Shade: Controller
The latest in a line of ace rock bands from Hamilton, they tease an upcoming debut album with a killer new single. This is abrasive guitar-driven post-punk with a strong melodic core, and it'll leave you wanting to hear more, and fast.
By Kerry Doole
Shade - "Controller" (Sleepless Records). Hamilton's reputation as a current hotbed of fine rock bands (Monster Truck, Arkells, The Dirty Nil) will be further enhanced by the arrival of Shade on the scene. The group's signing to powerhouse indie imprint Sleepless (July Talk, Kandle, Allie X) has just been announced, accompanied by this single.
The track has an abrasive post-punk sound with thunderous guitars and Stephane Senecal-Tremblay's intense vocals, but has hooks sharp enough to drag you in. Clocking in at 2.46, there is nothing superfluous here, and you'll be left wanting more.
The top-notch production values come courtesy of the A-list team of Leon Taheny (Arcade Fire, Death From Above, Metz) and Josh Korody (Dilly Dally, Weaves), currently working with Shade on an upcoming album. These cats don't take just any gig, and their involvement helps stamp Shade as a band to be reckoned with.
Shade play Toronto's Horseshoe Tavern on July 9, Montreal's Fishbum Fest on Aug. 16, and Hamilton's Supercrawl on Sept. 14.
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Publicity: Darryl Weeks, Stage Fright
Rogers Stadium during a rainy walkthrough in 2025.Courtesy Photo