ANTI-HERO: The 21st Century Answer to Nirvana

To label London/Toronto, Ontario-based ANTI-HERO a grunge or alternative band would short change anyone who loves pure rock ‘n’ roll. These three inspired performers - Rose, Nic, & Jesse - are providing fans of a myriad of music genres with a cauldron of constant creative inspiration. It’s evident in their début CD, Unpretty, and it’s visible during their exhausting, exhilarating performances. ANTI-HERO may be at an early career juncture, and each member may borrow from a diverse musical background ranging from punk to opera, but their love and respect for the roots of rock ‘n’ roll shines brightly, whether on stage, or in studio producing priceless, timeless pieces.

Don’t be fooled by the June 2005 release date of, Unpretty, nor their May 2005 début video shoot. ANTI-HERO has been a long time in the making. While the three-member group formed during the summer of 2004, each ANTI-HERO member has been finely in tune with rock music their entire life. The result? A world-wide audience can now enjoy the collective achievements of these rock ‘n’ roll revolutionaries. Boasting passionate, ass-kicking vocals, intricate rhythm guitar lines, an extraordinary bass sound and a drum beat bound to hypnotize listeners, ANTI-HERO is here to stay.

A female-fronted band, ANTI-HERO brings together a cornucopia of cool sounds - punk, pop, alternative - all in the name of rock ‘n’ roll. Listen closely to their music and lyrics, and you hear hints of the Sex Pistols and Ted Nugent, with just the right mix of soul from lead vocalist, Rose Perry.

Daring. Innovative. Fearless. All these words describe this young, vibrant, versatile performer. A singer/songwriter, actor, model/spokesperson, and entrepreneur, Perry first performed at age 4, listing everyone from the Beatles to AC/DC as her musical influences. Like many great artists before her - including Alicia Keys and Pat Benatar - Perry finds her roots in opera and classical music. At age 7, she composed her first song. At age 15, she formed HER, an all-girl pop/rock band which gained local and national fame and played in front of audiences of 20,000 screaming fans. Today ecstatically committed to ANTI-HERO, Perry also manages the group through her company, HER Records. ANTI-HERO - and rock ‘n’ roll revival - is in good hands.

“We aren’t going to stop until we are heard. We aren’t just another rock band - we’ve got a message, we speak out for what we believe in, and we want to make a change.” - Rose Perry

In fact, when Perry and lead guitar player Jesse Tomes formed ANTI-HERO, they had a clear vision for the group, one shared heavily by background vocalist/bass/guitar player Nicole VanHaverbeke. Each member wishes to inspire listeners through their music, and through the band’s unparalleled dedication to combining their talents for the good of the group - and for rejuvenating appreciation of true blue rock ‘n’ roll.

“ANTI-HERO is a constant reminder of why I got into this business in the first place. It’s great to have a group of people come together purely for the purpose of covering each other’s back. You don’t find that in too many places.” - Jesse Tomes

Tomes met Perry when he was also undergoing a metamorphosis as an artist. He moved on from performing with the goth/industrial group, Eliminate The Body, as Perry left HER. The rest is history. Tomes’ own past includes many musical influences: Marilyn Manson, NIN, Tool, System Of A Down. His personal musical style incorporates "controlled chaos and orchestrated noise".

Like Perry, VanHaverbeke is a stunningly beautiful woman, but look closer: behind those hypnotic eyes is a marvelous musical mind - plus the ability to create a death metal sound that will bring you to your knees. One listen to her bass sound and you realize why she lists Pantera, Slayer and Tool as her musical influences. Her hard-hitting background vocals affectionately termed "backing balls" by her counterparts, are the perfect twin to Perry’s lead sound. Throw in Tomes’ guitar and you have the unique sound of ANTI-HERO.

“I try to take everything as it comes - always have fun with my band mates. I never plan on giving up what I believe in. Look out world, here we come!” Nic VanHaverbeke

The Canadian Unpretty Tour 2005 lists destinations including: Club 279/Hard Rock Café, Toronto; Wakefest, Ottawa; Call The Office, London; and Warped Tour, Barrie. The American Unpretty Tour 2006 will be making stops at Club Rock & Roll, New York; The Arena, Philadelphia; The New Tralf, Buffalo; Station-Four, Minneapolis, and HighHorn Records' Noisefest; Chicago.

