The Dirty Nil

Back in 2012, the Dirty Nil played an early, booze-soaked CMW set to a smattering of friends and admirers. Two years and a slew of short-form releases later, the seasoned road warriors now play to packed and enthusiastic crowds with precision that belies their punk roots. When he wasn't pulling gravity defying back-bends, singer-guitarist Luke Bentham was all grins, soaking in the adulation. The Hamilton power-trio's ability to pen sticky pop hooks is curbed only by their intense need to make a racket while on stage. The visceral edge to their live performances turns tracks like "New Flesh," sung by bass player Dave Nardi, into explosive pop-rock bombs. Their short set was rife with selections from their Smite EP, but fans were equally excited to hear earlier material, and by night's end, the band had whipped the crowd into a frenzied mosh pit. These guys can't put out a full-length soon enough.