2026 GREAT BAR BAND BATTLE EPIC BANDS & BIOS
ALARMING HER MAJESTY
Alarming Her Majesty returns as the reigning, defending, and undisputed champions of the great bar battle scene.
Alarming Her Majesty returns to challenge, and reclaim the Crown, of their 2023 win of the great bar battle scene.
Lead singer Greg von Euw commands the spotlight with his soaring vocals and captivating stage presence, drawing listeners into his band's mesmerizing world. George Wong, on bass, provides the rhythmic foundation, anchoring the band's sound with his solid grooves and unwavering presence. Vamsi Suresh-Mills, handling keyboards and backup vocals, brings lush harmonies and atmospheric textures to the mix, enhancing the band's sonic landscape. Austin Paladeau, behind the drum kit, drives the band forward with his powerhouse beats and mostly-on-beat timing, ensuring that Alarming Her Majesty's music hits with maximum impact. And two brand spanking and sparkly new additions to the band! With his debut Bar Band Battle performance, Rich Carter on Guitar, delivers blistering riffs and melodic hooks that ignite the audience. And with his smooth backup vocals and timely bongo-beats, Andrew Lambert rounds out our sound this year, making us a more complex band than ever.
It’s not sedition, it’s Alarming Her Majesty.
THE HABEAS CORPSES
Convinced that adding a “the” before “Habeas Corpses” makes the name sound less metal and more punk rock, The Habeas Corpses have risen from the grave of their deceased law show band, Banana Hammök, to bring some anarchy to this year’s Great Bar Band Battle. With ghoulishly pale members including three dead-tired associates, The Habeas Corpses are ready to show off their body of work for the Calgary Bar Association’s judgment. With Alex Dingman, whose soul forever haunts the Palomino basement, pummeling the drums it would be a crime (or at a least a regulatory offence) if you didn’t shake your hips and move your feet. Jordan Eeles on guitar #1 has locked-down (in high-security detention) every blazing riff you can imagine. Matthew Eeles’ hypnotic basslines will have you moshing (not recklessly, and with due care) before you can even plead automatism. And, with Scott MacKenzie on guitar #2, prepare for solos that will have you screaming bloody murder. There is no doubt that after seeing The Habeas Corpses you will testify they are one act(us) you won’t want to miss.
DOLLY’S PARDON
Big tunes! Big fun! Big hair! Dolly’s Pardon are back, baby, like Sandy at the end of Grease: rocking and ready to rip up some 70’s & 80’s tunes! We’re here for the Crown and we’re here for the GBBB crown! Katrina Sole-Kahler leads the line with her soaring vocals – a voice for the angels, rock pipes like the devil. But she’s not alone: Elisa Frank lays down the solid bass lines and sweet harmony vocals to keep you dancing the night away. Graham Richardson puts down the triangle . . . but brings back the trumpet and the electric guitar! Newest member Isabelle Lam’s keyboard and synth sounds will wash you away on lush chords and heart rending lead lines. James Thomas’ electric guitar sparkles, growls and grinds as always and let’s just say this year he’ll be bringing a little sax appeal. Doug Taylor – the hammer of the doGs, the scion of the cymbal, the ruler of rhythm – swings in from Westwinds to cuff that tempo, lock in the energy, and keep the whole room rocking! The 2026 edition of 2025’s fan favourites will be more fun than ever!
THE ADVOCATS
Insisting that two bassists and three guitarists isn’t “excess” but due diligence, The Advo-Cats are bringing an eight-member legal assault to the Great Bar Band Battle—firmly betting they have more members than the other side has bullets. Whether that’s strength in numbers or a fast way to blow cover remains to be seen.
Anchored by Glenn Solomon (drums) and David Marshall (bass), with Michael McCaffery doubling down and a three-guitar front filing riffs of questionable admissibility, plus Austin Nguyen entering Exhibit A through Synth, the case will be loud, chaotic, and unlikely to survive cross-examination. The verdict? Judgment-proof. Bring a helmet.
RODNEY AND THE WELDERS
For the first time in its 20 year history, Rodney & the Welders performed at the 2024 GBBB without Zeke Purves Smith (harmonica). It never felt right, but with misty eyes and resolution, Mike Pedlow, (vocals), Brian Milne (drums), Grant Stevens (guitar and mandolin) and Wes Novotny (bass and guitar) had a strong downhome country showing. After the emotionally draining performance and Lazy Susans full of questionable Chinese foods, solo projects and personnel turmoil crept in, and the Welders went on hiatus. A month-long break turned into over a year and half apart. Their usual heavy charity gig touring schedule turned into lattes on the kids' soccer pitch, living in a van down by the river at various ski hills, grey tinged beards, bologna sandwiches, and mustard stained white t-shirts. Booked and paid for studio space and time went unused while the band searched for meaning and renewal. Although Zeke changed his phone number, and stopped responding to messages (except through his new management), the band finally got together at their newly renovated and upgraded studio space. Although the missing gift cards have never been located, the band is looking for a Clearwater Rodvival at the 2026 GBBB.
AND INTRODUCING NEW BAND… LETTERHEAD
Every correspondence needs a proper letterhead, and Calgary’s legal community is about to get served. Letterhead is crashing the Great Bar Band Battle for the first time, bringing the raw, unfiltered energy of pop-punk’s greatest hits to the courtroom of rock.
Brenden Roberts is the kind of frontman who spent his formative years screaming along to the radio with the windows down (and has never really stopped). All swagger, all heart, all night. Clark Kassian on rhythm guitar is the reason the whole room starts moving before they even realize it, grinding out the riffs that make pop-punk feel like a freight train with a chorus. Jesse Standing on lead guitar, the kind of guy who has a favourite pick and will absolutely tell you why, delivers solos that make heads snap up and drinks get forgotten at the bar. Curtis Wolff on the bass showed up with a wallet chain and no interest in being anything other than the low-end backbone this band is built on. And Greg Parth behind the kit, energy drink in hand and sticks already in motion, is a force of nature driving the band forward like there’s no such thing as too loud.
First time at this event. Definitely not their last. The briefs are filed, the amps are turned up, and the evidence speaks for itself. All rise.