Search Results for “Dirty Nil” – Rock Era Magazine https://rockeramagazine.com The Risa of a New Era! Sun, 13 Jul 2025 10:03:54 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 The Dirty Nil Continue to Tease Fifth Album ‘The Lash’ (Out July 25th) with Cathartic, Hardcore-Laced Single “Fail in Time” https://rockeramagazine.com/the-dirty-nil-the-lash-2/ Sun, 13 Jul 2025 10:03:54 +0000 https://rockeramagazine.com/?p=45761 Hamilton, Ontario’s The Dirty Nil fire back with “Fail in Time,” the latest single off their upcoming fifth album, The Lash, out July 25th via Dine Alone Records.

Following the searing charge of “Gallop of the Hounds,” the snarling honesty of “Rock N’ Roll Band,” and the delicate introspection of “Spider Dream,” this new track drives the knife even deeper, pairing triumphant verses with a stark chorus that confronts the inevitable fade of happiness.

“Fail in Time” is a perfect example of The Lash‘s stripped down, black-and-white approach: raw, loud, and refreshingly bleak.

When true joy enters your life, you know it’s got a return ticket to wherever it came from. I wrote the chorus of the song first and wanted to make the verses as triumphant as possible – we even got an I Think You Should Leave reference into the second. Then we hit the pre-chorus where happiness begins to fade. The chorus is about knowing it’s over… that little spark is gone. [Engineer] Vince [Solivari] insisted we put a hardcore breakdown in at the end and I’m glad we listened to him. – Luke Bentham (guitarist/vocalist)

The Lash Tracklisting:

  1. Gallop of the Hounds
  2. Fail in Time
  3. That Don’t Mean It Won’t Sting
  4. Rock N’ Roll Band
  5. This Is Me Warning Ya
  6. Do You Want Me?
  7. Spider Dream
  8. They Won’t Beat Us
  9. Hero Narrative
  10. I Was A Henchman

Everything about The Lash evokes a certain sort of brutality.

During a trip to the Vatican, Bentham found inspiration in some of its forgotten art: I was in a very dusty part of the basement, and they had these crazy bronze reliefs that were some of the most brutal things I’ve ever seen. There was a particular one called The Horrors of War. It was two guys fighting over a knife. That image ended up guiding a lot of this record.

From there, the band brought in UK designer Jack Sabbat for his acerbic, bootleg punk-flyer style, assuring The Lash would look right at home in a beat-up bin of old Crass records or in a Medieval torture dungeon.

Thematically, the album’s 10 tracks trade Bentham‘s usual happy-go-lucky romanticism for a cathartic vent session about everything from music industry bullsh*t to the dissolution of a relationship. Drummer and co-conspirator Kyle Fisher jokes: I’ve been telling people that this is Luke‘s therapy record.

Since forming in 2006, The Dirty Nil have always embraced the flashier side of punk. But with The Lash, they strip it all down to the essentials—just two friends in a room, playing like everything is on the line.

For fans of The Jesus Lizard, The Bronx, and Metz, The Lash is a high-stakes rock record from a band that has spent over a decade tearing up stages, building a worldwide following, and even winning a JUNO Award for Breakthrough Band in 2017. They’ve played the game and jumped through the hoops – now, The Dirty Nil are doing things entirely on their own terms.

The Dirty Nil will be on tour with Heart Attack Man, Carpool, and Dear Seattle this summer. All tickets are on sale HERE.

July 10, 2025 – Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL
July 11, 2025 – Because Beer Festival – Hamilton, ON (The Dirty Nil only)
July 12, 2025 – Aby’s Rapid City, Rapid City, SD
July 13, 2025 – Wooly’s, Des Moines, IA
July 16, 2025 – The Waiting Room, Omaha, NE
July 18, 2025 – The Bottleneck, Lawrence, KS
July 20, 2025 – The Black Sheep, Colorado Springs, CO
July 21, 2025 – Marquis Theater, Denver, CO
July 23, 2025 – Soundwell, Salt Lake City, UT
July 24, 2025 – Shrine Social Club, Boise, ID
July 25, 2025 – The Crocodile, Seattle, WA
July 26, 2025 – Rickshaw Theater, Vancouver, Canada
July 27, 2025 – Hawthorne Theatre, Portland, OR
July 29, 2025 – Goldfield Trading Post, Sacramento, CA
July 30, 2025 – Cornerstone Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
July 31, 2025 – Strummer’s, Fresno, CA
August 1, 2025 – Lodge Room Highland Park, Los Angeles, CA
August 2, 2025 – The Nile Theater, Mesa, AZ
August 4, 2025 – Lowbrow Palace, El Paso, TX
August 5, 2025 – RBC, Dallas, TX
August 6, 2025 – Paper Tiger, San Antonio, TX
August 8, 2025 – Come and Take It Live, Austin, TX
August 9, 2025 – Beer City Music Hall, Oklahoma City, OK

The Dirty Nil will also perform at the CNE Bandshell in Toronto, ON on August 27, 2025. Tickets available for purchase HERE.

