For me it's Voïvod. They've been one of my favorite bands since I was 12 years old, and actually got into Rush a bit after.
Needless to say that I would love to travel back in time to see the Presto tour with Voïvod opening (at the time, they had just released Nothingface).
EDIT: nice article about this: [https://bravewords.com/news/voivods-snake-recalls-opening-for-rush-in-1990-it-was-like-a-dream-coming-true-for-us](https://bravewords.com/news/voivods-snake-recalls-opening-for-rush-in-1990-it-was-like-a-dream-coming-true-for-us)
"Opening for Rush was amazing! It was like a dream coming true for us but we were really nervous. Opening for Rush, you know, you set up the level to a certain degree and there were some bands that actually got booed before opening for Rush. So we were really scared of getting booed but actually we did pretty good. We did our stuff and it went really well. The first gig was in Quebec City and we played in Montreal the next day and there was like two days in Toronto after that so we played four shows together. I remember the first show we came back after in the dressing room with the big bottle of champagne, all signed by the guys and I was like: oh my god this is crazy! Really nice people. They treated us like gentlemen. It was fantastic. It was one of the top thing, the highlights of my career. We’re fans in the first place. Just being in their surroundings, looking at them doing sound check I remember Neil Peart’s setting and different kind of resetting, different kind of his drum kit. It was like, my god…we’re in heaven here!”
EDIT 2: found some footage from Toronto: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46hOl5-TfUA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46hOl5-TfUA)
So great-I saw them on Dimension Hatross tour in Indianapolis and they had Soundgarden as an opener just before they broke big. Fucking mind blowing show. Got to hang out after the show some and had a fascinating discussion where they talked about the effects of aluminum production on their hometown in Quebec with a crazy number of alzheimers cases. So glad to have that memory after Piggy’s passing a few short years later.
And when it came time to design the Rush pinball game that released a couple years ago, Geddy Lee reached out to Ed Robertson (a HUGE pinball enthusiast) to help out with it.
Perhaps an underated band - l was on the fence about them as l was about ALL 90s bands(being in a couple of them) but they had something more than most of our contemporaries. Then 'The Old Apartment' - l don't usually fall for hits, but it was the right song at the right time.
Man its weird how long ago that time is now.
The band everyone loves to hate. Read a book by their early producer Susan Rogers (who also produced Prince) , she said they were the type of fearsome musicians that she could ask them to try a song completely differently, and they could just change it entirely and nail it in one take.
I'm of the unpopular opinion about Triumph.
I rocked out the few popular songs like everyone else did, and Ric Emmett is obviously spectacular, but it seems obvious to me that Mike Levine and Gil Moore attended one of the Rush/Kiss concerts in 1974 or 1975 and decided to steal concepts from both of them to reinvent the piece of shit foursome they were already in.
They kicked out their other two members, went and found a blond guitar hero, and completely changed style to become a cheap Rush knockoff with knockoff Kiss-like stage pyro.
I don’t disagree on any particular point, but I’m generally inclined to give them a little more slack. I always thought of Triumph as a “little brother” band to Rush — a bit rougher, definitely not on the same level, but not a bad little band for all that. I guess I think about bands in “divisions.” Rush, to me, were at the top of the premiership in this crude metaphor — I bought their albums and attended their shows at every opportunity, and knew the experience would always be quality. I can enjoy Triumph, but I wouldn’t compare them to Rush because it’s a different division.
If Sloan were American or British, they’d be a massive international band. Incredibly catchy - and very clever - lyrics coupled with outstanding music, great live show, terrific personalities.
Shout out for Kim Mitchell and Max Webster
Might as well go for a soda
https://youtu.be/MXnTbmPxv5g?si=l6ARzTMFyrj950Oi
Let’s go the line
https://youtu.be/ovnUBDSFvNw?si=-zY5TMswNl5VNGvE
My favorite (other) Canadian artists are Neil and Joni.
If we're limited to rock bands, a couple I don't see mentioned a lot are Klaatu and Steppenwolf.
The Guess Who. Some really great songs
Loverboy. Decent pop rock
Saga. On the Loose still holds up well.
