The Trews

Born in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, the Canadian band The Trews came together in the late 1990s around brothers Colin and John-Angus MacDonald, soon joined by bassist Jack Syperek and drummer Sean Dalton, and later by Chris Gormley. After relocating to Ontario, The Trews broke through in 2002 by winning CHTZ-FM’s Rocksearch contest, which led to a debut EP and then the 2003 album "House of Ill Fame." Their sound blends melodic hard rock with classic rock influences and a post-grunge streak, marked by gang-sung choruses and riff-driven guitars. They followed with "Den of Thieves" (2005)—made with producers Jack Douglas and Gordie Johnson—and "No Time for Later" (2008), releases that cemented the band’s presence on Canadian rock radio and on the mid-sized venue and festival circuit. Across "Hope & Ruin" (2011) and the self-titled "The Trews" (2014), the music gained nuance, weaving in more ballads, acoustic passages, and a poppier edge without abandoning its rock foundation. The 2009 acoustic live album "Acoustic - Friends & Total Strangers" highlights this stripped-back side, spotlighting Colin MacDonald’s voice and the group’s harmonies. With "Civilianaires" (2018), The Trews introduced more modern textures and denser song structures while remaining rooted in direct, no-frills songwriting. A tireless live act, The Trews have built their career primarily in Canada, touring North America regularly, making occasional forays into the UK and Australia, and cultivating an identity tied both to their Maritime roots and to Hamilton’s rock scene.