ONTARIO TOUR DATES:

September 11 – Barrie, ON – Rec Room
September 12 – London, ON – London Music Hall
September 13 – St. Catharines, ON – Warehouse
September 14 – St. Catharines, ON – Warehouse
September 16 – Oshawa, ON – Biltmore Theatre
September 18 – Peterborough, ON – The Venue
September 19 – Kingston, ON – Broom Factory
September 20 – Ottawa, ON – Bronson Centre
September 21 – Montreal, QC – Café Campus
September 23 – Vandorf, ON – Harmony Hall (*)
September 25 – Burnstown, ON – Neat Café (*)
September 26 – Galt, ON – Farm League Brewing (*)
September 27 – Windsor, ON – Meteor (*)
September 28 – Windsor, ON – Meteor (*)

(*) NO Heart Attack Man on these dates.

With Spanish Love Songs
October 9, 2025 – Szene – Vienna, AT
October 10, 2025 – Club Cann – Stuttgart, DE
October 11, 2025 – Statbahnhoff, Schweinfurt, DE
October 12, 2025 – Legend 54 – Milan, IT
October 14, 2025 – Dynamo – Zurich, CH
October 15, 2025 – Schlachthof – Wiesbaden, DE
October 16, 2025 – Knust – Hamburg, DE
October 18, 2025 – Common Thread Tour – Oberhausen, DE
October 19, 2025 – Common Thread Tour – Brussels, BE
October 20, 2025 – Common Thread Tour – Haarlem, NL
October 25, 2025 – Common Thread Tour – London, UK
October 26, 2025 – Common Thread Tour – Leeds, UK

]]> The Dirty Nil Fire Back at the Music Industry on Blistering New Single “Rock N’ Roll Band” from Upcoming Album ‘The Lash’ (Out 7/25) https://rockeramagazine.com/the-dirty-nil-rock-n-roll-band/ Thu, 12 Jun 2025 10:59:40 +0000 https://rockeramagazine.com/?p=45344 Hamilton, Ontario’s The Dirty Nil return with fists swinging on their explosive new single, “Rock N’ Roll Band,” the latest from their forthcoming fifth studio album, The Lash, out July 25th via Dine Alone Records. Following the chaos of their explosive lead single, “Gallop of the Hounds,” and the dreamy introspection of “Spider Dream,” this one pulls no punches – it’s a snarling, full-volume gut check for every wide-eyed hopeful with rockstar dreams.

“Rock N’ Roll Band” was the very first song frontman Luke Bentham wrote for The Lash, and it arrived fast and furious. “I don’t remember what particular aspect of the industry had got my goat that day, but I’d worked myself up to a fine lather,” Bentham recalls. “I blasted out the whole song in 30 minutes and instantly felt better.”

The result is a cathartic, high-octane blast of alternative rock and punk, packed with frustration, truth, and just enough sarcasm to keep it all fun. “Though the song is pretty negative, it makes me happy,” Bentham says. “This one is for all the road dogs – we salute you.”

The Lash Tracklisting:

  1. Gallop of the Hounds
  2. Fail in Time
  3. That Don’t Mean It Won’t Sting
  4. Rock N’ Roll Band
  5. This Is Me Warning Ya
  6. Do You Want Me?
  7. Spider Dream
  8. They Won’t Beat Us
  9. Hero Narrative
  10. I Was A Henchman

Everything about The Lash evokes a certain sort of brutality.

During a trip to the Vatican, Bentham found inspiration in some of its forgotten art: I was in a very dusty part of the basement, and they had these crazy bronze reliefs that were some of the most brutal things I’ve ever seen. There was a particular one called The Horrors of War. It was two guys fighting over a knife. That image ended up guiding a lot of this record.

From there, the band brought in UK designer Jack Sabbat for his acerbic, bootleg punk-flyer style, assuring The Lash would look right at home in a beat-up bin of old Crass records or in a Medieval torture dungeon.

Thematically, the album’s 10 tracks trade Bentham‘s usual happy-go-lucky romanticism for a cathartic vent session about everything from music industry bullsh*t to the dissolution of a relationship. Drummer and co-conspirator Kyle Fisher jokes: I’ve been telling people that this is Luke‘s therapy record.

Since forming in 2006, The Dirty Nil have always embraced the flashier side of punk. But with The Lash, they strip it all down to the essentials—just two friends in a room, playing like everything is on the line.

For fans of The Jesus Lizard, The Bronx, and Metz, The Lash is a high-stakes rock record from a band that has spent over a decade tearing up stages, building a worldwide following, and even winning a JUNO Award for Breakthrough Band in 2017. They’ve played the game and jumped through the hoops – now, The Dirty Nil are doing things entirely on their own terms.

The Dirty Nil will be on tour with Heart Attack Man, Carpool, and Dear Seattle this summer. All tickets are on sale HERE.

