Short:
The Blacklist Social is a five-piece folk rock band from Goderich, Ontario. They honed their skills as an acoustic cover band, stripping songs down to their raw acoustic roots and adding splashes of harmonica and slide guitar. This set the foundation for what was to eventually turn into their signature sound. The Blacklist Social has independently recorded their debut full-length album, ‘Blackstone’. Download their album on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify and Bandcamp. Check them at theblacklistsocial.com or their FB page for a list of upcoming gigs.

Long:
The Blacklist Social started off the same way as many bands do – doing covers. Originally called, ‘Sound Cellar’, the BLS performed acoustic covers of rock and pop songs. By stripping down songs to their raw acoustic roots and adding splashes of harmonica and slide guitar in place of the power electric guitar riffs, their covers ended up with a subtle ‘folk-like’ twist that helped shape the sound for their original music.

The original line up consisted of Joe Gillam (Vocals, Harmonica & Slide Guitar), Simon Taylor (Vocals, Guitar), Dave Weaver (Bass) and Glen Archambault (Guitar). To keep things simple and ‘acoustic’, there were no drums.

Over time, the BLS began to write and perform original music. As their songs gained traction on local radio and at live performances, they got the opportunity to open for established acts like The Grapes of Wrath, The Skydiggers and The Northern Pikes.

In 2016, the Blacklist Social independently recorded their debut full-length album. Titled, ‘Blackstone’, the album is a 10-song compilation of their original works, written between 2013 and 2016. It was during this time that local legendary drummer, Rick Lobb (The Ashgrove, Sal’s Alley) joined the band to add the welcome sound of thunder to the tracks.  In 2019 Eric Varillas joined the band and took over the position behind the drums

Download their album on iTunes, Google Play, Spotify and Bandcamp. Check them at theblacklistsocial.com or their FB page for a list of upcoming gigs.