The Dirty Nil has always brought a bit of flash and colour to rock ‘n’ roll. Whether it’s the bejeweled stars and lightning bolts emblazoned on frontman Luke Bentham’s stage outfits or the multi-dimensional, psychedelic artwork splashed across album covers, the Hamilton, Ontario-based band likes to add a little flair. But on their fifth album, The Lash, the Nil is stripping it all back. No more flash. No more colour. The slate is getting wiped. Back to basics.

Sitting somewhere between 00’s indie and 80’s hardcore, Bruise Control have carved themselves an unlikely name in DIY punk, thanks to their catalogue of self-produced releases and a notoriety for chaotic live shows. Guitarist Niall Griffin, bassist Ru Gilfillan and drummer Tommy Victor Morris focus on creating hook-filled, razor-sharp indie punk, grounded by lead singer Jim Taylor’s down to earth lyricism and ferocious delivery.