The Anti-Queens

Toronto punk-rock outfit Anti-Queens has surfaced on our radar, and they bring a screaming energy that packs a visceral punch and will likely leave you with a broken jaw. Seemingly out of left-field, this three-piece rocker consisting of “4 tits and a dick” (as endearingly described by the band themselves), this is a band that will surprise you and excite you for the future. Lead by the gorgeously raucous vocals of Emily Bones on their stunning EP “Start Running,” Anti-Queens is a squadron loaded with youthful energy and a dangerous flair.

11391716_714408402004936_4975990748032788817_nThe six-track EP starts with aplomb, rolling with “Halls Of Ivy,” showcasing right away the fast and ripping nature of the band, and perhaps most prominently Bones’ infectious vocals. Clocking in at just a smidge over three minutes, this is a good sample for the rest of the EP on just how fast-paced and technically impressive the record is, flowing gracefully from verse to chorus while smacking the listener silly with a musically serrated blade.

“Ladders” has a very prominent “skater” feel to it, and this is good, because it sounds all the more better as long as Bones begins singing. This is the shortest track on the record, and it’s got such a great rebellious bite to it that we’re happy it comes and goes as fast as it does — it just seems all the more potent. With lines like “go find yourself another slave / to be a bitch for the lowest wage” and ending with one of the record’s more gorgeous sounding outro’s, “Ladders” is an octane-fueled sleeper track that rock fans are going to enjoy.

“Like A Flame” has a more poppy and thus nostalgic feel, featuring a gorgeous bass line that pulses all throughout courtesy Mary Deth. The feel good and playful vibe of this song will probably make this one a crowd favourite.

START RUNNING by The Anti-Queens

“Quick Cure” is the longest track on the album, clocking in at almost four minutes, and it’s progression from verse to chorus perhaps showcases a side to the band that is more mature and cohesive in comparison to the raucous and rebellious feel of the rest of the album. This isn’t where Anti-Queens chooses to slow down, however, and thank god for that: “Read My Mind” on track five is a surefire crowd pleaser, featuring a bombastic guitar riff and the catchiest chorus on the album. There’s even an interlude that shows off some fantastic technical skills, highlighting a short guitar solo and a chance for the listener to really just rock the hell out. It’s remarkable how much bite this song packs in just over three minutes. If you’re looking for a reason to seriously pick up this band, let this short but sweet track be the reason.

The EP ends (and so suddenly, it seems) with “4 Tits,” the more garage-laced and politically-charged rocker on the album that concludes the record on a very energetic and monstrous note and is anything but a farewell to fans.

Indeed, “Start Running” is a sampler of some fantastic potential, the Toronto rockers already demonstrating great technical prowess (“Read My Mind”) as well an ear for some crowd-friendly hits (“Like A Flame”). This is a band that has the makings to be something special in the future. We want more, and now that the band has started running we hope that they never stop any time soon. - Brandon Minia

Luscious locks and deliciously delightful sounds of rebellion. The crimson walls and leopard furniture of the venue gives you the feeling of being in a Mae West character’s den of iniquity. No better place to be musically seduced by this witty and talented trio than at Cherry Cola’s. The Anti-Queens displayed one of the best audience connections I've seen in a while.

These powerfully fabulous three really have a recipe for success. Having never heard them before I really did not know what to expect. I was wildly enthralled by the vocal talents of Miss Emily Bones. Her voice is an amazing twist between Pat Benetar and Halley Williams. It was like being blanketed with the spirit and voices of 80’s rock goddesses, she is really amazing to listen to. Mary Deth, the pink haired super-babe whose shirt truly assured me that she is in fact really a mermaid, and also one rockin’ bass player.

As soon as they went on stage every head in the audience was bobbing their heads along to the beat of Kurt’s drums, he’s a straight up marvel in the music community. Having previously heard him play in the Wallaceberg, ON band Creek Street, which was a wildly different sound, I was totally impressed by the range and evolution of his already stellar skills. The best thing about the Anti-Queens is that you can simply see that they do this because they love it. They smile, they joke and they play the kind of music that you just plain want to dance, run to, or aggressively clean your house to.

