Rock 95's Home Grown Battle of the Bands
Rock 95 is partnering with Gussapolooza Music Fest and Known Accomplice Records to bring you the Rock 95 Home Grown Battle of the Bands, and we want YOU on stage.
Gussapolooza Music Festival is coming back to Cookstown August 21st-August 23rd 2026, and we're once again kicking off the festival in search for Simcoe County's next great rock band with our Home Grown Battle of the Bands kick off at 2pm on August 21st, 2026. !
We looked high and low for raw, real, homegrown talent. and have selected our 5 finalists:
The Matlockes are five young musicians from small-town southern Ontario, Canada bringing new life to the rock scene with their unique sound, contagious energy, and inspiring passion. Drawing inspiration from popular rock and metal bands such as Greta Van Fleet, Foo Fighters, and Black Sabbath, the Matlockes have a very diverse and unique sound, with elements of rock, metal, punk, and alternative genres in their songs.
A Rock Tro who've taken the industry by storm with they're wild energy, catchy hooks, and all out vintage vibes! They've been touring the country for a couple years now with a common goal of spreading good music across the land. Opening for bands such as Big Wreck and High Fade, playing to audiences of 7K +
New Anthem is an electrifying Pop Punk band from multiple corners of the GTA. Fresh off the release of a new EP "Nothings Ever Good Enough" New Anthem have stayed busy from consistently playing dive bars to larger scale productions such as The Horseshoe Tavern in Toronto, The Biltmore Theatre in Oshawa, Barrie Pride festival and Newmarkets York Pride festival. New Anthem's goal is to bring you that early and mid 2000s Emo/Pop Punk revival that's sure to get you screaming "ITS NOT A PHASE MOM" like it’s 2008 again!
The Social Era, a high-energy punk rock trio with one goal: creating explosive, unforgettable songs. Bryan Crouch, known for his powerful vocals as the former frontman of Hail the Villain — a band that gained international recognition for its intense sound and theatrical live shows — joins forces with Daryl Ralph, drummer for the cult-favorite comedy-metal band Sons of Butcher and his former bandmate in the hard-hitting rock band Bonds of Mara. Completing the lineup is Pat Kavanagh, bassist for the internationally acclaimed metal band Threat Signal and Bryan’s bandmate from Six Side Die. Together, we bring a raw, dynamic sound that thrives on energy, simplicity, and authenticity — delivering electrifying live performances and crafting catchy, high-octane tracks that leave a lasting impact.
TRAUMAQUEEN is a 4-piece Canadian rock band with members from Toronto and Barrie, Ontario. Having met as part of an Emerging Artist Program years before, the band formed in May 2025 when four friends combined their raw talent and power with a decision to become unstoppable. Their unique blend of soaring vocals and killer guitar riffs find the perfect balance of paying homage to their classic rock idols of the past while still sounding current. With influences including Aerosmith, Heart, and Van Halen, TRAUMAQUEEN combines catchy melodies and lyrics that bite. Their live performance is something to behold and will leave you feeling electrified for days after.
These 5 bands are competing for a wicked Battle of the Bands prize package:
- Radio play on Rock 95
- A performance slot at Gussapolooza 2027
- An opening set at a Rock 95–presented concert
- An exclusive consultation with the team behind The Trews and Sam Roberts Band at Known Accomplice Records
So what are you waiting for, get your tickets.