Dive into the World of Simple Plan: Pop-Punk Pioneers from Montreal

Formed in 1999, Simple Plan is a powerhouse of Canadian rock, hailing from Montreal, Quebec. This iconic pop-punk band has been delivering infectious energy and relatable anthems for over two decades, solidifying their place in music history.

The current lineup features the dynamic talents of:

• Pierre Bouvier: Lead Vocals (and studio bass)
• Chuck Comeau: Drums
• Jeff Stinco: Lead Guitar
• Sébastien Lefebvre: Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals

Former member David Desrosiers (Bass, Backing Vocals) was an integral part of the band from early 2000 until July 2020.

Simple Plan`s discography is a must-listen for any pop-punk enthusiast, including six studio albums packed with singalong hits:

• No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls (2002) - The debut that launched a generation of fans.
• Still Not Getting Any... (2004) - Building on their success with even more iconic tracks.
• Simple Plan (2008) - A self-titled exploration of their evolving sound.
• Get Your Heart On! (2011) - Featuring collaborations and high-energy anthems.
• Taking One for the Team (2016) - Another smash album, showcasing their staying power.
• Harder Than It Looks (2022) - Their latest offering, proving they`re still a force to be reckoned with.

Beyond the studio albums, Simple Plan has also released:

• Get Your Heart On – The Second Coming! (EP, 2013)
• Live in Japan 2002 (Live Album, 2003) - Capturing their electrifying stage presence early in their career.
• MTV Hard Rock Live (Live Album, 2005)

Simple Plan is synonymous with the Vans Warped Tour, performing every year from 1999 to 2005, and returning in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018. These performances solidified their connection with their fans.

Their reach extends beyond music festivals; Simple Plan delivered an unforgettable performance at the 2010 Winter Olympics closing ceremony in Vancouver, alongside The X Factor Australia, marking a momentous occasion for Canadian music on a global stage.

If youre a fan of **pop-punk**, **rock music**, or just looking for some high-energy tunes, **Simple Plan** is a band you need to explore. Their music has resonated with audiences worldwide, making them one of Canadas most successful rock exports.

3 Inches of Blood, the Victoria, British Columbia-based heavy metal band, exploded onto the scene in 1999. Their sound, deeply rooted in the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, quickly garnered a dedicated following. After a hiatus ending in 2015, the band roared back in 2023 with a lineup featuring Cam Pipes, Justin Hagberg, Shane Clark, Nick Cates, and Ash Pearson.

Early Days and Battlecry Under a Wintersun

The band`s genesis was an unplanned reunion gig for a previous project involving Jamie Hooper, Sunny Dhak, Bobby Froese, Geoff Trawick (drums), and Rich Trawick (bass). The songwriting process, focused on a traditional metal style, proved so fruitful that they decided to forge ahead as a new entity. A demo found its way to Steve Bays (keyboardist for Hot Hot Heat), who suggested adding clean vocals. This led to Cam Pipes overdubbing on their first EP, Sect of the White Worm, and ultimately joining the band permanently.

Their debut full-length, Battlecry Under a Wintersun (2002), a collaborative release with Teenage Rampage Records and Fashion Before Function (later remastered and re-released by the band`s own Minion Music), achieved moderate success in Canada, charting on national college radio and winning Metal Album of the Year at the 2002 Canadian Independent Music Awards. A support slot with The Darkness in the UK catapulted them onto the international stage, earning critical acclaim within the underground metal scene and leading to a record deal with Roadrunner Records in 2004.

Hailing from Victoria, British Columbia, Spiritbox exploded onto the metal scene in October 2017. Formed by guitarist Mike Stringer and vocalist Courtney LaPlante (a married couple), the band—which also includes drummer Zev Rose and bassist Josh Gilbert—quickly carved a niche with their unique blend of metalcore and progressive metal. Their sound transcends subgenres, incorporating electronic elements and drawing from diverse influences.

Initially building their fanbase through savvy internet promotion and killer music videos, Spiritbox’s early success came from self-released EPs: Spiritbox (2017) and Singles Collection (2019). Their strategic approach paid off; they graduated from online sensations to a touring act in 2020. A string of Billboard-charting singles paved the way for their major label debut album, Eternal Blue (2021), which impressively debuted at #13 on the US Billboard 200. They’ve continued to build momentum with subsequent EPs, Rotoscope (2022) and The Fear of Fear (2023), all released through their own Pale Chord label in partnership with Rise Records.

LaPlante and Stringer`s previous experience in Iwrestledabearonce provided valuable experience, but Spiritbox represents a clear artistic evolution; a chance to truly define their unique vision. Their next chapter, the highly anticipated second studio album, Tsunami Sea, is set to drop March 7, 2025.

