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Fun Stuff => BAND => Topic started by: Guy Smiley on 10 Apr 2005, 17:56

Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Guy Smiley on 10 Apr 2005, 17:56
I was having this argument with another music fan, about which of the current crop of Canadian indie bands getting oh-so-much press is the best.  I figured this gang here would be a quality juge of such a question.  

Tried to choose the 10 that get the most mention in the media, and thus are the bands being lumped together a lot.  Sorry if I missed your fave, the damn thing only allows me 10 options.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Kai on 10 Apr 2005, 18:36
The Arcade Fire = win, although Death From Above 1979 comes really close.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: muffy on 10 Apr 2005, 18:49
ditto...
I have a soft spot for the  stills too, they didn't really pull it off in the UK so well though.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Tago Mago on 10 Apr 2005, 19:07
I really like the New Pornographers, but in terms of semi-current Canadian indie music, I prefer Sloan or anything related to GYBE!.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Spirit Stereo on 10 Apr 2005, 19:28
i'd of put unicorns (now th' corn gang) or godspeed, but they weren't options.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: mechorg on 10 Apr 2005, 19:31
Quote from: Spirit Stereo
... or godspeed, but they weren't options.


I guess this would be a 3rd.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: KharBevNor on 10 Apr 2005, 19:40
3 Inches of Blood!
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Amsterdarn on 10 Apr 2005, 19:57
Broken Social Scene, though Arcade Fire is hell of good.  Also, I have a large soft spot for the Weakerthans, because they were one of the first indie bands I got into.  Their early stuff can be a bit wince-inducing at times, but their last album was quite good.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Johnny C on 10 Apr 2005, 20:19
It becomes a much harder question to answer when you live in Canada.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: siobhan on 10 Apr 2005, 20:33
i can't pick! please don't make me do it....
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Sixleaf on 10 Apr 2005, 21:04
The New Porgnographers.  Although looking at the list makes me think perhaps Canada makes better "indie" than the US.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Burninated Peasant on 10 Apr 2005, 21:44
Pfft... perhaps?!?! :D
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Sixleaf on 10 Apr 2005, 21:52
Come on, I live in Michigan, I coudln't possibly give Canada credit for something!
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Burninated Peasant on 10 Apr 2005, 21:56
Yeah, well, I'm originally from Windsor (border city with Detroit), so I have to belittle America at every opportunity. :)
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: TheCourtJester on 10 Apr 2005, 22:18
Broken Social Scene all the way.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Vertical Stripes on 10 Apr 2005, 22:39
I can't vote. @_@  It's too hard.  My brain can't handle the decision.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: El Opium on 10 Apr 2005, 22:53
This poll totally gyps anyone who likes the remotely experimental stuff. Were are Godspeed, The Unicorns and maybe Do Make Say think. Though my fave Canadians right now are probably Fly Pan Am, Tim Hecker and Les Georges Leningrad but none of them really have enough recognition to be considered as a top Canadian band.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Marslo on 11 Apr 2005, 02:54
... anything out of montreal i guess. GY!BE, unicornes, (thecnicly) Do make say think, the stills, arcade of fire.

Also will where at it, i just wanna mention that your american press is totaly fucked. When they mentioned montreal as being the new indie hot spot, saying a well, that its only the english bands, down here, who dominate. Im sorry, its not like we dont care about being the only french speaking province on this continent. Im sure as well that the fact, that are local french band Les Cowboys Friangants, playing sold out show twice, at the Paris football stadium, whit out even selling a single record in France, is not a figment of are imagination. As well, maybe you havent noticed but some of Arcade of Fire songs are in french and that 3 guys from the Stills are french-canadians. Then again is should be suprised, for when Brel played in New York. The press immadiatly saided that he was total crap.

Anyway i know at least, that all this will become handy, when i run out of toilet paper.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Burninated Peasant on 11 Apr 2005, 07:29
We may need to make a "Canadian Indie Band Poll 2.0" with all the suggestions that have popped up for bands that were excluded from the list. I picked Broken Social Scene in the poll, but if it had been available I would have picked GYBE hands down.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: rynne on 11 Apr 2005, 07:36
Arcade Fire wins for me, though Stars comes in a close second.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: dave86 on 11 Apr 2005, 09:16
I've just recently been introduced to the New Pornographers, they're something else entirely. I'm not sure what though. Perhaps ninja.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: ASturge on 11 Apr 2005, 09:28
I voted Broken Social Scene but it was tough between Death from above 1979 were right in there
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Enyaw on 11 Apr 2005, 09:38
It's a tough call all around.

