron Sexsmith Destination Unknown". AllMusic review by Mark Deming and sometimes with The Kelele Brothers and Dan Mangan.
Early life Kerr studied guitar as a child; he experimented with a number of instruments as a teenager, and later studied drumming with Jim Blackley."The Rooster". Exclaim!, By Vish Khanna, Mar 25, 2012
Career
Kerr was a member of Rheostatics from 1995 to 2001; he recorded on several of their albums, and performed on a number of instruments, including cello and bass."A Group of Seven on the Group of Seven". Dropd, live review by P. Freako. August 22, 1996 Kerr participated in Rheostatics live shows in 2015, and again recording and planned live shows in 2025.
He and Sexsmith released an album together, Destination Unknown, in 2005; the album, which features their vocal harmonies, was produced by Kerr."Sexsmith & Kerr Destination Unknown". Exclaim!, By Vish Khanna, Sep 01, 2005
He has also played with and mixed for The Hidden Cameras, Minotaurs, BidiniBand and Bahamas.
Kerr also acted in the Canadian independent film, Amy George (2011), alongside his wife, Claudia Dey.
Kerr was producer for Karyn Ellis' 2010 album Even Though The Sky Was Falling."Karyn Ellis Even Though The Sky Was Falling". !Earshot Online, Allison Brown, Jan 12, 2010 He set up a recording studio, "Rooster", in his home; In 2012 he produced the album Letters Home for Amy Campbell.
In 2014, along with guitarist Paul Linklater and bassist Kevin Lacroix, Kerr founded the Toronto-based band Communism. Their debut album, Get Down Get Together, was released in 2016."Communism Get Down Get Together". Exclaim!, By Jacqueline Tucci, Sep 14, 2016 The band has performed at the Hillside Festival,"Communism Island Stage, Guelph ON, July 16". Exclaim!, By Sarah Greene, Jul 17, 2017 Fuji Rock Festival, Atlin Arts & Music Festival and Farms for Change Festival.
In 2016, Kerr produced Toronto songwriter Charlotte Cornfield's second album, Future Snowbird,"Charlotte Cornfield Flies Home For 'Future Snowbird'". Exclaim!, By Sarah Greene, Mar 07, 2016 and later Shawna Caspi's album Forest Fire."Episode 343: Shawna Caspi Interview and More New Releases". Folk Roots Radio, October 5, 2017.
In 2017, Kerr drummed for Tamara Lindeman's album The Weather Station."The Weather Station Is Not Related to the Weather and Other Facts About Tamara Lindeman's New Album". Exclaim!, By Sarah Greene, Oct 05, 2017
Personal life
Kerr and Canadian writer Claudia Dey married in 2005. They live in Toronto and have two children.
Discography
Bahamas Sad Hunk (2020)
BidiniBand
The Land Is Wild (2009) In The Rock Hall (2012) The Motherland (2014)
Communism
Get Down Get Together (2016) Lovespeech (2023)
Minotaurs
The Thing (2010)
Rheostatics
Music Inspired by the Group of Seven (1995) The Blue Hysteria (1996) Double Live (1997) The Nightlines Sessions (1998) The Story of Harmelodia (1999) Night of the Shooting Stars (2001) The Great Lakes Suite (2025)
Sexsmith & Kerr
Destination Unknown (2005)
The Hidden Cameras
Mississauga Goddam (2004) Awoo (2006) Origin:Orphan (2009)
Solo
The Sniffing Princess (1999) Carny Soundtrack (2008)
References