The Trews

On July 25, 2026, The Trews bring their Canadian rock craft to The KEE to Bala in Bala. Formed in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, the band centers on brothers Colin and John-Angus MacDonald, joined by bassist Jack Syperek and, after early years with Sean Dalton, drummer Chris Gormley. After winning the 2002 Rocksearch contest, they cut a first EP and the debut House of Ill Fame (2003), staking out a sound that blends melodic hard rock, classic rock influences and a post‑grunge edge, with riff-driven guitars and gang vocals. Den of Thieves (2005), made with Jack Douglas and Gordie Johnson, and No Time for Later (2008) built their presence on Canadian rock radio and on mid-size stages and festivals. An acoustic live release in 2009, Acoustic – Friends & Total Strangers, spotlights Colin MacDonald’s voice and the group’s harmonies. Hope & Ruin (2011) and the self-titled 2014 album widened the palette with ballads, acoustic passages and a pop-leaning side, while Civilianaires (2018) introduced more modern textures and denser songwriting without losing direct hooks. On stage, their shows thread punchy rockers with stripped-back moments, tight harmonies and guitar interplay, drawing across a catalogue rooted in Maritime origins and honed on the Hamilton scene.