  • June 4, 2025 – Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall, Pittsburgh, PA
  • June 5, 2025 – Rec Room, Buffalo, NY
  • June 8, 2025 – Empire Underground, Albany, NY
  • June 10, 2025 – Brighton Music Hall, Boston, MA
  • June 11, 2025 – Amityville Music Hall, Long Island, NY
  • June 13, 2025 – Brooklyn Meadows, Brooklyn, NY
  • June 14, 2025 – The Foundry @ The Fillmore, Philadelphia, PA
  • June 16, 2025 – Archer Music Hall, Allentown, PA
  • June 17, 2025 – The Canal Club, Richmond, VA
  • June 19, 2025 – Motorco Music Hall, Durham, NC
  • June 20, 2025 – The Radio Room, Greenville, SC
  • June 21, 2025 – The Social, Orlando, FL
  • June 22, 2025 – Gramps, Miami, FL
  • June 24, 2025 – The Loft, Atlanta, GA
  • June 25, 2025 – Eastside Bowl, Nashville, TN
  • June 27, 2025 – Delmar Hall, St. Louis, MO
  • June 28, 2025 – Hi-Fi, Indianapolis, IN
  • June 29, 2025 – Manchester Music Hall, Lexington, KY
  • July 8, 2025 – The Shelter, Detroit, MI
  • July 9, 2025 – Vivarium, Milwaukee, WI
  • July 10, 2025 – Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL
  • July 11, 2025 – Because Craft Beer Festival – Hamilton, ON (The Dirty Nil only)
  • July 12, 2025 – Aby’s Rapid City, Rapid City, SD
  • July 13, 2025 – Wooly’s, Des Moines, IA
  • July 16, 2025 – The Waiting Room, Omaha, NE
  • July 18, 2025 – The Bottleneck, Lawrence, KS
  • July 20, 2025 – The Black Sheep, Colorado Springs, CO
  • July 21, 2025 – Marquis Theater, Denver, CO
  • July 23, 2025 – Soundwell, Salt Lake City, UT
  • July 24, 2025 – Shrine Social Club, Boise, ID
  • July 25, 2025 – The Crocodile, Seattle, WA
  • July 26, 2025 – Rickshaw Theater, Vancouver, Canada
  • July 27, 2025 – Hawthorne Theatre, Portland, OR
  • July 29, 2025 – Goldfield Trading Post, Sacramento, CA
  • July 30, 2025 – Cornerstone Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
  • July 31, 2025 – Strummer’s, Fresno, CA
  • August 1, 2025 – Lodge Room Highland Park, Los Angeles, CA
  • August 2, 2025 – The Nile Theater, Mesa, AZ
  • August 4, 2025 – Lowbrow Palace, El Paso, TX
  • August 5, 2025 – RBC, Dallas, TX
  • August 6, 2025 – Paper Tiger, San Antonio, TX
  • August 8, 2025 – Come and Take It Live, Austin, TX
  • August 9, 2025 – Beer City Music Hall, Oklahoma City, OK

ONTARIO TOUR DATES:

  • September 11 – Barrie, ON – Rec Room
  • September 12 – London, ON – London Music Hall
  • September 13 – St. Catharines, ON – Warehouse
  • September 14 – St. Catharines, ON – Warehouse
    September 16 – Oshawa, ON – Biltmore Theatre
  • September 18 – Peterborough, ON – The Venue
  • September 19 – Kingston, ON – Broom Factory
  • September 20 – Ottawa, ON – Bronson Centre
  • September 21 – Montreal, QC – Café Campus
  • September 23 – Vandorf, ON – Harmony Hall (*)
  • September 25 – Burnstown, ON – Neat Café (*)
  • September 26 – Galt, ON – Farm League Brewing (*)
    September 27 – Windsor, ON – Meteor (*)
    September 28 – Windsor, ON – Meteor (*)

(*) NO Heart Attack Man on these dates.

With Spanish Love Songs

  • October 9, 2025 – Szene – Vienna, AT
  • October 10, 2025 – Club Cann – Stuttgart, DE
  • October 11, 2025 – Statbahnhoff, Schweinfurt, DE
  • October 12, 2025 – Legend 54 – Milan, IT
  • October 14, 2025 – Dynamo – Zurich, CH
  • October 15, 2025 – Schlachthof – Wiesbaden, DE
  • October 16, 2025 – Knust – Hamburg, DE
  • October 18, 2025 – Common Thread Tour – Oberhausen, DE
  • October 19, 2025 – Common Thread Tour – Brussels, BE
  • October 20, 2025 – Common Thread Tour – Haarlem, NL
  • October 25, 2025 – Common Thread Tour – London, UK
  • October 26, 2025 – Common Thread Tour – Leeds, UK

 

 

]]> The Dirty Nil Showcase Softer Side on New Single “Spider Dream” from Forthcoming Album ‘The Lash’ https://rockeramagazine.com/the-dirty-nil-spider-dream/ Sun, 18 May 2025 10:51:39 +0000 https://rockeramagazine.com/?p=45114 Hamilton, Ontario’s The Dirty Nil continue peeling back their layers with “Spider Dream,” the latest single from their upcoming fifth studio album, The Lash, arriving July 25th via Dine Alone Records. Following the chaos of their explosive lead single, “Gallop of the Hounds,” this new track reveals a gentler – but no less potent – side of the band.

“Spider Dream” finds The Dirty Nil turning down the distortion and tapping into something more tender. “I think that we have some of our more raging tunes on this record, but also some of our more, dare I say, delicate moments that we’ve ever committed to tape on this thing,” says vocalist/guitarist Luke Bentham. “It feels like the truest Nil record.”

 The song came from an unexpected place – waking from a nightmare. “I woke up one morning, completely refreshed by a nightmare,” Bentham explains. “It was a strange feeling but enough to animate a song. I had also just watched The Beatles documentary that the Lord of the Rings fella made, so I was inspired to use more jangly chords than I usually do.” While it was a departure for the group, the arrangement came together instantly and never changed from its original form.

