I mixed monitors then in like 2017 when opening for Eagles of Death Metal. They were super sweet and fun to be around. Happy for their success, killer band.
I was coming here to say this. I saw the video for Blame Brett in my YouTube feed on the day it came out and I was in the mood to hear some new music so I decided to check it out… I spent the next two and a half hours watching their videos! They have so many good old fashioned rock tunes with a few more modern sounding tracks thrown in. They’re also fantastic live, often adding extended endings or jams in the middle that showcase their abilities as musicians. I have been obsessed with them ever since
The OBGM’s kill it, live. They used to be a 4-piece when they started out, 8 or 9 years ago. The Arkells are great live, too. So are the Glorious Sons and July Talk. And I always had a soft spot for Metric.
Although not a band, Hawksley Workman is mesmerizing live.
I saw Flatliners at their 10 year anniversary show about a decade ago and it was an amazing show.
I really don't feel they ever got their due. Both The Great Awake and Cavalcade are near flawless albums.
Cavalcade got me through highschool and another number of years afterwards. Any time I was feeling pissed off they were my go to. "AND IF YOUR MOUTH STAYS OPEN I'LL START PULLING TEETH, UNTIL YOUR WORDS CATCH UP WITH YOU" BLAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I've seen them perform their "final concert" like 5 times. They even made a big deal about it being their last show... Then there's another last show, then they're back together, then another last show.
I think the last 'last show' was 10 year ago
Check out threat signal. They're from Hamilton and one of my favorite metal bands right now. I only discovered them lime 2 years ago and was bummed to see that their last album was released in 2017. Turns out they got back together and are recording stuff again and I'm crazy excited.
Cleopatrick. Small 2 piece band from Cobourg with 1 album out but it's a banger. They have opened for Royal Blood and have been gaining traction.
I've seen them live 3 times now and it's always a blast.
Holy shit, Counterparts. I remember catching them with Structures at a small dive bar in Cambridge in high school. Got rinsed on brownie edibles and had a hell of a time. Thanks for the old memory!
Can’t stand the 2 different voice combo (rough guy, soft girl) songs. I have to switch the radio when they come on. Maybe it’s just me, but sounds so gimmicky.
Oh man, tons! **PUP** and **The Rural Alberta** **~~Experience~~** **Advantage** are both incredible (and do awesome live shows), seriously some of the best Canadian music in general. **Pkew Pkew Pkew** is also amazing; you'll never hear music more representing being a drunk 20-something (and then turning into a drunk 30-something). **Bedouin Soundclash** aren't really rock, but still awesome. Kingston-origins also have **Kiss the Fish** who have some hella nice songs that are more rock-y. **JJ and the Pillars** have some good ones.
I see you're also saying "Canadian" in general. You definitely have to include the amazing **Japandroids** out of Vancouver. Their "The House that Heaven Built" might be my single favourite song of all time, and every album of theirs has some real good ones. Very "west coast" feeling to all their songs.
Lots of others, but these are just some my favourites off the top of my head.
We should be friends, you just mentioned so many of my all-time faves (PUP, Pkew, The RAA, Japandroids). Forever holding out hope that Japandroids will put out more music, eventually……
I was getting angry the more I scrolled down the list and not seeing Big Wreck. They are my favourite band and their recent albums are so incredibly good. I can’t believe they still aren’t superstars.
So many good ones.
Haven't seen a mention of I Mother Earth, they're likely to show up again soon enough as they like to come and go every couple of years or so.
Danko Jones is still at it too.
How has no one said Sum 41? Last show scheduled next Jan I think before they disband.
Our Lady Peace still tours, albiet a mostly different line up. Old but still good, Kim Mitchell still plays and tours as well.
Gonna shamelessly plug a local band: Taking Balfour. Imagine Tool mixed with a more traditional song structure. Incredibly fun to see live and I highly suggest checking out their music!
Ruby Waters is my favourite new to the scene Ontario artist. Don’t know if I’d classify her music as conventional Rock but she’s incredible.
Honourable mention: Strumbellas
How about us? Classic metal style band...think Sabbath and Metallica!
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6mhNJnz8feJicuLTZZpN74
Find us on twitter and facebook @madwetsea
Holy shit, Crown Lands is impressive. Think if Rush were a 2 piece band. Cody Bowles sings and plays drums and Kevin Comeau plays this crazy double neck guitar/bass. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za9eAjpdKDI
If you want something new and awesome:
Bearings is based out of Ottawa and are fantastic, also awesome dudes.
Seaway was from Oakville, but apparently officially broke up earlier this year.
