Fenian Raid

Fenian Raid has been recently nominated for three Niagara Music Awards for their recent release of their debut album, Acoustic Shadows.

Nominations include: Album of the Year, Original Song and World Group - Niagara Music Awards

They’re named after a forgotten chapter in Canadian history, but the guys in Niagara band Fenian Raid are glad to carry the torch.

For years, they toiled as a cover band, a necessity Niagara groups know all too well. Bars rarely want original music, they want the safe, the familiar. But these three lads from Ridgeway (and one from Burlington) weren’t getting any younger, and decided to put their own tunes front and centre.

Songs about a Canada-defining battle, no less.

“When we kicked around the name Fenian Raid, I thought it was pretty sad that people who grew up around here didn’t know about what they call the Forgotten Battle,” says singer/guitarist Angus Butler, 37. “It’s true. They’re building on the battle field right now. They’re selling homes on it.”

The Battle of Ridgeway on June 2, 1866, is one of five skirmishes known as the Fenian Raids from 1866 to 1871. It stemmed from an American wing of the Irish Revolutionary Army itching to cross the Niagara River to fight British soldiers, whom they resented for killing many of their countrymen overseas. They scored an easy victory, then retreated back to the U.S. before Canadian and British reinforcements could arrive.

Canada was embarrassed by the whole episode, and vowed to beef up its defenses. The battle played a key role in the country finding its identity.

It marks the last time a battle was fought in Ontario against a foreign invader.

The skirmish is also known as The Battle of Limestone Ridge, which is also the name of the third track on Fenian Raid’s debut CD, Acoustic Shadows. The lyrics include the marching song the Queen’s Own Rifles of Toronto Company sang heading into battle.

Which might appeal to history buffs, but what about people in a pub?

No worries, says Butler. The band’s folk rock sound isn’t that far removed from Mumford and Sons.

“We hit at the right time with this kind of music,” he says.

Giving the album some professional polish is Elliott Brood drummer Stephen Pitkin, who engineered and co-produced the tracks.

“After a year and a half, we found the right guy,” says Butler.

After playing S.C.E.N.E. in St. Catharines June 9 and Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival June 15, the band – comprised of Butler, Kevin Crone, Frank Devereaux and Jason Cline – returns home to play a CD Release show at Ridgeway’s The Sanctuary - Centre for the Arts Friday night, opening for The Matinee.

“We really a foot-stompin’, fun sound with some serious lyrics going on.”

john.law@sunmedia.ca

WHO: Fenian Raid & The Matinee
WHERE: The Sanctuary - Centre for the Arts, 209 Ridge Rd., Ridgeway
WHEN: June 21, 8 p.m.
TICKETS: $10, all ages
- Niagara Falls Review

They’re named after a forgotten chapter in Canadian history, but the guys in Niagara band Fenian Raid are glad to carry the torch.

For years, they toiled as a cover band, a necessity Niagara groups know all too well. Bars rarely want original music, they want the safe, the familiar. But these three lads from Ridgeway (and one from Burlington) weren’t getting any younger, and decided to put their own tunes front and centre.

Songs about a Canada-defining battle, no less.

“When we kicked around the name Fenian Raid, I thought it was pretty sad that people who grew up around here didn’t know about what they call the Forgotten Battle,” says singer/guitarist Angus Butler, 37. “It’s true. They’re building on the battle field right now. They’re selling homes on it.”

The Battle of Ridgeway on June 2, 1866, is one of five skirmishes known as the Fenian Raids from 1866 to 1871. It stemmed from an American wing of the Irish Revolutionary Army itching to cross the Niagara River to fight British soldiers, whom they resented for killing many of their countrymen overseas. They scored an easy victory, then retreated back to the U.S. before Canadian and British reinforcements could arrive.

Canada was embarrassed by the whole episode, and vowed to beef up its defenses. The battle played a key role in the country finding its identity.

It marks the last time a battle was fought in Ontario against a foreign invader.

The skirmish is also known as The Battle of Limestone Ridge, which is also the name of the third track on Fenian Raid’s debut CD, Acoustic Shadows. The lyrics include the marching song the Queen’s Own Rifles of Toronto Company sang heading into battle.

Which might appeal to history buffs, but what about people in a pub?

No worries, says Butler. The band’s folk rock sound isn’t that far removed from Mumford and Sons.

“We hit at the right time with this kind of music,” he says.

Giving the album some professional polish is Elliott Brood drummer Stephen Pitkin, who engineered and co-produced the tracks.

“After a year and a half, we found the right guy,” says Butler.

After playing S.C.E.N.E. in St. Catharines June 9 and Burlington’s Sound of Music Festival June 15, the band – comprised of Butler, Kevin Crone, Frank Devereaux and Jason Cline – returns home to play a CD Release show at Ridgeway’s The Sanctuary - Centre for the Arts Friday night, opening for The Matinee.

“We really a foot-stompin’, fun sound with some serious lyrics going on.”

john.law@sunmedia.ca

WHO: Fenian Raid & The Matinee
WHERE: The Sanctuary - Centre for the Arts, 209 Ridge Rd., Ridgeway
WHEN: June 21, 8 p.m.
TICKETS: $10, all ages
- Niagara Falls Review