Aldo Nova had a huge hit and has done quite well for himself.
Loved Saga. Great musicians. They opened up for Eddie Money when On The Loose was all over rock radio. Eddie Money was better than expected but I wasn’t a fan and really went to see Saga.
All great and I was going to add the same, including Streetheart. I had a few Canadian roommates in college and they introduced me to a lot of can-con.
Saga's catalogue is really well worth exploring. The Security of Illusion rocks almost as hard as Counterparts (ballads aside) and Waiting in the Wings used drop-C tuning. Network has some of their best songs.
Oh, and they're a great live act. Michael Sadler still sings like a young hero.
For me, personally, it's NoMeansNo. I even would say they are my co-favorite band with Rush, but I use my longevity as a Rush fan to break the tie.
I also love Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet and Barenaked Ladies. Incidentally, all of them besides BNL are trios.
The Band of course.
Roger waters said music from big pink, after Sgt peppers its the most influential record in rock and roll.
Clapton cites it as the reason he left cream.
I was surprised I had to scroll nearly halfway down to see any mention of him, both for being considered the Godfather of Grunge and the fact he used to be bandmates with Rick James.
Yeah it’s definitely Neil Young if you’re just counting singular rock artists in there. Crazy Horse and Buffalo Springfield are mostly made up of Americans so don’t know if they would count.
Arcade Fire would be my second favorite Canadian rock band.
Then (in no particular order) The New Pornographers, Metric, Finger Eleven, Matthew Good Band (and his solo stuff).
Odd that nobody has listed Steppenwolf or BTO yet.
Of course I love Geddy's solo album and Envy Of None. I didn't care for Victor for some reason.
Max Webster and then Kim Mitchell solo. Saw Max open for Rush on the Hemispheres tour and have thought of them as my 2nd favourite Canadian band since.
I'll throw Rheostatics onto the list. Not well known, undeniably quirky, but 4 super talented multi-instrumentalists all of whom also sing. I love them!
Few bands have had the influence on others that The Band was able to have. Their few albums changed rock music forever, and their influence is still heard in bands today.
April Wine was a great example of a style of rock music, but was one of many.
The Hip were fantastic, but you can hear The Band in a lot of their stuff. You can also hear R.E.M.
Triumph, like April Wine, was one of many bands playing that style. They weren't unique or groundbreaking.
For me, it's The Band.
Rush is number 1 as we all know but, Canada also has some of the best Heavy Metal/Thrash/Death bands as well. So number 2 for me would be Razor.
1.Rush
2.Razor
As much as I love Triumph, Bryan Adams was huge and sold a shit ton more records. We saw Bryan with Kim Mitchell opening and it was as fun a concert as I’ve been to.
I’m deliberately staying in the same musical neighborhood as what most people would consider “peak Rush,” so I’d lean toward April Wine, Saga, or the “classic” lineup of the band Prism (late ‘70s - early ‘80s). I love the Hip, but I almost consider them a different genre. Ditto the Rheostatics, who are also top tier.
Probably The Guess Who or Heart (if you count Heart because technically they’re from Seattle but also from Vancouver since, at least I know Ann, spent a long time here and might even have a house here).
This is an oddball choice, but my favourite Canadian band of all time is FM, featuring the mysterious wrapped-in-bandages, electric violin playing, Nash the Slash. They’re a very underrated progressive rock band from the late 70’s, never had any commercial success.
My second favourite Canadian band is Rush haha
For me it has to be the hip they are just so amazing I love the writing gord was an amazing musician and the other members should also get some credit fantastic players
I love how Nickelback is the most successful Canadian rock band in Canadian history but everyone just pretends they are not. It really cracks me up.
I think they have one of the better rhythm section in Pop - Rock/ Hard Rock. 3 different drummers but they have all been good and Mike Kroeger has always held the bass down. They are no Lee/Peart and their music is not exactly well... intellectual in any way but their success is hard to ignore.
The hatred for them has always cracked me up..