The Lash Tracklisting:

  1. Gallop of the Hounds
  2. Fail in Time
  3. That Don’t Mean It Won’t Sting
  4. Rock N’ Roll Band
  5. This Is Me Warning Ya
  6. Do You Want Me?
  7. Spider Dream
  8. They Won’t Beat Us
  9. Hero Narrative
  10. I Was A Henchman

Everything about The Lash evokes a certain sort of brutality.

During a trip to the Vatican, Bentham found inspiration in some of its forgotten art: I was in a very dusty part of the basement, and they had these crazy bronze reliefs that were some of the most brutal things I’ve ever seen. There was a particular one called The Horrors of War. It was two guys fighting over a knife. That image ended up guiding a lot of this record.

From there, the band brought in UK designer Jack Sabbat for his acerbic, bootleg punk-flyer style, assuring The Lash would look right at home in a beat-up bin of old Crass records or in a Medieval torture dungeon.

Thematically, the album’s 10 tracks trade Bentham‘s usual happy-go-lucky romanticism for a cathartic vent session about everything from music industry bullsh*t to the dissolution of a relationship. Drummer and co-conspirator Kyle Fisher jokes: I’ve been telling people that this is Luke‘s therapy record.

Since forming in 2006, The Dirty Nil have always embraced the flashier side of punk. But with The Lash, they strip it all down to the essentials—just two friends in a room, playing like everything is on the line.

For fans of The Jesus Lizard, The Bronx, and Metz, The Lash is a high-stakes rock record from a band that has spent over a decade tearing up stages, building a worldwide following, and even winning a JUNO Award for Breakthrough Band in 2017. They’ve played the game and jumped through the hoops – now, The Dirty Nil are doing things entirely on their own terms.

The Dirty Nil will be on tour with Heart Attack Man, Carpool, and Dear Seattle this summer. All tickets are on sale HERE.

June 4, 2025 – Thunderbird Cafe & Music Hall, Pittsburgh, PA
June 5, 2025 – Rec Room, Buffalo, NY
June 8, 2025 – Empire Underground, Albany, NY
June 10, 2025 – Brighton Music Hall, Boston, MA
June 11, 2025 – Amityville Music Hall, Long Island, NY
June 13, 2025 – Brooklyn Meadows, Brooklyn, NY
June 14, 2025 – The Foundry @ The Fillmore, Philadelphia, PA
June 16, 2025 – Archer Music Hall, Allentown, PA
June 17, 2025 – The Canal Club, Richmond, VA
June 19, 2025 – Motorco Music Hall, Durham, NC
June 20, 2025 – The Radio Room, Greenville, SC
June 21, 2025 – The Social, Orlando, FL
June 22, 2025 – Gramps, Miami, FL
June 24, 2025 – The Loft, Atlanta, GA
June 25, 2025 – Eastside Bowl, Nashville, TN
June 27, 2025 – Delmar Hall, St. Louis, MO
June 28, 2025 – Hi-Fi, Indianapolis, IN
June 29, 2025 – Manchester Music Hall, Lexington, KY
July 8, 2025 – The Shelter, Detroit, MI
July 9, 2025 – Vivarium, Milwaukee, WI
July 10, 2025 – Bottom Lounge, Chicago, IL
July 11, 2025 – Because Craft Beer Festival – Hamilton, ON (The Dirty Nil only)
July 12, 2025 – Aby’s Rapid City, Rapid City, SD
July 13, 2025 – Wooly’s, Des Moines, IA
July 16, 2025 – The Waiting Room, Omaha, NE
July 18, 2025 – The Bottleneck, Lawrence, KS
July 20, 2025 – The Black Sheep, Colorado Springs, CO
July 21, 2025 – Marquis Theater, Denver, CO
July 23, 2025 – Soundwell, Salt Lake City, UT
July 24, 2025 – Shrine Social Club, Boise, ID
July 25, 2025 – The Crocodile, Seattle, WA
July 26, 2025 – Rickshaw Theater, Vancouver, Canada
July 27, 2025 – Hawthorne Theatre, Portland, OR
July 29, 2025 – Goldfield Trading Post, Sacramento, CA
July 30, 2025 – Cornerstone Berkeley, Berkeley, CA
July 31, 2025 – Strummer’s, Fresno, CA
August 1, 2025 – Lodge Room Highland Park, Los Angeles, CA
August 2, 2025 – The Nile Theater, Mesa, AZ
August 4, 2025 – Lowbrow Palace, El Paso, TX
August 5, 2025 – RBC, Dallas, TX
August 6, 2025 – Paper Tiger, San Antonio, TX
August 8, 2025 – Come and Take It Live, Austin, TX
August 9, 2025 – Beer City Music Hall, Oklahoma City, OK

ONTARIO TOUR DATES:

September 11 – Barrie, ON – Rec Room
September 12 – London, ON – London Music Hall
September 13 – St. Catharines, ON – Warehouse
September 14 – St. Catharines, ON – Warehouse
September 16 – Oshawa, ON – Biltmore Theatre
September 18 – Peterborough, ON – The Venue
September 19 – Kingston, ON – Broom Factory
September 20 – Ottawa, ON – Bronson Centre
September 21 – Montreal, QC – Café Campus
September 23 – Vandorf, ON – Harmony Hall (*)
September 25 – Burnstown, ON – Neat Café (*)
September 26 – Galt, ON – Farm League Brewing (*)
September 27 – Windsor, ON – Meteor (*)
September 28 – Windsor, ON – Meteor (*)

(*) NO Heart Attack Man on these dates.

