With three years and hundreds of shows under their belts, the Toronto roots-rock trio The Schomberg Fair have developed a reputation for their hard-breathing, sweat-stained, late-night speed-gospel sets. They've been gaining momentum with an explosive live show that will convert the strongest non-beleivers to Fair-fandom and drive the most unsuspecting crowds to frenzy!

Inspired by the true stories songwriter Bahen has been privy to in his past job as an outreach worker, The Schomberg Fair’s music grapples with the inclination to destroy oneself, the desire to be saved, and the hope of better things ahead. These are tales of the dispossessed, the hurt, the vulnerable, the lost, the cruel and ultimately, the survivors. But the music is raucous, rousing and wild - it is within this dichotomy that the band shines brightest. The Band was born when Matt and bassist/vocalist Nathan Sidon re-connected at a party while Bahen was recovering from having cut off all of the fingers on his left hand in a work accident. The two bonded over their love of pre-war blues and set out to create a band that fused the soul and spirit of the deep blues with the frenetic energy of the birth of punk. With the addition of drummer Pete Garthside’s thunderous beat you’re left with an inferno of a whiskey-swilling good time and an unforgettable Saturday night.

This past year has seen The Schomberg Fair tour across Canada playing everything from dive bars to major festivals in Canada and the United States, sharing stages with Canadian indie stars (The Handsome Furs, Elliott Brood, Jim Cuddy, The Pack AD), international acts (Deer Tick, Black Diamond Heavies, The Oholics), and even 85-year-old blues legend T-Model Ford. Their much anticipated second Full Length album "Gospel" was released October 2009 to critical acclaim and reached top chart positions on Canadian college radio charts. Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.