Anyone who has ever read any of my novels knows the profound influence of music on my works. Here are five bands from Canada that are far too underrated. (And yes, the Irish Rovers were considered but did not make the cut).
The Tragically Hip
You know you have met a Canadian when they talk about “The Hip” or “Bobcaygeon.” The Tragically Hip are everything good about being Canadian. From great songwriting to incredible live shows, they created songs about all things great and not-so-great about Canada. From the song Wheat Kings, about the false imprisonment of David Migaard, to dropping Jacques Cartier into a song….” right this way, Jacques Cartier, put your clothes up on the bed.” Seriously, who writes about French explorers anymore?
Sloan
I discovered this band in the 1990s while heavily into grunge. From the East Coast, they grew on me with each video and live performance I saw. They are one of Canada’s hardest-working touring bands with “Beatlesque” harmonies and incredibly brilliant lyrics. Their song “Underwhelmed” is, in my mind, one of the cleverest songs ever written, capturing the insecure mindset of a high school teen growing up in Canada.
F’d Up
The actual first name of the band is that swear word that used to get kids in trouble. As the in-your-face band name suggests, this is an in-your-face band. Their music is hard-core rock/punk: loud and raucous at times. But, there is a catch. The music and lyrics are amazing. Their albums are masterpieces. Listen to David Comes to Life and The Chemistry of Common Life, and you will truly appreciate their talents as musicians. My favorite song is Son the Father, which totally lambastes the thought process and elitism of building ancient pyramids. What band disses pharaohs?
Rush
I must admit that I was not a Rush fan in the 70s or 80s when I was in high school. One of my friends even owned a Rush belt buckle. However, as I grew older and matured, I indeed came to appreciate the pure majesty of their creativity. So many bands that I loved in the 90s and the grunge era were influenced by Rush. Their early albums are a musicians’ delight. Watch the documentary about Rush a couple of years ago, and you will truly appreciate their contribution to music.
Metric
I had the privilege of seeing this band open in Montreal for The Smashing Pumpkins months before the pandemic. Fronted by the charismatic Emily Haines, this band defies classification. Not a typical rock band nor pop band, their music is innovative and sneakily subversive. Stadium Love is a beautiful and stark social commentary. All of their songs are marked by poetic lyrics. They are the type of band you listen to in your college dorm. Sorry, now I sound old!
P.S. Don’t email me asking why Nickelback was omitted. Please don’t, or else I may need a couple of shots of gin. Nickelback is Canada’s version of BTS, and no! that is not a good thing.