I picked The Dears, but Broken Social Scene and Stars are very close seconds. Like incredibly close.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Tinjessla on 11 Apr 2005, 09:42
I picked The Dears but Hot Hot Heat, Metric and The New Pornographers are also all favourites. Actually, The Arcade Fire will probably rate pretty high soon, once i hear the full album and not random songs.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Oerdin on 11 Apr 2005, 10:50
I'd have to say Broken Social Scene edges out Arcade Fire.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Johnny C on 11 Apr 2005, 18:52
I liked You're A Woman, I'm A Machine more than Funeral, and was pissed to find that NOBODY had it on their top list.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: enon on 11 Apr 2005, 20:42
I chose Broken Social Scene, though, honestly, they are all on my favorites list. Being Canadian...I am so very proud of our newfound Indie credability!
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Burninated Peasant on 11 Apr 2005, 20:52
There's always been a great indie scene in Canada. Unfortunately, being truly "independent" artists usually means you get little recognition in your own country and even less (if any) outside of your homeland. I hesitate to say anything authoritative without the research and statistics to back me up, but I'd wager things like file-sharing and other online music-swapping services have been very good for lesser-known artists, in Canada and elsewhere.


WinMX: Letting the rest of the world in on the knowledge that Canada rocks!
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: californaya on 11 Apr 2005, 20:54
I can't pick between The Dears and Hot Hot Heat. I just can't.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Dent on 11 Apr 2005, 21:02
Nothing against the rest of them, but I've spent too many hours listening to The Weakerthans not to give them my vote.  I could wallpaper my house with those lyrics... then again, I'm also one of the three people in Canada who liked Gordon Downie's solo albums, so what do I know?
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Johnny C on 11 Apr 2005, 21:11
I voted for Metric, actually, and I still don't think I threw my vote away. I hear they frickin' rock live.

Actually, Canadian indie bands get a lot more exposure abroad. Do you know that the Arcade Fire actually CHARTED A SINGLE in the UK? Yet very little here at home, despite how much attention they get internationally - especially in the indie community - they're barely known of. It's an epidemic, I tells ya, and there was a discussion about it somewhere else on the forum but I'm too lazy to look it up.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: tigerlily on 12 Apr 2005, 00:43
I voted Stars, but pretty much all of those bands could place number one.

Constantines are bloody awesome too, touring with The Weakerthans soon. Tres good!!!
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: jeph on 12 Apr 2005, 00:54
Man that new Hot Hot Heat record is six kinds of weak.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Duncan Sasquatch on 12 Apr 2005, 06:35
I'm going to pick The Weakerthans for sure. I'm obsessed with them. My favourite band.

But honourable mentions for me go to The Arcade Fire and The New Pornographers - they're both pretty awesome. I didn't realise Hot Hot Heat were Canadian, though that may explain why I find their songs so oddly appealing...there's something about them Canadians.

I should probably check out a few of the bands mentioned here, as some are new to me!
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Skibas_clavicle on 12 Apr 2005, 07:57
That was the fucking hardest pole I've ever had to take.
GOD BLESS CANADIA :)

EDIT: Jeph, I wholeheartedly agree. OUCH.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Empty Friend on 12 Apr 2005, 09:20
First off, Duncan your avatar is completely the win.

Second, I think Blinker The Star released another album recently, and though I have yet to hear it, August Everywhere is an album of amazing funtasticness.  I suggest people take a listen.  "September Already" is the opener and consequently the song you should downlo... I mean listen to first. ;)
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Reno on 13 Apr 2005, 13:50
It was a tough choice for me between the Arcade Fire (which I chose) and the New Pornographers (local for me, and I really like Neko Case and AC Newman).
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: californaya on 13 Apr 2005, 14:10
Quote from: Skibas_clavicle
That was the fucking hardest pole I've ever had to take.


...............*giggle*
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: daneford on 13 Apr 2005, 17:54
DFA1979 > * indie bands :D
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: HMS Odell on 14 Apr 2005, 03:50
blahblahblahthearcadefireblahblahhypeblahblahblah.

broken social scene.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Jeridus on 22 May 2005, 21:18
From the list, my picks are (in this order)

1. Arcade Fire
2. Hot Hot Heat
3. Death From Above 1979


And since it wasn't on the list (:P)... any older stuff by Sloan
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: marc_penny88 on 23 May 2005, 02:40
ok you guys are all talking about canadian indie bands here, and mates dad is canadian, he is a member of a band called big country.... which had a number of albums out in the 80s and my mates dad is now on tour with simon townsend, from the who.......

tour is called the sex change tour

anywho, big country are a really good band, download a couple of their songs and tell me what you think :P

marc XxX
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: normz on 23 May 2005, 02:52
Quote from: jeph
Man that new Hot Hot Heat record is six kinds of weak.