With Spanish Love Songs

October 9, 2025 – Szene – Vienna, AT
October 10, 2025 – Club Cann – Stuttgart, DE
October 11, 2025 – Statbahnhoff, Schweinfurt, DE
October 12, 2025 – Legend 54 – Milan, IT
October 14, 2025 – Dynamo – Zurich, CH
October 15, 2025 – Schlachthof – Wiesbaden, DE
October 16, 2025 – Knust – Hamburg, DE
October 18, 2025 – Common Thread Tour – Oberhausen, DE
October 19, 2025 – Common Thread Tour – Brussels, BE
October 20, 2025 – Common Thread Tour – Haarlem, NL
October 25, 2025 – Common Thread Tour – London, UK
October 26, 2025 – Common Thread Tour – Leeds, UK

]]> The Dirty Nil Ready New Album, ‘The Lash,’ for July 25th Release Date & Unveil the Tip of the Spear with First Single, “Gallop of the Hounds” https://rockeramagazine.com/the-dirty-nil-the-lash/ Fri, 18 Apr 2025 11:20:49 +0000 https://rockeramagazine.com/?p=44770 The glitter and glam of Hamilton, Ontario’s The Dirty Nil take a backseat as the band dives headfirst into something rawer and more stripped-down on their fifth studio album, The Lash, arriving July 25th via Dine Alone Records and available for pre-order now.

Wasting no time in second-guessing, The Lash came together in a flash, with the band completing the entire record in just over two weeks alongside rising producer and engineer Vince Solveri. The result? A record that captures The Dirty Nil at their most urgent and electrifying.

Out today, the blistering “Gallop of the Hounds” is a no-holds-barred anthem that hits like an out-of-control freight train. Setting the pace for The Lash, the track embodies the album’s relentless energy – an unflinching ride through self-reckoning and the mirage of revenge, even in its quieter moments.

The verses are very celebratory, but then the chorus is about that sinking feeling that’s waiting for you. – vocalist/guitarist Luke Bentham

The Lash Tracklisting:

  1. Gallop of the Hounds
  2. Fail in Time
  3. That Don’t Mean It Won’t Sting
  4. Rock N’ Roll Band
  5. This Is Me Warning Ya
  6. Do You Want Me?
  7. Spider Dream
  8. They Won’t Beat Us
  9. Hero Narrative
  10. I Was A Henchman

Everything about The Lash evokes a certain sort of brutality.

During a trip to the Vatican, Bentham found inspiration in some of its forgotten art: I was in a very dusty part of the basement, and they had these crazy bronze reliefs that were some of the most brutal things I’ve ever seen. There was a particular one called The Horrors of War. It was two guys fighting over a knife. That image ended up guiding a lot of this record.

From there, the band brought in UK designer Jack Sabbat for his acerbic, bootleg punk-flyer style, assuring The Lash would look right at home in a beat-up bin of old Crass records or in a Medieval torture dungeon.

Thematically, the album’s 10 tracks trade Bentham‘s usual happy-go-lucky romanticism for a cathartic vent session about everything from music industry bullsh*t to the dissolution of a relationship. Drummer and co-conspirator Kyle Fisher jokes: I’ve been telling people that this is Luke‘s therapy record.

Since forming in 2006, The Dirty Nil have always embraced the flashier side of punk. But with The Lash, they strip it all down to the essentials—just two friends in a room, playing like everything is on the line.

For fans of The Jesus Lizard, The Bronx, and Metz, The Lash is a high-stakes rock record from a band that has spent over a decade tearing up stages, building a worldwide following, and even winning a JUNO Award for Breakthrough Band in 2017. They’ve played the game and jumped through the hoops – now, The Dirty Nil are doing things entirely on their own terms.

The Dirty Nil will be on tour with Heart Attack Man, Carpool, and Dear Seattle this summer. All tickets are on sale HERE.

 

]]> King Ludd Unleashes Raw Energy on Debut Single “Trouble” feat. Members of The Dirty Nil, Ellis & More https://rockeramagazine.com/king-ludd-trouble/ Thu, 27 Mar 2025 14:02:52 +0000 https://rockeramagazine.com/?p=44532 King Ludd, the brainchild of seasoned producer and engineer Michael Keire, delivers a blistering debut on “Trouble,” a post-hardcore anthem fueled by tenacity, resilience, and the raw chaos of creation. With influences spanning from Fugazi to The Mars Volta, “Trouble” thrives in tension, embracing a cinematic, narrative-driven structure that transcends traditional song formulas.

The track is born from a deep admiration for the sincerity and drive found in music and art, channeling the energy of punk, the playfulness of experimental noise, and the fearless spirit of “skate and destroy.” Keire crafts an auditory experience where each section unfolds like a scene in a film, utilizing soundscapes and tone as essential storytelling elements.

Featuring Luke Bentham (The Dirty Nil) on lead guitar, Theo Mckibbon (The Trews) on drums, Linnea Siggelkow (Ellis) on backing vocals, Jon Harvey (The Wild High) on bass, Marco Bressette (Dead Tired) on rhythm/lead guitar and even more Hamilton, ON talent, listen to “Trouble” HERE.

Watch the official “Trouble” music video directed by John Smith whose credits include digital paintings & animations for Taylor Swift‘s Eras Tour as well as video art contributions to Netflix‘s Song Exploder for Trent Reznor/NIN HERE.

