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Not By Choice is a power-pop punk rock band from Ajax, Ontario, Canada (which is a suburb of Toronto), made up of four guys that love playing the music that they make. The band consists of Mike Bilcox (vocals & guitar), Glenn Chico Dunning (guitar & vocals), AJ Bovaird (bass guitar & vocals), and Bryan Strong (drums). They have attracted the attention of a growing fan base with their sing-a-long melodies and power-pop riffs, while their energetic live show keeps the audience coming back for more.
Mike and Chico first met in high school in 1995 and started learning to play guitar together in Mikes basement. After a year of barely learning to play Nirvana and Green Day songs, they decided to start a band and recruited AJ who also went to the same school. After a while, Not By Choice found its place in the local music scene as a punk rock band while playing regularly at the legendary Chameleon Café.
In the summer of 1997 Not By Choice played shows out of town with Sum41, Jersey and countless other kick ass bands. Although they had a very successful summer, in early 98 Not By Choice broke up. Mike and Chico continued to work together and reformed the band in May 98, focusing on more of a pop/punk sound. That November they recorded their very first self produced demo but shortly after the demo was recorded, the bands drummer decided to quit and Not By Choice was put on hiatus for the next year.
Bryan joined the band in March of 2000 and they immediately started working on songs for their debut EP. Their very first EP consists of 5 killer pop/punk songs about love and life, which get stuck in your head and will not leave. The CD was recorded over 5 days by Murray Daigle (Emerald Rain, Pain) at MDS Recording. Their debut effort, released September 1, 2000, has opened many doors, eyes and ears for the band, as well as helped create a buzz around town!
The last year has been like a whirlwind for Not By Choice. They have been given the opportunity to open for major label and independent touring artists as well as appear on two dates of the Warped Tour 01 (Montreal and Toronto). The band has also attracted a lot of attention from members of the music industry.
The response to their music has been incredible and overwhelming, selling out of CDs in local record stores and off the stage as well. The bands newest release of songs is proving to be more successful than the first. Their second EP contains four of the best power pop songs you may have ever heard. |
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