List of bands from British Columbia - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

This is a list of bands
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...

originating from the Canadian

Canada

Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

province of British Columbia

British Columbia

British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...

. Only bands with valid Wikipedia pages (and are thereby notable) are listed.

Kelowna

Cry of the Afflicted
Cry of the Afflicted
Cry of the Afflicted was a Christian post-hardcore band from Kelowna, British Columbia.-History:Cry of the Afflicted formed in December 2003. They recorded their first single "Tale of a Soul" in January 2004 and quickly rose in popularity in their city's local scene...
Empyria
Empyria
Empyria is a progressive power metal band, formed in 1991 by Mike Kischnick, Paul Falcon, and Simon Adam in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.-History:...
Ginger
Ginger (band)
Ginger was a Canadian rock band in the 1990s. The band initially consisted of Tom Hooper on bass, Chris Hooper on drums and Vincent Jones on keyboards, following the departure of Kevin Kane from their earlier band The Grapes of Wrath...
The Grapes of Wrath
The Grapes of Wrath (band)
The Grapes of Wrath are a Canadian folk rock band, who were one of Canada's most successful pop bands in the late 1980s and early 1990s before disbanding in 1992. With the band name tied up in litigation, most of the band continued to record through the 1990s as Ginger. The Grapes of Wrath briefly...
Secret and Whisper
Secret and Whisper
Secret and Whisper was a post-hardcore band from Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada. Secret and Whisper formed after the band Stutterfly changed its name. Their first album, Great White Whale was released on February 12, 2008. The band's first single was "XOXOXO" followed by "Vanishings"...
Stutterfly
Stutterfly
Stutterfly was a post-hardcore band formed in 1998, originally named Uncle Ed's Private Jet. In February 2007, the band changed its name to Secret and Whisper due to the replacement of their founding vocalist and the corresponding changes in their musical style.The band started in Kelowna, British...
Yukon Blonde
Yukon Blonde
Yukon Blonde is a Canadian indie rock band originally from Kelowna, British Columbia. Formed in 2005 as a quintet called Alphababy, the band members changed the name in late 2008 at the suggestion of Jon-Rae Fletcher, with whom the band was touring. The band has been based in Vancouver since 2009...

