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Cancer Bats! Cancer Bats! Cancer Bats!
Sitting down for wings ‘n’ things at legendary local hangout Sneaky Dee’s one gets the impression that patrons have no real idea of the buzz surrounding the band at the next table. About to head into the studio with producer of the moment Gavin Brown (Billy Talent, Three Days Grace) to record their debut album, one gets the sense that Toronto’s Cancer Bats are about to rock the nation as they have never been rocked before.  One of the few “hardcore” bands that aren’t obsessed with macho posturing and breakdowns, the Cancer Bats’ brand of hardcore has a definite southern rock twist allowing them to play with the conventions of the genre, as well as to different crowds. Like most Canadian bands, they have built their following through relentless touring, most notably completing an east coast tour of Canada and America with label-mates Alexisonfire, and don’t expect any help in the future from radio. Citing the success of their aforementioned brethren, whose last two albums have gone platinum in Canada with little to no radio support, they don’t feel it is necessary to cater to radio or consciously write singles, and bristle at the idea that working with a producer who has had so much success in the medium would influence the sound of their album. Instead they are uniformly encouraged by the opportunity to record with someone from outside the group for the first time, hoping that it will challenge them and further develop their sound. But do they feel any pressure from the label to become a giant commercial success? Singer Liam Cormier says no. “They (Distort) have been nothing but supportive…We don’t have to worry about selling x amount of records…The label won’t isn’t counting on us to go platinum or whatever, they have Alexisonfire (laughs),” instead, they simply want to make road worthy album to rip across the land with. For them, road is never work. Instead they see it as short vacation, an opportunity to party with the boys and they rarely write on the road as their trips never run into months (I’m told malaise is often the impetuous for creativity). “You won’t see us noodling away on the guitar or hunched over writing lyrics (before the show) we’d rather just party,” says guitarist Scott Middleton, a.k.a. Scotty Bats (the band is rounded out by Andrew McCracken on bass and Mike Peters on drums). It is this sense of fun and genuine love for what they do that is so refreshing; unlike other bands who see their live shows as a confrontational affair or therapy or a “show,” the Cancer Bats’ set is the fuse that lights up one kegger of a party. Their southern-fried brand of hardcore and metal allows them to play with bands of both genres, as well as a more traditional rock crowd than most, while their energetic charisma is undeniable to all. “We’ll play with anybody,” says Cormier, “from hardcore bands to indie bands, whoever…We’re not about a scene, we’ll party with anyone!” This has allowed them to play with Canadian metal-gods Cursed and indie-darlings Magneta Lane and Jason Collett within the same month. It is this flexibility that is so refreshing in a band from a scene not exactly known for open-mindedness, and what will ultimately allow the Cancer Bats to crossover like their omnipresent label mates. 2006 is shaping up to be the year this motley crew of hardcore renegades breaks out, bringing their brand of party hardcore, most famously brought forth on Every Time I Die’s genre defining Hot Damn! with a southern twist reminiscent of Corrosion of Conformity, to the masses on a greater platform than ever before. They’ll be raging, ripping, trashing, and slaying across North America, leaving only converts and empties in their wake. Catch the Cancer Bats as part of the Listen Harder showcase during Canadian Music Week, March 4th at the Kathedral. http://www.cancerbats.com/ - Jeremy Shum © 2006, All RIghts Reserved |
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