Just when you though rock’n’roll was dead, The Kerouacs have found it! Dragging obvious influences from the early 60’s and 70’s tunes you grew up loving. These guys are pumping out driving rock songs, pairing them up with freight train harmonies, energetic bass lines, and a killer onstage presence. They effortlessly succeeded in knocking the roof off kilter at The Baltimore House in Hamilton last Friday night. As their set progressed, so did their energy, with each member getting increasingly more animated – most interestingly, singer/guitar player Elias Regier, whose limbs seemed to freeze up – think back to Bugs Bunny helping Yosemite Sam find gold. Not only are the dudes playing killer tunes, but they’re also having fun doing it, and it shows! If you’ve never seen ‘em, your chance is coming up soon; they’re playing 05/30 @ Johnny Jackson.-Courtney Chalapenko

Electronic rhythm, electric guitars, eclectic groove. Altogether lightning and extremely striking. Doomsquad brings together digital ambience, with velvet-smooth melodies and a serious funk. Three siblings and a metric ton of musical talent. Their new EP ”Pageantry Suite” contains some tunes that are good for getting around, getting down, or just kicking back and learning all the layers and nuances that are hidden within. Two Way Mirror is reminiscent of the B52’s over a crispy-cool baseline and light drone-pop percussion. The half shout lead made vocals relay a sincere sense of urgency and frustration, and the new-wave vogue in the female leads serve as a perfect counterweight. Apocalypso recalls Talking Heads, with a wave of ambience sitting behind a perfectly subdued minimalist rhythm. The accenting, effect-laden guitar lines recall both disco and a relaxing island calypso, like a dream sequence during the rapture. Ice Storm opens with a sustaining organ and tribal-sounding drums, to the tempo of a slow trudge through a frozen tundra. The tension builds with each element added, bringing dissonance and space, drops it off at the midway point, and does it all over again in a completely different tone for an extended cataclysmic groove that seems to carry on forever, and you’ll enjoy every savoury bit. Though there is so much going on throughout the record, it never feels dense or forced, and every swell, chord and synth feels essential, organs keeping a body alive.-Cody Wright

If Kyuss listened to The Ventures instead of Black Sabbath, you’d get The Sulks. Bringing a pulsing pounding beat to ethereal howling and gypsy jazz licks, their song “Sulker” certainly sounds like one. Beefy rock with some intelligent melodic restraint. So far, the only look we have taken into their haunting future is represented by two live bootleg tracks; the aforementioned Sulking, and a Dick Dale-ian surf-punk romp called “Cabin Fever”. The slippery guitar lines, supported by a supremely slamming rhythm section paints a picture, and a slightly frightening one at that. These fine folks certainly have a flair for what they do, and we love their beautifully bizarre style. Check them out Saturday, May 16th, at Handlebar.-Cody Wright

Shake, Rattle and Roll with Michael Rault. He is a talented, multi-instrumentalist that gives his listeners an era-blending modern take on familiar sounds from the 50’s , 60’s and 70’s. A recent Toronto transplant from his native Edmonton, Michael Rault puts his creative perspective into perspective with his latest album release “Living Daylight”. There is nothing fuzzy about his sound, he commits to claim it! A pioneer of dynamic rock n’ roll, transforming rhythms and beats with an undeniable brilliant pop vocal and heart piercing guitar riffs, every track is is a hit! So put your dancin’ shoes on, “Living Daylight” has us moving from top to bottom. The opening track ‘All Alone (On My Own)’ is captivating, shaking you up with tambourines, clapping hands and familiar charming vocal harmonies. ‘Real Love (Yeah)’ coats you with heavy guitars that peak and valley to talkative keys that beat to the oohs of “real love”. ‘Too All My Friends’ takes it down a notch with vocals that sway to romantic keys and easy-acid guitars. Michael Rault is currently on tour, see him Saturday May 23 @ the Silver Dollar before he jumps the border showcasing his sounds in the USA.