Vancouver

3 Inches of Blood
3 Inches of Blood
3 Inches of Blood is a Canadian heavy metal band formed in 2000 in Vancouver, British Columbia, currently consisting of Cam Pipes, Justin Hagberg, Shane Clark, and Ash Pearson...
After All
The Awkward Stage
The Awkward Stage
The Awkward Stage is a Canadian indie pop band, based in Vancouver, British Columbia and fronted by singer-songwriter Shane Nelken. The band's supporting lineup currently consists of Tygh Runyan on lead guitar, Tony Koelwyn on drums and Chris Mitchell on trumpet and keyboards.Nelken, who works as a...
The Be Good Tanyas
The Be Good Tanyas
The Be Good Tanyas are a Canadian traditional music group, whose influences included folk, country, and bluegrass. The style of music they performed can be referred to as alt-country or Americana.-Career:...
The Belle Game
The Belle Game
The Belle Game is an indie folk pop band originating from Vancouver, British Columbia. Formed in July 2009, the band currently consists of permanent members Adam Nanji, Andrea Lo, Alex Andrew, Katrina Jones, Rob Chursinoff, and Ian Cook.-Origin:...
Bison B.C.
Bison B.C.
Bison B.C. are a heavy metal band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.They are currently signed to California based Metal Blade records....
Black Mountain
Black Mountain (band)
Black Mountain is a Canadian rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia. The band is composed of Stephen McBean, Amber Webber, Matt Camirand, Jeremy Schmidt and Joshua Wells.-Overview:...
Bob's Your Uncle
Bob's Your Uncle (band)
Bob's Your Uncle was a Canadian alternative rock band in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Based in Vancouver, the band consisted of band founder guitarist Jamie Junger, vocalist and guitarist Sook-Yin Lee, bassist Bernie Radelfinger, harmonica player Peter Lizotte and drummer John Rule...
The Buttless Chaps
The Buttless Chaps
The Buttless Chaps were a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1998 from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. The group played a hybrid of punk, new wave and alternative country music.-History:...
Chilliwack
Chilliwack (band)
Chilliwack are a Canadian rock band that had their heyday during the 1970s and 1980s. Although they are a Canadian band, the members were all born in, as well as reside in, the United States of America. They are perhaps best remembered for their five biggest songs "My Girl ", "I Believe", "Whatcha...
The Choir Practice
The Choir Practice
-External links:*...
Conjure One
Conjure One
Conjure One is a Canadian electronic music project, headed by Rhys Fulber, better known as a member of Front Line Assembly and Delerium, as well as other musical groups alongside Bill Leeb.-History:...
Copyright (Circle C)
Copyright (band)
Copyright was a Canadian alternative rock band, active in the 1990s. The band was launched by vocalist Thomas Anselmi and guitarist Christian Thorvaldson, former members of the short-lived and controversial punk rock band Slow, with new bassist Eric Marxsen and drummer Pete Bourne.Initially, the...
Cub
Cub (band)
Cub was an indie rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia that formed in 1992 and disbanded in 1997. They played a melodic, jangly form of pop punk that was dubbed "cuddlecore" by some music critics...
Cyberaktif
Cyberaktif
Cyberaktif was a one-time musical collaboration project between Bill Leeb of the band Front Line Assembly, and cEvin Key and Dwayne Goettel of Skinny Puppy...
Daniel Wesley
Daniel Wesley
- External links :* official site* at CBC Radio 3* Fitzgerald, Nicole. "", Pique Newsmagazine, 11 October 2007.*...
Default
Default (band)
Default is a Canadian post-grunge/alternative rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia. Since forming in 1999 they have released four albums, and have sold more than a million records...
Delerium
Delerium
Delerium is a band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, formed in 1987, originally as a side project of the influential industrial music act, Front Line Assembly...
Destroyer
Destroyer (band)
Destroyer is a Canadian indie pop band fronted by singer-songwriter Dan Bejar.- Overview :Daniel Bejar is an independent pop singer-songwriter from Vancouver who formed Destroyer in 1995. He self-produced his first album, the lo-fi We'll Build Them a Golden Bridge, which was recorded at his in...
D.O.A.
D.O.A. (band)
D.O.A. is a hardcore punk band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They are often referred to as the "founders" of hardcore punk, along with Black Flag, Bad Brains, Teen Idles, and Minor Threat. Their second album Hardcore '81 was thought by many to have been the first actual reference to...
Doug and the Slugs
Doug and the Slugs
