The Commoners
Entry Requirements: 18+
DOORS 7.30PM, ANDY BURNS 8PM, JIM E. BROWN 8.55PM
The Commoners are a band in the midst of another banner year with the release of their highly anticipated album, Restless (Gypsy Soul Records, 2024). Returning with ten tracks that grip and groove, the quintet continue to provide listeners with a hearty dose of Southern-style swagger with every guitar slide, organ swell, and vocal stamp.
Riding high off the strength of their previous release, Find A Better Way, the last two years have been a whirlwind for the band. From a UK tour with Grammy-nominated duo Samantha Fish and Jesse Dayton in the fall of 2023, to numerous headline dates across Europe and Britain this year, The Commoners have earned their status as a must-see act and are “definitely a band to watch out for in the future” (CGCM Radio Glasgow).
Possessing a sound tapped from the oaken belly of a whiskey barrel, The Commoners are a five-piece Roots/Rock outfit from Toronto, Canada. Offering their own blend of a tried and true musical mixture, the group pepper their sound with high-energy riffs, soulful vocals, and rich harmonies that combine to take the listener on a journey through a Southern-style rock experience.
The band is a culmination of like-minded musicians who have bonded over their love of the classics. All being seasoned performers in the Canadian music scene, Chris Medhurst (lead vocals/guitar), Ben Spiller (bass/vocals), Ross Hayes Citrullo (lead guitar), Adam Cannon (drums/vocals), and Miles Evans-Branagh (keys/vocals) have united under a shared dream: to write, perform, and share music that is an authentic nod to the greats who paved the way before them.
“The Black Crowes and Led Zeppelin are big influences for us. Derek Trucks, Marcus King, and the Allman Brothers, of course, as well. These are the bands that we wear on our sleeves as we continue to evolve our sound and create our own music.”
Channeling their deep respect and admiration for Roots/Rock trailblazers, The Commoners also incorporate rhythmic stylings inspired by Motown and Soul’s groove masters. The keystone of their unique blend is lead singer, Chris Medhurst’s emotive vocal style, akin to Burton Cummings and Paul Rodgers with a dash of Sam Cooke and Otis Redding.
A natural evolution from their 2022 album Find A Better Way, Restless offers a peek behind the curtain of success, revealing the grueling routines and ragged emotions that hide behind the glamorous aesthetic of a rock band on the rise. With introspective, slower-tempo numbers pocketed amongst rip-roaring anthems, the new album, recorded at RHC Music in Toronto, is a portrait of a hardworking group revitalizing a classic genre.
In support of Restless, The Commoners will hit the road for a major tour in November through December ‘24 across Europe and the UK opening for Canadian heavyweights The Sheepdogs, rounding out their year with a coveted slot at Planet Rockstock. With lead singles “Devil Teasin’ Me”, “The Way I Am” and “Shake You Off” all earning spots on Planet Rock’s main playlist, the band continue to turn heads with their crisp tones, lush productions, and spirited melodies. From the speakers to the stage, one thing is certain: The Commoners are ushering in a party rock renaissance, and we’re all invited.
Line Up
With blazing leads, soulful harmonies, indelible melodies, and driving, powerful rhythms, the Commoners are anything but your typical Toronto rock quartet, and they’re setting out to prove it.
Their journey began in 2009 when singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Medhurst met up with lead guitarist Ross Hayes Citrullo at Ross’s Toronto based studio. Solidified by Chris’s folk-inspired songwriting and the edge of Ross’s commanding, heavy leads, the two quickly bonded, finding unity in their individual styles and meeting at the junction of roots rock and alternative pop. The two joined forces with bassist and keyboardist Ben Spiller and Geoff Bruce, a Humber College Jazz percussionist, and the newly formed four-piece changed their name from the Chris Medhurst band to the Commoners. It was then that their sound truly began to come into itself.
Drawing inspiration from the soft blues of artists like John Mayer and riff-rich classic rockers like Led Zeppelin and the Black Crowes, the Commoners distinguish themselves with tight instrumentation, mesmerizing energy, and undeniably infectious songwriting. All of these elements combine in the Commoners’ first EP Streetlights and their single “Out Tonight,” which have brought them recognition in Toronto’s indie rock circles and has changed their shows from opening gigs to headlining shows across Ontario.
The Commoners are a rock and roll workhorse, and even with the release of Streetlights in 2015, they haven’t slowed down. They are currently working on their upcoming record, writing and perfecting new songs with a humble confidence, true to their name and true to the origins of their influences. Keep your eyes on the Commoners and experience one of the most exciting up-and-coming rock bands for yourself.
