Cancer Bats are a band from Toronto. They have described their motives for playing music as “a burning desire to rage harder, play louder and have more fun than any other band”, Cancer Bats mix hardcore, southern metal and punk rock into a lethal rock and roll explosion[1]. Recently their Hundred Grand Canyon video has received a lot of airtime on MuchMusic.
Cancer Bats | |
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File:Cancerbatssmall.jpg | |
Background information | |
Years active | 2004 – Present |
Members | Liam Cormier Scott Middleton Andrew McCracken Mike Peters |
Background
Cancer Bats originated in May of 2004 with singer Liam Cormier and guitarist Scott Middleton, former member of Toronto metal band At The Mercy Of Inspiration. The two wanted to form a project that combined their favorite parts of bands like Refused, Black flag, Led Zeppelin and Down, among others. The lineup was rounded out with the addition of Andrew McCracken on bass and Mike Peters on drums. The four-piece wasted no time writing and recording songs for a self-released demo that saw light in January of 2005. The band began playing shows throughout southern Ontario, spreading the gospel of rage with bands such as Every Time I Die, Nora, Alexisonfire, Haste the Day, It Dies Today, Bane, Comeback Kid, Buried Inside, Misery Signals and This Is Hell. With two east-coast tours in the US and several in Canada under their belts, Cancer Bats are eager to party in every city, town and metropolis that will have them.
In early 2006 they played the Weekend Warrior tour, playing only on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. On March 24th they played with fellow label mates The Bled as well as Protest the Hero, Since By Man, and As Cities Burn. From April to May 2006 Cancer Bats played around all over Ontario and Quebec just before the release of their first full length CD “Birthing The Giant”.
With its blend of Hardcore, Southern Metal and Punk Rock, the Cancer Bats have garnered the attention of press around the globe. From being referred to as one of the hottest bands of 2006 in Big Cheese (UK), to receiving honorable features in Metal Hammer (UK), Chart Magazine (Toronto), Exclaim (Toronto), MuchMusic’s “It List,” MTV Canada, and Inside Jam, the Bats are no longer just a local phenomenon. With the release of the debut video for the single “One Hundred Grand Canyon” the band has found itself watching its own video several times a day on MuchMusic after receiving Medium Rotation and Heavy Rotation on MuchLoud. They also appeared for an interview and played a show on MTV Live, MTV Canada. On June 2nd 2006 They took part in a short interview and then played a free CD release show at The Edge 102.1 (CFNY-FM) and then on the 6th Birthing The Giant was released into major record stores. On June 7th, 2006 they hosted All Things Rock, a show on MTV Canada, and had their own video played at end of show[2].
This summer they are on tour all accross Canada playing with huge names like NOFX and Silverstein.
Members of Cancer Bats
Current lineup
- Liam Cormier (Vocals)
- Scott Middleton (Guitar)
- Andrew McCracken (Bass)
- Mike Peters (Drums)
Cancer Bats Discography
- Cancer Bats - (January 7th, 2005) - Self Released
- Distort Summer Sampler (2005) - Distort Entertainment
- "Hundred Grand Canyon"
- "Pneumonia Hawk"
- Birthing The Giant (June 6th, 2006) – Distort Records (Produced by Gavin Brown)
Cancer Bats Videography
- Hundred Grand Canyon (2005)