Royal Tusk, the Edmonton, Alberta-based rock trio, exploded onto the scene fueled by the raw energy of vocalist Daniel Carriere, guitarist Quinn Cyrankiewicz, and bassist Sandy MacKinnon. Their journey began in 2011, emerging from the ashes of Carriere and MacKinnon's previous project, Ten Second Epic.

The band honed their sound, culminating in their 2014 debut EP, Mountain, released by Hidden Pony Records. The single "Shadow of Love" garnered local radio airplay, laying the groundwork for their ascent.

Following minimal touring behind Mountain, Royal Tusk dove into their full-length debut, DealBreaker, which dropped on May 26, 2016. The album yielded two singles: "Fever," which received a music video, and "Curse the Weather."

A significant leap came in 2018 with the release of their sophomore album, Tusk II, via Entertainment One Music (eOne). This marked a breakthrough for the band, catapulting them to wider recognition. The album's impact solidified Royal Tusk's position as a force to be reckoned with in the Canadian rock scene.

Hailing from Toronto, Evans Blue emerged onto the Nu Metal scene in 2005. This Canadian quintet, initially formed from members of three different bands who connected through a local musician's online forum, quickly made a name for themselves. Lead singer Kevin Matisyn coined the band's name, a reference to the medical dye used to measure blood volume – a fittingly dark and intriguing moniker for their sound.

Their unique blend of aggressive riffs and melodic hooks caught the attention of producer Trevor Kustiak (Cool for August) and Mari Dew of The Pocket Studios. Despite the departure of their original lead guitarist, Kevin Smith, before securing a record deal, the band persevered. They honed their sound, crafting three demo tracks – "Black Hole," "Saturnalia," and "Starlight" – which would later feature on their debut.

By November 2005, Evans Blue had completed their seminal album, The Melody and the Energetic Nature of Volume. The album’s release was bolstered by their debut single, "Cold (But I'm Still Here)," accompanied by a music video, further propelling the band's rise. Their success story continued with over a million albums sold worldwide, encompassing five studio albums and a live album, solidifying their place in the Nu Metal landscape.

Hailing from North Vancouver, British Columbia, AngelMaker is a seven-piece deathcore juggernaut formed in 2011. The band's current lineup boasts a dual vocal assault from Casey Tyson-Pearce and Ian Bearer, shredding guitars courtesy of Colton Bennett, Johnny Ciardullo, and Matt Perrin (formerly of Threat Signal), Cole Rideout on bass, and Steven Sanchez on drums.

Their journey began in 2011 with an original lineup featuring Casey and Cody Tyson-Pearce on vocals and guitar respectively, alongside Mike Greenwood on vocals, Cole Rideout on bass, and Jesse Price on drums. They quickly made their mark, self-releasing their brutal six-track debut EP, Decay, in September 2012, featuring a guest appearance by Darian Mazloomi of Argent Strand. Less than six months later, they unleashed a ferocious three-way split EP with Lament and Isolations.

Following Cody Tyson-Pearce's departure in 2014, Matt Perrin joined the ranks, bolstering their already formidable sound. This solidified lineup then unleashed their debut full-length album, Dissentient, in 2015. Further cementing their presence, they dropped the Unholy Alliance split EP with Australian deathcore act A Night in Texas in October 2016. Their hard work culminated in their first headline tour across the United States in early 2017, a tour that began, fittingly, in their hometown of Vancouver.

Silverstein, the Burlington, Ontario-based post-hardcore band formed in 2000, takes its name from children's author Shel Silverstein, a source of childhood inspiration for the members. Since their inception, they've built a prolific discography encompassing eleven studio albums, seven EPs, a compilation album, and a live DVD/CD, selling over one million albums worldwide.

Their breakthrough came with Discovering the Waterfront (their second studio album), which earned a Juno Award nomination and peaked at #34 on the Billboard 200. Subsequent releases achieved similar chart success.

The band's lineup remained stable from May 2001 to July 2012, featuring Shane Told (lead vocals), Neil Boshart (lead guitar), Josh Bradford (rhythm guitar), Billy Hamilton (bass), and Paul Koehler (drums). However, in September 2012, Boshart was replaced by Paul Marc Rousseau, who also contributed backing vocals alongside Hamilton.

After a long tenure with Victory Records (ending in 2010), Silverstein transitioned through Hopeless Records and Rise Records, ultimately landing on their current label, UNFD. Their tenth studio album, A Beautiful Place to Drown (released March 2020), garnered a 2021 Juno Award nomination for Best Rock Album, solidifying their status as a significant force in the Canadian and international rock scenes.

Brand of Sacrifice, a Toronto-based deathcore band, exploded onto the scene in 2018, rising from the ashes of The Afterimage. Founding members Kyle, Michael, Liam, Dallas, and Rob channeled their shared passion for Kentaro Miura's Berserk manga, infusing the dark, epic themes of the series into their brutal, technical sound.