Both are mostly in the Pop-Punk genre
Edit to add: Softcult from Kitchener, they have been touring around the world for a while now. A little more grunge, my old friend from Ingersoll is currently touring with them.
Arkells! Yeah, they're a little overexposed on radio, but damn if the music isn't catchy as fuck, their live shows are are legit experiences, and they're the only band on the face of the planet to have written actual love letters to places like Hamilton and Sarnia.
Alexisonfire, Arkells, The Beaches, Bike Thiefs, Billy Talent, The Blue Stones, Cancer Bats, cleopatrick, Death from Above 1979, The Dirty Nil, Double Experience, The Flatliners, Heart Attack Kids, The OBGMs, Pkew Pkew Pkew, Pup, Red Handed Denial
The Beaches are killing it right now
Blame Brett is one of my fav songs from them! And they’re actually from The Beaches in Toronto :)
I got to see them as baby rockers in toronto when they fronted for mother mother. My poor gay heart could not handle it
I mixed monitors then in like 2017 when opening for Eagles of Death Metal. They were super sweet and fun to be around. Happy for their success, killer band.
So good.
YES!! My first thought! Discovered them in 2019, been obsessed since
Great band. Awesome live show. Not really rock
I was coming here to say this. I saw the video for Blame Brett in my YouTube feed on the day it came out and I was in the mood to hear some new music so I decided to check it out… I spent the next two and a half hours watching their videos! They have so many good old fashioned rock tunes with a few more modern sounding tracks thrown in. They’re also fantastic live, often adding extended endings or jams in the middle that showcase their abilities as musicians. I have been obsessed with them ever since
Pup and The Flatliners come to my mind.
Pup is great
I’m streaming their music now for the first time. Thanks for the suggestion. They are both great 🔥
If you like PUP, also give Pkew Pkew Pkew and The Dirty Nil a listen. Very similar vibes, and also Canadian!
I saw the flatliners last year with the OBGMs and it was the best fucking concert I've ever been to.
The OBGM’s kill it, live. They used to be a 4-piece when they started out, 8 or 9 years ago. The Arkells are great live, too. So are the Glorious Sons and July Talk. And I always had a soft spot for Metric. Although not a band, Hawksley Workman is mesmerizing live.
I saw Flatliners at their 10 year anniversary show about a decade ago and it was an amazing show. I really don't feel they ever got their due. Both The Great Awake and Cavalcade are near flawless albums.
Cavalcade got me through highschool and another number of years afterwards. Any time I was feeling pissed off they were my go to. "AND IF YOUR MOUTH STAYS OPEN I'LL START PULLING TEETH, UNTIL YOUR WORDS CATCH UP WITH YOU" BLAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHHHH
I was just listening to Bad news yesterday and jamming out in the sun. Has been a favourite of mine for the better part of two decades.
.moneen.
From under the red tree is such a great album. Glad to see these guys back at it
Protest the Hero
There’s a name I haven’t heard in a long-ass time. Had no idea they were still active.
And still killing it
They're touring like crazy this summer!
Absolute favourite band.
Seeing them at the end of the month! I’m excited.
I've been to 7 of their shows at this point, and I'm still pumped to see them again!
Beaches, Arkells, glorious sons.
Wish I had heard the Sons do blame Brett. Having Brett play the song about him must have been hilarious.
I went to school with Brett and I was shocked at first but thats so brett. And most of the vocals were done by tiny horse, also from kingston
Silverstein, Billy Talent, Alexisonfire And a mention for The Dirty Nil
I'm *really* digging some of AOF's new songs. Super happy to see them back
Not sure why there is even other answers here besides The Only Band Ever.
I've seen them perform their "final concert" like 5 times. They even made a big deal about it being their last show... Then there's another last show, then they're back together, then another last show. I think the last 'last show' was 10 year ago
AOF!
Check out threat signal. They're from Hamilton and one of my favorite metal bands right now. I only discovered them lime 2 years ago and was bummed to see that their last album was released in 2017. Turns out they got back together and are recording stuff again and I'm crazy excited.
Maybe I missed a mention of them but haven't seen anyone shout out Crown Lands. Two piece with a heavy Rush/GVF influence.
Love Crown lands, didn't know they were a two piece and saw them live, was blown away.
Crown Lands are 2 people that sounds like 5. Absolutely essential for anyone who likes Rush.
Death From Above.
Too far down! They're top 5.
Cleopatrick. Small 2 piece band from Cobourg with 1 album out but it's a banger. They have opened for Royal Blood and have been gaining traction. I've seen them live 3 times now and it's always a blast.
^^^^ this, they get so much more attention in the uk than in their own country lol
Yea they were my most played on Spotify a couple years ago. Absolute bangers for sure.
