YOUNG RIVAL at the Horseshoe (368 Queen West), Friday (April 30), 9:30 pm. $8. 416-598-4753.
It’s put up or shut up time for Young Rival. The Hamilton garage rock outfit has been on the scene for the better part of a decade, but only now are the elements in place for their big push into the public consciousness.
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Ironically, this push arose partly because of the departure of guitarist Kyle Kuchmey, who played on the band’s new self-titled LP but left before its release.
“Having Kyle leave really forced us to look at things and say, ‘All right, if this is ever going to stop, it’s stopping now,'” says lead singer/guitarist Aron D’Alesio. “None of us wanted it to stop.”
Though the album isn’t technically Young Rival’s full-length debut – their previous two were released under their old moniker, the Ride Theory – it’s their first backed by a record label, Sonic Unyon, and their strongest to date.
Recorded with producer Jon Drew (Fucked Up, Tokyo Police Club), it maintains their British Invasion reference points but has a greater focus on tightly crafted pop songs than on throwback styles.
Supporting it, the three-piece will embark on their highest-profile tour to date, opening for Born Ruffians throughout North America and the UK.
“Last year, we were headed to New York to play a sold-out show with Tokyo Police Club and got turned around at the border,” D’Alesio says. “So we’ve invested $1,500 dollars in a work visa.
“If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do it properly.”
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