ANTI-HERO has already had the opportunity to share the stage with such notables as Money Money, Staylefish, CJ Sleez, Robin Black, The Flairs (ex Tuuli/Bif Naked), The Black Donnellys, 63 Monroe, Scratching Post, and Rockit Girl (ex Veruca Salt). And, they’ve won accolades from the local music community, receiving a nomination for Best Punk/Alternative Band at both the 2005 and 2006 London Music Awards, but it doesn't stop there! Entirely based upon the votes from their local and fans abroad (over 20, 000 votes were registered), ANTI-HERO was the recipient of the award for Best & Most Popular Local Rock Band of 2006 through SCENE Magazine's London Music Awards. ANTI-HERO has been selected to showcase for Canada's leading A&R reps and record labels at Canadian Music Week 2006 and NXNE 2006 (The Canadian equivalent of SXSW).

ANTI-HERO's success is spreading coast to coast with their Reader's Choice Award for Best Band of 2005 from The Cover Zone Magazine, a publication based out of Connecticut, and as well, a nomination for The Best Indie Rock Band of 2006 by Triple X Radio, a internet radio station founded in Germany, not to mention the exposure they are gaining worldwide from the successful internet launch of both their debut album and music video for the title track Unpretty. More and more people everyday are getting bitten by the ANTI-HERO bug.

Not surprisingly, one of the tracks off of ANTI-HERO's debut album was selected for usage as the entrance music for a rising wrestler of the Heartland Wrestler's Association (the recruiting site for the ever-popular WWE), which was once a home to big name fighters such as Shawn Michaels, and Eddie Guerraro. With ANTI-HERO's aggressive take no prisoners attitude and music, it's not hard to see why their music would be complementary to such a fantastic opportunity.

Currently filling in on drums for this dynamic trio is Todd Stewart (formerly of Ripped & Mary5e), a true veteran and lover of hard hitting music who has a flair for working with female fronted rock bands. With a background in everything from jazz to southern rock to heavy metal, he's got all angles covered.

A drummer of over 20 years - his talent cannot be debated. Stewart was able to pick up ANTI-HERO's tunes within a day and half when their previous drummer decided to call it quits in the middle of a tour. There is no question that Stewart has the talent, dedication, and experience to make ANTI-HERO's 2006 touring endeavours a success.

Unpretty is winning ANTI-HERO new fans in cities around the world. Produced by highly-regarded Rob Sanzo of Signal to Noise Studios, Toronto (Sum41, Controller Controller, Treble Charger, Joydrop, Bedouin Soundclash) and mastered by Roger Lian of Masterdisk , New York City (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, U2), Unpretty is a magical mix of 10 tunes, each one worthy of radio play. Perry writes the basic song structures, works with Tomes’ riffs, solos and strumming patterns, then collaborates with the entire band before creating the unique ANTI-HERO sound. From the heavy-metal title track, to the melodic tune, Lullaby, ANTI-HERO has no boundaries - and no fears. When Perry pours her heart out while performing the title track, it’s clear where the band is coming from:

I feel so damn unpretty
I’ll never be the girl posing in your fashion magazines
My skin’s broken out, I’m only a size three
I feel so damn unpretty

- Chorus, Unpretty, from ANTI-HERO’s début album, Unpretty

“Anti-hero means, question authority. We chose the song, Unpretty, because it comments on the ideals of beauty in society. It will get people interested in what we’re all about.” - ANTI-HERO

Due to the incredible buzz this band has generated throughout it's short, but productive career, ANTI-HERO has secured a worldwide internet and Canadian retail distribution deal through Addictive Record/Fontana North/Universal Music. Their debut cd, Unpretty is being re-released on the 4th of July 2006 and will be available for download on popular programs such as iTunes, and sound clips will be released for cell phone ring tones.

Intertwined with their extensive 2006 summer US touring, ANTI-HERO still managed to not forget about their home for too long. They will end off their incredible summer experience by partaking as special musical guests for this year's Rock the Wake 2006 (Haliburton, Ontario), the Don't Call Me Dude All Girl Skate Jam (Peterborough, Ontario), and select Canadian dates on Warped Tour 2006 once again rocking out on the Shiragirl Stage (a stage dedicated to promoting female performers in rock'n'roll).

If you're looking for a hard working band in the music industry, you've come to the right place. Rock ‘n’ roll is here to stay. So is ANTI-HERO. Watch out world, here they come.

*PROUDLY SPONSORED BY HER RECORDS, THE COVER ZONE MAGAZINE, RADIO 3X, DAISYROCK GUITARS, SFARZO STRINGS, HOTPICKS USA, STITCHES FOR BITCHES CLOTHING, & ALESSE BIRTH CONTROL*

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