Hollerado
If you’ve ever shouted along to a Hollerado chorus in a sweaty club, you know: this isn’t just a band—it’s a good time wrapped in a guitar riff.
Formed in 2007 in the small town of Manotick, Ontario, Hollerado exploded onto the Canadian indie scene with a mix of power pop, garage rock, and the kind of playful energy that made every show feel like a party. They weren’t afraid to be weird, sentimental, or joyfully loud—and fans loved them for it.
Hollerado's debut Record in a Bag (yes, it literally came in a Ziploc bag) became a cult hit thanks to its DIY charm and undeniable hooks. Songs like “Juliette,” “Americanarama,” and “Got to Lose” turned heads with their blend of crunchy guitars, catchy melodies, and offbeat storytelling.
Their follow-ups, White Paint and Born Yesterday, saw the band evolve without losing their playful spirit. They tackled themes of love, loss, politics, and growing up—all with the same smirking optimism that made them so easy to root for.
Whether it was launching their own label (Royal Mountain Records), filming a 100-video fan thank-you campaign, or creating a one-of-a-kind “video wall” live show, Hollerado always found ways to put fans first. They weren't just a band—they were a community.
Beneath the high-fives and hooks was also a band that wasn’t afraid to get deep. “So It Goes,” inspired by lead singer Menno Versteeg’s grandfather’s escape from a Nazi prison camp, remains one of the most emotionally powerful songs in Canadian indie rock.
In 2019, Hollerado announced their final tour, closing out over a decade of music with a sense of gratitude, not drama. They played to packed houses across the country, proving just how beloved they’d become.
Today, their legacy lives on through the bands they inspired, the fans they brought together, and the timeless joy of shouting “Juliette!” at the top of your lungs.
Essential Listening:
“Juliette”
“Americanarama”
“So It Goes”
“Born Yesterday”
“Grief Money”
Quote to Remember:
“We started a band for the same reason anyone starts a band—because we had something to say, and wanted to say it loud.” – Menno Versteeg
