The most iconic Canadian Rock Bands by the decade deserve to be better known internationally than they are at this point in time. Canada has often been overshadowed by the United States with regards to North American pop culture. Talented Canadian rock musicians have historically promoted themselves in the United States, or they have moved to the United States altogether.
This means that in spite of the fact that they are Canadian musicians themselves, they are often regarded as American musicians anyway. However, there are exceptions, and these individuals absolutely have to be recognized.
People looking for the original rock teen idol from Canada should look no further than Paul Anka. Many people today have heard of him still, which is impressive for a star from the 1950’s. However, many people still do not know that Paul Anka is a Canadian musician.
The Beaumarks could be regarded as one of the most successful Canadian rock groups of all time, and they are definitely iconic. Their song Clap Your Hands is one of the most popular Canadian rock songs of all time, and it achieved more international popularity than any Canadian rock song had previously. People still sing it today, although they might not know about the Beaumarks themselves. They might not know about the Canadian origin of the song, either. However, the work of the Beaumarks still lives on, and they date back to the 1960’s.
Canadian rock started to pick up a lot more in the 1970’s. This is partly due to some Canadian cultural changes that were created in order to address concerns that American media was dominating their popular culture too much. Many music fans and music experts will say that the 1970’s was the golden age of rock music in general, so the fact that it was a golden era for Canadian rock music should not surprise anyone. However, this is when a lot of iconic groups, such as Chilliwack, the Stampeders, Five Man Electrical Band, Wednesday, the Bells, and Lighthouse appeared on the scene. They are all still remembered today.
Music videos started to become a lot more popular in the 1980’s. The 1980’s was a profitable time for the music industry, and that includes the Canadian music industry. Blue Rodeo is considered an iconic 1980’s Canadian group. Some music artists that are still popular today, such as k.d. lang, got their start in the 1980’s.
Oddly enough, Sarah McLachlan technically arrived on the scene in the 1980’s in Canada, even though a lot of people associate her with the 1990’s. Her brand of alternative rock became more popular in the 1990’s, and it makes sense that she could be regarded as one of the most iconic Canadian artists of that decade rather than the previous decade.
Most people don’t know that the Barenaked Ladies are a Canadian group, but they are, and they could be considered one of the most successful Canadian groups of all time. Of course, in the modern Information Age, iconic power varies so much that some seemingly obscure groups can achieve a degree of p
Still soaring from last issue’s sage advice from CHVRCHES, Archie Andrews is eager to take his friends to the next level musically on their first-ever tour. But an unexpected turn of events finds them in the swingin’ sixties—face to face with rock/pop icons THE MONKEES!
The fourth issue of The Archies, the new comic book series centering around the musical ambitions of Archie and his pals and gals, will bring the band face-to-face with Monkees themselves, thanks to some snazzy time-travel.
The issue will be in comic book stores and available digitally Jan. 17 2018.
A look at 8-Ban, the collectable, playable mini records from 2004. It was a deliberately, unashamedly low-fi format, as in, a one-sided recording that only could hold 4 minutes of monophonic sound.
1955
Glory Days
Makes you want to clap and sing along like a kid at a Wiggles concert or those teengers back in the early ’60s watching The Beatles live for the first time. The track of 1955 – whose name pays homage to the huge cultural and musical shift that took root that year – is really Sasha Papadin, who likely has a greater record collection than you. A rousing dance beat, a huge chorus, if you’re missing Edwyn Collins but can’t get into Fitz and the Tantrums yet, check this out.
At His Feet Ministries
Chains
Spreading the Gospel to a new generation through Christian Hip-Hop. They bring help to the poor, take care of orphans, minister to prisoners and love people of all ages, backgrounds and ethnicities, so you can check out the song, and know you’re doing some good in the world, too. But the song stands on its own, and whatever your religion, and you’re going to dig the message. With an impassioned plea and delivery, it rises to the top with sheer power and presence.
Xmark
A Moment Too Late
From Boston, Massachusetts, and featuring some great single covers, this is a pitch above anything happening on rock radio right now. A majestic sound coming out of production, it’s much smoother than most.
Statues
Cranium
Turn it up and start kicking out the jams. Love Husker Du or Sonic Youth, or anyone else on SST? This is your new band for the month. Over the top, but unbeatable in angst, melody and tunes, this is the kind of band that should have 28 songs on their debut album, lasting 50 minutes total. Take a run off the cliff with this as your soundtrack.
M’Lynn
Grounding
Growing up in a family surrounded with music, it’s no surprise M’Lynn has been named one of 10 Dallas artists to watch in 2018. Wouldn’t it be amazing to be able to sing like this? I mean, really. If you were to catch her live, your mouth would be open the entire set, wondering how much talent can one person actually have? She might have more significant work later on in her career, but there’s a lot of grace and charm and sheer beauty right here, right now. Absolutely one to watch, you got it right, Dallas.
Horace Greene
High Tonight
The first single from Horace Greene’s debut album Early American Ice Cream is a neat introduction for those listeners new to the blues genre, but also want to know why The Black Crowes were pretty cool. This three-piece from Oshkosh, WI paints a wider canvas and their desire to stretch the genre boundaries will continue to serve them well.
David Lyn
Mannas
While retailing a contemporary edge in reggae and hip hop, this is an exciting track from Miami’s finest. Easily a song to be considered for crossover and commercial radio potential, once radio comes to grips this is what the people want.
