Society's Ills

Defined as "rattling melodic hardcore" by iconic Canadian music magazine Exclaim, Society's Ills are staying close to their roots as they pen songs for their upcoming second full-length studio album. Due for release summer 2013, the new album follows on the heels of the band’s successful eponymous 2011 full-length debut, which has been charting continuously on the Earshot Loud chart since November 2011 until June 2012, peaking at number 5 in January 2012.

This is all a long way from the humble origins of the band, which was started back in 2006 as more of a hobby for longtime friends The Naj (vocals), Skid Marc (bass, vocals), Danarky (guitar, vocals) and original drummer Dave. Meeting weekly for beers and Misfits covers, the band at first played with more passion than proficiency given that Skid Marc and Dave had never played their respective instruments before. It took some time, but the band slowly worked original material into the set and began playing local dives with bands in and around the Montreal area.

The next step in the band’s journey saw Society's Ills move past their hobby band status. Dave was replaced with new drummer J-Mighty, whose home recording skills allowed the band to record a 15 song demo that included a cover of the Box Tops' "The Letter". Despite the fact that the band was still refining their skills at this point, the demo was well received and the 200 copy run sold out in its entirety. The band recorded one last 6 song EP titled "The End is in Sight" with J-Mighty before he moved on.

The band truly came into its own when new drummer Brent Over, who happened to work at the same bar as Skid Marc, joined the lineup in 2010. Brent Over’s level of commitment matched that of the three remaining original members of Society’s Ills, who together decided they would no longer be content with building up anything other than a highly motivated and productive band. This new ethos saw the band hit the road for the first time in 2010, playing 15 cities in 17 days with friends Humanifesto (Koi Records). The band also later played the KOI festival, headlined by Anti-Flag.

2011 proved even more successful for Society’s Ills with the band embarking on another 15 city-17 day tour with friends the BCASA (Stomp) and opening for the Koffin Kats and The Turbo AC's. The band’s proudest achievement took place later that year with the release of their eponymous debut studio album, which Punknews described as “fast, loud, and raw”.

Society’s Ills upcoming album promises to continue in that same vein, with the band having committed themselves to push their songwriting and the technicality of their musicianship even further. The band debuted some of their new material on the road last summer, this time with friends the East End Radicals (Stomp). Later in the year they had the fantastic opportunity to open for the legendary DOA. 2013 holds much promise as the band prepares to release their sophomore album which was mastered at the legendary Blasting Room.