5 Best Canadian rock bands of all time
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- 25 May 2023
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Cameron Northwood thoroughly enjoys accompanying his dog, Zani, to various locations such as the mall, boisterous hockey games, bus rides around the city, and shopping trips to the grocery store. Zani, an eight-month-old black Labrador Retriever, is currently in the process of learning how to adapt to unfamiliar and noisy environments in Calgary. She serves as a guide dog and is being raised by Northwood, a dedicated volunteer puppy raiser at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB). This is the second time that Northwood and his family have undertaken the responsibility of raising a CNIB Guide Dog.
Before welcoming Zani into their home, Northwood engaged in a lengthy conversation with his children. He emphasized the importance of commitment and informed them that if they chose to raise the puppy, they would need to remain dedicated to the cause. After careful consideration, the family submitted an application to CNIB, and their dedication was rewarded with a delightful surprise—a Labrador puppy.
Reflecting on his experiences, Northwood expressed his excitement, stating, "Every day feels like an adventure, filled with joy and amusement." He fondly recalled a previous guide dog who initially disliked wearing her vest. On one occasion, she comically caused a commotion in a grocery store, accidentally knocking down several cans as she attempted to find comfort.
Kezia Gray, a puppy development trainer at CNIB Guide Dogs, is also actively raising a black Labrador puppy destined to become a guide dog. Gray exudes confidence, asserting that her pup, Sharon, who is currently nine months old, is well on her way to fulfilling her potential as a guide dog.
Volunteers at CNIB Guide Dogs have the option to select from four different roles based on their comfort level. They can raise a puppy for a duration of one year or provide a temporary home for six months. Gray explained that dog lovers can even volunteer to care for six-month-old dogs until they are ready to enter formal training. The organization welcomes volunteers with various levels of experience, emphasizing that the sole requirement is to have a dog-friendly home—prior experience in dog training is not mandatory.
Canada is known for more than just hockey and poutine. The country has also produced a remarkable array of music, extending beyond its iconic national anthem. Let's take a closer look at some of the top Canadian rock bands worth celebrating.
Simple Plan
Hailing from Montreal, Simple Plan emerged during the saturated pop-punk scene of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Their debut album, cleverly titled "No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls" (2002), spawned a top-40 hit with the infectious "Perfect." The album also featured the catchy and potent tracks "Addicted" and "I'm Just a Kid," which appeared in the Steve Martin remake of "Cheaper by the Dozen." Their subsequent album, "Still Not Getting Any" (2004), reached No. 3 on the Billboard 200 chart. Simple Plan transitioned from a focus on teenage angst and attempted to mature their sound in their following albums, each achieving varying levels of success.
Saga
Since their debut in 1978, Saga has showcased impressive longevity throughout their 22-record discography, the most recent release being in 2021. Despite undergoing several lineup changes over the years, the band is best known for their 1981 album "Worlds Apart" and its standout track, "On the Loose."
The New Pornographers
Hailing from Vancouver, The New Pornographers stand out as a uniquely creative band in the Canadian music landscape. Formed in 1997, the group consists of a diverse collection of singer-songwriters, many of whom were previously part of other Vancouver bands, navigating the realms of indie and power pop. Led by the versatile Carl Newman, the band is recognized for their shared vocal duties. Notably, Neko Case, a member who has intermittently collaborated with the group, has also enjoyed a successful solo career.
Sum 41
Originating from the Toronto area, Sum 41 achieved significant success within the pop-punk genre, starting with their debut album, "All Killer No Filler" (2001). The album's single, "Fat Lip," reached No. 1 on Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart in the United States. "In Too Deep" also received substantial airplay. This two-time Juno Award-winning band (which celebrates Canadian musical artists) garnered a Grammy Award nomination for their 2012 song, "Blood in My Eyes." Lead singer and guitarist Deryck Whibley was previously married to fellow Canadian pop rocker Avril Lavigne.
Metric
This indie rock group from Toronto, with a penchant for synth-pop, initially formed in the late 1990s as a duo consisting of Emily Haines and James Shaw. Since then, Metric has expanded to a four-member band and continues to receive acclaim from a devoted fan base and music critics alike. Among their eight studio albums, "Fantasies" (2009) stands out as a standout achievement. It earned them a Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year, and their song "Stadium Love" has become an integral part of the game-day experience for the Toronto Blue Jays and Edmonton Oilers.