I wanted the song to feel exciting, unpredictable—like stepping into the unknown and embracing the madness. Each part had to serve the moment, not just fit into a verse-chorus mold. Soundscapes and textures matter just as much as melody in evoking a feeling, and I wanted to use every tool available to make that happen. – Michael Keire (rhythm guitar, the nebulophone and drum programming)

What you hear is the first take of the completed lyrics—a pure, unfiltered moment. It’s a channeling of energy right onto the tape. No overthinking, no tinkering, just passionate fervor and commotion. I ate the big dinner, indeed. – Adam Bentley (vocals)

“Trouble” marks a significant moment for Keire, who has spent years shaping the music landscape from behind the studio glass. Now stepping into the spotlight, he assembles an all-star cast of collaborators, including Marco Bresette, Jon Harvey, Theo Mckibbon, Adam Bentley (Allegories), Luke Bentham, Linnea Siggelkow, Thom Hammerton (Kathleen Edwards), Dwayne Christie, Aaron “Hutch” Hutchinson, and Connor Bennett, embracing a creative process reminiscent of Mike Watt’s “Ball-Hog or Tugboat?”—where the energy of collaboration fuels the art itself.

With decades of experience producing and engineering for the likes of Rheostatics, Cadence Weapon, Arkells, and The Dirty Nil, Keire‘s evolution into King Ludd is a testament to his belief in making music for art’s sake—free from commercial constraints, rooted in passion and authenticity. The name King Ludd pays homage to the misunderstood Luddite movement, a symbol of resistance against exploitation and the fight to preserve artistic integrity in an era of algorithm-driven content.

]]> Innovative Alt-Rock Group Cigar Club Overcome Apathy With an Indifferent World on Hazy Single “Rain” https://rockeramagazine.com/cigar-club-rain/ Fri, 30 Aug 2024 17:05:56 +0000 https://www.rockeramagazine.com/?p=41649 Since their inception in 2016, Toronto group Cigar Club has been blanketed under a plethora of categories. Their eclectic sounds branch them into the realm of blues rock, alternative, psych, soul, punk and hard rock; Amassing their myriad of influences to create something truly authentic. The result is a refreshing take on alternative rock, establishing the band as “one of Ontario’s premier alternative rock bands.” (Spill Magazine, 2021).

Their latest single, “Rain,” evolves a melancholic yet beautiful style prevalent in their last recordings and was written as a collaborative effort between the band. Capturing that hazy and contemplative feeling of looking out a window on a rainy day was part of the aesthetic intent of the track. Ultimately, the song does invoke hope with a crescendo to help overcome apathetic malaise.  

The song is about meeting apathy with apathy. It was written at a time when I felt disheartened by society’s indifference. – Trevor Coughlin (Lead Vox/Rhythm Guitar)

PRESS PHOTO BY MIKE JAMES

Upon receiving funding from FACTOR Canada, Cigar Club collaborated with JUNO Award-winning engineers Anton Delost (Silverstein, Seaway, Cleopatrick) and Darren McGill (PUP, The Dirty Nil, Arkells) to produce their debut LP, DAY,NOW, in 2021, pushing the boundaries of conventional labels and captivating listeners with their thematic sequencing. In November 2023, the band released an A/B, “Dark Market/Ocean Potion,” veering deeper into exploratory territory, raising the bar once again as part of a larger project planned for release mid/late 2024.

Auteur Research

]]> The Dirty Nil Drop Deluxe Edition of ‘Free Rein to Passions’ LP feat. “Total Eclipse of the Heart” Cover https://rockeramagazine.com/the-dirty-nil-drop-deluxe-edition-of-free-rein-to-passions-lp-feat-total-eclipse-of-the-heart-cover/ Wed, 10 Apr 2024 12:59:34 +0000 https://www.rockeramagazine.com/?p=39203

Ontario JUNO Award-winning rock trio The Dirty Nil are sharing a deluxe digital edition of their 2023 Free Rein to Passions LP via Dine Alone Records featuring a cover of Bonnie Tyler’s “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”

“We were asked to play (drummer) Kyle‘s brother’s wedding as the house band and readily agreed. There was a list of dream covers and this one we laughed at but then learned. From the first time we did it in the jam space, I knew we had a good one. It was probably the highlight of our wedding set and we decided to record it for posterity. Special shoutout to (bassist) Sam‘s amazingly high singing on this one. I find it very difficult to not sing the expletives present in the ‘Old School’ version of the song.” – frontman Luke Bentham

Free Rein to Passions Deluxe keeps things simple lyrically as well, and doesn’t get bogged down with overly complicated messaging. Nothing overwrought, nothing didactic. Just songs about working soul-sucking jobs, shredding on guitar, and striving to be a kinder person. “The only real central theme of the album is an acknowledgment of the crazy circumstances that we all occupy at this point in time, and being nice,” Bentham stresses. “It’s about being nice to everyone around you, and enjoying your silly little life and not getting too smashed down by prevailing negativity in the air.”
]]> The Dirty Nil Unveil New Single “Am I The Menace?” https://rockeramagazine.com/the-dirty-nil-unveil-new-single-am-i-the-menace/ Mon, 25 Mar 2024 13:23:04 +0000 https://www.rockeramagazine.com/?p=38887 MARCH 22, 2024 – Ontario JUNO Award-winning rock trio The Dirty Nil are sharing “Am I The Menace?,” a new cut taken from their deluxe edition of Free Rein to Passions (2023), set for release on April 4th, 2024 via Dine Alone Records. Listen to “Am I The Menace?” HERE. Pre-save Free Rein to Passions Deluxe HERE.

