Hottest Canadian bands in 2006
Matthew from I Heart Music, one of Canada's hardest working bloggers for sure, recently polled a few of his colleagues to come up with a list of Canadian bands who have had an amazing 2006. Around 40 or so responded (including myself) and came up with a pretty hefty list.
Critical favs like Final Fantasy, Destroyer and Sunset Rubdown obviously top the list, of which I can only say I'm really a fan of Owen Pallet. Other high ranking bands, Broken Social Scene, Wolf Parade and Arcade fire, are bands which I would argue didn't really do much in 2006, only riding the hype they created the year before.
Swan Lake? I think it's too early to include them on a list like this.
In retrospect, I would have added a few more entries to my list... Ninja High School, just because, and maybe the wonderful group from B.C., The Paper Cranes.
Anyways, here's my list, which I chose purely because these are groups I've really been into all year long, and I think they deserve your utmost attention.
- The Diableros
Last year somewhere around this time, there was buzz around Toronto's former Jesus and Mary Chain cover band The Diableros, who had self-released their debut album? ep? "You Can't Break The Strings On Our Olympic Hearts." Then in 2006, they played a pile of high-profile gigs, put out an amazing video for "Sugar Laced Soul," signed to UK label Wi45 and put out a 7inch of "Working out Words." And did I mention they are awesome? Yeah, Muchmusic is next, for sure.
The Diableros on Myspace
MP3: Working Out Words by The Diableros
- Shout Out Out Out Out
Have you heard "Not Saying/Just Saying" by Edmonton's Shout Out Out Out Out? If you haven't here's the jist: two drummers, four bass players/synthesizerers. These guys made Edmonton cool, an uneasy feat for sure.
Shout Out Out Out on Myspace
MP3: Forever Indebted by Shout Out Out Out Out
- Tokyo Police Club
I love the way Tokyo Police Club can cram seven minutes of song into about one and a half. Their debut EP "A Lesson in Crime" was released on Paper Bag, and they've signed to UK label Memphis Industries, who are about to release a 7 inch of "Nature of the Experiment," release the EP and put out another 7 inch of "Cheer it On" in February. Pitchfork loves these guys, bloggers love these guys, and the live shows are amazing. I only see things on the up and up for this band.
Tokyo Police Club on Myspace
MP3: Cheer it On by Tokyo Police Club
- Gastric Female Reflex
This year Gastric Female Reflex, Toronto's destructive screaming noisemakers, slimmed down to a duo, tightened up their live performance, put out an awesome vinyl LP of cracked-out atmospherics, went to Europe, dominated, and now have come back to destroy Hogtown. Even if you hate noise, check out this band. Incidentally, Jacob is one of the nicest guys ever, and deserves your interest.
Gastric Female Reflex on Myspace
MP3: Tough Crowd Device by Gastric Female Reflex
3 comments:
I was lucky enough to catch Shout Out Out Out Out at U of A's campus bar when I was in Edmonton, and they absolutely brought the house down. I immediately "bought the t-shirt" and have been anticipating their recognition in the Toronto indie community. Fuck, has there ever been such energy from such a fresh band onstage?
Also worth noting is the affiliated "Whitey Houston".
Hoping to make the Nov. 10th show at the Horseshoe.
Karen (via. Torontoist)
I suppose I would have ranked SOOOO higher, but I feel like they didn't "catch on" as much this year.... here's to next, with lots of NYC dance parties spurring them on!
I just wrote their record company and asked for an interview for TO-ist.
Because sometimes you have to ask yourself "What am I doing to promote a good band today?".
This summer I climbed around Petra in Jordan wearing their shirt. It apparently did very little for promotion. Bedouins don't seem to dig synth rock bands much. They prefer Shakira.
I am not joking.
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