BIOGRAPHY
Nameless Friends think big. Big music. Big sound. Big ideas. Go big or go home. Which is why the ferocious band from London, Ontario, wrote their debut, original album Blasphemy (2023) about some of the biggest problems facing the modern world: right-wing bigotry, gendered violence, climate change, and economic inequality.
Fun times, right? But Nameless Friends is not a dour band. Far from it. This is also the band who put out a live record of Queen covers, recorded in front of a sold-out crowd at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern—because they’re the kind of band that can actually pull off a Queen cover set, with all the musical chops and sense of camp that requires.
This balance of grandeur and frankness has the female-fronted, diverse, queer band striking powerful chords with their original tunes. They’re likely the only commercial rock band in the world to write a song about reproductive and menstrual rights (“7 Years of Blood”), and have amassed hundreds of thousands of views online for an epic “feud” with Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe over the rights of transgender children.
“We’re trying to make music about the justice we want to see in the world, that’s also really bloody fun to listen to” says the lead singer, producer, and founding member known only to the outside world as Number One. “We have been described as modern glam, prog punk, metal-adjacent, hysterical pussy shit, and your new favourite band.”
Nameless Friends' first EP, 2018's Mezzanine, received glowing reviews in Canada and Serbia, and single "The Flood" was featured on the City of Kingston's #YGKMusic Municipal playlist in 2022. Their self-produced debut album, Blasphemy, released in May 2023, was mixed by Andrew McLeod (Sunnsetter, Paper Bag Records) and mastered by Darcy Proper (Porcupine Tree, The Eagles). Blasphemy and its singles have amassed hundreds of thousands of views on Tiktok and Instagram, and garnered PR attention for the band’s politically active “knack for turning spite into rocket fuel” (Next Wave Magazine). The official music video for single “Sympathy for Lilith” was also an Official Selection at the 2023 Forest City Film Festival.
Nameless Friends has performed regularly across Canada since 2018, including Indie Week 2019 in Toronto, ON; the 2019 #JunosWeekend in London, ON; and showcases for the City of Markham and Western University. They opened for the The Flatliners at the Horseshoe Tavern's sold-out Stranded Fest in 2019, which is available online in audio/video as "Nameless Friends, Live At Stranded Fest". They were recently featured on the main stage at both Deep River Summerfest 2022 (3,000+ people) and London's UNESCO Music City NYE 2022 (15,000+ people), showcased at Bitchfest Toronto in March 2024 and Regina Pride in June 2024, and completed four successful legs of the “Blasphemy Release Tour”: central Canada in summer 2023, western Canada in fall 2023, eastern Canada in spring 2024, and the UK and Ireland in summer 2024. Nameless Friends next gets back on the road for the fifth leg of the BRT (fall 2024, TBA) and a showcase at VENUExVENUE 2024. They are delighted to share the stage on these tours, almost exclusively, with femme/queer-inclusive local bands.
LIVE VIDEO
PRESS
FOR BLASPHEMY
"Raw and electrifying"
Nameless Friends take the UK by storm on 'Cross The Pond' tour ahead of upcoming album
EARMILK
"The London Ontario-based band have a knack for turning spite into rocket fuel"
Nameless Friends: Spite-fueled Chaotic Do-Gooders with Electric Guitars
Next Wave Magazine
"The perfect combination of power and melody"
Video Spotlight: Nameless Friends – ‘Mezzanine’
New Noise Magazine
"But you'd expect nothing less in the way of alchemy from a group whose first LP was a live album of Queen covers... Sexy gay baptism, anyone?"
Nameless Friends share “Classic Protagonist (Live)”
Canadian Beats
"Nameless Friends raise holy hell... and they are willing to put their platform where their mouth is"
Nameless Friends Battle Religious Demons
Tinnitist
"The band intends to make a statement with its debut album. Loudly."
"Nameless Friends can be seen wearing uniforms, criticizing the government, and going through a lot of glitter"
Nameless Friends Aim for "World Domination"
Interrobang
FOR MEZZANINE
“Za mikrofonom je atraktivna crnka u rekao bih, kasnim dvadesetim, koja baš zna da peva i ima glas negde između Krisi Hajnd iz Pretendersa i Edi Brikel. Da zna da peva pokazala je u vokalno najzahtevnijoj pesmi sa EP-ja, “First” koja kao da je izašla iz Sijetl kuhinje u vreme devedesetih, mada i u ostale četiri pesme ne zaostaje. Gitarski rad je uzbudljiv jer je raznolik i drugačiji iz pesme u pesmu. Čas ima alternativni prizvuk, čas je u hard rock fazonu, dok prog šmek a la Dredg sve vreme ledbi negde iznad. Ritam sekcija je tačna, neumoljivo precizna i pre svega zanimljiva jer nije samo u pratećoj funkciji već punopravno utiče na kompletnu zvučnu sliku. Produkcija je više nego odlična, a naročito bih pohvalio zvuk bubnjeva, posebno doboša koji je dominantan i snimljen baš na način koji mi se dopada, naročito u pesmi “Little Pieces”, ali i tokom celog mini albuma “Mezzanine” koji vam ovde predstavljam.