Captain Tuku
Crazy
The Captain is touring the west coast in early 2018 for the debut album Ear Candy, and it’ll be interesting to catch his live show. Catered for both sides of hip hop and electronic music with his oh so relaxed melody and style, he could be having hits throughout the year – and beyond.
Sergio Gaetani
Two Days from Detroit
While Sergio’s sound is somewhere in-between the War on Drugs and Tom Waits, it’s really the lost art of guitar playing that will grab you at the front. He’s a great musician, mixing soul and world music while drifting through the empty streets during a late-night cab ride in New York City. Or Uber, I guess nowadays. His voice is as comfortable in the high ranges and has more in common with Steely Dan he might be willing to admit. Beautifully played, fulled realized.
Intergalactic Peace Jelly
If You’re Given a Mallet
Formed three years ago in Boulder, CO, this is what 1968 feels like. Jagged, shimmering instruments, free-forming vocals, a little bit of echo here, and little bit of reverb there. It’s easy to see it’s appeal – five accomplished players, all locked in the one groove, challenging those neatly-processed pop songs of today. They’re probably amazing live, even if you’d rather mostly stay in this decade. Take a trip with them.
Death Saddle Syndicate
One Man’s Remedy
Written and recorded just prior to singer/drummer Michael Davis-Penta’s deployment to the Middle East. Holy smokes, if that isn’t reason enough to bring this to a quadzillion spin level of Spotify for the surprise of his life when he comes back, I don’t know what is. A highly wrought and deeply thoughtful and grungy single from this trio based in New Haven, Connecticut. An immediate strong impression will be left for those fans of Alice In Chains, Stone Temple Pilots and Temple of the Dog.
Tjuv
The River
Formed in 2010, Tjuv craft their cinematic synthesis of 70s dominance of the singer/songwriter era, 90s lo-fi rock and 80s electro from their home base in Österlen, Sweden. I know, that covers, like, the entire breadth of Pitchfork, but if you read that site, this is the band for you. A mix of all these decades doesn’t really do justice to the tightness of the group. Tjuv means ‘thief’ in Swedish, which is what they’ve really done, grabbing and taking and bridging the gap between the best parts of the decades. Absolutely nothing wrong with this, and so many things right with the group.
Dig Exotic
Ghost
Pop Rock/Indie Electronic project Dig Exotic is the creation of Los Angeles native singer, songwriter and record producer Rebecca Rosoff, and points to this pumping rocker of a track. Her experience working for a rather large radio company called iHeartRadio (maybe you’ve heard of it) only enhances her brilliant sounding track, a responsibility she doesn’t take lightly. This deserves, and demands wider attention. She will get it this year.
Watercolours
Feel Tomorrow
Watercolours are an alternative band based in Cheltenham. With nostalgic themes and 80s style tones, the trio draws influence from artists such as Beach House and Klangstof. So smooth, and why tinker with proper formulas as the decade that brought you Johnny Hates Jazz and The Style Council, really? Escape back to the best parts of music, and escape the mundane.
Eddie Vedder describes being punched in the face by Paul McCartney while the Beatle was reenacting a story. Eddie told the story on SiriusXM’s The Beatles channel, and even though it was an accident – still – to be hit by Paul is a pretty great memory to have.
He kind of was illustrating how he hit this guy. And when he did that, he shot out his left arm as if he was hitting this guy. And I was standing there and I got hit. He hit me. He didn’t quite pull back the punch, you see. The story kept on and it was a great, incredible personal story. And I caught the end of it, but as I was listening, I was thinking, “Paul McCartney just hit me in the face, and it hurt. I think I remember tasting a bit of blood. And he apologized, quickly, so it wouldn’t get in the way of the story. Fascinating story. A great time in my life, actually, to be hit by Paul McCartney. I remember when it went away, when the swelling went down and the pain kind of subsided, I kind of missed it.”
Working with creative agency J. Walter Thompson Canada, the JUNOS developed new logos and brand guidelines. They not only contemporize the brand, but are also designed to create consistency across all JUNOS events, programs, and shows.
As the most public facing pillar of CARAS, the JUNOS has the greatest opportunity to deliver against the organization’s mandate to promote and celebrate Canadian music and artists. Creating a new logo that could be applied across various platforms, and reflects the future of the organization, like evolving their 365 initiatives, was top of mind when developing this new look.
The famous Bat-Climb batclimb window cameos from the 1966-68 TV show Batman starring Adam West and Burt Ward, featuring all the guest stars who pop out of the window, Jerry Lewis, Sammy Davis Jr., Van Williams, Bruce Lee, Art Linkletter, Don Ho, Col. Klink, Lurch etc. all in order of airing!
NHK Blends, a quartet of musicians perform a cover version of Led Zeppelin’s 1971 Stairway To Heaven in Japanese style, played on 21-string Nijugen-Kotos and wooden flutes.
Mac Lethal takes on the many different sub-genres of rap and hip hop from the egoistically bragging 1980s to to Miami trap and everything in between to create 27 different styles of the music.
The Nine Inch Snails, a spoof of the band Nine Inch Nails, appeared on episode 206 of Muppets Tonight. The gastropods performed a song about how their delicate identities are connected to their cumbersome shells.
