Grazer is a pyschadelic heavy soul band. Sounds intense. They have a trippy EP out there right now titled "Pachyderm". The title track kicks it off with a deep, dragging guitar lick. It’s tone is mesmerizing. The tune takes a turn about 2 and a half minutes in when they fire it up and the drummer gets excited. How bout some dual guitar solos? Done. Funk bass licks? Done. The vocals sound like something from the late 80’s/early 90’s phase that was in between hair metal and grunge. This epic 7 plus minute tune will keep you guessing. If you wanna hear some doom-jam rock then Grazer is your band. – Kris Gies

The Danger Bees are a 5 piece alt-rock based in Toronto. They released a brand new record in January titled "Fish With Wings". This album has 9 songs and completely oozes 90’s. These tunes should have been featured on the Wedge in 1997. If you feel like some brand new nostalgia (is that a thing?) then head over to the Danger Bees bandcamp and buy this record. Make sure you go see them on Saturday April 29th at Junction City Music Hall with Big Name Actors, Flamingo Báy and High Heels Lo Fi. – Kris Gies

"Two recovering punks and an indie rocker walk into a bar"….and according to the bio that’s how Talk Show Host was created. Their latest release is an EP "Perfecty Competent" released in May 2016. I can be picky with my punk rock taste and these guys have nailed it. They have catchy pop punk tunes reminicest of the early movement like Face to Face and Millencollin as well as early Blink 182. Chords are tight, basslines take off for a spin of their own from time to time, rippin drums and nice harmonies. Go see Talk Show Host at Smiling Buddha on April 21st. – Kris Gies

First Base is a modest name for this band. They could be called Home Run…at least Third Base. They put together some excellent throwback pop punk tunes. They actually could be from the 70’s or 80’s and no one would ever know. "You’ve Got A Hold On Me" is perfect for if you wanna just rock out…or if you have a certain love interest and couldn’t quite figure out the words to describe it. First Base will be playing the Garrison on April 18th! – Kris Gies

Torero is a smooth country-rock band based in Toronto. Nice tunes with a great western tone and sultry vocals from frontwoman Eleanor Bull. They have released a video for the track "Canyon" from their self titled album. The video is very well done and features the band in what looks to be comfortable western attire for them. I find the chorus very catchy on this tune and the cowboy guitar licks compliment the easy-goin rhythm perfectly. Torero hits the road next week for a tour of Eastern Canada and they return home for an April 25th gig at the Dakota Tavern. – Kris Gies

Hailing from Windsor, Ontario….Here are The Blue Stones. A two piece indie rock band bringing you well put together rock tunes with a tinge of blues and a dash of grunge. They released a new record last year titled "Black Holes". Co-produced and Mixed by Ian Blurton. This 10 track album has some seriously solid rock tunes that could easily slip into regular rotation at any active rock station. The Blue Stones play Toronto on Friday April 14th at Adelaide Hall. – Kris Gies

Toronto surfer folks Yeomans have released a brand new video! "My Fish Got Drunk" is a fun, easy goin, instrumental tune that I believe makes the sun rise. It’ll get your foot tappin’ and your face smilin’. They even lay out the chord progressions in karaoke style for you to play along with at home! This video is the most fun you can have in 3 minutes. Yeomans is at the Piston on Wednesday April 12 with Wine Lips, Evolfo and Passport Radio. – Kris Gies

This indie rock band based in Toronto has a very earthy name…Stars Algonquin and their tunes have a sense of nature to them. There is an Americana influence heavily weaved into the alt-rock sounds however the vibes lead you to the northern wilderness rather than anything in the USA. Their new record "Keep On Dreaming" was released in December 2016 featuring 6 tunes that could be the theme songs for your next road trip. Available on their bandcamp page. – Kris Gies

Watch out folks…I think we got some stoners playin’ music here. Rooftop Love Club are a two piece dirty blues rock band. Lo-fi fuzzy guitars and Sabbath-like drums. There’s nothing not to like. The guitars laid down by Jake Hock are DEEP to a doom-rock level. Along with drummer Jacob Weiss they may have invented Doom Blues Rock. I dunno but I hope they tell me when their next show is. The album "Get Outside" is available now on their bandcamp page. – Kris Gies

Born and raised in Orillia, Ontario and now residing in Hamilton; this tune "Electric On My Feet" is one of the coolest pop tunes to come across my desk in a while. The thumpin drums immediately get your head movin’ back and forth. The keys and guitar fill the perfect amount of space with licks goin’ back and forth. Her voice is great though. Sounds like a classic lounge singer of the 60’s was warped into the future and met up with a great indie-funk band. There’s something mysterious and new about ELSEE. I’m interested to see what’s next. – Kris Gies

Self professed "sandy garage rock from an inner city beach". The Beach Bats are from Hamilton. So they must be hangin out at the beach with the unswimmable water. If it helps them create these sweet surf-rock tunes then I hope they keep doin what their doing. Moon Mutt, Goth Bikini and Roger Banks are responsible for the Beach Bats. They mix surf rhythms with indie rock melodies along with 90s punk rock vocals. I could hear the tune "Beach Body" be played on the film "Clerks". – Kris Gies

Copper Crown are bringing a unique alt-punk-ska sound to the Toronto scene. They released their debut self titled EP last year. All of the band members come from different music backgrounds with several influences so it’s hard and frowned upon to label Copper Crown under one genre. Basically the band sounds like classic California ska bands of the 90’s with Dido on vocals. They will be playing at Bovine Fest #2 at Bovine Sex Club on March 26th. – Kris Gies