Bands
AMANITA BLOOM
If you scratch below the surface of Amanita Bloom you hear more than the generic music etiquette that could describe their sound. Braised with punk upbringings, psychedelia, folk songwriting aesthetics and a longing for the youthful sadness of the early American bluesmen, Amanita Bloom are a passionate marriage of melancholy and optimism, dipped in a dystopian love-story. Pack all this in to a perfect 40-minute dark pop album and you have Amanita Bloom's debut full length.
CLAASS
The Montreal, Quebec based band CLAASS is no stranger to music that evolved out of a zero compromise D.I.Y. ethic. The trio formed in 2007 as an experimental side project to explore new sounds while also tapping into their inspirations from the past and present. While not relying on nostalgia, the sound of CLAASS has been described as an electronic / post-punk blend with somewhat of a dance sensibility without confinement.
COUGARETTES
Since their formation in the summer of 2008, Montreal-based quartet Cougarettes have created a real buzz within the local scene and on music blogs around the world. The band consists of multi-instrumentalists Frank Garrett, a career producer and sound designer, Pepe, a club Vj and video editor, jRRRy Rodeo, a screenwirtter and antiquarian, as well as Cardy, vocalist, roller derby athlete, and model.
The Cougarettes emerged from the combination of multiple music and video based projects: Cardy and jRRRy's early work as a duo, EgoHead, started off as a JryRR and Cardy recording, which was then mixed with one of Frank Garrett's solo tracks. The result didn't merely create a winning formula: it created a band. Working out of jRRRy's basement, the Cougarettes spent the summer of 2008 writing more songs.
The sound that came out of this basement is a mixture of cold and steady beats, deep analog bass, modified electronic toys, and skipped-chopped screamy vocals.
In less than a year, many have been seduced by the Cougarettes' sexy and dangerous aura. Gaining more exposure and airplay, the band's song Sugar was also featured on hit French-Canadian television series Les Invincibles. Another song, EgoHead was also featured on the popular Radio-Canada TV show Tour sur moi. The Cougarettes aren't only making a splash on national television; wth only two songs on the band's MySpace page, radio stations have been quick to jump on the bandwagon by playing the songs on heavy rotation.
In the weeks preceding the Cougarettes' first show ever, the number of fans on their MySpace page doubled. By the time they stepped on stage, the show was sold-out above legal capacity and ended when the police intervened to clear the crowd.
Talk about starting with a bang.
http://www.myspace.com/thecougarettes
ROME ROMEO
Rome Romeo was formed in 2007 after the demise of beloved No Idea Records punk band 'Fifth Hour Hero'. Along with members from acclaimed Quebec bands 'Le Nombre' and 'Les Marmottes Aplaties', Rome Romeo set out to write their first e.p. in the fall of 2008, writing a total of six songs. The self-titled e.p. features five of these songs, released on Montreal based label: Machette Records. Mixing a blend of punk, soul and indie, Rome Romeo defy the genres that they were once held to, and showcase their hook-ridden talent on their e.p., destined to be the soundtrack of summer.
http://www.romeromeo.comhttp://www.myspace.com/romeromeomtl
SLOBS
Rock 'n' roll is about gettin' out there and doin' stuff. Takin' out the trash, gettin' the crowds roarin' and wagglin' your tongue all over the place. Its world involves flashin' big bazookas, smokin' doobies, snortin' the dough, meetin' new peeps and changin' the world dude. SLOBS do not participate in any of these rock 'n' roll activities. SLOBS don't like you. SLOBS don't hate you. SLOBS don't care. SLOBS have braces. SLOBS pick their nose on the bus. SLOBS mumble when they have to speak to you. SLOBS.. aggabah ..aggabah. SLOBS are a punk band by default because it is too hard to play fancy solos, too annoying to dress up like an asshole and far too stupid to even try to impress anybody.
www.myspace.com/slobsmtlSOLIDS
Formed at the tail end of 2009 by Xavier Germain and Louis Guillemette, Solids quickly adapted the sounds of their predecessors by incorporating a 90s indie/grunge sound into their already expansive style. Originally intending on expanding the lineup, Solids began writing songs for their debut EP Generic Dogs. Soon into this process Germain and Guillemette found that the duo dynamic worked better for them, as Germain was finding ways to fill the void of bass with alternate tuning and pedal wizardry. The result is a highly original infusion of rhythm and melody, impressively loud for a two piece but still refined with its infectious guitar melodies.
After self-releasing Generic Dogs on CD, Solids garnered reviews that held them to the likes of 90s pioneers Dinosaur Jr., Sonic Youth, and Superchunk. This nostalgic sound was soon manifested in their live show, attracting the attention of Montreal based label, Machette Records, who re-released the EP on vinyl in April 2011. In support of the release, Solids set out to play shows in Quebec City and Toronto, as well as shows at Pop Montreal and Pouzza Fest. In January 2011, Solids entered Breakglass Studios in Montreal to record 3 new songs with acclaimed producer Jace Lasek (Besnard Lakes, Stars, Land of Talk amongst others) to be released on 7" by Machette Records summer 2011. Until the release date, Solids are busy writing for their debut LP and plotting East coast and Canadian tour dates.
http://www.myspace.com/solidsmtl