Fenian Raid
Gig Seeker Pro

Fenian Raid

Burlington, Ontario, Canada | Established. Jan 01, 2009 | SELF

Burlington, Ontario, Canada | SELF
Established on Jan, 2009
Band Folk Rock

Calendar

This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

Music

Press


"Fenian Raid Nominated for 3 Niagara Music Awards"

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


"Ridgeway's Fenian Raid brings the battle home"

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


"Ridgeway's Fenian Raid brings the battle home"

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


Discography

Still working on that hot first release.

Photos

Bio

Fenian Raid was just nominated for three Niagara Music Awards for their efforts on their recent first album release - Acoustic Shadows. Nods include Album of the Year, Original Song and World Group of the year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

This 4 piece from Ridgeway/ Burlington has an assault of sound, defending its borders with rhythmic invasion and force. Taking back the Ridge that was rightfully theirs as they foot stomp and beat their way through time capturing the forgotten but an ever important piece of Canadian history spotlighted in their music -The Battle of Ridgeway.

We found our home in East Coast Celtic fun music with a modern rock familiar element. We also rested on a name that captures our respect for this music, for where we live and where history has been made.

Naming our band Fenian Raid pays tribute to the birth of our nation.

The Fenian Raids in 1866 first battle took place in Ridgeway Ontario only 2 miles from where 3 of us now live. Known as the forgotten battle in Canadian history -The Battle of Ridgeway, marked the triumphant unity of our great country as Sir John A MacDonald rallied the colonials to bravely fight off the Fenians and establish a new unifying identity - Canada. Confederation followed. Soldier Alexander Muir served with the Queens Own Rifles of Toronto Company in the Battle of Ridgeway against the Fenians. This experience inspired him to write Canadas first national anthem The Maple Leaf Forever. This national treasure makes a quick but poignant appearance on our debut album Acoustic Shadows.

Our love of Canada, passion for the outdoors and Canadian music runs deep with us and inspires the music we write and perform. Its hard not to be influenced and inspired by legends like Gordon Lightfoot, Stan Rogers, Stomping Tom Connors and the likes of more modern day Canadian heroes like Neil Young, Sam Roberts, Great Big Sea, the HIP etc...

Or music is rooted in tradition with traditional instruments but played with a fierce new energy connecting the old and new. Belting harmonies, foot stomping and the driving catchy choruses energizes.

Our original work written by our lead singer and song writer Angus Butler tells the stories of our lives, his inner thoughts, our trips into the wilderness to escape and the history of Canada and Canadians past and present.

All of this culminates into our debut CD release called Acoustic Shadows. Co-produced and engineered by Steve Pitkin at Modest Heights Studios. Steve is also known as the drummer of our favorite Canadian band - Elliott Brood.

Fenian Raid was nominated for three Niagara Music awards for their efforts on Acoustic Shadows. Nods include Album of the Year, Original Song and World Group of the year.
Claiming World Group of the Year

The third track on the album called "The Battle of Limestone Ridge" aka, the Battle of Ridgeway, incorporates the actual words that the Queens Own Rifles of Toronto Company sang and marched into battle to stand for this country in 1866.

With our Sundays best on we will see you and your neighbours at the local to share a pint a story and song or two.

Fenian Raid

Angus Butler - Vocals/Banjo/Guitar/Ukulele/Harmonica
Kevin Crone - Bass/Ukulele Bass/Mandolin
Frank Devereaux - Guitar/Accordion/Spoons
Scott Fretz - Drums & Percussion

Hometown: Ridgeway, ON (Kev's from Burlington)

Record Label: Indie

Album Release: Acoustic Shadows
Released Date: May 2013

Band Members