Hammer Monthly Home

Welcome to the party. The LoserParty. LoserParty is a high-energy band that plays what they call “Neon Rock”, which is also the name of their upcoming EP release. The band is comprised of former LoFi members: Todd Knight, Ken Thor Corke and Sid Lundy. I’ve seen the band a couple of times and they are a great fun band to see and hear. I had the chance to talk to Todd and Sid about the band,about “neon rock” and what the future might bring.

  First off, you have to understand where they come from. After years in the Southern Ontario music scene (including Todd and Ken's time in 2000s alt-rock outfit Smoother), they noticed something missing at live shows. Everyone was sitting back, staring at guitar solos, acting way too cool. As the band puts it they wanted to:
Build a band focused entirely on infectious rhythm, visual impact, and pure party energy. We wanted to turn every single venue into a full-scale event. So we created "Neon-Rock"—channeling the ambient, retro-futuristic cool of Blade Runner through the playful energy of classic 80s pop culture (think Depeche Mode, Soft Cell, Blondie, and New Order). Driving basslines, live drums, rhythmic guitar, and crisp electronic synths. As Sid puts it: "We wanted to make music that gets people dancing from start to finish. Fewer guitar solos, more dance-floor energy." When you see us live, it's a full sensory takeover—CO2 cannons, spark machines, synchronized projection, blacklight visual schemes, glowing headbands, and vintage video gear handed straight to the front row.

  As Todd said, they wanted every show to be an event. And they handle, design, and produce their own gear to make sure it matches the exact high-energy visual aesthetic of the stage shows. Think bold neon designs, glowing accessories, and limited-run items built specifically for concert nights. And speaking of which, you can purchase what you need for their shows at their merch shop. You can visit their merch store online and purchase, neon glowing shit and funny, weird stuff: VHS Tapes, funky sunglasses (obnoxious, bright and entertaining) and more. You can even purchase vinyl cds and yes cassettes

  What can you expect from a LoserParty party show? Lots of dancing, Lots of lasers, and Lots of fog and smoke machines and music that gets you moving, matched with great visual images, projections and lights….and yes Neon. LoserParty, as Todd and Sid put It, is an immersive experience. It's not just about the music. It's much more theatrical

  In a recent article in The Hammer I mentioned that there was a new label in town. The 905to212 record company, and they put out an album, Sounds of Hamilton Indie. Todd recounted the story that they had submitted for this compilation, but they didn't quite fit in any “category” for the album, but Nial, from 905to212, loved the sound and I had to find a way to work with Todd, Ken and Sid and their original sounds and style. The label helps Hamilton bands (905) get to NYC(212) to showcase their music.

  I asked Todd and Sid bluntly, “what is the goal of LoserParty? You’re not a young band so is it touring or just recording and playing local? What is the ultimate goal for LoserParty ? Sid just laughed and said, i'm gonna let Todd answer that with one word, and Todd laughed himself and just replied, WEMBLEY! Then joked that they wanted to set a high bar and they set it high…playing at Wembley in London. Then elaborated jokingly, “straight to the top in 6 months…the straight back down in 6 months more…with the pinnacle being Wembly.” Talk about setting high goals, but love the certainty and with a polished, yet fun and energetic show and music that gets people up and dancing the sky could very well be the limit for LoserParty.

  The EP Release of “Neon Rock” is November 27th at Oxigin. Get your tickets ($15 in advance, $20 at the door) and “NeonRock” merchandise ahead of time, though they’ll be some merch at the Release Party. And bring your friends as the guys say “ Neon-Rock is meant to be experienced together”. Opening for LoserParty will be DYNASTY, another electronic band. Dynasty is Roman Marcone’s band (Halo Studio). The band mixes a blend of emotional storytelling, dreamy textures, and like LoserParty, nostalgic 80s-inspired synth-pop. Also playing will be Danny Miles (ex July Talk). And once you see them, you’ll feel like you’re, like the lead track, "Back In '85”!