Beginnings

In 1990, brothers Alain and Martin Avon founded what was to become one of Montreal’s most popular underground bands: Imaginary Steps.
In 1991, they released a successful pop-rock album entitled Maybe Tomorrow (featuring the single The More I Learn).
The success of this recording led them to play in New York, and made the charts around the world; it also gave them the opportunity to support major bands in many venues.
Then, in 1993, they released the critically acclaimed alternative rock album What Good Will it Do, and played more shows than ever before.

Transformations

In the following years, despite losing their lead singer, the brothers continued to write original music, worked in many professional recording studios until 1999 when JP Alepins (singer/songwriter) joined the band.
The next years were critical for the three musicians.
In 2001, management difficulties became quite the issue and the band’s unity was put to the test. Despite everything though, they still believed they had something to say as a musical trio.
The problem was getting the proper support to go on and release the music they were recording.

Achievements

The year 2004 was a turning point in the trio’s career.
Along with a new partner, they re-opened a famous recording studio in Montreal under a new name: The Bank Studio 451 (www.studio451.ca), today one of the best recording facilities in North America.
It took years of hard work to bring the studio back to its glory.
Then, in 2008, the trio decided it was time to go back to writing music and they started to work on the album of their dreams.
In 2009 they became Exit 451 and hired producer Mark Howard of Daniel Lanois’ crew to record a very original and mesmerizing pop-rock album, The Sea Above the Sky, that was mastered by Gavin Lurssen at Lurssen Mastering (L.A.).
This album was made possible thanks to the implication of The 451 Recording House label in the project.

Press Release:

“The Sea Above the Sky is a confident debut (...) and beautifully textured recording (...) filled with sonic details that keep pulling you in, and they become richer with each listen.”
- JOSEPH TAYLOR, Soundstage Hi-Fi, April 1st, 2011

“I can’t say enough about this band, Exit 451 (...) the dynamics in their songs just rock, it’s like an old friend (...) the first play and you’re stuck on it, you can’t take it off your mind... Now THAT is talent!” - LISA D. SMITH, Big Blend Radio (Arizona, U.S.A.) October 16th, 2010

“The dynamic Montreal trio of Alain Avon, Martin Avon and JP Alepins have released a stunningly beautiful package of music to the masses.”
- JADE SPERRY, VanMusic.ca, October 19th, 2010

“... Exit 451 creates a smooth, laid back, experimental rock... Ambient keyboards, elegant piano chords, angular guitar riffs and JP’s haunting vocals all combine to make a cool exotic sound.”
- INDIES AND THE UNDERGROUND, October 5th, 2010

“Out of the random pile of CDs at the station I grabbed “The Sea Above the Sky” by Exit 451. Very solid album. 3.5/5”
- ROB HUFFMAN, www.twitter.com/therockrobster , November 2nd, 2010

“For this refined local quartet, all exits lead to well-produced ’70s Britannia. Let’s trepidatiously call this art rock.”
- THE MONTREAL MIRROR, December 9th, 2010

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9JkZsR6aZc