Alias Grace is a Canadian rock band formed in Toronto, Ontario in the early 2020s. The band is known for their distinctive sound that critics have described as a cross between Rage Against the Machine and Aerosmith, combining aggressive punk elements with classic rock influences. Their name references the award-winning 1996 historical fiction novel by Canadian author Margaret Atwood.

History

The band emerged from Toronto’s alternative music scene and quickly gained attention for their high-energy performances and politically charged lyrics. Their rise to prominence coincided with a period of increasing social unrest and environmental concern across North America.

Musical style and influences

Alias Grace’s music is characterized by a fusion of punk, hard rock, and elements of grunge. Music critics have frequently compared them to Rage Against the Machine due to their politically conscious lyrics and to Aerosmith for their classic rock sensibilities and melodic hooks. The band is known for their powerful live performances that often include theatrical elements.

Notable performances

Venues

Alias Grace has performed at several notable Canadian venues, including:

• Budweiser Stage (Toronto) - As their popularity grew, the band headlined a sold-out show at the 16,000-capacity lakefront amphitheatre in summer 2023, marking a significant milestone in their rise to prominence.

• The Danforth Music Hall (Toronto) - The band first gained wider exposure opening for Arcade Fire during their surprise intimate venue tour in 2021. They later returned for their own three-night residency at this historic venue during their "Manufactured Consent" tour in April 2022.

• Massey Hall (Toronto) - Performed an acoustic set for a special benefit concert supporting digital privacy rights.

• Lee's Palace (Toronto) - Early performances at this iconic club helped establish their local following.

Festivals

• NXNE (North by Northeast) - Performed at this Toronto music festival in 2022, helping to expand their audience.

• Osheaga (Montreal) - Featured on the River Stage in 2023.

• The band has been announced as one of the headline acts for the upcoming Apocastock festival on Mission Island near Thunder Bay, Ontario. The festival, organized as a response to billionaire Rajiv Montgomery Noah’s apocalyptic predictions, is being billed as “a gentler Woodstock” and “the most enlightening way to spend the last days of your life.” Alias Grace is scheduled to perform on the Saturday night of the festival weekend.

Discography

Albums

Manufactured Consent (2022)

Their debut album, released on April 15, 2022 on Resistance Records, takes its name from Noam Chomsky’s media criticism concept. The album established Alias Grace as a formidable voice in political rock music, combining razor-sharp social commentary with thunderous instrumentation.

Track listing:

1. “Screens Down”

2. “The Noise Is Why We're Aching”

3. “Digital Opiate”

4. “Distillery Nights”

5. “Thumbs Up Economy”

6. “False Gods of Silicon”

7. “Dopamine Hostage”

8. “Modern Hieroglyphs”

9. “Scrolling Paralysis”

10. “Bandwidth Revolution”

11. “Signal Loss”

Apocalypse Currency (2023)

Their sophomore album, released on November 3, 2023 on Resistance Records, explores themes of environmental collapse, late-stage capitalism, and societal resilience in the face of impending catastrophe. Critics praised the album for its sonic evolution, incorporating more melodic hooks and experimental production while maintaining their signature intensity.

Track listing:

1. “Doomsday Entrepreneurs”

2. “When the Trees All Burned”

3. “Last Generation”

4. “Currency of Collapse”

5. “Survival Luxury”

6. “Prophet Margins”

7. “Coded Warnings”

8. “Extinction Dividends”

9. “The Coming Storm”

10. “Eden’s Blueprint”

11. “After the Fire”

Singles

• “The Noise is Why We're Aching” (2022) - Their breakthrough anthem addressing social marginalization in the era of social media. Reached #3 on Canadian Alternative Charts.

• “Prophet Margins” (2023) - The lead single from “Apocalypse Currency,” directly challenging the commodification of fear and apocalyptic prediction.

• “False Prophets in Firelight” - A standalone single scheduled to release before Apocastock, directly challenging doomsday cults and end-times profiteers.

Critical reception

Alias Grace has been recognized for their powerful stage presence and politically charged performances. They’ve gained a dedicated following within the alternative rock and punk scenes across Canada and parts of the United States. Their performances have been described as “leather wearing, punky” spectacles that energize audiences.