God NO tell me it's not true ....... *sobs* I mean I haven't even heard it yet dammit, oh well ill form my own opinion when i get it but already you guys are making me feel very dubious *sigh*
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: marc_penny88 on 23 May 2005, 02:54
i downloaded... i mean purchased it legally for my girlfriend and i would have to say that i dont like it, she likes it so i listen to it for her :P
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Aphi on 24 May 2005, 14:10
Jeez, I /am/ Canadian(insert Beer commercial joke here), and it's /still/ heck of hard to decide(Congrats, Jeph, you have officially ruined my good grammars.^^)

Hmmmm...hmmmmmmm...

Metric. No, Death From Above 1979. No! Hot Hot Heat! No--Broken Social Scene...

=wracks her brains=

Okay, Metric. Close second---everything else.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: AnonymousPosterChild on 25 May 2005, 22:17
Since the Rheostatics arent on there, I'll have to go with The New Pornograpghers
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: festerius on 25 May 2005, 22:54
I voted for Hot Hot Heat, even though I didn't know that they was Indie.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: KharBevNor on 26 May 2005, 00:53
I really get confused as to the definition of indie sometime. To some people it's a sort of set sound, to others anything that comes out on an independent label.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: MilkmanDan on 26 May 2005, 02:32
Best Canadian artist: Venetian Snares
Best Canadian band: GY!BE, baby
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: laeta.asinus on 28 May 2005, 11:00
Wow. This was really hard. Broken Social Scene is an all-time favourite for me, but I've recently become completely obsessed with DFA1979. As much as I love them, The Arcade Fire is a wee bit overrated. I also love METRIC, for their slouchey, dancey sound. The Stills are also great for driving at night. I've only heard Stars' one single, and I dunno... OH GOD! I love all these bands for so many different reasons. I can't pick a best... I guess I'll go with DFA1979... I'm addicted.

Oh - maybe you also should have added The Hidden Cameras and Pilate.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Praeserpium Machinarum on 28 May 2005, 11:09
I voted Stars because they are the only ones I have heard a whole album with but god what an album. Set Yourself on Fire to quote a Warren Zevon song: "conquers all, you can't stop it with a car, you can't shoot it with a gun."
invincible and bulletproof indie, booyah!
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Radiowar on 28 May 2005, 22:13
Quote from: jeph
Man that new Hot Hot Heat record is six kinds of weak.


Oh boy, is it ever.

Ummmm for me it's probably Metric.

Otherwise I would've gone for The Unicorns, Do Make Say Think, or some other Constellation band.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: boeuf on 29 May 2005, 01:41
I love the Weakerthans.

They came here not too long ago but I missed the show, which sucks because good bands don't come to Nova Scotia very often.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Conatonc on 29 May 2005, 22:13
Sloan would win my vote if they were on here. Since they aren't, the next pick is easily The New Pornographers. Then Arcade Fire, and probably DFA1979 after that.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: victor_smithe on 30 May 2005, 06:17
That may be the most unfair poll ever... too close.
BSS slightly pulled ahead tho :)
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Coonstar on 01 Jun 2005, 16:34
To me, it's the Arcade Fire without a doubt. I'm really surprised about how much attention DFA1979 is getting though. I'd think that more votes should be awarded to Stars and the New Pornographers!
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Merkava on 01 Jun 2005, 18:58
Quote from: jeph
Man that new Hot Hot Heat record is six kinds of weak.


I totally agree. Make Up the Breakdown was brilliant, but Elevator was just...meh.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Jeridus on 01 Jun 2005, 20:00
Just cause the newest album doesn't measure up to the prior doesn't make it a bad album... Hot Hot Heat included... I just got it today, have been listening non-stop, and like it... not every album can be the band's masterpiece

another example: Modest Mouse. People were disappointed with Good News For People Who Love Bad News because it wasn't quite up to par with The Moon & Antarctica....... the fact remains that Good News is still a real good album
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Coonstar on 02 Jun 2005, 00:41
Hot Hot Heat is not a bad band but what makes a good band is the direction that they take (not necessarily just the quality of the albums- a good example would be the Smashing Pumpkins). I honestly don't like where they're going with their newest album, and it just had like zero lasting value for me. I honestly think it's "not bad" and it's "fun and listenable" but it just holds no meaning for me //opinion. They are one band I would enjoy listening to a repeat of their first album.
Title: Canadian "indie" bands
Post by: Merkava on 02 Jun 2005, 13:42
Quote from: Jeridus
Just cause the newest album doesn't measure up to the prior doesn't make it a bad album... Hot Hot Heat included... I just got it today, have been listening non-stop, and like it... not every album can be the band's masterpiece

another example: Modest Mouse. People were disappointed with Good News For People Who Love Bad News because it wasn't quite up to par with The Moon & Antarctica....... the fact remains that Good News is still a real good album


I like the two MM albums equally.

Elevator is just too forgettable. Make Up the Breakdown had so many memorable hooks (many in one song) and really got deep under your skin.

Running Out of Time and Island of the Honest Man are the only two songs I feel are memorable (it helps that they are awesome songs).