Hard Rock Hell

Originally formed under the moniker Rainbow Butt Monkeys, the funk fusion band generated significant local buzz and a devoted following during their early years. Having played an early show at Lester B. Pearson High School’s Christmas concert in 1990, the band won a rock contest for 97.7 CHTZ, and used the money to record a debut album “Letters from Chutney” in 1995. In 1996 the group began to be managed by Coalition Entertainment, and opted to take their music in a more serious direction, later changing the name to Finger Eleven.

Formed of vocalist Scott Anderson, bassist Sean Anderson, drummer Rich Beddoe, and a pair of guitarists James Black and Rick Jackett, the band released their sophomore album “Tip” in 1997. Markedly far-removed from their earlier releases the album features a hard rock sound and resulted in Finger Eleven touring alongside Creed and Fuel in support of the record. The full-length “The Greyest of Blue Skies”, like its predecessor was produced by Our Lady Peace’s Arnold Lanni, and released in July 2000. Whilst failing to cause a stir in the U.S, “The Greyest of Blue Skies” represented their biggest Canadian release to date with over 50,000 units sold. Peaking at No. 17 on the Canadian Albums Chart, the record earned positive reviews aided by the singles “First Time”, “Drag You Down”, and “Bones + Joints”.

The band’s subsequent album, 2003’s “Finger Eleven” represented the band’s mainstream breakthrough with over 500,000 albums sold in the U.S. alone. Aided by appearances on the TV series “Scrubs”, “Smallville”, and “Third Watch” the record significantly increased Finger Eleven’s international exposure, later peaking at No. 4 on the Canadian Albums Chart. Following an extensive touring period which included parts of Europe, Australia, and North America, the group issued their fifth studio album “Them vs. You vs. Me” in March 2007. Led by the single “Paralyzer”, which topped the Canadian Single Chart, the record cemented the group’s popularity, and later won the 2008 Juno Award for Rock Album of the Year. The studio album “Life Turns Electric” appeared in 2010, after which drummer Rich Beddoe left the group and was replaced by Chris Powell.

The team of Guns and, former Girl singer, Phil Lewis have sold 6 1/2 million records, including 1988's L.A. Guns and 1990's Cocked and Loaded, both of which were certified Gold. Cocked and Loaded contained the hit single "Ballad of Jayne" that went to #33 on Billboard's Hot 100 and #25 on the Mainstream Rock charts.

From the mid-'90s to the mid-2000s, the L.A. Guns continued to tour and release new music. Following their successful performance at SiriusXM's Hair Nation Festival in May of 2016, L.A. Guns went into the studio to record the album, The Missing Peace, which was released in October of 2017 and quickly became the highest selling release of 2017 for Frontiers Records. L.A. Guns are currently in the studio recording the follow up album to " The Missing Peace ". “The Devil You Know” is the band’s twelfth studio release, featuring the new singles “Stay Away” and “Rage”. They will begin touring for the album beginning in the spring of 2019.

The current lineup features founding member, and lead guitar player, Guns, who has reunited with Lewis on vocals, along with Shane Fitzgibbon on drums, Johnny Martin on bass and Ace Von Johnson on guitar.

The group emerged in 1997 originally as a side project to the death metal band Oppressor. The three members to come from that act were Tim King, Tom Schofield, and Adam Zadel. Additionally they recruited the bassist from Broken Hope, Shaun Glass ,and vocalist Ryan McCombs.

In 1997 the members put out their debut self-titled EP (often referred to as “the worm disc”), which came out through Century Media. Their 2nd EP “El Chupacabra”, an album named after a mythical Puerto Rican beast, was issued on 24 November 1998 this time through the label, MIA. They also put out their debut album “Throttle Junkies” through this label; however, MIA folded shortly after it’s release. The album hit the shelves on 18 May 1999 and was produced by legendary sound engineer Steve Albini (Big Black, Rapeman, and Shellac). None of these early releases managed to break into commercial ubiquity, but at this point the group had enough material to showcase to major labels.

Their single “Halo”, which received extensive airplay caught the attention of many labels, including J Records who eventually went on to sign a recording contract with the band. By this stage the members decided to leave their previous groups and focus on SOiL full time.

On 11 September 2001 SOiL released their 2nd studio album “Scars” and their 1st through a major label. This album garnered much acclaim and commercial attention, seeing them frequently appear on MTV and winning accolades such as Metal Edge magazine’s 2001 “Readers’ Choice Award for Next Big Thing”. To support the album the band participated in the Mayhem tour alongside Ozzy Osbourne, Rob Zombie, and Mudvayne and later started a US tour with Soulfly, Static-X, and Onesidezero.

2004 saw the release of their 3rd studio album “Redefine”, which debuted at No. 78 on the US Billboard 200. Following this release singer McCombs left the band on the basis of wanting to spend more time with his family; however, just a year later it was announced that he would be Drowning Pool’s lead singer.

Despite this crucial change in line up the band continued outputting material, releasing their 4th studio album “True Self” in 2006 with AJ Cavalier assuming the role of lead vocalist. The group’s next album “Picture Perfect” came out in 2009 and was produced by Johnny K (Disturbed, Staind) and Ulrich Wild (Deftones and Incubus). By the time the band put out their 6th studio album “Whole” (2013), they reverted back to their core line up featuring McCombs as their lead singer.

Comprised of band leader, vocalist and guitarist Danko Jones, bassist John Calabrese, and drummer Rich Knox, the group first appeared in 1996. For two years Danko Jones patiently raised their profile through word of mouth live performances including supporting the likes of The New Bomb Turks, Nashville Pussy, The Make-Up, and The Chrome Cranks. By 1998 the group decided to head to the studio and recorded a self-produced collection of songs, released as the EP “Danko Jones”. Issued by Sonic Unyon Records, the EP raised the band’s profile as did its successor “My Love Is Bold” in 1999. Led by the single “Bounce” which generated national radio play, the EP was subsequntly nominated for the 2000 Juno Award for Best Alternative Album.

The compilation “I’m Alive and On Fire” arrived in 2001 on Bad Taste Records, which was promoted by a European tour including shows in Denmark and Sweden. Despite having not released a full-length album, the band’s European popularity far outweighed their success in the U.S., with future tours featuring a host of European dates. In 2002 Danko Jones released their debut studio album “Born A Lion” on Bad Taste Records. Earning popular reviews from the critical press, the album was supported by intense touring including an opening slot on The Rolling Stones’ “40 Licks” World Tour.

Two years later the band’s sophomore album “We Sweat Blood” hit the shelves earning two Juno nominations for Best Rock Album and Best Video (“Lovercall”). Despite being dropped from Universal Canada’s roster, Danko Jones marched soon undeterred and toured alongside Turbonegro, Sepultura, and The Bronx in America before heading once again to Europe. Following shows in the Netherlands, Germany, and South Africa, the band released their third studio album “Sleep Is the Enemy” in February 2006. Marked by their first Canadian tour in four years, the record was followed by months of intense touring. In 2008 Danko Jones issued the full-length “Never Too Loud”, produced by Nick Raskulinecz, followed by the studio album “Below the Belt” in 2010.

The following year Danko Jones released the EP “Mouth to Mouth” and embarked on another tour to test out new material. The full-length “Rock and Roll Is Black and Blue” subsequently arrived in 2012, led by the single “Just a Beautiful Day”, followed by “Fire Music” in 2015.