“When we cut this one and our producer, John Goodmanson, heard my lyrics, he laughed and called me a brat. A semi-sincere self examination, compiled from observing others.” – frontman Luke Bentham

LISTEN & SHARE “AM I THE MENACE?“

Free Rein to Passions Deluxe
The Dirty Nil
April 4th, 2024
Dine Alone Records

1. Celebration

2. Nicer Guy

3. Undefeated

4. Atomize Me

5. Land of Clover

6. Blowing Up Things in the Woods

7. Stupid Jobs

8. 1990

9. Free Rein to Passions

10. The Light, The Void and Everything

11. Am I The Menace?

12. Total Eclipse of the Heart

13. Celebration (Demo)

14. Nicer Guy (Demo)

15. Land of Clover (Demo)

16. Atomize Me (Demo)

17. Blowing Up Things in the Woods (Demo)

18. Stupid Jobs (Demo)

19. Undefeated (Demo)

20. 1990 (Demo)

21. Bye Bye Big Bear (Demo)

PHOTO CREDIT: STEPH MONTANI

On Free Rein to Passions, The Dirty Nil followed their instincts down to the note to produce their most authentic work to date. They jammed away in their practice space for weeks, not overthinking anything or taking any external input. They didn’t sweat the small details or fret over transitions and arrangements. Less second guessing, more reckless abandon. It’s the same approach to rock they’ve taken since they were kids.

2024 TOUR DATES

Apr 7 – Eindenhoven, NL – Effenaar ^

Apr 8 – Paris, FR – Point Éphémère ^

Apr 9 – Koln, DE – MTC Club ^

Apr 10 – Munich, DE – Feierwerk ^

Apr 12 – Berlin, DE – Cassiopeia ^

Apr 13 – Hamburg, DE – Headcrash ^

Apr 15 – Nottingham, UK – Rescue Rooms ^

Apr 16 – Manchester, UK – Gorilla ^

Apr 17 – Glasgow, UK – Oran Mor ^ 

Apr 19 – Sheffield, UK – Leadmill ^

Apr 20 – Guildford, UK – Boileroom ^

Apr 22 – Bristol, UK – The Fleece ^

Apr 23 – Brighton, UK – Patterns ^

Apr 24 – London, UK – Scala ^

Jun 5  – Providence, RI – Fete * 

Jun 6 – Harrisburg, PA – HMAC *

Jun 7 – Jersey City, NJ  – White Eagle Hall *

Jun 8 – Jersey City, NJ  – White Eagle Hall *

Jun 9 – Baltimore, MD – Rams Head Live *

Jun 11 – Carrborro, NC – Cats Cradle *

Jun 12 – Charleston, SC – Music Farm *

Jun 13 – Athens, GA – Georgia Theatre *

Jun 14 – Orlando, FL – Beacham *

Jun 15 – Ft. Lauderdale, FL – Revolution *

Jun 16 – Tampa, FL – The Ritz *

Jun 19 – Charlotte, NC – The Underground *

Jun 20 – Asheville, NC – Salvage Station *

Jun 21 – Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom * 

Jun 22 – Madison, WI – The Sylvee *

Jun 23 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity *

Jun 26 – Kansas City, MO – Madrid *

Jun 27 – Omaha, NE – Bourbon *

Jun 28 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s *

Jun 29 – Lansing, MI – Grewal Hall at 224 *

Jun 30 – Lakewood, OH – Mahall’s       

Jul 5-7 – Gilbert, PA – Camp Punksylvania

Jul 26 – Denver, CO – Mission Ballroom @

Jul 27 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Union @

Jul 28 – Boise, ID – Revolution Concert House @

Jul 30 – Seattle, WA – Showbox SoDo @

Jul 31 – Forest Grove, OR – Grand Lodge Hotel and Property @

Aug 2 – San Francisco, CA – The Warfield @

Aug 3 – Anaheim, CA –  House of Blues @

Aug 4 – San Diego, CA – The Observatory North Park @

Aug 6 – Los Angeles, CA- Greek Theatre @

Aug 9 – Austin, TX – Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater @

Aug 10 – Houston, TX – White Oak Music Hall @

Aug 11 – Dallas, TX – House of Blues @ 

Sep 21 – Toronto, ON – Great Canadian Casino Resort #

^ co-headline with Microwave

* supporting The Menzingers

@ supporting The Gaslight Anthem

# supporting Frank Turner

Auteur Research

]]> The Dirty Nil Unveil Official Music Video for “The Light, The Void and Everything” https://rockeramagazine.com/the-dirty-nil-unveil-official-music-video-for-the-light-the-void-and-everything/ Thu, 21 Sep 2023 16:05:17 +0000 https://www.rockeramagazine.com/?p=35856 Ontario’s rock ‘n’ roll torchbearers, The Dirty Nil, have shared a new music video for their track “The Light, The Void and Everything.” Taken from their most recent album, Free Rein to Passions (May 26th, 2023 via Dine Alone Records), the track has been paired with a visual treatment that pays homage to David Lynch’s film Blue Velvet.