“Svakim narednim slušanjem sam nalazio paralele sa mnogim bendovima, ali sam ih brzo i odbacivao i upoređivao sa nekim trećim što je znak da bend i pored toga što je “sve već odsvirano” ima svoj stil i svoj lični pečat. “Classic Protagonist” je najčvršća od pet koliko ih se nalazi na ploči i u nekim trenucima me je podsetila na njihove zemljake, najbolji kanadski bend ikada, Rush…”
Nameless Friends - Mezzanine (EP)
Helly Cherry
FOR FANS OF
The scale and grandeur of Queen + the energy of PUP + the political activism of Rage Against The Machine ✨
HIGHLIGHTS
3 million+ views on TikTok
Showcase at VENUExVENUE 2024
Raised $1000 for Trans Lifeline and Rainbow Railroad from exclusive Snot Moe merch 🏳️🌈
Showcase at BitchFest 2024
"Sympathy for Lilith", Forest City Film Festival 2023 Official Selection
You know those giant rolling plastic bins they use for hospital linens? That you can fit a couple of people inside? We filled one of those with menstrual product donations once for a rad charity in our community, Anova 🖤
Featured performer, London's UNESCO Music City New Year's Eve 2022 (15,000+ attendance)
Co-headlined Deep River Summerfest 2022 (3,000 attendance)
Fan Favourite, Forest City London Music Awards 2022 nomination
"The Flood" included on the official YGK Kingston 2022 playlist
Showcase at Indie Week 2019
Opened for The Flatliners at Stranded Fest 2019 (Horseshoe Tavern, sold out)
TOURING HISTORY
Blasphemy Deluxe Release Tour - 2024
October 27, 2024 / Gus's Pub
October 26, 2024 / Ducky's Pub
October 25, 2024 / Baba's Lounge
October 24, 2024 / Xeroz Arcade Bar
Nameless Friends Cross The Pond Tour - 2024
July 21, 2024 / The Bunkhouse w/ Pseudo Cool & Kikker / Swansea, WAL
July 20, 2024 / Moon Alldayer - The Moon / Cardiff, WAL
July 19, 2024 / The Pipeline w/ Daffodildos & Rottweiler / Brighton, ENG
July 18, 2024 / The Waiting Room w/ Comic Sans & Breakup Haircut / London, ENG
July 17, 2024 / Dead Wax Digbeth w/ Magnata's Court & BLDSUGR / Birmingham, ENG
July 12, 2024 / Fred Zeppelins w/ Mossy & Other Mother / Cork, IRL
July 11, 2024 / The Grand Social w/ Puck & Burglar / Dublin, IRL
July 7, 2024 / Bannerman's w/ Renovations & Rivyrs / Edinburgh, SCT
July 6, 2024 / Nice N Sleazy w/ Too Red & Brat Coven / Glasgow, SCT
July 5, 2024 / The Zombie Shack w/ Blondine, Ether Mech, & Big Cat Chic / Manchester, ENG
July 4, 2024 / Santiago Bar w/ Eva Kiss & Lidocaine / Leeds, ENG
Blasphemy Album Release Tour III - 2024
February 27 / The Rock House w/ Category VI & Chokeslam / St. John's, NL
February 24 / Haven Music Hall w/ Lily's Day & He/She/They / Saint John, NB
February 23 / Baba's Lounge w/ Takeda Takeda & The Devil's Punchbowl / Charlottetown, PE
February 22 / The Seahorse Tavern w/ Persephone & Pinot Gringo / Halifax, NS
February 21 / Ducky's Pub w/ North of Nowhere & Blake Gould / Sackville, NB
February 18 / LIVE! on Elgin w/ Victor Complex & Valvehead / Ottawa, ON
February 17 / The Casbah w/ Smit, Green Harbour, & Applecore / Hamilton, ON
2024:
November 10, 2024 / Turbo Haus
November 8, 2024 / Bovine Sex Club
June 8, 2024 / Regina Pride - Regina Brewing Inc. / Regina, SK
June 7, 2024 / Amigos Cantina w/ Tunnel Kids & Little Darkness / Saskatoon, SK
May 24, 2024 / Monarch Tavern w/ Big Milk, Feura, & Modern Dandelion / Toronto, ON
May 16, 2024 / Palasad Socialbowl w/ Screaming At Traffic, Gabi & The Whats, & Tired Radio / London, ON
April 5, 2024 / Groggette's w/ Gabi & The Whats & Antisocial Surf Club / London, ON
March 29, 2024 / Bitchfest - The Painted Lady w/ ASD Band, Blind Decision, & Earl Wyvern / Toronto, ON
Blasphemy Album Release Tour II - 2023
December 3 / Turbo Haüs w/ Birds of Prrrey & Lucy's Delirium / Montreal, QC
December 2 / Musiikki w/ Sons of Rick / Kingston, ON
November 16 / Bovine Sex Club w/ Big Milk & Untimely Dosage / Toronto, ON
October 28 / Palasad Socialbowl w/ Perfect Strangers & No Exceptions / London, ON
