The Flatliners

The Flatliners, a Canadian outfit, deliver punchy yet melodic punk rock rooted in the old-school era before hardcore, with sporadic dub-inflected basslines or reversed ska rhythms adding variety. Allusions to London Calling, Sandinista!, the Members’ early output, or the Ruts suit them more closely than ties to reggae-forward bands such as the Specials or Madness.

Formed in Toronto, Ontario in 2002 by singer and rhythm guitarist Chris Cresswell, lead guitarist Scott Brigham, bassist Jon Darbey, and drummer Paul Ramirez, the quartet spent several years working Canada’s independent punk circuit. They placed songs on assorted compilations before completing their first album, Destroy to Create.

Initially issued independently, Destroy to Create secured full North American distribution via Stomp Records in fall 2005. After touring in its wake, the Flatliners revealed their spring 2007 signing to California-based Fat Wreck Chords for releases in the United States and worldwide markets outside Canada.

The roster change brought a sharper pop-punk emphasis to 2007’s Great Awake and 2010’s Cavalcade. Dead Language, released in 2013, distilled the band’s accumulated experience into a lean, forceful sound that earned a Juno nomination in 2014.

Fat Wreck assembled 2015’s Division of Spoils, a two-disc set of the Flatliners’ 7" singles, rarities, and covers drawn from the preceding ten years. The group’s fifth studio LP, Inviting Light, appeared in 2017.