Archie Pateman - lead and harmony vocals, banjo, guitar
Matthew Lawson - upright bass, lead vocals
Ben Rogalsky - lead and harmony vocals, mandolin, guitar, harmonica, banjo, percussion
Lee Watson - lead and harmony vocals, guitar, mandolin

The Breakmen formed in 2005 when four of Vancouver BC's best young songwriters and acoustic musicians got together to work on each others songs. They quickly found an enthusiastic audience for what they were doing, performing to sold out houses and playing a leading role in the flourishing West Coast roots music scene.

The band's sound has matured into a distinct voice in Canadian roots music, with a potent blend of bluegrass, old-timey folk, and vintage country influences. Known for tight vocal harmonies, creative instrumental work, and contagious stage energy the band has attracted national and international attention.

Since the release of their self titled debut album in 2006, The Breakmen have played over 200 festivals, theaters and live stages throughout Canada and the U.S west coast. The album was a national success and remained on The Roots Music Review-Top 50 chart for 9 months straight, receiving significant national airplay on CBC Radio and roots music radio across the country. CBC Radio 2 has also recorded the band twice for their Canada Live series.

With fresh material piling up the band decided it was time to head back into the studio in the spring of 2008. The product of these sessions, When You Leave Town, was released in Canada on Oct 10, 2008. The album provides fans with 12 new Breakmen tracks, featuring thought provoking lyrics and song structure from the bands three songwriters, trademark vocal harmonies and a powerful band sound from the four multi-instrumentalists and producer Ivan Rosenberg.

Compared to The Band and Old Crowe Medicine Show, The Breakmen are influenced by a wide variety of musical talents including Bill Monroe, Willie P. Bennett, Nina Simone and Hank Williams.