October 21 / Amigos Cantina w/ Unproductive & BOOMlag / Saskatoon, SK
October 20 / O'Hanlon's w/ The People / Regina, SK
October 19 / The Aviary w/ Laundry Week & Dylan Ella / Edmonton, AB
October 18 / Modern Love @ Rockin' 4 Dollars / Calgary, AB
October 14 / The Handsome Daughter w/ Northern Royals & The Soundoff / Winnipeg, MB
October 13 / Black Pirates Pub w/ Killer, Teknosis, & Silence of Death / Thunder Bay, ON
October 12 / Reggies Place Tavern w/ A Dire Setback & Lime / Sault Ste. Marie, ON
Blasphemy Album Release Tour - 2023
June 17 / The Chelsea Underground w/ Talking Violet & Older Siblings / Windsor, ON
June 16 / Silence w/ Anela & The Early Hours & Housecat / Guelph, ON
June 4 / The Rainbow Bistro w/ Pink Cloud Summer & The Pretty Good / Ottawa, ON
June 3 / Van Horne Bridge w/ Empress & AntiSocial Surf Club / Montreal, QC
June 2 / Musiikki w/ Sadi McFadden / Kingston, ON
May 28 / Doors Pub w/ Older Siblings & The Midwife Crisis / Hamilton, ON
May 27 / Kinsmen Bandshell w/ Moore Ave, The Fabulous Wallpunchers, $40 Henny, & Lynch Pinn / Tillsonburg, ON
May 26 / See-Scape w/ Ashlee Schazte, Neon Thrush, & Mip Power Trio / Toronto, ON
May 25 / Rum Runners w/ Trope, Miss Conduct, & Thunder Queens / London, ON
2023:
February 4 / Bovine Sex Club w/ Black Cat Attack, Miss Conduct & Lucious / Toronto, ON
7 Years of Blood Tour - 2022
December 10 / Barfly w/ The Brie Face & Liam Scott / Montreal, QC
December 9 / The Mansion w/ Luscious & Nice On / Kingston, ON
December 2 / Mill's Hardware w/ Down For Anything & Moore Ave / Hamilton, ON
November 11 / Palasad Socialbowl w/ Lost Arts & Fiends / London, ON
2022:
December 31 / New Year's Eve in the Park / London, ON
July 31st / Deep River Summerfest / Deep River, ON
2021:
July 31st / London Music Office's Revive Live @ Union Ten w/ Wolf Saga / London, ON
2020:
June 10th / Digital Creative Arts Centre Nooner, live-stream / London, ON
March 11th / Fire Fest at Western University / London, ON
January 4th / This Ain’t Hollywood w. Beach Bats, Down For Anything / Hamilton, ON
2019:
December 6th / The Road to NYE at Call the Office / London, ON
November 16th / Indie Week Showcase at Alchemy Food & Drink / Toronto, ON
October 25th / Sneaky Dee’s w. Artificial Alien, Down The Void, Sunlust / Toronto, ON
October 17th / Rum Runners w. Stuck On Planet Earth, Bad Bounce / London, ON
September 11th / Western Fair’s I Love Local w. Jenn Marino & The Hearts / London, ON
August 31st / Stranded Fest at The Horseshoe Tavern / Toronto, ON
August 17th / Youth Concert Showcase Series in downtown Markham w. Azalyne, Loren Aronov, The Cooks / Markham, ON
August 5th / Rum Runners w. Screaming at Traffic, Mirage, Youngest and Only / London, ON
July 18th / The Boat @ Kensington w. Numb Tongues, Averages, Pterodactyl Problems / Toronto, ON
July 12th / Rum Runners #AToast single release w. Girlongirl, Nimway, Sneaker Club, Allodays / London, ON
June 1st / CHRW Radio Western live-to-air / London, ON
May 2nd / FCLMA #IoFloralia at London Brewing Coop. w. Nimway, Tell It To Sweeney / London, ON
April 5th / The Rec Room Masonville w. Glass Cactus, Fun Fact / London, ON
March 15th / Call the Office #Junoweekend w. Hyness, Terminal Joy, State of Mind, evesbush / London, ON
Mezzanine EP Release Tour - 2018
November 15th / Rum Runners w. Royal Tusk, The Weathered, The Wrong Brothers / London, ON
November 10th / Villain’s Beastro w. Cedar & Pine, Fox the Hound / Windsor, ON
November 1st / DSTRCT w. Glass Cactus, London Hammer / Guelph, ON
October 27th / Refined Fool Brewing Co. w. Justin Maki / Sarnia, ON
October 9th / Old East 765 w. Silence Kit / London, ON
October 6th / The Mansion w. Listen Up Kid, Paper Ladies / Kingston, ON
October 3rd / Doors Pub w. Shane Bowley, The Ruddy Ruckus / Hamilton, ON
September 29th / The Cameron House w. Bassline, Cedar & Pine / Toronto, ON
September 27th / Call the Office w. Fun Fact, Cedar & Pine / London, ON