Their debut EP, The Interstice, dropped the same year, laying the groundwork for their full-length debut, God Hand, in 2019. The band solidified their position in the deathcore scene with their critically acclaimed sophomore album, Lifeblood, independently released in 2021. This success led to a collaborative re-release of "Lifeblood," featuring Lorna Shore vocalist Will Ramos, further expanding their reach. In April 2023, they unleashed their second EP, Between Death and Dreams, showcasing four tracks of relentless intensity.

Members:

• Kyle Anderson – Lead Vocals
• Liam Beeson – Rhythm Guitar
• Andrew Kim – Bass
• Michael Leo Valeri – Lead Guitar
• Chason Westmoreland – Drums

Discography:

Albums:

• God Hand (2019)
• Lifeblood (2021)

EPs:

• The Interstice (2018)
• Between Death and Dreams (2023)

Singles:

• "Demon King" (2020)
• "Lifeblood" (2021)
• "Animal" (2021)
• "Altered Eyes" (2021)
• "Enemy" (feat. Spencer Chamberlain) (2021)
• "Lifeblood" (feat. Will Ramos) (2021)
• "Darkbloom" (with We Came as Romans) (2021)
• "Demon King" (feat. [Artist Name - information missing from original text]) (2021)

Brand of Sacrifice's blend of technical proficiency and visceral storytelling has cemented their place as a major force in modern deathcore. Their Berserk-inspired aesthetic and powerful performances continue to garner them a fiercely loyal fanbase.

The Birthday Massacre: A Tale of Darkness and Light

Hailing from the heart of Canada, The Birthday Massacre (TBM) are a rock band that have carved a unique space for themselves in the world of music. Formed in 1999 in London, Ontario, they have since relocated to Toronto, their sonic vision evolving alongside their journey.

Originally known as "Imagica," a nod to Clive Barker's 1991 fantasy novel, the band's name was inspired by their own music. In 2002, they opted for "The Birthday Massacre," after one of their early songs, to avoid confusion with another band. The song itself was then renamed "Happy Birthday," reflecting the duality of their sound.

The band's music is a potent mix of darkness and light, with vocalist Sara "Chibi" Taylor's powerful vocals bringing life to their intricate compositions. Their current lineup features a tight-knit team: Michael Rainbow (rhythm guitar), Michael Falcore (lead guitar), Owen Mackinder (keyboards), Philip Elliott (drums), and Brett Carruthers (bass).

TBM's music is often characterized as a blend of gothic, synth-pop, and alternative rock, creating a distinct sound that has earned them a loyal following. Their journey from "Imagica" to "The Birthday Massacre" is a testament to their artistic evolution, and their continued commitment to crafting music that is both captivating and challenging.

Kittie: A Canadian Metal Force

Hailing from London, Ontario, Kittie emerged in 1996 as a potent force in the heavy metal scene. Founded by the Lander sisters – drummer Mercedes and vocalist/rhythm guitarist Morgan – alongside lead guitarist Fallon Bowman and bassist Tanya Candler, Kittie quickly made a name for themselves with their aggressive, no-holds-barred sound.

The sisters, Morgan and Mercedes, have remained the band's core, driving Kittie's evolution through various lineup changes and stylistic shifts. Their music, released independently, has sold over two million copies worldwide, establishing them as a formidable force in the metal world.

The band's name, "Kittie," was chosen for its "contradictory" nature, reflecting the stark contrast between their cute, all-female image and the raw power of their music. Their 1999 debut album, "Spit," initially released through Ng Records and later through Artemis Records, cemented their place in the nu metal movement. The album sold over 600,000 copies in the US and was certified gold by the RIAA.

Over time, Kittie moved away from the nu metal sound, embracing a heavier, more aggressive style that incorporated elements of alternative metal, groove metal, and death metal. Their subsequent releases, "Oracle" (2001) and "Until the End" (2004), showcased this evolution, though they didn't achieve the same commercial success as "Spit."

After parting ways with Artemis in 2005, Kittie took control of their own destiny, forming their own label, X of Infamy. They released "Funeral for Yesterday" in 2007, further solidifying their distinctive sound.

In 2009, Kittie signed with eOne Music, releasing "In the Black" and "I've Failed You" in 2009 and 2011 respectively. These albums, featuring bassist Ivana "Ivy" Jenkins, showcased Kittie's continued dedication to pushing the boundaries of heavy music, demonstrating their enduring power and influence.

Kittie's journey has been marked by a relentless pursuit of musical evolution, their sound evolving from nu metal pioneers to a heavier, more intricate band that continues to enthrall metal fans worldwide.