Beliefs puts us under a spell with shoegaze and dream- pop sounds. Their songs are riddled with a hazy fuzz and haunting vocal performances. If you like an undertone of distortion throughout your music and have a love for the unexpected, these guys are for you! Off their latest EP “Catch My Breath” is one of our favourites. It’s a magnificent blend of heavy guitars, heartbeat drumming that whispers over vapor like vocals, keeping you entranced in a dream-like state. Stay in the haze with Beliefs Feb 28 @ Johnny Jackson. – Courtney Chalapenko

THE EFFENS are hypnotizing with driving bass lines, brilliantly placed FX guitar riffs and a ruff & vibrate vocal.  A interesting style of psychedelic, post-grunge, glam-pop they prove themselves to be bizarrely unique and fabulous. “Phantom” the title track off Phantom EP, opens up with heavily distorted bass and guitars, then pairs up with the precision of the drums; the bass guitar line brings in an almost “siren wailing" on the chorus, while maintaining a dreamily smooth vocal throughout. Don’t miss THE EFFENS riveting charm. It’s gonna be a hot night out, incredible lineup Sat Feb 28 @ the Horseshoe! -Courtney Chalapenko

I sat down and exhaled… on with the headphones ….now let’s hear some Mad Ones. I cranked up their latest single “Walking on the Ceiling” which was released last October. The rumbling drums of Phil Wilson keeps the song rolling; It has a bit of a softer beginning and by the end its full on pandemonium (one of the best words). Next up was their previous single “Leather Rug”. This was more of straight up headbanger that gives their band name new meaning. See this grunge-punk, two-piece live this Saturday, February 28, at the Horseshoe Tavern. Also on the bill are our friends the Effens, Brews Willis and The OBGM’s!!-Kris “Big City” Gies

Goodbye Honolulu just makes you feel good! Close your eyes and go for it! "Mother To A Brother” grabs you by the hips and gets your tambourines shakin’! They are a wave of garage pop melodies with a heavy bounce in its step. Killer no-frills vocal that has bold moves and brotherly harmonies that leave a lasting impression. See them with Zeus Friday February 27 @ The Opera House hosted by Jonnyland.

Run Coyote, runs through us with a bite. A savvy combination of swinging 50’s beats, country twang and hometown rock n’ roll, Run Coyote sets an eclectic alt- folk-blues mood with their latest album, Youth Haunts. The entire album is diverse and colorful. “Only Human” is a dynamic spaghetti western, “Love like a River” beats to your heart with smooth rhythm, and “Neighbors” circles chanting melodies and spooky harmonies. Kicking off their Winter 2015 tour from Kitchener to Windsor, get to see them tonight @ the Cavern!

Keeping it bumpin’ with his hip-hop, alt-rock musical mixture, Jutes, has us hooked on his tight flow and memorable melodies. Transmitting all around, good, laidback feelings, Down to the Wire is a track to check out! This tune pairs up synth, as well as an offbeat guitar rhythm, with a 4-on-the-floor groove, creating an unbeatable and delectable combo that is best enjoyed while dancing along. Although the hook is a goofy, happy-go-lucky vibe, Jutes manages to bring it to a serious note with the bridge, showcasing himself; introducing you to his impressive rhymes and smooth flow.  This song most definitely demonstrates what Jutes is all about, happiness and music. So, listen to the hook, and use the excuse that you’re young – Go out and party with Jutes and the JutesFam Feb 20 @Hard luck Bar.- Courtney Chalapenko

The Golden Dogs, shine us with witty pop-rock antics! Exciting, creative show-stoppers, don’t miss them live Feb 21st @ the Rivoli. With their latest release of ‘3 ½, we are listening to Decided, a light and crisp, swaying dance track with heavy flying guitars that surround pretty power pop vocals. The entire album is a refreshing mixture of honest, rapid and raw rock n’ roll. We love their vocal diversity, each track pulls out a different genre-defining The Golden Dogs. 

Get your move on this Sunday with the Wavelength 15 Music Festival. See FRESH SNOW, with our friends BART, NEW FRIES and CELLPHONE @ the Garrison. Remarkably diverse with texture and genres, Fresh Snow experiments noise and melodies instrumentally. A new wave of heavy melodic pop music is coming your way, get to preview their upcoming EP on 2/15. It will be a hot time!

WISH, stuns us with their self-titled debut album.  It`s  a dream inspiring hallucination-inducing trip, from start to finish! WISH plays a spacey fusion of  shoegaze, psych-rock, dream-pop.  Luring  you into a mellow haze with Retro Grade, the song is riddled with muddled guitar sounds, layered effects and wistful lo-fi vocals, atop an un-intrusive; yet still hammering, rhythmic pulse, lending it a nearly trance-provoking quality. It’s alluring and addictive- when it’s finished you want nothing more than to dive into it again.   Wish to get hazy Feb 12 @ The Garrison.-Courtney Chalapenko

The HONEYRUNNERS pride themselves on giving their fans a sticky, soul-drenched rock n’ roll performance. Constantly pushing their creative boundaries, EP2 is an infectious mixture of Motown, neo-punk, soul, rhythm and blues. Recorded live off the floor, they display talents of vibrant harmonies and soulful hooks with foot stompin’ grit. Under Control, sets the mood! With a smart, warm and fiery vocal that spins and shout around colorful harmonies that soar by flying keys and flawless guitar bends that pluck to enlighten drum beats. Bones, it’s very “Americana ” full of wholesome harmonies that enchant this undeniable hearty and soulful rock n’ roll sing along. This quartet is super tight, you can feel how committed they are to owning their sound! Get to see the HONEYRUNNERS live this Saturday 2/7 @ the Horseshoe.

The Deli Toronto’s reader choice winner of 2014, have a few stories to tell. We pressed Sun K with some hard questions! We wanted to know all their dirty little secrets…like, how did you guys meet and who is Sweet Marie? Excited to announce their first full-length album, Northern Lies, which will debut this March, we only wish it was sooner. Sun K, puts forth an eclectic folk-rock style that is warm, crisp and inviting; every track on Northern Lies tells it’s own tale with ease and grace. Our ears can’t get enough of Teaser Part II, it lifts us up and drops us hard with a rockin’ chorus that leaves you chanting. Now that we know everything about Sweet Marie, she is so much sexier to sing along to. Let it Grow has us feeling the sun on our face on a rainy day. So, hold on tight and see them live 2/20 @ Lee’s Palace. It will be a tremendous event!

Read the full interview here.

Christian Punk Band is no stranger to the Deli Toronto, we watched them climb the year-end poll, catching our attention. If you are cumbersome to check these guys out because you think they are a “Christian" rock band, it’s not the case at all. Christian Turner (former member of Teenage Kicks) formed Christian Punk Band with Jeff Takahashi and Jon Lubanski, the trio released self-titled EP late November. Claiming “Fuzz-Pop” genre, Christian Punk Band has a special wit about them delivering catchy, fuzzy-pop punked out tunes. Keeping the tracks short and sweet, the album rips through you ears leaving each track etched in your head. “Bang-Bang”, bangs with sweet vocals that bounce in and out of a wailing guitar riffs and cracking bubbly drum beats. Listen to their EP below! Don’t miss them @ the Blackshire 2/7, it’s going to be a Christian Punk Band kinda time!