Les Colocs
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1990 |
| Founder | André "Dédé" Fortin |
| Headquarters | Montreal , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Les Colocs (translated as The Roommates) was a rock ensemble originating from Montreal, Quebec, established in 1990 by singer-songwriter André "Dédé" Fortin. Renowned for their dynamic stage presence and a distinctive blend of rock, folk, swing, blues, and global musical influences, their lyrics—composed in Quebec French—tackled societal challenges such as poverty, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and consumerism. Despite these serious themes, the band maintained a playful public persona that helped attract a wide audience.
History
Their initial album, bearing the band's name, achieved sales exceeding 60,000 units and secured their status for incisive social critique combined with memorable tunes. Although the lineup evolved over time, Fortin and guitarist Mike Sawatzky consistently formed the group's foundation. Following the release of Atrocetomique in 1995, they broadened their musical horizons by working with Senegalese artists, the Diouf brothers, on the 1998 album Dehors novembre, which is distinguished by its reflective subject matter.
While frequently labeled as a "party band," Fortin highlighted the significance of his songwriting, striving to merge entertainment with meaningful social observation. Drawing from his own life experiences, he crafted lyrics that resonated universally, exemplified in songs such as "La rue principale" and "Juste une p’tite nuite.
Fortin's death by suicide on May 8, 2000, marked the end of Les Colocs. The surviving members completed one last album titled Suite 2116 before officially dissolving the group. Although their active years were limited, Les Colocs continue to hold a prominent place in Quebec's musical landscape due to their innovative fusion of socially conscious lyrics and diverse musical styles.
Members
- Dédé Fortin (vocals, guitar, drums, songwriting)
- Mike Sawatzky (guitar, saxophone, harmonica)
- Serge Robert (double bass; departed after "Atrocetomique" to pursue solo work)
- André Vanderbiest (double bass; succeeded Serge Robert)
- Patrick Esposito Di Napoli (harmonica; passed away from AIDS in 1994)
- Justin Allard (drums; replaced Jimmy Bourgoing)
- Jean-Denis Levasseur (clarinet and saxophone; joined during "Dehors novembre")
Additional associated musicians
- Louis Léger (guitar)
- Cameron Delay (guitar)
- Mara Tremblay (violin)
- Joel Zifkin (violin)
- Guy Bélanger (harmonica)
- Benoît Gagné (trombone)
- Benoît Piché (trumpet)
- Élage Diouf (vocals and percussion)
- Pape Abdou Karim Diouf (vocals and percussion)
- Michel Dufour (drums)
Albums
- Les Colocs (1993)
- Atrocetomique (live recording; 1995)
- Dehors novembre (1998)
- Les années 1992-1995 (compilation; 2001)
- Suite 2116 (posthumous release; 2001)
- Live 1993-1998 (live compilation; 2004)
- Il me parle de bonheur (2009)
Videography
- Les Colocs: L'integrale 1993-2000