Boys Who Say No

Toronto indie act Boys Who Say No took the stage and belted out six or seven tracks of material that sounded like it should be filed something between Will Sheff (Okkervil River) and early urgent Talking Heads. Sporting a black and red checkered shirt that might even give Dallas Green some clothes envy, Luke Correia-Damude took to the stage with his band-mates and launched into a Leonard Cohen cover as their first song. I found it an odd choice, as it didn’t really lead-in well to what the rest of their set sounded like. That didn’t stop it from being a good cover, however.

Boys Who Say No had a six song self-released CD that materialized at the tiny merchandise table at some point during the evening (it wasn’t there when I scoped out the merch earlier) I purchased after their set, intrigued enough to give their material a listen post show. I think my favourite song live was ‘No I Won’t’, which is appropriate as it’s also the song I like most from their EP. Boys Who Say No are a cool band. It will be interesting to see where they are in a year or so, after a few more crowd-pleasing live sets opening for hip buzz bands – they’ll wind up being the buzz band themselves. - Fazer Magazine

Just back from their first U.S. tour, local pop virtuosos Boys Who Say No displayed their road-hardened chops for a good-sized crowd, considering their early time slot.

Always brimming with theatrical energy, singer Luke Corriea Damude led the tight-sounding four-piece—which, thanks to the addition of Antonio Naranjo on bass sounded better than ever—through crowd-pleasers like Sane Ones off their self-titled EP, and offered fans a peek into the future charging through the band’s promising single-in-waiting 56K. - Now Magazine

Just back from their first U.S. tour, local pop virtuosos Boys Who Say No displayed their road-hardened chops for a good-sized crowd, considering their early time slot.

Always brimming with theatrical energy, singer Luke Corriea Damude led the tight-sounding four-piece—which, thanks to the addition of Antonio Naranjo on bass sounded better than ever—through crowd-pleasers like Sane Ones off their self-titled EP, and offered fans a peek into the future charging through the band’s promising single-in-waiting 56K. - Now Magazine

Every member of hotly tipped local indie-rockers Boys Who Say No leads a double life.

Drummer Frank Cox-O’Connell is a graduate of the prestigious National Theatre School and an in-demand stage actor. Bassist David Stein moonlights as a member of the band Key Witness, while multi-instrumentalist Mike Lobel gets recognized on the street for his bad-boy role on TV’s Degrassi: The Next Generation. And frontman Luke Correia-Damude works as the curator of Whippersnapper Gallery, a multi-purpose art space that trumpets youth accessibility.

Between all these commitments, the young, eclectic-sounding quartet completed their first EP, recorded at Chemical Sound after owner/producer Dean Marino was impressed by their live show.

“Everyone in the band’s got their own thing going, but for me the band is my priority because I love playing music so much,” explains Correia-Damude, who cites Wilco, Hayden and the Police as prime musical touchstones.

Hectic schedules could potentially be a deal-breaker for many rising bands, but Boys Who Say No benefit from deep-seated connections.

“Mike and I have played music together for so long, and Frank and I played in our very first band together, so we know this is something we all love to do. All the attention we’ve gotten – even though it’s not that much yet – has really excited us.”

So far that’s meant big gigs opening for Chad VanGaalen, FemBots and Two Hours Traffic, but with buzz quickly snowballing, doing what they love together might become a full-time job. - Now Magazine

Indie band Boys Who Say No show off their dynamic sound with a variety of instruments and stimulating tempos. Their first full-length album, Contingencies, contains 12 songs that sound so fundamentally different from one another yet are smoothly tied together by vocals and reoccurring lyric themes.

Contingencies is a relaxing listen with lyrics you can really follow along with, but the songs are far from boring. In their first track, “Atonement,” Boys Who Say No instantly capture your attention with a drumstick count-in and smooth guitar intro. The velvety melody in the vocals is hypnotizing and leaves you wanting more.

Boys Who Say No surprise the listener by using an assortment of instruments throughout the album, like banjo and synth. The variation of sound keeps the listener absorbed during every song, like in the song “Small Town Girl.” The strings of notes played on synths are incredibly impressive and provide the song with a chorus of harmonies that are not heard very frequently.

With their use of the banjo in “You, Me & The Devil,” they sound almost like a folk band. The instruments clash together in an odd way, almost sound like you’ve walked in on a high school band practice and everyone is still tuning their instruments; however, Boys Who Say No are not only able to make it work, they also also make it feel like a piece of art. The only way to describe it is “different”.

By far, my favourite song from their album is “56K”. It screams out at you to get up and dance. Not only the rhythm, but every single element of the song is so catchy it’s almost impossible not to sing along. The album is concluded with a quick and sweet reprise of “You Used To Get Along”, further displaying the band’s confidence and talent on so many different facets.

Boys Who Say No will be playing their album release show at the Steam Whistle Unsigned Series Showcase at Steam Whistle Brewery on February 24. Contingencies comes out a few days prior, on February 21. - Lithium Magazine

Steam Whistle beers were sure shaken up at the brewery’s most recent Unsigned Indie Music Series show on February 24 when Boys Who Say No took the stage during their album release party.

