The Anti-Queens Released New Track & Video “Crusade”

The Anti-Queens, Toronto’s premiere punk rock ‘n’ rollers, have just announced their latest LP, “Disenchanted,” with an advance single and video for the track “Crusade”. The new album will appear worldwide on digital and vinyl formats via Stomp Records on May 17th, 2024. For over a decade, The Anti-Queens have been a prominent force in Toronto’s music scene. The Anti-Queens are led by the fiercely talented and dynamic duo of Emily Bones and Valerie Knox, who bring a punk-rock energy that challenges the male-dominated music industry. Known for their electrifying live performances, they’ve gained a reputation for their unstoppable energy and powerful stage presence. Their latest album, “Disenchanted,” continues their tradition of crafting infectious, hook-laden anthems that will surely delight fans of Joan Jett & The Blackhearts, The Distillers, Hole, L7, Lunachicks, and The Warning. 

The advance single “Crusade” delves into the topic of systemic oppression faced by minority groups, particularly Indigenous Peoples in Canada. The band highlights a grim reality of historical injustices including land theft, forced assimilation, and cultural erasure, perpetuated by colonizers imposing their values and religion, resorting to kidnapping and murder. Despite these harrowing truths, the song voices a collective yearning for peace, reconciliation, and equality, urging an end to the perpetuation of falsehoods in education. The band emphasizes the crucial role of acknowledgment and truth-seeking by white individuals and colonizers to halt the cycle of misinformation, stating unequivocally, “There is no pride in genocide.” Regarding the music video for “Crusade,” the band aimed to let the song and its message shine independently, hence the choice of a performance-based video. Experimenting with white and red lighting, the video was filmed at The Biltmore Theatre in Oshawa, a cherished venue for the band. The video was directed, produced and edited by Michael Crusty, filmed by Sarah Mathieson and features the band playing live. Notably, they were excited to feature Tracy A from Cross Dog and Ale Serritiello on drums (MakeWar/The Creepshow). The band would like to recognize that the video was made in the City of Oshawa, which is situated on lands within the traditional and treaty territory of the Michi Saagiig and Chippewa Anishinaabeg and the signatories of the Williams Treaties, which include the Mississaugas of Scugog Island, Hiawatha, Curve Lake, and Alderville First Nations, and the Chippewas of Georgina Island, Rama and Beausoleil First Nations.

Founded back in 2012 by the visionary singer/songwriter Emily Bones, The Anti-Queens have been carving their unique mark on the international punk rock landscape. With a sound as defiant as their name suggests, they blend raw energy, lyrical depth, and an unapologetic stage presence that captivates audiences everywhere they go. They’ve embarked on extensive tours across Canada, the United States, and Europe, sharing stages with notable acts like Danko Jones, Streetlight Manifesto, and Protest The Hero. Their festival performances include appearances at 77 MTL, Montebello Rockfest, and Pouzza Fest, among others, showcasing their ability to captivate audiences on a grand scale. Throughout their journey, The Anti-Queens have remained a symbol of resilience, creativity, and the unbreakable bond of music. Their narrative is a testament to their ability to adapt, overcome, and inspire, connecting with audiences around the globe through electrifying performances and a genuine commitment to their craft. The new album is absolutely rammed with massive pop-punk-rock anthems. From defiant ragers to heartfelt angry love songs to scathing social castigations, Disenchanted is set to be the summertime favorite for rebels, misfits and outcasts.