Doug and the Slugs are a Canadian new-wave/power-pop band based in Vancouver. The group was formed in 1977 and was most active throughout the 1980s. They are best remembered for the Canadian top 40 hits "Too Bad" , "Making It Work" and "Tomcat Prowl"...
Download
Download (band)
Download is an electronic music group formed by Dwayne Goettel and cEvin Key of Skinny Puppy in 1994. The initial lineup also included Off & Gone's Phil Western and Mark Spybey of Dead Voices on Air, but has since been particularly fluid, with Key and Western being the only constant members...
Econoline Crush
Econoline Crush
Econoline Crush is a band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada formed in 1992. Originally formed in Seattle, they eventually moved back to Vancouver...
Front Line Assembly
Front Line Assembly
Front Line Assembly is a Canadian electro-industrial band formed by Bill Leeb in 1986 after leaving Skinny Puppy. Influenced by early Industrial acts such as Cabaret Voltaire, Portion Control, D.A.F., Test Dept, SPK, and Severed Heads, FLA has developed its own unique sound while combining...
Great Aunt Ida
Headpins
Headpins
Headpins are a Canadian rock group, founded as a side project in the late 1970s by then Chilliwack members Ab Bryant and Brian MacLeod. Macleod was impressed by the vocal talents of Vancouver rock singer Denise McCann, and asked her to join his new venture...
Heart
Heart (band)
Heart is an American rock band who first found success in Canada. Throughout several lineup changes, the only two members remaining constant are sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson. The group rose to fame in the 1970s with their music being influenced by hard rock as well as folk music...
Hinterland
Hinterland (band)
Hinterland is a band from Vancouver, Canada. Hinterland's music is best described as dreampop/shoegaze/New Wave with soaring, ethereal vocals, and is currently released by Submerged Records. Hinterland's second album The Picture Plane spent three months in the Canadian college radio top 50...
Images in Vogue
Images in Vogue
Images in Vogue was a Canadian New Wave group in the 1980s.The band was formed in 1981 in Vancouver, and originally consisted of vocalist Dale Martindale, guitarist Don Gordon , synth players Joe Vizvary and Glen Nelson, bassist Gary Smith and percussionist Kevin Crompton...
Japandroids
Japandroids
Japandroids is a Canadian rock duo from Vancouver, British Columbia. The group consists of Brian King and David Prowse . Formed in 2006, Japandroids rose to prominence in 2009 following the release of their debut album Post-Nothing...
The Kings
The Kings
The Kings are a Canadian band formed in the 1970s, best known for their 1980 North American hit "This Beat Goes On/Switchin' To Glide".-Recording history:The Kings were formed in Vancouver, British Columbia, and Oakville, Ontario in the late 1970s...
Ladyhawk
Ladyhawk (band)
Ladyhawk is a Canadian indie rock band formed on February 27, 2004 from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Their debut album, Ladyhawk was released on June 6, 2006 on Jagjaguwar Records. The lead single on the album was "Dugout", followed by "My Old Jacknife". They are signed to play at the 2008...
Lava Hay
Lava Hay
Lava Hay were a Canadian folk-pop duo in the early 1990s. The duo consisted of Suzanne Little and Michele Gould. Little and Gould first met in 1986 in Toronto, Ontario...
LiveonRelease
LiveonRelease
LiveonRelease was a Canadian all-girl pop punk/rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia. The band formed in 2000 and broke up in 2003.LiveonRelease's genre of music follows the likes of Blink-182...
Loverboy
Loverboy
Loverboy is a Canadian rock group formed in 1980 in Calgary, Alberta. Throughout the 1980s, the band accumulated numerous hit songs in Canada and the United States, earning four multi-platinum albums and selling millions of records...
The Manvils
The Manvils
The Manvils are a Canadian rock band from Vancouver. The band, consists of singer, songwriter and guitarist Mikey Manville, bassist Greg Buhr and drummer Jay Koenderman....
Maow
Maow
Maow was a Canadian indie rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. A pop punk combo, the band was part of the "cuddlecore" scene led by cub.Maow consisted of guitarist Tobey Black, bassist Corrina Hammond and drummer Neko Case...
Marianas Trench
Marianas Trench (band)
Marianas Trench is a Juno-nominated Canadian pop punk band from Vancouver, British Columbia, formed in 2001. They have released three full length albums, the most recent titled Ever After, released on November 21, 2011...
The McRackins
The McRackins
The McRackins are a Canadian pop punk band that was formed in 1994. Their song and album titles revolve around egg puns They have had approximately 70 releases from over 30 different record labels....
