Sloppy-garage rock outfit Billy Moon out of Hamilton are makin’ a nice buzz are Southwestern Ontario these days thanks in part to this new video for "I Wanna Know". Produced by Young Rival’s Aron D’alesio you can bet that it’s hangin’ in there with the perfect amount of reverb. The tune feels tighter and more concise than some Billy Moon I have listened to in the past. The transitions in and out of the chorus are lots of fun and the chorus itself is a real head banger. It’s a jangly ripper from Billy Moon. They will be doing a residency at the Horseshoe Tavern on Wednesday’s from March 22nd – April 5th. They will be supported by different acts at each show. I personally recommend the April 5th show where they will be joined by Aron D’alesio, Dan Edmonds and Future Peers. – Kris Gies

It’s been less than a year since the last release by muchos prolific songwriter Daniel Romano. He also snuck in a punk rock record last October under the band name Ancient Shapes. Here he is again with the first single from his upcoming record. "Roya" sounds like it picks up where the "Mosey" record left off….somewhere in the 70’s. "Mosey" expanded on Romano’s classic country sound by adding different layers of instruments and giving it a unique soundscape. To me it was an action movie record and this new tune "Roya" is more chilled out and leaning in the folk rock direction. Romano’s new record "Modern Pressure" will be out May 19th and he will be performing in Toronto on April 22nd at the Longboat Hall (Great Hall). – Kris Gies

Ted Evans is a wild n’ crazy guy from Kingston, Ontario. He’s a busy fella doing work with various bands and solo projects . Now his latest release as the Ted Evans Band is set for release this Friday called "Pedal". The title track is an excellent blend of pop and rock from various decades. It’s like Buddy Holly playing with the Odds. Very catchy tune for real. Follow Ted Evans Band on facebook and get ready for the "Pedal" EP comin’ out this Friday March 3rd. See them live at the Mansion in Kingston on March 10th! – Kris Gies

Toronto band CRAZY BONES will be releasing a new EP next week and have dropped the first music video from the album. "Melting" begins with a dreamy guitar lick drenched in reverb before getting cranked up starting with a thumping bass guitar. The guitar shreds and the drums are hittin’ hard. They return to the groovy-ness heard earlier for the chorus but without losing all the fuzz. It almost feels like the song is gonna end until they wail on an almost doom-like instrumental with some added trippy synth. This tune keeps your ears fresh and it still has a catchy enough chorus to still feel like a real song. If you’re into fuzzy garage like Ty Segall then you’ll have to give this video a peep. Their EP release party is on March 2nd at the Bovine Sex Club along with Brenda, Jean Daddy and Milhouse. 10 bucks to get in, 5 buck for a tape. – Kris Gies

My Psycho Ex seem to specialize in dirty ass rock n roll. Which is deadly. They hail from Toronto and bring the noise with powerbomb like intensity. I’m hearing some stoner rock influences like Kyuss along with some 90’s grunge grooves and a touch of Flash Lightnin’. "Fresh and New" is a banger from their album "Coyotes". It should be played on a highlight reel for anything involving a fight. My Psycho Ex plays at Stop Drop n’ Roll (300 College St.) on Saturday February 18th with Flamingo Báy and The Thinly Veiled Double Entendres. – Kris Gies

Toronto rockers The Lad Classic are back with a brand new music video. These guys bring it back to when rock n’ roll was cool and rockstars were still a thing. Ben Healey can absolutely rip a guitar over top of their very talented rhythm section. Meanwhile Paul on vocals will hit notes you can’t even dream of. They could take the place of Slash’s band and if you closed your eyes you might not know the difference. If you like rock n roll the way it used to be then get ready for The Lad Classic’s new album "Rectifier" dropping in a few weeks. You can pre-order the album on their website now. Their CD release party goes down at the Rivoli on March 4th. Here’s their latest video "Who". – Kris Gies

Good Anya was formed in 2013 in Dundas, Ontario. They’re a 4 piece dreamy alternative band with catchy riffs and perfectly lazy vocals. There is definite 90’s vibes to them even though I don’t think they were alive for much of the 90’s. The music would fit right in on the classic days of the Muchmusic Countdown. The singer has a more modern indie feel to his vocals or perhaps a bit of britpop. Kinda sounds like the guy from Phoenix. Good Anya released their latest EP last year titled "Good Effort" which is very true. There’s 4 solid indie rock tracks that’ll leave you wanting more. So then you can go see em live at the Baby G on Friday February 3rd. – Kris Gies

Little Boxer are a 4 piece Toronto rock band belonging to Dungus Records. Last year they released 4 EP’s! So they’re busy fellas to say the least. Their latest "Volume IV" was dropped in October. All of these albums are available on their bandcamp page. Best bet is to buy em all and hear for yourself how the band navigated through 2016. Little Boxer will be playing the Horseshoe Tavern on January 26th – Kris Gies

Goodbye Honolulu are makin’ a name for themselves with their garage-pop tunes these days. They keep the fuzz turned up without losing any of their catchy hooks and vocals. If the guitar licks don’t keep you interested then the group vocals will. You won’t be bored listening to these tunes. Goodbye Honolulu will be releasing a brand new single this Friday and the Release Party goes down at The Smiling Buddha with Wine Lips and Ruthless Ones. For now enjoy their most recent single "Codeine" – Kris Gies

Wave of Terror are a garage rock group from right here in Toronto. They have released a single "Love to Grow" on Badgerow Records. This tune takes all the best things about the current lo-fi scene and brings it all to life in one convenient package. Pure garage with some psych and surf elements all rolled into one beautifully fuzzy track. All we can do now is patiently wait for more releases. I see this band having a very nice 2017. – Kris Gies

Doghouse Rose come from London, Ontario originally. Bringin their "rebel country" to the city on a regular basis. They recently released a music video for a new track titled "I’m Gonna Drink" and I don’t need to explain what it’s about. When you’ve had enough of all the day to day bullshit and just don’t have any more cares to give…listen to this tune and have a damn drink. You can see Doghouse Rose on January 14th at This Ain’t Hollywood in Hamilton and January 21st at the Mod Club in Toronto. – Kris Gies

This band Possum is absolutely lighting up the garage scene in Toronto right now. There’s a lot of buzz around whenever they are playing so the release of their latest EP came with much delight to many people. The EP titled "Quick Damage" is exactly that. 4 tracks of raw, in your face rock. The EP is quick but you can cause a lot of damage in the short time while listening…quick damage I get it. Possum will be playing Horseshoe Tavern on January 14th for Exclaim’s Class of 2017 Series. Joining them will be New Swears, The Kents, Crazy Bones and the Detours. – Kris Gies