“For years, we’ve kicked around this treatment, waiting for the perfect song to apply it to. When we heard the playback of “The Light, The Void and Everything,” it was clear that the opportunity had come. In the execution, (producer/director/editor) Wyatt Clough‘s attention to detail was stunning. I’ll never forget walking into that warehouse and seeing the fully constructed replica of the apartment from Blue Velvet. Wadewas perfect in the role of Frank and it was a pleasure to watch him play the villain. Finally, shoutout to our incredible friends Steph Montani, Levi Kertesz and Dave Tyson for rounding out our cast. Everyone owes it to themselves to croon into a lightbulb, at least once in their life.” – frontman Luke Bentham

 On Free Rein to Passions, the band followed their instincts down to the note to produce their most authentic work to date. The Dirty Nil‘s back-to-basics approach was a direct reaction to their previous record, 2021’s Fuck Art. In order to incinerate their apparatus, they had to destroy it completely. They jammed away in their practice space for weeks, not overthinking anything or taking any external input. They didn’t sweat the small details or fret over transitions and arrangements. Less second guessing, more reckless abandon.

The appropriately titled Free Rein to Passions was a palate cleanser for The Dirty Nil, and a reminder for them to stick to the fundamentals of rock and stay true to themselves.

See below for the band’s upcoming shows and click here to purchase tickets.

Fri, SEP 29 @ London Music Hall – London, ON

Sat, SEP 30 @ The Hub – Kitchener, ON

Sun, OCT 1 @ Cicada Music Festival 2023 – St. Catharines, ON 

Thu, OCT 5 @ The Danforth Music Hall – Toronto, ON

Fri, OCT 6 @ Bronson Centre – Ottawa, ON

Sat, OCT 7 @ Café Campus – Montreal, QC

Auteur Research

]]> The Dirty Nil Unveil New Album ‘Free Rein to Passions’ https://rockeramagazine.com/the-dirty-nil-unveil-new-album-free-rein-to-passions/ Wed, 07 Jun 2023 16:19:33 +0000 https://www.rockeramagazine.com/?p=33610

Ontario’s rock ‘n’ roll torchbearers, The Dirty Nil, release their fourth album, Free Rein to Passions, today via Dine Alone Records. Click here to stream + order the record now. 

Following up on the previously shared “Nicer Guy” and “Celebration” visuals, the trio have also dropped a new music video for “Blowing Up Things In The Woods,” an ode to the simple joys of fireworks, explosions, and pyrotechnic annihilation and an homage to their adolescence.

Watch The Dirty Nil‘s video collaboration with Hamilton’s Iggy Pop, B.A. Johnston, on YOUTUBE now.

“We may still attempt to return that mannequin to Amazon,” frontman Luke Bentham laughs. “A good reminder of why we gave up on our pyro dreams for the comparably tame life of rock ‘n’ roll.”

 On Free Rein to Passions, the band followed their instincts down to the note to produce their most authentic work to date. The Nil‘s back-to-basics approach was a direct reaction to their previous record, 2021’s Fuck Art, a creative process that brought too many industry people whispering in the band’s ears, telling them how to polish and tweak their songs to fit on the radio or streaming playlists or whatever other arbitrary whims the modern music machine demands.

 “There were all these expectations and pressures, people telling us to try this or that,” says Bentham. “We’re by no means the biggest band in the world, but in our ecosystem it became hard to try to make all these people happy. We were given challenges, and I think we met them, but getting to that place, it made me realize: ‘If we go any further in this direction, then I don’t know what we’re doing anymore.’ It had gotten to a point where the creation wasn’t very fun.”

 

Photo Credit: Steph Montani

Free Rein to Passions
The Dirty Nil
May 26th, 2023
Dine Alone Records

  1. Celebration
  2. Nicer Guy
  3. Undefeated
  4. Atomize Me
  5. Land Of Clover
  6. Blowing Up Things In The Woods
  7. Stupid Jobs
  8. 1990
  9. Free Rein to Passions
  10. The Light The Void and Everything

In order to incinerate their apparatus, they had to destroy it completely. So as soon as Fuck Art was in the can, The Nil got back to having fun and doing what they love. They jammed away in their practice space for weeks, not overthinking anything or taking any external input. They didn’t sweat the small details or fret over transitions and arrangements. Less second guessing, more reckless abandon. It’s the same approach to rock they’ve taken since they were kids. “We had the best time pulling these songs together. It made me feel like a teenager in my parents’ basement again,” Bentham says. 

Staring into the abyss of entertainment serfdom, the trio spat on it. They smashed the chalice of poison brought to their lips, grinding the shards under their heels. A rock and roll band is part religion, part small business and part pirate ship. Sabres were wielded and planks were walked for The Dirty Nil to bring Free Rein to Passions into this world. It was a battle well worth fighting.

The Dirty Nil will kick off a co-headlining tour with Daniel Romano’s Outfit in June. Click here for a full list of dates/to purchase tickets. They have also announced a headlining show at Toronto’s Danforth Music Hall on October 5th. Artist presale tickets go live today (Friday May 26th) @ 11am (EST) with the password: PASSIONS. General on-sale begins Friday June 2nd @ 10am (EST).

Toronto, we’ve missed you. Come experience Free Rein with your favourite power trash boys. Hail hail rock ‘n’ roll!

Auteur Research

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