There isn’t any pretense, just perfectly listenable music, a quality that seems to be fleeting in many of today’s bands. I was very pleased with their performance and enjoyed hearing their angsty, potent lyrics, even though at times I almost had my eye poked out by pointy hairstyles of audience members. My only complaint is the venue. Although the punk/rockabilly element was perfectly suiting, it was a little too small for such an immaculately colossal sound. Maybe larger bars? Maybe stadiums? I can’t wait to see what’s next for them. In the meantime I will be off dancing around my kitchen to Noushi. - Andrea Holz

“I am a late bloomer when it comes to collecting vinyl. I was inspired by my friends and how they would talk about it being addictive and once you start, you can’t stop.”

“When I was a kid my mother and father both had a vinyl collection. I use to go through their collection and pick which ones were my mom’s and which ones were my dad’s. My parents grew up in the ’70s and they both listened to completely different music.

My mother listened to a lot of disco, pop, and country/folk music. Her collection consisted of records like Elton John, David Bowie, Donny Osmond, The Beatles (earlier Beatles), Paul McCartney & Wings, Donna Summer, Linda Ronstadt, and Dan Hill. My father’s music taste was geared to psychedelic rock and his collection consisted of April Wine, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, The Who, The Guess Who, Ye,s and The Rolling Stones.


My first vinyl was a gift, and that was Joan Jett’s I Love Rock n Roll, and that is where the addiction began. From hunting for that rare vinyl as a tactile experience, to the amazing sound you hear on a record player that no CD player could make. I continue to collect as we speak, with my most recent purchase being an older album I would listen to as a teenager, The Flatliners The Great Awake.

CD’s that I grew with are now on vinyl, and I can relive the experience with a completely different sound.”
—Mary Deth - SPECIAL TO TVD

The Anti-Queens are a 3 piece, all female Rock/Punk band hailing from Toronto, Canada, and the power trio have recently released their debut 6 track EP “Grow Up/Stay Young“, produced and mixed by Ian Blackwood and Mastered by Jesse Colburn. Emily Bones, with her versatile vocals and grinding guitars fronts the band and is backed by the thumping bass and backing vox of Mary Deth, with Lindsay Bird, banging out some hard hitting grooves on the drums.

The opening track is “L Bomb” which, with its heavy guitars, head bopping groove and hooky lyrics, showcases Bones’ vocals from sweet melodic tones to her more angst-ridden edges and sets the tone for the rest of the EP. For a debut, the girls display an element of maturity in their songwriting throughout the EP, with elements of Grunge and Punk being twisted together to create songs that bring back memories of bands like L7, Joan Jet and Xray Specs. Songs “Noushi” and “Cowards In The Castle” see the band displaying their Rock credentials, with big riffs, wailing feedback and pounding grooves, whereas “Grow Up/Stay Young” and “The Famous Monster” let the band show a slightly more delicate side to their songwriting with some gentle acoustic musings and slightly more technical performances. Closing track, “Fixerupper“, for me, is the stand out track of the 6 songs, with elements of bands like Pearl Jam’s more punky material clearly showing through and a chorus that gets stuck in your head for days after.

To the credit of the band and producer Ian Blackwood, the production of the EP has been kept understated, but delivers a big, raw, solid Punk Rock sound staying true to the genre and allowing the listener a true representation of the 3-piece in a context that I am sure they can duplicate accurately and energetically live on stage.

If you like your music rocking and raw, and delivered by some gals with attitude, then you really should take some time to download “Grow Up/Stay Young” from The Anti-Queens and you definitely won’t be disappointed in what you hear.

Watch their new video for “Noushi” here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebckROyTKbY

Click this link to go straight to iTunes and buy the EP: https://itunes.apple.com/ca/artist/the-anti-queens/id665691582

Twitter: @AntiQueens

Facebook: TheAntiqueens - Ian Husbands

Da Toronto, Canada, ispirate non tanto dal garage rock europeo degli anni ’80, quanto da un miscuglio di punk rock e di garage indipendente americano degli anni ’90, quasi un incrocio tra gli X, i Fall Out e le Red Aunts. Privilegiano l’approccio strumentale al punk, con un cantato solo sporadico che prende corpo solo in ‘Cowards In The Castle’ (tra l’altro, con una voce molto simile alle Muffs). Sufficientemente convincenti, giocano il punk con discreta personalità, tenuto conto che questo è di fatto il loro debutto. Ed è un debutto niente male. Per farvene un’idea buttate un occhio al video del singolo ‘Noushi’ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ebckROyTKbY ma se ne volete di più: http://www.theanti-queens.bandcamp.com/
(Mario Ruggeri) - Mario Ruggeri

I have been avoiding writing this post…

I usually hate being talking about negative things but I feel like I need to explain my Indie Week experience this year.