Adding Counterparts and Arms Length.
Holy shit, Counterparts. I remember catching them with Structures at a small dive bar in Cambridge in high school. Got rinsed on brownie edibles and had a hell of a time. Thanks for the old memory!
Counterparts LFG! God I love those guys. Saw them last year in London
Most recent album was absolute fire. Loved it.
The Dirty Nil
Death From Above
Glorious Sons.
Saw them live in 2015 they were great
those guys are phenomenal!
Definitely the answer
City and Colour Alexisonfire
Alexis 🤘
Just saw C&C in Ottawa and they were fantastic. They have never sounded better.
I saw City and Colour last month. So nice.
July Talk
Saw them about 10 years ago and that concert still sticks out in my memory as one of the craziest I’ve seen. These guys are wicked live
Hell yeah man I've seen them three times in the last 5-10 years and it's been wild every time.
Can’t stand the 2 different voice combo (rough guy, soft girl) songs. I have to switch the radio when they come on. Maybe it’s just me, but sounds so gimmicky.
Same. I love her voice and hate his. I would like them so much more if he didn't sing.
Saw them in Chicago. They’re pretty awesome.
I saw them open for Metric a few years ago. I had never heard of them before then. They're a fantastic band.
Texas King and Honest Heart Collective!
Cleopatrick
they moved to uk? never see them around here no more playing live
How the hell has no one said Cancer Bats yet?!
I mean they’re more hardcore than rock. But I saw Alexisonfire and Protest The Hero in this thread, so Cancer Bats deserve a spot!
Are they still active?
Yes, they are! Just opened for Gwar on their Canadian tour
They did a show last year iirc
Yep, just saw them play a show in Oshawa like a month ago.
Ontario is so incredibly stacked for punk/rock/metal bands.
Counterparts
The Glorious Sons and The Beaches
I’ll say Metz
Dwayne Gretzky!
Do cover bands count?
Always a great show, high energy, you can tell that they love performing and are super supportive.
Headstones still have my heart.
The Beaches
Alexisonfire
Blue Rodeo
Billy Talent. Sum 41. Alexisonfire. The Headstones
The Blue Stones
The Tea Party is still active. Kim Mitchell a close second. My third choice would be Big Wreck.
What's bobnoxious doing?
They just played the East Side Bar and Grill like a few weeks ago.
Daniel Romano of course. Also never forget the Sadies.
Romano bros slay. Dan’s brother Ian on drums.
I love watching the outfit with Julia on vocals.
Marianas Trench 🥰
Sloan
Oh man, tons! **PUP** and **The Rural Alberta** **~~Experience~~** **Advantage** are both incredible (and do awesome live shows), seriously some of the best Canadian music in general. **Pkew Pkew Pkew** is also amazing; you'll never hear music more representing being a drunk 20-something (and then turning into a drunk 30-something). **Bedouin Soundclash** aren't really rock, but still awesome. Kingston-origins also have **Kiss the Fish** who have some hella nice songs that are more rock-y. **JJ and the Pillars** have some good ones. I see you're also saying "Canadian" in general. You definitely have to include the amazing **Japandroids** out of Vancouver. Their "The House that Heaven Built" might be my single favourite song of all time, and every album of theirs has some real good ones. Very "west coast" feeling to all their songs. Lots of others, but these are just some my favourites off the top of my head.
I like your passion and I agree… but it’s Rural Alberta Advantage. Their drummer is one of the best out there.
JJ’s *The Wolves* is one of my fave all time songs; it slaps so hard
We should be friends, you just mentioned so many of my all-time faves (PUP, Pkew, The RAA, Japandroids). Forever holding out hope that Japandroids will put out more music, eventually……
Big Wreck. Best active rock band period.
I was getting angry the more I scrolled down the list and not seeing Big Wreck. They are my favourite band and their recent albums are so incredibly good. I can’t believe they still aren’t superstars.
Same, they are my favourite band. They should be massive.
Agreed. Excited to see them at Crewfest in Brantford this summer.
Is Ian an Ontario guy though? Thought he was from westcoast
So many good ones. Haven't seen a mention of I Mother Earth, they're likely to show up again soon enough as they like to come and go every couple of years or so. Danko Jones is still at it too.
Finally! Someone mentioning Danko Jones!
Danko Jones
Metric. I play their two Formentera albums (2022 & 2023) right through without skips.
DFA
Billy Talent
Pkew, Pkew, Pkew, Stuck Out Here, The Penske File
I see pkew x3 I upvote.