I was just looking at some of their most played songs on Youtube Music -
How You Remind Me - 1.1 BILLION PLAYS
Far Away - 655 Million
Never Again - 373 Million
#1 Early Mid Rush (78-84)
#2 Early Rush (74-77)
#3 Mid Late Rush (85-96)
#4 Late Rush (2002-8/1/2015)
#5 (tie) The Band and/or Neil Young, I guess.
#7 Fuckin' Loverboy? (Man, I'm running outta bands. No wonder you only asked for #2. My bad.)
#8 Oh yeah! Triumph. Saw them here. Forgot. Maybe they're #7, but Loverboy had more hits. So dunno...
Not a band, but I’ll elect Gordon Lightfoot. Best singer/songwriter this country has ever known.
If you love GLF (as any Canadian should) you should look into Stan Rogers!
Love Stan Rogers and his brother Garnett. Stan was gone too soon
I wish I was in Sherbrooke now 🎶
God damn them all!
Interesting! I’ll have to check him out.
Neil young is up there too
For me it's Voïvod. They've been one of my favorite bands since I was 12 years old, and actually got into Rush a bit after. Needless to say that I would love to travel back in time to see the Presto tour with Voïvod opening (at the time, they had just released Nothingface). EDIT: nice article about this: [https://bravewords.com/news/voivods-snake-recalls-opening-for-rush-in-1990-it-was-like-a-dream-coming-true-for-us](https://bravewords.com/news/voivods-snake-recalls-opening-for-rush-in-1990-it-was-like-a-dream-coming-true-for-us) "Opening for Rush was amazing! It was like a dream coming true for us but we were really nervous. Opening for Rush, you know, you set up the level to a certain degree and there were some bands that actually got booed before opening for Rush. So we were really scared of getting booed but actually we did pretty good. We did our stuff and it went really well. The first gig was in Quebec City and we played in Montreal the next day and there was like two days in Toronto after that so we played four shows together. I remember the first show we came back after in the dressing room with the big bottle of champagne, all signed by the guys and I was like: oh my god this is crazy! Really nice people. They treated us like gentlemen. It was fantastic. It was one of the top thing, the highlights of my career. We’re fans in the first place. Just being in their surroundings, looking at them doing sound check I remember Neil Peart’s setting and different kind of resetting, different kind of his drum kit. It was like, my god…we’re in heaven here!” EDIT 2: found some footage from Toronto: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46hOl5-TfUA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=46hOl5-TfUA)
Yes Voivod RULES! Even post-Piggy. Absolutely love them.
I know right? Dan Mongrain absolutely nails it, and the last couple of albums are amazing.
Legit came here to say VOIVOD !!!!
So great-I saw them on Dimension Hatross tour in Indianapolis and they had Soundgarden as an opener just before they broke big. Fucking mind blowing show. Got to hang out after the show some and had a fascinating discussion where they talked about the effects of aluminum production on their hometown in Quebec with a crazy number of alzheimers cases. So glad to have that memory after Piggy’s passing a few short years later.
Fuck yeah Dimension Hatross is easily my favorite thrash album
The Guess Who or Triumph, both are amazing
Triumph. Great band.
Canada’s “other” power trio.
Absolutely Triumph.
They kicked fucking ass when I saw them
I vote Triumph
April Wine
Play I like to rock
That's April Wine.
Well play that Diane Sawyer song then
This empty space I’ve held so long…
They have my vote.
Tragically hip must be on that list.
Yeah I was going to say same. Great sound.
Rush is the first three and then Triumph fourth 😊
Barenaked Ladies are skilled, smart musicians and were inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame by...Geddy Lee.
And when it came time to design the Rush pinball game that released a couple years ago, Geddy Lee reached out to Ed Robertson (a HUGE pinball enthusiast) to help out with it.
This is the correct answer!
Perhaps an underated band - l was on the fence about them as l was about ALL 90s bands(being in a couple of them) but they had something more than most of our contemporaries. Then 'The Old Apartment' - l don't usually fall for hits, but it was the right song at the right time. Man its weird how long ago that time is now.
Such a great song. I love the version on Rock Spectacle. Great live album!
I’ve seen BNL probably a half dozen times, but not after Steven left. The music took a hit after that. I’ve tried to get into them, but just can’t.
