The Flatliners are a Canadian punk rock band from Richmond Hill, Ontario.[1] Since their formation in 2002, the band has been a growing influence in the Toronto punk/ska movement, with consistently well-received albums and live shows.
History
The band self-released its debut album, Destroy to Create in 2005; after signing to Stomp Records, it was reissued on July 19, 2005.[2] It saw the band mix punk rock with ska, and was promoted with a Canadian tour.[3][4] In March and April 2006, the band went on the Frostbite Tour alongside Death by Stereo, Bigwig, and Big D and the Kids Table.[5] They appeared at the Ska Weekend festival at the end of April 2006.[6] In October 2006, they went on a Canadian tour with Much the Same, and then embarked on a short US tour alongside Time Again, Against All Authority, and the Know How.[7][8] The Flatliners signed to Fat Wreck Chords in April 2007; they would distribute the band's next release in every country but Canada, where it was handled by Stomp Records.[9][10] Following this, they appeared at the Wakestock festival, toured the US West Coast with No Use for a Name, and performed on the two Canadian dates of the Warped Tour.[11][12][13] Their second album, The Great Awake, was released on 4 September 2007.[14][15] In September and October 2007, they went on a Canadian tour, prior to joining up with the Toasters, Saint Alvia Cartel, and the Peacocks.[16][17] A music video for "Eulogy" was posted online in November 2007.[18] They ending the year with a US tour with A Wilhelm Scream.[19]
In February and March 2008, the band appeared on the Fat Wreck Chords Tour, alongside NOFX and No Use for a Name.[20] Following this, they went on a US West Coast tour supporting the Loved Ones and a Canadian tour with the Rebel Spell.[21][22] In May 2008, the band performed at the Groezrock festival in Belgium, which was followed by a Canadian tour with Strike Anywhere, Hostage Life, This Is a Standoff, and Carpenter.[23][24] Following this, they appeared at the two Canadian dates of Warped Tour and the Cutting Edge Music Festival.[25][26] They toured with Less Than Jake, Reel Big Fish, and the Real Deal in September 2008, and supported NOFX on their Canadian tour in October 2008.[27][28] They ended the year with an appearance at The Fest in Florida.[29] In March 2009, the band appeared at the Harvest of Hope Fest, and then played Groezrock in Belgium soon after.[30][31] Following this, they went on a tour of Europe with NOFX; Snuff appeared on three of the shows.[32] In May 2009, they went on a Canadian tour with Hostage Life, leading up to an appearance at the S.C.E.N.E. Music Festival.[33][34] They then appeared on Warped Tour again; coinciding with this, they released a split with the Snips.[35]
Between July and September 2009, the band toured across Europe, which included an appearance at the Reading and Leeds Festivals.[36][37] Shortly after this, they played a few shows with Strung Out and Pour Habit, leading up to a performance at The Fest in October 2009.[38][39] Around this time, they released the Cynics 7-inch vinyl record.[40] They ended the year supporting the Dropkick Murphys on their headlining tour of the US.[41] On February 9, 2010, Cavalcade was announced for release in two months' time; its artwork and track listing were posted online.[42] In March 2010, they went on an Australian tour with No Fun at All and then went on a North American tour with Broadway Calls and Cobra Skulls through to the following month.[43][44] Preceded by "Carry the Banner", Cavalcade was released in April 2010.[45] It received rave reviews from numerous critics.[46][47][48] Shortly afterwards, the band performed at Rockfest in Belgium.[49] In August 2010, the band went on an East Coast and Midwest tour with the Mighty Mighty Bosstones and Teenage Bottlerocket.[50]
In October 2024, after a long association with NOFX and Fat Wreck Chords,[56] the band played on the final day (Sunday) of the 3 day Punk In Drublic Festival in San Pedro.[57] The festival was a celebration and final farewell for NOFX after they toured North America, Europe, Australia and other countries over the prior year before their retirement.[58] The festival line up included over 20 bands including Pennywise, Less Than Jake, Lagwagon, the Decendants, Drop Kick Murphys.[59]
