Headstrong (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Defunct | 2003 |
| Headquarters | London, Ontario , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Headstrong was a Canadian rock ensemble formed in 1998, which issued a single self-titled studio album through RCA Records before disbanding in 2003.
Band history
The members of the group first connected in 1993 while enrolled in the Music Industry Arts program at the University of Western Ontario and Fanshawe College. Initially operating under the name bomb32 in London, Ontario, Headstrong emerged from two established partnerships: Cohen and Krass, childhood acquaintances from the Niagara Region, and Kinna and Matthews, who shared a similar Toronto upbringing. Their musical inspirations encompassed Living Colour, Guns N' Roses, GWAR, as well as classic rock and punk genres.
Headstrong’s sound bore resemblance to acts such as 311, Stone Temple Pilots, Rage Against the Machine, and Helmet. Utilizing Farmclub.com as a promotional tool, their track "All of the Above" garnered over one million votes on the platform, securing them a spot to perform on Farmclub’s Los Angeles stage in 2000 alongside artists like Kid Rock and Eminem. This exposure attracted RCA executive David Bendeth, who subsequently signed the band. Their American introduction occurred at New York City’s CMJ Music Marathon in October 2000. Bill Burrs, Senior Vice-President of Promotions at Sony-BMG, also played a significant role in supporting their career at RCA.
Although creative disagreements with Bendeth arose and the label faced turmoil amid the digital transformation of the music industry and anti-piracy campaigns such as those against Napster, Headstrong continued to progress professionally. Their management included Andy Martin from Deep South Entertainment while S.L. Feldman & Associates handled their bookings. In late 2001, they toured Canada alongside Flybanger and frequently performed with Breach of Trust and The Salads throughout Southern Ontario.
Their debut album, released on February 19, 2002, featured the single "Adriana," which peaked at No. 15 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks chart. However, following corporate restructuring within RCA and the BMG merger, Headstrong was removed from Tommy Lee’s tour in July 2002 and subsequently dropped by RCA by August—merely six months after their album launch.
The band’s final U.S. appearance took place at Madison’s Taste of Madison Festival where they performed with Injected. Officially disbanding in April 2003, they cited dissatisfaction with their experience under the label. While maintaining respect for Bill Burrs, members expressed a nuanced perspective regarding Bendeth.
Prior to their departure from the music scene, Headstrong recorded several unreleased songs with producer Dan Brodbeck including "False Start," "How White," and "Muchas Gracias."
Following the breakup, band members pursued careers in education, academia, and media within the Greater Toronto Area. They briefly reunited under the name The Legendary Castaways to celebrate frontman Kinna’s wedding with two performances—one held at Toronto’s Hard Rock Café alongside The Salads.
Studio albums
- Headstrong (2002)
Singles
- "All of the Above" (2001)
- "Adriana" (2002)