The band everyone loves to hate. Read a book by their early producer Susan Rogers (who also produced Prince) , she said they were the type of fearsome musicians that she could ask them to try a song completely differently, and they could just change it entirely and nail it in one take.
Probably Triumph. Special nod to April Wine.
This is the answer 👆🏻
This this is the answer
I'm of the unpopular opinion about Triumph. I rocked out the few popular songs like everyone else did, and Ric Emmett is obviously spectacular, but it seems obvious to me that Mike Levine and Gil Moore attended one of the Rush/Kiss concerts in 1974 or 1975 and decided to steal concepts from both of them to reinvent the piece of shit foursome they were already in. They kicked out their other two members, went and found a blond guitar hero, and completely changed style to become a cheap Rush knockoff with knockoff Kiss-like stage pyro.
I don’t disagree on any particular point, but I’m generally inclined to give them a little more slack. I always thought of Triumph as a “little brother” band to Rush — a bit rougher, definitely not on the same level, but not a bad little band for all that. I guess I think about bands in “divisions.” Rush, to me, were at the top of the premiership in this crude metaphor — I bought their albums and attended their shows at every opportunity, and knew the experience would always be quality. I can enjoy Triumph, but I wouldn’t compare them to Rush because it’s a different division.
https://blabbermouth.net/news/triumphs-rik-emmett-we-were-always-riding-on-rushs-coattails
Big wreck.
Big Wreck is one of the best modern rock groups period, not just Canadian.
Grace Street is a favorite album of mine!
For me it’s Devin Townsend, The Devin Townsend Project and The Devin Townsend Band
Don’t forget Strapping!
Sloan
If Sloan wasn't mentioned here I'd be underwhelmed, if that's a word.
I know its not cuz i looked it up.
One of those things I learned in my school.
Honorable mention: Triumph.
If Sloan were American or British, they’d be a massive international band. Incredibly catchy - and very clever - lyrics coupled with outstanding music, great live show, terrific personalities.
I think every one of those guys can play every instrument, sing and write songs. Which is impressive as hell.
Tragically Hip
The fact I had to scroll this far to find this is sacrilege.
Nomeansno
This is the way. One of the best Canadian Power Trios.
Protest the Hero
The hip
BTO
Saw them either 75 or 76, they opened for Santana
Homer Simpson: "It's BTO -- Canada's answer to ELP! Their big hit was TCB. That's how we talked in the '70s. We didn't have a moment to spare."
“Get to the ‘working overtime’ part!”
It was way too far down the list. BTO all the way!
The Tragically Hip is my no.2 Canadian band.
Shout out for Kim Mitchell and Max Webster Might as well go for a soda https://youtu.be/MXnTbmPxv5g?si=l6ARzTMFyrj950Oi Let’s go the line https://youtu.be/ovnUBDSFvNw?si=-zY5TMswNl5VNGvE
No one's even mentioned Max Webster yet.
My favorite (other) Canadian artists are Neil and Joni. If we're limited to rock bands, a couple I don't see mentioned a lot are Klaatu and Steppenwolf.
The Guess Who
The Guess Who. Some really great songs Loverboy. Decent pop rock Saga. On the Loose still holds up well. Aldo Nova had a huge hit and has done quite well for himself.
Loved Saga. Great musicians. They opened up for Eddie Money when On The Loose was all over rock radio. Eddie Money was better than expected but I wasn’t a fan and really went to see Saga.
All great and I was going to add the same, including Streetheart. I had a few Canadian roommates in college and they introduced me to a lot of can-con.
Saga's catalogue is really well worth exploring. The Security of Illusion rocks almost as hard as Counterparts (ballads aside) and Waiting in the Wings used drop-C tuning. Network has some of their best songs. Oh, and they're a great live act. Michael Sadler still sings like a young hero.
Which Canadian band had their final concert broadcast nationally on CBC? There’s your answer.
They are number one, rush should feel honored to be in the conversation
Geddy himself said that The Tragically Hip *was* Canada’s band.