The night started off a bit slow with the first set starting almost 30 minutes behind schedule. Boys Who Say No were the last band of three to perform. Luke Lalonde of Born Ruffians and The Paint Movement each played an hour long set as well.

By the time it was the Boys’ turn to play, the floor was filled with friends, family and fans all having a great time.

Boys Who Say No got the crowd moving right from the start with an upbeat song from their new album Contingencies, featuring a range of different instruments typical for the band. Drums, electric bass and guitar set were accompanied by sound synthesizers, a ukulele, a tambourine and shaker in many if not all songs.

The band members’ talents on multiple instruments were not the only impressive features of the performance. The amount of energy that was brought to the stage was infectious. Lead singer and guitarist Luke Corriea Damude’s fingers were moving at insane speeds while he himself danced to every song.

Mike Lobel on synths and occasionally ukulele added so many more sounds to the music that made their show that much more original and refreshing. Frank Cox-O’Connell and Antonio Naranjo on percussion and bass/synths respectively are not to be forgotten either. Together the music they were making was seriously reverberating off the walls, ceiling and floors. Standing by the speakers definitely intensified the effect!

Boys Who Say No relied not only on their music to “wow” the crowd but also incorporated classic effects to their set that kept the audience entertained. Placed on top of some of the speakers were translucent tube containers each holding lights that would periodically light up in time with the songs. Similarly, four medium sized bulbs hung from strings just centimetres above the band’s heads functioned in the same fashion. The atmosphere was incredible!

A few songs into their performance, confetti shot into the air covering the audience as they begin to play one of their album’s tracks, “56K.” If there was anyone not yet on their feet jumping, they definitely were during this song.

The Boys also wasted no time and introduced their audience to a brand new song not even featured on Contingencies, demonstrating their seriousness in becoming successful artists in this industry. A slower beat with more relaxing tones than the other songs we heard, this one still had fans clapping along.

At the end of the concert, the audience demonstrated just how much fun they were having by screaming for an encore. The Boys wrapped up with two more songs, breaking out a xylophone and ukulele. During their final song, Boys Who Say No invited audience members up on stage to share the experience, further defining the band’s unpredictability. - Lithium Magazine

Steam Whistle beers were sure shaken up at the brewery’s most recent Unsigned Indie Music Series show on February 24 when Boys Who Say No took the stage during their album release party.

The night started off a bit slow with the first set starting almost 30 minutes behind schedule. Boys Who Say No were the last band of three to perform. Luke Lalonde of Born Ruffians and The Paint Movement each played an hour long set as well.

By the time it was the Boys’ turn to play, the floor was filled with friends, family and fans all having a great time.

Boys Who Say No got the crowd moving right from the start with an upbeat song from their new album Contingencies, featuring a range of different instruments typical for the band. Drums, electric bass and guitar set were accompanied by sound synthesizers, a ukulele, a tambourine and shaker in many if not all songs.

The band members’ talents on multiple instruments were not the only impressive features of the performance. The amount of energy that was brought to the stage was infectious. Lead singer and guitarist Luke Corriea Damude’s fingers were moving at insane speeds while he himself danced to every song.

Mike Lobel on synths and occasionally ukulele added so many more sounds to the music that made their show that much more original and refreshing. Frank Cox-O’Connell and Antonio Naranjo on percussion and bass/synths respectively are not to be forgotten either. Together the music they were making was seriously reverberating off the walls, ceiling and floors. Standing by the speakers definitely intensified the effect!

Boys Who Say No relied not only on their music to “wow” the crowd but also incorporated classic effects to their set that kept the audience entertained. Placed on top of some of the speakers were translucent tube containers each holding lights that would periodically light up in time with the songs. Similarly, four medium sized bulbs hung from strings just centimetres above the band’s heads functioned in the same fashion. The atmosphere was incredible!

A few songs into their performance, confetti shot into the air covering the audience as they begin to play one of their album’s tracks, “56K.” If there was anyone not yet on their feet jumping, they definitely were during this song.

The Boys also wasted no time and introduced their audience to a brand new song not even featured on Contingencies, demonstrating their seriousness in becoming successful artists in this industry. A slower beat with more relaxing tones than the other songs we heard, this one still had fans clapping along.

At the end of the concert, the audience demonstrated just how much fun they were having by screaming for an encore. The Boys wrapped up with two more songs, breaking out a xylophone and ukulele. During their final song, Boys Who Say No invited audience members up on stage to share the experience, further defining the band’s unpredictability. - Lithium Magazine

With their debut EP, local quartet Boys Who Say No add a well-crafted and delightfully tough-to-pin-down pop sound to Toronto’s diverse sonic landscape. After purveying shameless parlour pop on It’s A Shame, a tune with an irresistibly bouncy hook that’s all too short, they switch gears into wistful, heartfelt country twang on the melancholy Wheelwright.