Mecca Normal
Mecca Normal
Formed by Jean Smith and David Lester in 1984, Mecca Normal is a two-piece indie rock band from Vancouver, Canada. Smith writes lyrics and sings in a style that is often confrontational and laced with feminist themes; Lester's melodic yet dissonant guitar swirls and loops around her vocals...
Moev
Moev
Founded in 1981 by Tom Ferris and Cal Stephenson, Moev is an electronic music group that recorded on Atlantic Records, Nettwerk Records, Go! Records and Cop International...
Mother Mother
Mother Mother
Mother Mother is a five-piece Canadian indie rock band originally from Quadra Island, now based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Mother Mother consists of Ryan Guldemond on guitar and vocals, Molly Guldemond on vocals and keyboard, Jasmin Parkin on keyboard and vocals, Ali Siadat on drums, and...
The New Pornographers
The New Pornographers
The New Pornographers is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1997 in Vancouver, British Columbia.-History:The band's first four albums each ranked in the top 40 on The Village Voices Pazz & Jop year-end poll of hundreds of music reviewers. From 2000 to 2006, either a New Pornographers' album or a...
No Kids
No Kids
No Kids is a Canadian indie pop band. Based in Vancouver, the band was formed by Justin Kellam, Julia Chirka and Nick Krgovich following the departure of Larissa Loyva from their earlier band P:ano....
Numb
Numb (band)
Numb is an electro-industrial band that was based in Vancouver, Canada. It was founded by Don Gordon, David Hall and Sean Stubbs in 1986. Following his Suspended single, Gordon retired the project and moved to Vietnam to live with his wife.-Past members:...
Odds
Odds (band)
Odds are a Canadian alternative rock band. The band's power pop style has been frequently compared to that of contemporaries such as Squeeze, Elvis Costello, Weezer, Tom Petty, Sloan, The Clash, XTC, Franz Ferdinand, and The Tubes.-Odds :...
ohGr
OhGr
ohGr is a band formed by Nivek Ogre, of Skinny Puppy, and musician/engineer Mark Walk. Although the pedigree of the group's members might suggest otherwise, early ohGr releases differed in sound to its related industrial bands, drawing more on hip-hop and electro-pop influences, incorporating more...
The Organ
The Organ
The Organ was a Canadian indie pop band formed in 2001 in Vancouver, British Columbia. They officially broke up on December 7, 2006, due to illness and personal conflicts in the band.-Early years:...
Ox
Ox (band)
Ox is a Canadian alternative country indie band. The core of the band consists of Mark Browning on lead vocals and guitar, Ryan Bishops on guitar and piano, Shawn Dicey on bass and Max Myth on drums...
P:ano
P:ano
P:ano was a Canadian indie pop band formed in 1999 from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The band's members consisted of Larissa Loyva, Justin Kellam, Julia Chirka, and Nick Krgovich...
The Payolas
The Payolas
The Payolas were part of Vancouver's new wave of bands and active in the Canadian music scene for a decade from the late 1970s, recording several albums and singles that were Canadian chart hits...
The Pack A.D.
The Pack A.D.
The Pack A.D. is a garage rock duo from Vancouver, Canada. Formed in 2006, The Pack A.D. consists of singer/songwriter/guitarist Becky Black and drummer/songwriter Maya Miller. The Pack A.D...
Pink Mountaintops
Pink Mountaintops
Pink Mountaintops is a shoegaze psychedelic rock band from Vancouver, British Columbia. The band consists of many of the same musicians who participate in the Black Mountain collective.-Band members:*Stephen McBean*Amber Webber*CC Rose*Lyndsay Sung...
The Pointed Sticks
Prism
Prism (band)
Prism is a Canadian rock band originally from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. They were active from 1977 to 1984 and are active again from 1988 to present. The band's sound is a mix of Album-Oriented Rock and pop rock. They have released a total of 13 albums to date...
Pure
Pure (band)
Pure was a Canadian rock band, formed in Vancouver in 1991. Previously, the band was known as After All and Grin Factory. Signed to the Reprise label, the band reached a greater audience once their song "Greedy" was featured on the soundtrack album Songs from the Cool World, and the single "Blast"...
Rascalz
Rascalz
The Rascalz are a Canadian hip-hop group from Vancouver, British Columbia, who played a crucial role in the artistic and commercial development of Canadian hip hop. The group consists of MCs Red1 and Misfit, and DJ Kemo. Breakdancers, Zebroc and Dedos were also part of the group.Formed in 1991, the...
The Real McKenzies
Rose Chronicles
Rose Chronicles
Rose Chronicles was a Canadian alternative rock band in the 1990s. The band, from Vancouver, consisted of vocalist Kristy Thirsk, guitarist Richard Maranda, bassist Judd Cochrane and drummer Steve van der Woerd.-Career:...
