Canada's on Fire..did someone forget to set the alarm?

It seems that over the past year or so, the Canadian independent music scene has really caught on with folks outside of our borders. Being Canadian, most people involved with the 'scene' have taken an 'ahh...shucks..it nothing really' kinda attitude, but there are those who are recognizing that the bands emerging from Canada right now are truly some of the most exciting and vital bands coming from anywhere and it is something that we can be proud of, and proud of being proud.

sidebar: if you don't know anything about the national psyche of Canada, it is essentially to be deferential to the utmost and to never be too proud of yourself or your achievements, no matter how fantastic. Maybe this is a reaction to being so close to our loud, boisterous neighbours to the South (who make most of us a little uneasy) or maybe it comes from our colonial past, but either way, politeness and humility are truly the Canadian way. While these may sound like wonderful national traits, it becomes bothersome when you try to actually promote Canadian culture as worthy of international praise (or even praise within the country), as nobody likes a big head. As the New England jokes goes: A man is watching a lobster fisherman throwing lobsters into a bucket without cover. The man approaches the fisherman and ask whether he's worried that they will climb out. The fisherman replies, 'I'm not worried. There Canadian lobsters. If one starts to climb out the others will pull him back in'.


What a sidebar! So, while Americans and British are eating up the current crop of Canadian indie bands like Broken Social Scene, Arcade Fire, the Constantines, Royal City, Death From Above 1978, the Dears, the Stills, Junior Boys, Cariboo (nee Manitoba), Metric, and Feist, many people within this country don't even know who these bands are. We are still waiting for American and British justification before we also can agree that these bands are goddamn cool and are making some great music. Now, what the fuck was the point of this whole post?

Ah, yes. To post some songs by other great Canadian bands that are on the cusp of breaking out of their basements, of the gutter tour circuit, and into the international rock stardom that they so deserve, so that they to can become Dead Rock Stars and sell more records. Or something to that effect.

First off, the bands on the Three Gut Roster. Three Gut is pretty much the hippest label in Toronto right now as they are the folks who released the first Constantines record (and second) and introduced Royal City to the world. They also have other great artist who haven't garnered much attention outside of Canada, but surely will.

Cuff the Duke

A country rock band with space influences and a touch of epic grandeur thrown into the mix, these guys are truly one of a kind and a great band live. They come from Oshawa Ontario and have released one album, Life Stories For Minimum Wage. The great thing about these guys is how they combine the rigid structures of country music with the droney, effects driven sound of shoegazer music to produce something that is utterly unique and compelling. Lyrically, they tend to dwell on the typical country themes: working for the man, drinking away your sorrows, and typical blue collar motifs. Great stuff for fans of everything from Gram Parsons to Slowdive.

Hobo Night Stalker
Ballad of a Lonely Construction Worker


Sea Snakes

The main man in Sea Snakes, one Jim McIntyre, used to be in a great band called Blake (for those who don't know, check them out). He formed Sea Snakes as a one man project after that, but it has quietly and slowly evolved into the 5 piece touring band it is today-which is a good thing. While earlier songs were much more quite and hushed, the new songs are a bit more boisterous (with jazzy horns, soulful keyboards and a tight rhythm section) but still maintain the contemplative feel of the earlier material. They have just released their first album, Clear as Day, Darkest Tools, a 9 song affair which is pretty dam great but just a bit understated for my taste. That said, it is certainly a grower...not shower...ha.haha.

Conception Bay South
This One is The Worst

Remember the East Coast? There once was a time when bands from the Maritimes were putting the rest of Canada to shame with their sunshine filled poptastic sounds-it seemed like anybody who lived in Halifax that picked up a guitar was born with the ability to write hooks that would make Brian Wilson smile. Or create enough feedback and fuzz to send acid tripping teenagers out of their minds and into the woods. Whatever it was, for a brief moment in the early 90's, the Maritimes reigned supreme when it came to indie rock. These days the scene is a bit more quite, but it's quickly gaining momentum, as bands like the Burdocks, Camoflage Nights, Joel Plaskett Emergency, the Dean Malenkoes are doing their best to turn heads back towards the rainy coast.

The Burdocks

The Burdocks are currently my most favorite band. And as they are recording an album for Black Mountain Music, i won't dwell too much on them for fear of cries of nepotism. Let's just say these guys (and girl) rock harder then any band going, combining crazy progressive impulses with the catchiest pop hooks ever to produce music that will have you dancing in ways you didn't think possible. It's indie rock as it should be: sincere, direct, challenging and down right fun. I would also nominate Nancy (their guitarist) for Canadian indie rock queen, if there was such a designation.

Pop Cult- Quite simply, one of the best pop songs to come out of Canada this millennium
Save The World- Celebrate the Energy you waste! (that line kills me)
Triage- From their first full length, I Have A Million Friends

Joel Plaskett Emergency

Joel Plaskett was the lead singer in one of my favorite Canadian bands of all time, Thrust Hermit. Since that bands demise (oh,why??) he's been rocking it solo (well, with a band of course) and doing alright for himself. His current band is a trio who churn out thundering riffs a la Cheap Trick and ZZ Top with soaring choruses that make this silly boy jump up and down and sing along to, even when i don't know the words.

Work Out Fine
You Came Along

Camouflage Nights

Another band to emerge from Thrush Hermit (Tigre Benvie and Rob McGettigan), Camouflage Nights are the sound to your best nightmare. Their sound is a jagged combination of loose grooves, dirty electro-rock beats that walk a tightline between genius and cheese with some slash and scat lyrics thrown in for good measure. They are the Canadian Pharell, as imitated by G.G Allen. They don't have a release yet, but given these guys credentials and the quality of this song (and the video), they should be blowing up in a mall near you soon.

It Could Be Love

Wow..this post has gone on way too long. I'll have to revisit this idea at a future date, but for now it's back to work.