Fox Jaws

The last stop of my night was the Rivoli for Barrie's own Fox Jaws. I arrived to another hot, sweaty scene. This was NXNE at its best. I arrived just as Fox Jaws hit the stage, thankfully. It was so full that I had trouble getting anywhere near the front row to catch the band in action. The show began, opening with a bundle of epic instrumentation before breaking into one of Fox Jaws strongest assets: vocals. Lead singer Carleigh unleashed her vocal chords all over the crowd, even making me delightfully stand a bit closer. The bands sound comes from relatively simple arrangements, yet the attention to detail and arrangements is what really sets this band apart from any other.

Haunting lead electric parts, tech drumming, and searing vocals tie up these Jaws into something special. The band also played the fan favourite "Karmonica"; a song that has the potential of becoming a Canadian classic, and something that I'm sure Neil Young kicks himself for not writing. A little bit of Arcade Fire, a little bit Arctic Monkeys, and a little bit Fleetwood Mac. This band was the perfect capper for my rainy, sweaty night at the Rivoli. - www.torontoindie.com

With so many records hitting iPods and stores every year, we're bound to miss at least one great release. Last year, Barrie's Fox Jaws put out their fantastic debut to relatively little fanfare, which is really a shame because this foursome is on a par with any great Toronto indie act. Their debut, Goodbye Doris (a reference to the group's first moniker, Doris Day), is an eclectic collection of frantic power chords, distorted vocals and thoughtful, complex song arrangements.

The record kicks off with the classic rock-meets-Feist-sounding Karmonica. With its rollicking drums, powerful harmonica and Carleigh Aikins's passionate wails, this track is easily one of the better Canadian songs of the last 12 months. The gritty Golden Dogs-like blasts on Hide & Seek and the reverb-heavy shoegazing on Forging A Truce aren't too shabby either.

Expect Fox Jaws to deliver a high-energy NXNE set, complete with violin bowing, xylophone hitting and manic tambourine playing. You might not have heard of these guys until now, but it won't be long before they're Ontario's next big export. - NOW Magazine

Fox Jaws (formerly Doris Day) hail from Barrie, Ontario... Barrie may not exactly be known as a thriving bastion of rock and roll, yet there I was a few years back standing in an upscale dinner joint turned rock and roll heavy getting my heart handed to me by this sextet. The deal was sealed a few hours later when they proceeded to invite the whole bar back to their digs for a dance party that worked its way into the wee hours as these things tend to do.

So this is the part where you ask why you should be listening to Fox Jaws instead of whatever "X" indie rock and roll band. Which is followed by us saying "The music speaks for itself, maaaan." (Snarl sold separately). 'Course, if you're already here, let us indulge you.

We could call it anthemic indie-pop. We could talk about their knockout live performances (complete with the most spell-binding cover of Under Pressure you'll ever hear aside from the Thin White Duke himself). We could talk about how we haven't heard sexier female vox since Alannah Myles soundtracked our childhood road trips with Black Velvet. We could talk about how, in the tradition of small town bands before them, they stumble upon truth in only the way big-hearted kids with visions of that big city glow can. There's a warmth in their music that finds you in the blizzard and kills the chill, stops the chatter. Of course, we could also just say, the music speaks for itself. - Country Pinball Machine - blogspot.com

Toothy grins and hats that hide your face, messenger bags and holey Converse, greasy hair and blazers. Those holes weren't planted on your shoes, those hats not strategically placed, that hair not purposely unwashed; it's who they are. It's who we are. Void of every fad and gimmick, Fox Jaws are real people; they live, die, breathe and create just like you and I. But what they create is on the verge of brilliance, what they live are lives worth documentation, when they die it sounds amazing, when they breathe it brings the audience to life. "Karmonica" sounds like a song we never had the talent or time to write. Gorgeous indie rock is overdone and with this level of honesty it's hit or miss. However, albums like Goodbye Doris will bring back the feeling that music is so much more than what it simply is. It's in everything we do. Just hear "Couple of Pops", which recalls post-rock Broken Social Scene-esque beauty but with more focus, and can easily soundtrack any walk through the city on a chilly day, hands dug in pockets, nose wet and red. Listen to "Hitchcock Camera Trick", which hollows out edgier Bowie interpretations, in your headphones on the subway and you may never be able to wake from such emotions. Once known as Doris Day, Barrie, ON's Fox Jaws already know you; do you know them? - Exclaim.ca

"...their melodically-charged indie-rock with passionate female vocals was immediately likable. The dueling male and female vocals on some songs were fantastic... "Karma-onica": My new favourite song." - For the Records - blogspot.com - For the Records

"Barrie six-piece indie rock/pop act Fox Jaws, in not very much time at all, have put together an exceptionally well-crafted debut that ably showcases the kids' impressive and raw songwriting talent."
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- NOW Magazine - NOW Toronto

"The six-piece turns out taut and hooky rock with an energy and effervescence that belies the density and sophistication of the music... Big things are inevitable."
- Chromewaves.net - Chromewaves.net