First off, I have attended Indie Week for four years now and have never had a bad experience. I love the festival, I love the idea that little-known bands are given a spotlight to get out there in front of the public and industry folk. I love that the winner of the group gets to go to Ireland to perform at their Indie Week, who doesn’t love a international music partnership? But not everything was great at Indie Week this year.

Now, I know venues and festivals are separate entities but this year it was out of control. I found it very difficult to actually go anywhere, which is a shame because you’d think that when you have a media pass places would want you to come in to give the event/venue/band coverage. However that was not the case. At Velvet Underground, I was let in only to have someone come up to me about 10 minutes after arriving to tell me I needed to pay the cover. This was really weird because it was an Indie Week venue, and I was at an Indie Week band performance… Also I have a wristband and a pass. I wonder if they were doing this to other people with wristbands? Double charging. Not cool.

Second venue, The Hideout. I have never had problems here. This year the bouncer was some oaf on a power trip. The venue was seamlessly empty inside every time I was in there, yet they were still holding a line out the door and around the corner. On top of that I saw the dude [bouncer] take bribes [money] to let people cut the line.

Another issue was their website, as of the second day of their festival their schedule system was down. No answer from social media about a solution… I don’t even think they noticed. So much for planning shows! Sorry bands I missed out on!

I tweeted Indie Week about some of these issues and noticed that their social media this year was pretty much invisible… I don’t know who they had managing the accounts this year but I barely saw a word from them all festival.

All that aside… I did see a couple great groups that deserve love!


The Anti-Queens, are an all girl, bad-ass, rock group from Toronto. They dished out a high-energy performance that was fun and exhilarating. P.S. Thanks Bovine for not sucking!

Next, Matt Blais and his band rocked out The Hideout. I waited in that hideous line with that hideous bouncer to see this dude, and the wait was worth it. This dude has heart and loves to perform – Can’t go wrong with that!

The final group, I unfortunately forgot their name! If the Indie Week website actually worked I could have figured that out. Sorry guys! If anyone knows them please comment in the comments below please! - BrockPapers

I feel like rocking out today, so what better than this band I just stumbled into.

The Anti-Queens are an all girl Rock/Punk/Grunge band from Toronto who are coming to rock your world.

I like how they described themsleves:
The Anti-Queens are a Toronto based trio of female musicians (or as they like to call themselves “6 tits with instruments”) who have managed to fuse 90's garage rock in with a modern punk tinge. Aside from their striking colour scheme and matching stage threads, you will find a group whose song writing is twice as evocative as their visual appeal.
The Anti-Queens are:

Emily Bones - Guitar, Lead Vox
Mary Deth - Bass, Backup Vox

A listen to their debut EP “Grow Up / Stay Young” will tap you into their cathartic way of anger management, yet the real experience lies within their vigorous stage show. No committee hides behind these young street toughs. You can often see them wheeling a rickety cart full of amplifiers and guitars through crowded streets in motion to a gig or catch them hand mailing their merchandise around the world. D.I.Y isn’t a buzz term peeled from the pages of punk lore for The Anti-Queens... It’s their way of life.

So now we have the background, let's get to the music.
Check out this "official" video and be ready to rock.

This is the second track from their awesome EP - Grow Up/Stay Young.
Make sure you check it out.
Almost all of the songs featured here are on that EP. - Barrie Moore

A review of The Anti-Queens EP by Rock Chicks Rules - Rock Chicks Rule

Mittenz** (before changing their name to "The Anti-Queens")
with crimson hair a-blazing, the rock goddesses were far from haughty and imperious but a bundle of fun infused with Letters to Cleo energy [à la Kay Hanley on the rooftop of 10 Things I Hate About You who we did manage to see once upon a time at the Opera House—dream came true—or another dream come true Juliana Hatfield vibe, a name we do not toss out lightly at all].

