Ninja High School (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
Ninja High School was a Canadian dance-punk ensemble based in Toronto, Ontario, known for fusing elements of hip hop and hardcore punk. The lineup featured Matt Collins, Gregory Collins, Adrian Cvitkovic, Star DT, Whitney Kemble, Catherine Ribeiro, Steve Kado, and Wolfgang Nessel. Craig Dunsmuir, affiliated with Glissandro 70, also collaborated with the group.
History
The band’s origins trace back to gatherings in Guelph, Ontario, where frontman Matt Collins performed rap vocals over James Brown samples. Ninja High School released both an EP and a full-length album through Blocks Recording Club, which garnered airplay on CBC Radio 3.
In 2005, they secured a distribution agreement with the German label Tomlab. This partnership included the release of their two-track single "It's All Right to Fight" as part of Tomlab’s Alphabet Series.
Their final live appearance took place in December 2007 at Sneaky Dee's in Toronto. The group briefly reunited for a special performance during Blocks Recording Club’s closing event held at the Tranzac Club in Toronto in May 2015.
Reception
The Globe and Mail characterized them as a "popular theoretical-rap cheer squad." Meanwhile, Chart magazine commended their album Young Adults Against Suicide for being "thoughtful" and "catchy," highlighting the track "Invasion Party" as one of the standout songs of the year.
The album Young Adults Against Suicide achieved top ten rankings on multiple Canadian college and alternative music charts.
Discography
- We Win! (2004)
- Alphabet Series H 7-inch (2005)
- Young Adults Against Suicide (2005)
- The Terminator Mixtape Cassette (2007)