On their latest EP, ‘If You’re Here, You Must Be Fine,’ Halifax, Nova Scotia group Customer Service demonstrates a melodically rich set of songs that firmly lean into emo-rock heritage. With stylistic nods to The Promise Ring, Modern Baseball, and early Taking Back Sunday, the Canadian quartet repeatedly deliver emotional gut-punches. Whether that’s being downbeat and homebound on ‘The Sun Looks Awesome! (You Should Look Directly At It)’ or the regret-filled ‘Picture This,’ Customer Service neatly crafts five slices of energetic emo.
Although they hail from the remote Halifax Regional Municipality, located on the far east of Canada, that hasn’t stopped Customer Service from playing over 100 shows a year. It’s seen them be praised as one of the country’s hardest working young bands.
Along the way, Customer Service have become firmly embedded in Canada’s DIY scene, sharing stages with an abundance of names. For this edition of Fives, we asked Customer Service to tip us off on unsung Canadian DIY bands that they believe you need to know about!
Botfly
The Godfathers of the Halifax scene, Botfly, showed us what it meant to be a band and to embrace the DIY ethos in everything we do.
They’re known for always being on tour, and their album ‘Lower Than Love’ is arguably the best full-length release from a Halifax band in recent memory.
Find Botfly on: Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
Pinot Gringo
Screamo-flavoured punk from Dartmouth, NS, Pinot Gringo is a band that exudes so much energy on stage and is an absolute joy to watch every time they play.
Find Pinot Gringo on: Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
Earth Moon Transit
Earth Moon Transit is like if you went back in time to 2006 and introduced Tigers Jaw to burnt vapes, iPhones with broken screens, and Black Country New Road.
They’ve managed to capture the perfect, awkward, frustrating beauty of adolescence and distil it into a sound that is as new and distinctive as it is familiar and nostalgic.
Find Earth Moon Transit on: Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
Mile End
With no shortage of heavy riffs and big breakdowns, Canadian hardcore doesn’t get better than this!
From Flower City, Ontario, Mile End is one of the hardest-working bands in the country. The track ‘FCHC’ is a must-listen for all hardcore fans.
Find Mile End on: Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
Swimming
Hailing from Newfoundland, Swimming brings rocking, mathy emo that’s guaranteed to be your next earworm.
With electric live performances, catchy hooks and intricate instrumentals, any emo fan will be a fan of Swimming.
Find Swimming on: Bandcamp | Spotify | Apple Music
‘If You’re Here, You Must Be Fine’ by Customer Service is out now on Royal Mountain Records.
Find Customer Service on: Instagram | Spotify | Apple Music | Bandcamp | Linktr.ee