MITTENZ who started out as a pairing comprised of Emily Bones and Mary Deth [great Derby name] has fleshed out considerably from the duo pieces put up on their myspace page—Mittenz with the addition of the bass Laura and a more permanent Lindsay Bird drummer to become the all-female combo. Mittenz are more minxy than grrrowly bunch of kittenz on stage and having a seriously good time on stage in front of a packed C’est What room [it was Lindsay Bird's birthday after all]. Mittenz were more than a handful in the crowded basement filled with followers, friends and parental types. And there was birthday cake! Mittenz are a fun combo having fun on the stage with a nice mix of pop and skattelite—with serious intentions. Though being a band in the growing and transition “that’s us in a nutshell,’ says Emily Bones—adding permanent members into the fold is a matter of finding the right chemistry. After their next gig March 5, 2011 at Silver Dollar there are recording plans for a full CD on the line. - Joe Mac (midnightmatineephotography)

For this year’s fest, the Toronto Live Music Examiner started the night at The Velvet Underground with some home grown girl rock.

Toronto band Mittenz* (before Anti-Queens name change) have been making music together for 8 years, a fact belied by their youthful appearance and exuberance. Singer/guitarist Emily Bones, bassist Mary Deth on bass/vocals and Youtube sensation drummer Lindsay Bird have created the perfect combination of sweetness and edge. That image and their catchy pop/rock/country musical stylings give them the ability to reach an audience broad in age, style, and taste, as evidenced by the varied crowd at the Velvet Underground for their early Wednesday night set. Opening the set with “L-Bomb”, this quintessential rock song featured an irresistible drum beat courtesy of Bird, and had the small but excited crowd out of their various seats around the bar and crowding the stage. The girls went back to their country roots in the boot stompin’, hand clappin’ tune “Reek all Week”, featuring a great bass opening by Deth. New and never before played song “Fixer Upper” was the highlight of the set, as Bones busted out a killer bluesy riff, and really showcased her Gwen Stefani-esque vocals. Modern and classic influences come together with a twist that is uniquely Mittenz. A little bit of nervousness could be detected from the stage, but the enthusiasm and energy of the band made up for it, as well as the real potential exhibited by this young band.

**The Anti-Queens changed their name from Mittenz after this article was written. - NADIA ELKHARADLY (Examiner)

Mittenz* (now "The Anti-Queens) is a 3-piece rock all-female rock band based out of Toronto. The trio is comprised of Emily Bones (vocals, guitar), Mary Deth (bass, vocals) and Lindsay Bird (drums, vocals). Their loud and energetic pop rock (and often punk-tinged) sound completely caught me off guard. Bones has quite an incredible voice and Bird has quite a YouTube fanbase for her drumming videos.

The dynamic on stage was great to watch, particularly between best friends Bones and Deth. A highlight of the set was when Bones laid out on the drums, knocking over some of the kit. And hilariously, the band just got back up to sing the last song of the set like it was nothing. These female rockers really put on a great show.

*Before The Anti-Queens changed their band name. - Buying Shots For Bands

The Anti-Queens have released a video for their song, “Ladders” from their sophomore EP Start Running, which was filmed on the streets of Toronto and inside their home away from home, Cherry Cola’s Rock ‘n’ Rolla Cabaret & Lounge. The band premiered the video at a concert at Cherry Cola’s in support of their upcoming U.S. tour. Be sure to follow The Anti-Queens on social media and check out their Go Fund Me fundraiser with funds going to help the band purchase a tour trailer. - Nicole Wolfe

Toronto punk-rock outfit Anti-Queens has surfaced on our radar, and they bring a screaming energy that packs a visceral punch and will likely leave you with a broken jaw. Seemingly out of left-field, this three-piece rocker consisting of “4 tits and a dick” (as endearingly described by the band themselves), this is a band that will surprise you and excite you for the future. Lead by the gorgeously raucous vocals of Emily Bones on their stunning EP “Start Running,” Anti-Queens is a squadron loaded with youthful energy and a dangerous flair.

