Cancer Bats

Cancer Bats

Cancer Bats is a hardcore punk band hailing from Toronto, Ontario.

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 Joel Bath on drums. The four-piece wasted no time writing and recording songs for a self-released demo that saw light in January of 2005.

Soon after, Mike Peters replaced Bath on the drums, and the band began playing shows throughout southern Ontario, playing live shows with bands like Every Time I Die, NORA, Alexisonfire, Haste the Day, It Dies Today, Bane, Comeback Kid, Buried Inside, Attack in Black, Misery Signals and This Is Hell.

On June 2, 2006 the band 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 7, 2006 they hosted All Things Rock, a show on MTV Canada, and had their own video played at the end of the show.

Summer 2006 they were on tour all across Canada, playing with huge names like NOFX and Silverstein. They also played the Rock The Mill festival with other bands such as The Fully Down and Shotgun Rules.

Bass player Andrew McCracken left to concentrate on his design company Doublenaut. His spot was filled in by Jason Bailey (Former member of bands Figure Four and Shattered Realm) for most of 2007 after which he was replaced by Jaye R Schwarzer formerly of Left Behind, Hope To Die, Minesweeper, Kover and current Reefer Cathedral member alongside Cancer Bats guitarist Scott Middleton.

The band is releasing their second studio album called Hail Destroyer on April 22, 2008.

Current lineup

• Scott Middleton - Guitar
• Liam Cormier - Vocals
• Mike Peters - Drums
• Jaye R. Schwarzer - Bass

Former members

• Jason Bailey - Bass
• Andrew McCracken - Bass
• Joel Bath - Drums

Discography

Studio Albums

• Birthing The Giant (June 6, 2006) – Distort Entertainment (Produced by Gavin Brown)

• Hail Destroyer (April 22, 2008) – Distort Entertainment (Produced by Eric Ratz, Kenny Luong and Greg Below)

EPs/ Singles

• This Is Hell/Cancer Bats Split - (TBA 2007/2008) - Future Tense Records
• Cancer Bats - (January 7, 2005) - Self Released
• Distort Summer Sampler (2005) - Distort Entertainment

1. "One Hundred Grand Canyon"
2. "Pneumonia Hawk"

Videography

Cancer Bats often include or incorporate Alexisonfire in their music videos. Either a few members from the band will appear in the video, or they will sing a short piece of Dallas Green's City and Colour songs. All their music videos have been Directed By Marc Ricciardelli and Produced by Davin Black.

• Hundred Grand Canyon (2006)
• French Immersion (2006)
• Pneumonia Hawk (2007)
• Hail Destroyer (2008)

External links

• Official Website
• Official Cancer Bats Myspace page
• Hail Destroyer site
• Cancer Bats’ Distort Entertainment page
• Cancer Bats on MTV Overdrive
• A free video of their entire Amsterdam concert (08-12-2006)
• Caught In The Crossfire - Interview
• [1]- Interview on Exclaim!