Pop enough to sing-a-long to, rock enough to jump around to, and just enough groove to soothe your soul to. Texas King, hailing from London Ontario, got the crowd enlivened during the CMW showcase at the Gladstone last week. With lush, sizzling guitar tones, raspy vocals, and an on point rhythm combo, these guys became an energetic delicacy to see perform live. With their catchy lyrics the crowd sings-a-long alone to, “Come Find Me". They’re tight, greasy, and there’s – without question – no shortage of dance moves. Head on out to The Drake Hotel @ 05/17 and see on hell of a show!-Courtney Chalapenko 

Music is all about the song, and The Dead Bees live by them. Playing genre-blurring, old fashioned rock n’ roll, they would be home on just about any stage. Delicate harmony, laid back rhythm section, stripped down electric guitars and bare-bones melody, they don’t overdo anything because they don’t need to. Somewhere between the Killers and Joel Plaskett is where these Ottawa-dwelling boys live. Their song Cannonball from their second album “2” is the perfect soundtrack to a weekend at the cottage, or skipping work and just hitting the road. Between the folk-lectric guitar lines, and the lovely light chorus line, it’ll get you to forget about your woes and just sing along. With 2 records under their belt, they’re well on their way to finishing a third, to be named and then released, hopefully in that order, at some point in 2015.-Cody Wright

This 4 piece punk rock band from Oakville has a lot to say and a short period of time to say it…or so it seems. Dead Broke play fast n loud. Just the way we like it. Go to their website and check their latest music video for the tune "Bullet". I got home from work and I just wanted to chill and take it easy tonight but then I listened to this tune….now I’m drunk and my ears are sore. Well…one of those is true. Dead Broke plays the Silver Dollar Room on Saturday Night at 10 for Canadian Music Week. After that they take off for a couple months so don’t miss out. Party on!-Kris"Big City"Gies

Aiming to get the room jumping? This is how you do it. PKEW PKEW PKEW bring the punk-never-dies attitude to a danceable pulse and leaves plenty of opportunity for the listener to jump in. Chant, shout and scream your lungs out with this pop-tinged, two minute and thirty second, dirty, in-and-out fist pumper with a title to really drive it home; Asshole Pandemic. Raucous, energetic and catchy, they drive the point home with straight to the bone lyrics. No dressing it up, just dressing down and sweating it out. They’ve toured with some serious rock talent, and are working on a length record with producer Jon Drew (Tokyo Police Club, Fucked Up).This is music meant to be seen and felt, not just heard, so get on down to the Sliver Dollar on May 9th, and bring your skateboard.-Cody Wright

Wrong Hole began as a 2 piece band because the members wanted the option to take the bus to shows. I totally get that. However they realized it takes 3 to tango….I guess. Anyways they play pretty sweet ass garage rock. Their album "2012" starts off with the tune "What Is A Car?" and I couldn’t answer that question. I got in right in to the full on dirty rock n roll though. The fuzzy guitars jive with the pissed off vocals perfectly. The album covers cleverly rips off Rush’s "2112" cover which made me wonder if they asked Neil Peart to plays drums to replace their current drummer Drum Machine. I don’t think it would work out with Neil. Wrong Hole for sure plays loud as shit live so if that’s what your craving then go to Hard Luck Bar on Saturday for CMW where they are one of many bands opening for Agent Orange.- Kris"Big City"Gies

Harmony so sugary sweet, killer grooves and soft mean beats. FRANKIE ,a 4 piece “twinkle-rock” group from Vancouver, BC. Mixing ambient indie rock attitude and super-clean folk-pop songs. FRANKIE really commands your attention, without really demanding it. The harmonies between lead singer/guitarist Francesca Carbonneau and singer/pianist Nashlyn Lloyd are soothing and exciting all at the same time. Their song “Don’t Be Low” harkens back to old school R&B, with tight flow and catchy rhythms, and top not musicianship from all 4 members. We love the tasteful restraint, which really allows the song to breathe naturally and build dramatically. We look forward to their as-of-yet un-named EP to be released in the near future, and come check them out at The Paddock May 7th. And if you miss these ladies tonight, see them in Hamilton May 10th @ the Sanctuary.-Cody Wright

Which celebrity sex tape have you watched? Well hit the mute button and listen to SEX TAPE. SEX TAPE is dark,sticky,smooth and sexy with bright and rhythmic vocals that create the mood. "Drive//Slow" tantalizes your senses, making you want to close your eyes and slow your whole body down. See SEX TAPE tonight at the Studio Bar for CMW. After this hot and heavy show, you’ll probably want to go home and make your own sex tape. See Chris LaRocca again 5/13 @ the Cameron House.

OL’CD are a 4 piece dirty rock band originally from London, Ontario. I first saw them a few months ago at Homegrown Hamilton and liked their attitude. They just came to party. Their latest album called "Choco Moloko" was released in April of last year and I particularly like the 1st track from the album "Nows The Time". It makes me wanna get wasted. Theres always room for that kinda tune on a weekend. Get your weekend started early at The Silver Dollar Room tomorrow night for CMW. They’ll be sharing the stage with Deli Fav’s Pet Sun and Together Pangea from Los Angeles.-Kris"Big City"Gies