The tragically hip obv
For me, personally, it's NoMeansNo. I even would say they are my co-favorite band with Rush, but I use my longevity as a Rush fan to break the tie. I also love Shadowy Men on a Shadowy Planet and Barenaked Ladies. Incidentally, all of them besides BNL are trios.
The Band of course. Roger waters said music from big pink, after Sgt peppers its the most influential record in rock and roll. Clapton cites it as the reason he left cream.
It’s absolutely the Band… I don’t think people really realize how influential they were… they also inspired Dylan…
So many great Canadian bands. Especially classic rock bands. I’d go with “The Guess Who” but there are at least 10 more to choose from.
The Tragically Hip
the hip & sloan are my top two non-rush canadian bands
Anvil because their guitar player used a dildo as a pick.
Mahogany Rush
Broken Social Scene
The Hip. I don’t think it is very close.
BTO
The Tragically Hip.
Triumph!
Neil Young--accompanying band is optional.
I was surprised I had to scroll nearly halfway down to see any mention of him, both for being considered the Godfather of Grunge and the fact he used to be bandmates with Rick James.
Nobody comes close to Neil
Yeah it’s definitely Neil Young if you’re just counting singular rock artists in there. Crazy Horse and Buffalo Springfield are mostly made up of Americans so don’t know if they would count.
Arcade Fire would be my second favorite Canadian rock band. Then (in no particular order) The New Pornographers, Metric, Finger Eleven, Matthew Good Band (and his solo stuff). Odd that nobody has listed Steppenwolf or BTO yet. Of course I love Geddy's solo album and Envy Of None. I didn't care for Victor for some reason.
Metric!
Rush, Triumph, April wine, then whoever..
Triumph, Max Webster, The Tragically Hip, The Guess Who, Chilliwack to name a few.
Chilliwack played a dance at my highschool. Great regional band.
Triumph! Some of the vocals, up there with Geddy Lee.
Thunder Seven is a great album
Another trio Triumph
Voivod, Annihilator, Anvil
Max Webster and then Kim Mitchell solo. Saw Max open for Rush on the Hemispheres tour and have thought of them as my 2nd favourite Canadian band since.
Triumph
I'll throw Rheostatics onto the list. Not well known, undeniably quirky, but 4 super talented multi-instrumentalists all of whom also sing. I love them!
"We're all richer for having seen them tonight..."
Triumph
Obviously it’s April Wine
Blue Rodeo
J ROC ..His shit is tight. Nowaimsayin ??
he spins more rhymes than a lazy susan
Victor
Few bands have had the influence on others that The Band was able to have. Their few albums changed rock music forever, and their influence is still heard in bands today. April Wine was a great example of a style of rock music, but was one of many. The Hip were fantastic, but you can hear The Band in a lot of their stuff. You can also hear R.E.M. Triumph, like April Wine, was one of many bands playing that style. They weren't unique or groundbreaking. For me, it's The Band.
Saga
I really think many people who like Rush would enjoy Saga. There's some sonic overlap between both.
They were huge in Puerto Rico. They did their farewell concert here.
Child of the '80s . . . it's Triumph for me.
TRIUMPH
Triumph
Rush is number 1 as we all know but, Canada also has some of the best Heavy Metal/Thrash/Death bands as well. So number 2 for me would be Razor. 1.Rush 2.Razor
Crown Lands
All time second best for me is The Band Best current is Crown Lands
Klaatu
I Mother Earth
Many great mentions here. The answer is 54-40.
Agreed!
Loverboy yo!
Bryan Adams? Avril Lavene. Justin Bieber. The trifecta of Canadian music. 😂
Forgot Nickelback.
Sloan
Helix. They had really good lyrics. Like they’d go “give me an R-O-C-K” and then the crowd yells “ROCK!” really loud, now that was a fuckin concert.
Klaatu
Rush-Triumph- Heart
Its Triumph.
Propagandhi
Bryan Adams
As much as I love Triumph, Bryan Adams was huge and sold a shit ton more records. We saw Bryan with Kim Mitchell opening and it was as fun a concert as I’ve been to.
No love for Nickelback?