11391716_714408402004936_4975990748032788817_nThe six-track EP starts with aplomb, rolling with “Halls Of Ivy,” showcasing right away the fast and ripping nature of the band, and perhaps most prominently Bones’ infectious vocals. Clocking in at just a smidge over three minutes, this is a good sample for the rest of the EP on just how fast-paced and technically impressive the record is, flowing gracefully from verse to chorus while smacking the listener silly with a musically serrated blade.

“Ladders” has a very prominent “skater” feel to it, and this is good, because it sounds all the more better as long as Bones begins singing. This is the shortest track on the record, and it’s got such a great rebellious bite to it that we’re happy it comes and goes as fast as it does — it just seems all the more potent. With lines like “go find yourself another slave / to be a bitch for the lowest wage” and ending with one of the record’s more gorgeous sounding outro’s, “Ladders” is an octane-fueled sleeper track that rock fans are going to enjoy.

“Like A Flame” has a more poppy and thus nostalgic feel, featuring a gorgeous bass line that pulses all throughout courtesy Mary Deth. The feel good and playful vibe of this song will probably make this one a crowd favourite.

START RUNNING by The Anti-Queens

“Quick Cure” is the longest track on the album, clocking in at almost four minutes, and it’s progression from verse to chorus perhaps showcases a side to the band that is more mature and cohesive in comparison to the raucous and rebellious feel of the rest of the album. This isn’t where Anti-Queens chooses to slow down, however, and thank god for that: “Read My Mind” on track five is a surefire crowd pleaser, featuring a bombastic guitar riff and the catchiest chorus on the album. There’s even an interlude that shows off some fantastic technical skills, highlighting a short guitar solo and a chance for the listener to really just rock the hell out. It’s remarkable how much bite this song packs in just over three minutes. If you’re looking for a reason to seriously pick up this band, let this short but sweet track be the reason.

The EP ends (and so suddenly, it seems) with “4 Tits,” the more garage-laced and politically-charged rocker on the album that concludes the record on a very energetic and monstrous note and is anything but a farewell to fans.

Indeed, “Start Running” is a sampler of some fantastic potential, the Toronto rockers already demonstrating great technical prowess (“Read My Mind”) as well an ear for some crowd-friendly hits (“Like A Flame”). This is a band that has the makings to be something special in the future. We want more, and now that the band has started running we hope that they never stop any time soon. - Brandon Minia

The Anti-Queens play raw, visceral punk grunge music. On stage, lead singer and guitarist Emily Bones looks like an anime character come to life. Throughout the performance, both she and bassist Mary Deth were relentlessly doing huge kicks and hair flips. Drummer Kurt Dickson is intensely on point, lending his huge and emphatic stadium punk beats to their spastic sound. The crowd was decent for a Tuesday night and a little three man mosh pit even broke out at one point. The Anti-Queens music is dirty and distorted, simple but polished. Their songs are catchy, and while they are slightly Pop-driven, they are also majorly primal and creative.




Picture

They recently toured the US and Canada in support of their new EP, Start Running which was release on June 8th this year. The anti-Queens collaborated with a fantastic team to make this record and had several special guest writers and musicians on the project.



Throughout the show at Cherry Colas, Bones was throwing around amazing, crass references. At one point she leaned into the microphone to growl, “this song is about menstruation”, and then immediately burst into some of her polished, high-energy power chords. At one point they slowed things down as Dickson uncharacteristically crooned into the microphone for about a minute about broken hearts.




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This power trio is something special. It is not every band you see that you leave their show hearing, “I cannot wait until they play again!” from multiple audience members. But wait there is more good news. As it happens, The Anti-Queens are playing a residency this month at Cherry Colas Rock N Roll and Cabaret Lounge.

They will be playing there every Tuesday night throughout the month of September. So be sure to stop by and catch some madly beguiling punk rock:

http://www.theanti-queens.bandcamp.com/


Review and Pictures by: Gideon Greenbaum-Shinder
Edited by: Jesse Kline - Gideon Greenbaum-Shinder

We caught up with Toronto rock band The Anti-Queens at Cherry Cola’s Rock ‘n’ Rolla Cabaret & Lounge last month to discuss their latest EP, tour life, bending genre restrictions, their DIY ethic and much more! Check out the video: - Canada's Talent