Former UK punk scene fixture Joni Butler has established his new band Shirehead in Montreal after relocating from England. Drawing on experiences growing up in rural England where he witnessed xenophobia affecting many of his friends, Butler found refuge in the hardcore punk community’s anti-racist ethos.
“The hardcore punk community became my lifeline,” says Butler. “When everything else felt hostile, there was this fierce, unapologetic rejection of racism that just made sense.”
Butler’s musical journey took him through Nottingham—home to Sleaford Mods, Jake Bugg, and Earache Records—where he became deeply involved in the local scene. His multi-faceted experience includes organizing shows, working as a sound engineer, and performing with numerous bands before his eventual move to Canada.
After six months searching for compatible musicians in Montreal, Butler formed Shirehead with Jeremy Tremblay on drums, Erik Kennedy on synthesizers, Dylan Paiement on bass, and Diego González on guitar, while handling vocals and guitar himself.
The quintet has developed a sound that combines Britpop elements with industrial post-punk influences—bridging the melodic sensibilities of The Cure with the mechanical intensity of Nine Inch Nails.
Today, the band plays Montreal’s Bar L’Hémisphère Gauche to celebrate the release of their new song, CRIMINAL MINDS.
Listen below:
With Butler overseeing production, Shirehead is now preparing to record their debut album, slated for release in spring 2025. The band plans to support the album with performances throughout North America and Europe.
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