Not by Choice

Not by Choice is a Canadian punk rock band from Ajax. They have released two albums, Maybe One Day in 2002 (Linus Records/Warner Music Canada), and Secondhand Opinions (Maple Music Recordings/Universal Music Canada)in 2004.

History

2002-2003: Debut album and acclaim

Maybe One Day certainly earned Not by Choice their early share of prestigious acclaim with a MuchMusic Video Award for Best Independent Video ("Now That You Are Leaving"), a CASBY award for Best Independent Album, and inclusion on two Big Shiny Tunes compilations (Now That You Are Leaving and Standing All Alone). Maybe One Day was released in Japan in September 2003, and has had amazing success, selling over 25,000 records.

2004- 2005: Second album and Boviard departure

The band's October 2004 release of their second album, Secondhand Opinions, presented a different direction from the pop-punk roots of Maybe One Day with a more mature-sounding musical approach. The album was not well received by commercial radio, and did not meet the expectations set by the success of their first album. Despite a heavy push from Much Music with their video for the first single Days Go By, the band did not tour outside of Southern Ontario for more than a handful of sporadic dates. They were given the opening band slot for Avril Lavigne's 2005 summer tour in Southern Ontario, but the effort came almost 8 months after the release of Secondhand Opinions.

The band did prove to have a faithful following in Japan, and Secondhand Opinions did manage to receive a great deal of attention. The band was able to tour Japan in March 2005, performing a week of headlining shows followed by a week as the opening band for Simple Plan.

After the departure of bassist AJ Bovaird during the summer of 2005, Not by Choice took a break from touring and began writing songs for a new album.

2005-present: Third album and hiatus

As of March 30, 2008 Not By Choice has stopped progress on their third studio album and have taken an indefinite hiatus.

Discography

Albums

• 2002: Maybe One Day
• 2004: Secondhand Opinions

Music Videos

Members

• Mike Bilcox – guitar, vocals
• Glenn "Chico" Dunning – guitar, vocals
• Liam Killeen – drums

Former members

• AJ Bovaird – bass

Singles

• 2002: "Standing All Alone"
• 2002: "Now That You Are Leaving"
• 2004: "Days Go By"

References