Said the Whale
Said The Whale
Said the Whale is a Vancouver-based indie rock band started by Ben Worcester and Tyler Bancroft.Their debut EP Taking Abalonia was released in 2007. It was re-released with seven new songs on June 3, 2008 in Canada as a full-length LP under the name Howe Sounds/Taking Abalonia...
Sandalspring
Sandalspring
Sandalspring was a Canadian Folk Rock band that was formed in 1968 and performed extensively at a number of Vancouver clubs until early 1970.- History :...
Skinny Puppy
Skinny Puppy
Skinny Puppy is a Canadian industrial musical group, formed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1982. The group is widely considered to be the founders of the electro-industrial genre....
Slow
Slow (band)
Slow is a Canadian punk rock band that started in the mid-1980's. Based in Vancouver, British Columbia, the band consisted of vocalist Thomas Anselmi, guitarist Christian Thorvaldson, bassist Stephen Hamm and drummer Terry Russell...
Social Deviantz
Social Deviantz
Social Deviantz are a Canadian rap trio based in Vancouver, British Columbia.First formed in early 1992, the group consists of lyricists A-Train and Fatbone, and DJ/producer Junya...
Spirit of the West
Spirit of the West
Spirit of the West are a Canadian folk rock band, who were popular on the Canadian folk music scene in the 1980s before evolving a blend of hard rock, Britpop, and Celtic folk influences which made them one of Canada's most successful alternative rock acts in the 1990s.-Early years:The band began...
Strapping Young Lad
Strapping Young Lad
Strapping Young Lad was a Canadian extreme metal band formed by Devin Townsend in Vancouver, British Columbia, in 1994. The band started as a one-man studio project; Townsend played most of the instruments on the 1995 debut album, Heavy as a Really Heavy Thing...
The Subhumans
Sweatshop Union
Sweatshop Union
Sweatshop Union is a Canadian hip hop collective formed in 2000 when four politically minded rap acts—Dirty Circus, Pigeon Hole, Kyprios and Innocent Bystander —came together "to create a powerful, distinctive voice", and to produce their first album, which was published in 2001.Known for an...
Sweeney Todd
Sweeney Todd (band)
Sweeney Todd is a Canadian glam rock band that formed in 1975.The band, formed in Vancouver, British Columbia, originally consisted of vocalist Nick Gilder, guitarist Jim McCulloch, bassist Budd Marr, keyboardist Dan Gaudin and drummer John Booth...
Swollen Members
Swollen Members
Swollen Members is a Canadian hip hop group from Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia, Canada consisting mainly of the duo Mad Child, and Prevail. Frequent collaborators include vocalist Moka Only and producer Rob the Viking, an official group member since 2002...
Synæsthesia
Tear Garden
Tegan and Sara
Tegan and Sara
Tegan and Sara are a Canadian indie band composed of identical twin sisters Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Keirsten Quin . Both Tegan and Sara play guitar and keyboard and write songs.-History:...
Trooper
Trooper (band)
Trooper is a Juno Award winning Canadian rock band that developed from a group formed by vocalist Ramon McGuire and guitarist Brian Smith in 1975...
West End Girls
West End Girls (Canadian band)
West End Girls were a Canadian pop band and girl group in the early 1990s.-History:The band was formed in Vancouver by producers John Dexter and John Livingston, and consisted of three teenaged girls, Camille Henderson, Aimee MacKenzie and Silvana Petrozzi...
Young and Sexy
Young and Sexy
Young and Sexy is a Canadian indie pop band from Vancouver, British Columbia, consisting of vocalists Paul Pittman and Lucy Brain, guitarist André Lagacé, bassist Brent McDonald and former drummer Alex Brain...
Young Canadians
Young Canadians
Young Canadians were a Vancouver punk rock band active for just under two years. The YC's were influenced not only by the other punk bands in town at that time such as D.O.A. and the Pointed Sticks, but also by the Dolls, the Stooges, and 1960s garage rock...
Zimmers Hole
The Zolas
The Zolas
The Zolas is a Canadian progressive rock band based in Vancouver, British Columbia. They are signed to Light Organ Records. The core of the band is duo Zachary Gray and Tom Dobrzanski , with other musicians supporting them live and on record.Their debut album, 'Tic Toc Tic', was released in 2010...
Zumpano
Zumpano
Zumpano was a Canadian indie rock group in the 1990s.The band, whose power pop style resembled such contemporaries as Sloan and The Super Friendz, comprised vocalist/guitarist Carl Newman, keyboardist Michael Ledwidge, bassist Stefan Niemann and drummer Jason Zumpano.The band formed in 1992 after...

