Cancer Bats

Cancer Bats originated in May 2004 with singer Liam Cormier and guitarist Scott Middleton, former member of Toronto heavy metal band At The Mercy Of Inspiration. The two wanted to form a project that combined their favorite parts of bands like Refused, Black Flag, Led Zeppelin and Down, among others. The lineup was rounded out with the addition of Andrew McCracken on bass and Joel Bath on drums. The four-piece wasted no time writing and recording songs for a self-released demo that saw light in January 2005. The band considered the names Cancer Bats and Pneumonia Hawk after deciding that a combination of illness and animal name would give the best band name. Soon after, Mike Peters replaced Bath on the drums, to everyones relief, and the band began playing shows throughout southern Ontario, playing live shows with bands like Billy Talent, Every Time I Die, NORA, Alexisonfire, Haste the Day, It Dies Today, Bane, Comeback Kid, Buried Inside, Attack in Black, Misery Signals and This Is Hell, Rise Against, The Bronx and Gallows. On June 2, 2006, the band took part in a short interview and then played a free CD release show at The Edge 102.1 (CFNY-FM) and then on the 6th Birthing The Giant was released into major record stores. The album includes guest vocals by George Pettit of Alexisonfire. On June 7, 2006 they hosted All Things Rock, a show on MTV Canada, and had their own video played at the end of the show. In the summer of 2006, they were on tour all across Canada, playing with NOFX and Silverstein. They also played the Rock The Mill festival with other bands such as The Fully Down and Shotgun Rules. Bass player Andrew McCracken left to concentrate on his design company Doublenaut. His spot was filled in by Jason Bailey (Former member of bands Figure Four and Shattered Realm) for most of 2007 after which he was replaced by Jaye R. Schwarzer formerly of Left Behind, Hope To Die, Minesweeper, Kover and current Reefer Cathedral member alongside Cancer Bats guitarist Scott Middleton. The band released their second studio album called Hail Destroyer on April 22, 2008. The album features guest vocals by Wade MacNeil of Alexisonfire& Black Lungs and several other friends of the Band. The release was held at the Mod Club in downtown Toronto with Liam Cormier showing both his talents off: singing, and drumming with Black Lungs. On May 17, 2008, Cancer Bats were put on the cover of Kerrang! magazine which is the biggest selling weekly rock publication in the world. Kerrang! also gave their Album Hail Destroyer a KKKKK review (highest possible) as well as a 5k Live review on their headlining UK tour. Cancer Bats were also nominated for 2008 Album of the Year at this year's Kerrang! awards. Cancer Bats have performed at the Download Festival in 2007, Groezrock 2007 and at both Reading and Leeds Festivals in 2007 and 2008. In the summer of 2008, the band did an extensive summer and autumn tour with Bullet for My Valentine, Black Tide and Bleeding Through, as part of the No Fear music tour across North America. Also in 2008 they were a support act for welsh band Funeral for a Friend during their tour of Britain and northern Europe. April 2009 will see Cancer Bats return to the UK again as main support for Swedish death metal band In Flames Musical style Cancer Bats are usually referred to as a hardcore, metalcore, death punk and heavy metal band, and have also been refered to as having influences from stoner rock, southern metal and groove metal. Current lineup Liam Cormier - lead vocals (2004–present) Scott Middleton - guitar (2004–present) Mike Peters - drums (2005–present) Jaye R. Schwarzer - bass (2007–present) Former members Jason Bailey - bass (2006–2007) Andrew McCracken - bass (2004–2006) Joel Bath - drums (2004–2005)