Accordion, banjo, melodica and ukulele weave in and out of the core rock set-up. Singer/guitarist Luke Correia-Damude sports powerful pipes and impressive vocal range and dexterity, a skill he showcases on the fast-talking, tongue-in-cheek No I Won’t, and the powerful opener, Sane Ones.

Top track: Sane Ones
- Now Magazine

With their debut EP, local quartet Boys Who Say No add a well-crafted and delightfully tough-to-pin-down pop sound to Toronto’s diverse sonic landscape. After purveying shameless parlour pop on It’s A Shame, a tune with an irresistibly bouncy hook that’s all too short, they switch gears into wistful, heartfelt country twang on the melancholy Wheelwright.

Accordion, banjo, melodica and ukulele weave in and out of the core rock set-up. Singer/guitarist Luke Correia-Damude sports powerful pipes and impressive vocal range and dexterity, a skill he showcases on the fast-talking, tongue-in-cheek No I Won’t, and the powerful opener, Sane Ones.

Top track: Sane Ones
- Now Magazine

Releasing a debut full-length album is an indie-music rite of passage almost as significant as a group’s first tour-van breakdown. On Friday night, long-touted “up-and-comers” Boys Who Say No, a Toronto-based band, finally reached the former (and nicer) of those two landmarks with the independent release of Contingencies. Still boys by name, they are now indie-music men. All that’s left is for them to sign with a label.

On Friday, the Boys played the 21st edition of the Steam Whistle UNSIGNED series, where they shared billing with Born Ruffians‘ leading man Luke Lalonde in a solo set, and the six-member rock/soul outfit The Paint Movement.

Steam Whistle began staging the UNSIGNED series at their brewery’s event space in 2007, as a showcase for local talent yet to have signed the dotted line. All proceeds from ticket sales go to charity. There are UNSIGNED shows in other cities, too: Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver all have them.

First up on Friday night was Lalonde, who took to the stage alone for a muted opener. Fortunately, the energy in the room ramped up when he was joined by a backing band including Boys Who Say No lead singer Luke Correia-Damude, disguised by a clever fake moustache. The extra bodies on stage gave life to the tracks, resulting in a fun but fleeting set.

Next up was The Paint Movement, and they’re a band we can get behind: unique and colourful, just as their name suggests. The sextet’s blend of soul, rock, pop, and funk makes their return to the stage after a year in the recording studio a welcome one. The vocals from Kevin Kralik, Jason Haberman, and Dee Planche are as mesmerizing as their hair (which is to say, quite), and an extra saxophonist joining Jason Loftman made for a rousing finish. The set was monumentally more entertaining than watching paint dry, and in the audience there was, in fact, some movement.

Finally, the boys of the hour unleashed Contingencies upon the crowd, Correia-Damude now moustache-free. The band’s tunes are hard to classify. They mix typical indie-rock sounds with musical elements from other genres. Examples include the reggae keyboards and infectious chanting chorus of “Small Town Girl,” the low-fi melancholy of “Atonement,” and the fast-paced, dance-inducing “56K.” Not to mention the surprise encore performance of The Cure’s “Close to Me,” which brought audience members on stage to bounce and mouth along with the words. The only misfires were from the confetti cannon.

As always with Steam Whistle’s UNSIGNED series, it’s unclear how long these bands will stay so. But we’re sure there will be plenty of opportunity to catch them around the city without the help of a label. - Toronotist.com

ALBUM REVIEW
Boys Who Say No - Contingencies
(independent) BY JORDAN BIMM

Toronto indie quartet Boys Who Say No have been making noise on the local circuit for a couple of years and now have a well-produced debut full-length (mixed by David Newfeld) to show for it. Their quirky mix of pop and art rock has the creative depth of Grizzly Bear and the cute, anthemic sensibilities of Ra Ra Riot.

Singer Luke Correia-Damude uplifts every song with live-wire flourishes and thoughtful lyrics rich in the imagery of everyday life. Inspiration comes from all directions; every song has hints of folk, country, reggae, garage rock, 80s pop à la the Police, 90s alt à la Radiohead. That the disparate elements effortlessly result in a coherent whole says more about Boys Who Say No’s strong songwriting and musicianship than about their eclectic taste.

Top track: Worn Out - Now Magazine

ALBUM REVIEW
Boys Who Say No - Contingencies
(independent) BY JORDAN BIMM

Toronto indie quartet Boys Who Say No have been making noise on the local circuit for a couple of years and now have a well-produced debut full-length (mixed by David Newfeld) to show for it. Their quirky mix of pop and art rock has the creative depth of Grizzly Bear and the cute, anthemic sensibilities of Ra Ra Riot.

Singer Luke Correia-Damude uplifts every song with live-wire flourishes and thoughtful lyrics rich in the imagery of everyday life. Inspiration comes from all directions; every song has hints of folk, country, reggae, garage rock, 80s pop à la the Police, 90s alt à la Radiohead. That the disparate elements effortlessly result in a coherent whole says more about Boys Who Say No’s strong songwriting and musicianship than about their eclectic taste.

Top track: Worn Out - Now Magazine