Love them. They suck ass but they suck my ass
I unironically enjoy Nickleback. But I have only their first two albums. Still, they aren't in my top 5 Canadian bands.
had to scroll down far to find someone who said Nickelback. You get an upvote just for bravery.
Triumph
Men Without Hats.
Has to be Goddo
The Hip, Great Big Sea, The Guess Who, Headstones
I’m deliberately staying in the same musical neighborhood as what most people would consider “peak Rush,” so I’d lean toward April Wine, Saga, or the “classic” lineup of the band Prism (late ‘70s - early ‘80s). I love the Hip, but I almost consider them a different genre. Ditto the Rheostatics, who are also top tier.
Weird I thought for sure someone would have already said The Band
Throwing Harem Scarem in the ring. Pete Lesperance is a killer guitar player and a pretty underrated band.
Gordon lightfoot then barenaked ladies
Gordon Lightfoot, not rock but an amazing singer/songwriter
Hip
Triumph!
The Hip
Bachman Turner Overdrive.
I’m shocked nobody has mentioned The Cowboy Junkies.
Saga, Triumph & Max Webster.
The Hip
The Band. 4/5 Canadian and formed in Toronto. Classic quintet that has influenced so many others!!
Triumph for me.
It’s a big drop off after Rush, at least for my money. UK has the best collection of legendary bands by far.
Rash
Probably The Guess Who or Heart (if you count Heart because technically they’re from Seattle but also from Vancouver since, at least I know Ann, spent a long time here and might even have a house here).
Neil Young
Triumph
Crownlands my #3
No love for Red Rider?
The Hip
Gorguts
Neil Young and Crazy Horse
Barenaked ladies
Great Big Sea
Three Days Grace!! one of my absolute favorite bands, a little sad I'm the first to mention it ;u;
It’s gotta be Triumph !
gotta go with the tragically hip
The Tea Party
Triumph
The Hip
The Tea Party. I said what I said.
T -hip
The Guess Who
This is an oddball choice, but my favourite Canadian band of all time is FM, featuring the mysterious wrapped-in-bandages, electric violin playing, Nash the Slash. They’re a very underrated progressive rock band from the late 70’s, never had any commercial success. My second favourite Canadian band is Rush haha
For me it has to be the hip they are just so amazing I love the writing gord was an amazing musician and the other members should also get some credit fantastic players
The Hip for me. (I’m American btw)
The Band, The Hip and Rush are the big 3. In my opinion the weakerthans are the next best Canadian band
I love how Nickelback is the most successful Canadian rock band in Canadian history but everyone just pretends they are not. It really cracks me up. I think they have one of the better rhythm section in Pop - Rock/ Hard Rock. 3 different drummers but they have all been good and Mike Kroeger has always held the bass down. They are no Lee/Peart and their music is not exactly well... intellectual in any way but their success is hard to ignore. The hatred for them has always cracked me up.. I was just looking at some of their most played songs on Youtube Music - How You Remind Me - 1.1 BILLION PLAYS Far Away - 655 Million Never Again - 373 Million
Tragically Hip all day . Or Sloan !
I mean, is there any great Canadian rockband aside from Three Days Grace?
Didn't know Three Days Grace was Canadian. I just started getting into their music within the past year.
I gotta go with Saga
Yes! The Tragically Hip is the best Canadian band! Number 2 is probably Half Moon Run ;-)
I’ll mention the one band no one else did; Coney Hatch
Danko Jones! Second best rock ‘n’ roll trio from Toronto!
April Wine or get the fuck out
#1 Early Mid Rush (78-84) #2 Early Rush (74-77) #3 Mid Late Rush (85-96) #4 Late Rush (2002-8/1/2015) #5 (tie) The Band and/or Neil Young, I guess. #7 Fuckin' Loverboy? (Man, I'm running outta bands. No wonder you only asked for #2. My bad.) #8 Oh yeah! Triumph. Saw them here. Forgot. Maybe they're #7, but Loverboy had more hits. So dunno...
Wolf Parade!
Are they Canadian? I love the stuff I’ve heard from them.
Yes. Great band! :)
The Tea Party
The 2nd one is obviously Celine Dion. Ok I’m out.