Victoria

Armchair Cynics
Armchair Cynics
Armchair Cynics are a rock band from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. In 2004 the band signed a recording and development contract with Vancouver based 604 Records. The initial release with 604 records was the EP Killing the Romance and is distributed by Universal Music Canada. The recording...
Dayglo Abortions
Dayglo Abortions
The Dayglo Abortions are a Canadian punk band from Victoria, British Columbia. Their lyrics are informed by a complete disregard for societal norms. They formed in 1979 and released their first album in 1981...
Frog Eyes
Frog Eyes
Frog Eyes is an indie rock band from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada known for their highly idiosyncratic songs, which pit Carey Mercer's melodic falsetto whoops against an avalanche of guitar, keyboards, piano, and drums. Their 2010 album Paul's Tomb: A Triumph was a longlisted nominee for the...
Hot Hot Heat
Hot Hot Heat
Hot Hot Heat is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1999 from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.-Career:Dustin Hawthorne and Steve Bays had been in many different bands together since 1995 and met Hawley in 1998. In 1999, Hawley bought a Juno 6 keyboard and asked Bays to try playing it, as no one...
Immaculate Machine
Immaculate Machine
Immaculate Machine was a Canadian indie pop band from Victoria, British Columbia, active from 2003 to 2011.The band's name is taken from the lyrics of "One-Trick Pony" from the album One-Trick Pony by Paul Simon.-History:...
Jets Overhead
Jets Overhead
Jets Overhead are a Canadian alternative rock band formed in 2003 and based in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.-Formation and debut:Singer Adam Kittredge conceived of the name Jets Overhead while observing air traffic patterns in London, England...
Jon and Roy
Jon and Roy
-History:Singer-songwriter and guitarist Jon Middleton and percussionist Roy Vizer met at University of Victoria. They formed Jon and Roy, and began performing around Victoria and Vancouver in 2003...
The Laundronauts
The Laundronauts
The Laundronauts are a Canadian indie rock music trio formed in late 2007 from Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Founded by Gareth Wynne and Stephen J...
Moneyshot
Moneyshot
Moneyshot is a Canadian rock/punk band who formed in 1999 and are based out of Victoria, British Columbia. They have an energetic live stage show and play music that falls somewhere between Guns 'n Roses and Social Distortion.- Discography :...
Nomeansno
Nomeansno
NoMeansNo is a Canadian progressive punk rock music group originally from Victoria, British Columbia and now located in Vancouver.The band has never had, nor have they seemed to pursue, strong mainstream success, but they do have a devoted underground following in North America and Europe...
Shapes and Sizes
Shapes and Sizes
Shapes and Sizes are a Canadian indie rock band from Victoria, British Columbia. There are four members — Nathan Gage, Caila Thompson-Hannant, Rory Seydel and John Crellin. After self-releasing their self-titled first album in early 2006, the band caught the attention of Sufjan Stevens' record...
Showbusiness Giants
Showbusiness Giants
-External links:* * * *...

Kelowna

Vancouver

Victoria

See also