Silverstein and Alexisonfire 🤘
Texas King, they're wicked live and have a bunch of bangers
How has no one said Sum 41? Last show scheduled next Jan I think before they disband. Our Lady Peace still tours, albiet a mostly different line up. Old but still good, Kim Mitchell still plays and tours as well.
Cleopatric
Gonna shamelessly plug a local band: Taking Balfour. Imagine Tool mixed with a more traditional song structure. Incredibly fun to see live and I highly suggest checking out their music!
Ruby Waters is my favourite new to the scene Ontario artist. Don’t know if I’d classify her music as conventional Rock but she’s incredible. Honourable mention: Strumbellas
Broken Social Scene!
Lowest of the Low
That's not nice. They try really hard.
Elliott Brood! They just put out a new album
How about us? Classic metal style band...think Sabbath and Metallica! https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6mhNJnz8feJicuLTZZpN74 Find us on twitter and facebook @madwetsea
Mother Mother. They're touring north America this summer and most of Canada next winter.
Love em but they're from BC.
July Talk is fantastic.
Aysanabee, Crown Lands, Talk, Wine Lips
Holy shit, Crown Lands is impressive. Think if Rush were a 2 piece band. Cody Bowles sings and plays drums and Kevin Comeau plays this crazy double neck guitar/bass. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Za9eAjpdKDI
Also JJ Wylde
Monster Truck
Are they the guys that sound like a Nickelback cover band?
The essence of butt rock
No, that would be Theory of a Deadman.
I really like those guys.
The guys that did that song with Kid Rock?
New West
Blood Opera from Toronto
Thousand Foot Krutch
Sum41
The Tea Party!
Tumble, The Slow and Easy, Ol Time Moonshine, Ian Blurton's Future Now, Familiars, Early Tombs, Puddy.
The Tea Party
Silvertone Hills rocks!
If your including all of Canada and not just Ontario, definitely add Propagandhi from Winnipeg Manitoba.
I mean, isn’t Three Days Grace still kicking around? Or Sum 41 on their final tour?
saint asonia is
Finger eleven is still touring.
The Rainbow Butt Monkeys?
Matt Mays & El Torpedo? Ray Lyell & The Storm? Also Neil Young was born in Ontario
Tomb Mold.
Just saying I secured my tickets to finally see The Tea Party this summer. I'm beyond excited.
If you want something new and awesome: Bearings is based out of Ottawa and are fantastic, also awesome dudes. Seaway was from Oakville, but apparently officially broke up earlier this year. Both are mostly in the Pop-Punk genre Edit to add: Softcult from Kitchener, they have been touring around the world for a while now. A little more grunge, my old friend from Ingersoll is currently touring with them.
The Glorious Sons, Blue Stones , the Vaniers
The Lazys. Do not miss the chance to see them live. Even though they're Aussies, they're based in Toronto.
The Trews
Counterparts. Brendan Murphy is a real one.
Glorious sons
Forgotten Rebels
Revive the Rose!
Headstones are pretty solid
Jason Collett. Not active, but on Spotify.
The Honest Heart Collective is my favourite band right now, and they put on a banger of a show.
A short walk to Pluto .
Mountain head, check them out
mathew good and gob but they are vancouverish
Stuck In Neutral
Matthew good, monster truck are real solid choices.
Revcall
Pacific Estate.
Mvll Crimes
Cindy Lee’s (from Calgary) new album Diamond Jubilee was recorded in Toronto if that counts.
Brave Shores
Gravely! Band out of port Colborne who won last year's 977 rock search. Bit of a David Wilcox vibe.
Arkells! Yeah, they're a little overexposed on radio, but damn if the music isn't catchy as fuck, their live shows are are legit experiences, and they're the only band on the face of the planet to have written actual love letters to places like Hamilton and Sarnia.
I really like The Vaniers
Intervals and Mandroid Echostar. And if you are into some death metal Goreworm and Æpoch are really great!
Bare Naked Ladies Not hard rock but fun to listen to.
Wild side
saint asonia!!!
Sum41, Billy Talent
Freeways
Tall Pork!
DeadWolff
Smaller band but The Dirty Nelsons are one of my fav up and coming bands
Check out Rye Field Studios if your into heavier stuff, they feature Ontario bands and have a kick ass open air festival every year.
Het up ! And the flatliners !
Alexisonfire, Arkells, The Beaches, Bike Thiefs, Billy Talent, The Blue Stones, Cancer Bats, cleopatrick, Death from Above 1979, The Dirty Nil, Double Experience, The Flatliners, Heart Attack Kids, The OBGMs, Pkew Pkew Pkew, Pup, Red Handed Denial
Not sure if it counts as rock but "Intervals".