Canadian Born Ruffians

Canadian Music Week, featuring over 350 independent bands playing in 35 venues across the city, is officially over. This event helps prove Canada has an extremely talented independent music scene and gives it the exposure it deserves. After checking out a few shows, there was one band that stood for me.

Born Ruffians apply quick lyrics, unique vocals and tight riffs to an alternative pop-rock sound. Hailing from Midland, Ontario, this Canadian indie group is comprised of singer/guitarist Luke Lalonde, drummer Steve Hamelin, and Mitch DeRosier on bass.

 (BTW, who thinks the flag pictured is from Queen's? Shout out!)

I checked them out last night at the Phoenix to cap off my music binging weekend. There has been a huge online buzz around this band over the past four year, featured frequently on CBC Radio 3 and earning the “most blogged about musical act” by Hype Machine. This online following was materialized as last night’s crowd filled the Phoenix, dancing and singing all the words.

The band lined up across the stage, giving a full visual to the audience and creating a sense of equality between the musicians. Their performance was tight, hitting their harmonies and clipping their synchronized chords. Lalonde’s voice was true to recorded talent, fluctuating expressively and ranging from low talking to high pitch yelling. DeRosier made sure to engage the audience, even sticking around after their set to shake hands and throw out all of his guitar picks. Hamelin was a surprise; never before have I seen a drummer so enthusiastic, adding vocals and occasional dancing-while-drumming moves.

They played their hit tracks from their 2008 LP, Red, Yellow & Blue, including “Hummingbird”, “I Need a Life” and my personal favourite, “Barnacle Goose” (“We’ve got plans! We’ve got plans to make plans!!”). The Born Ruffians also treated their captive audience to a few songs off their new album Say It, releasing June 1st.

Music to dance to, bounce to and play air guitar to; you need to check out the Born Ruffians. They and all the bands that performed this past week make me proud to be Canadian.

Check out some of their new and old stuff and be sure to catch them when they come back to T.O. to promote their new album.


(Picture from http://www.billions.com/photos/bornruffianspress.jpg)