UNCAGED - The New EP

'UNCAGED' is the Bare Minimum’s Nicolas Cage inspired EP, self-released on cassette tape and on all streaming platforms August 18, 2023. The EP consists of 4 new songs based on iconic Nicolas Cage movies.

Inspired by Nicolas Cage's nouveau shamanism acting method, “UNCAGED" is intense, eccentric, and often unpredictable. Blending snarky humour with an energetic and raucous sound, The Bare Minimum trade in their punk points and embrace the surrealism of post-internet irony.

Tracks like “National Treasure” and “Con Air” continue and expand The Bare Minimum’s signature trash punk sound, while “Bangkok Dangerous” leans into thrash metal, and “Leaving Las Vegas” detours into synthwave.

The EP is accompanied with lyric videos for each track and a movie by movie breakdown of Nicolas Cage’s celebrated career. ‘Uncaged’ was mixed by Devon Lougheed of SuperBonBon Sound and mastered at CPS Mastering.

Is a Gateway Drug

'Is A Gateway Drug’ is the Bare Minimum’s third album, self-released on CD and on all streaming platforms November 4, 2022. The album includes 6 new songs and 6 previously released singles ("Bonestorm", "Scars and Stripes", "Party Martyr", "Echo in my Head", "Bitter Pill", and "Woah"). The album will be self-released on CD and available on all streaming platforms. Physical and purchased digital versions of the album contain an additional bonus song ’Stairway to Hell’ with guest organ from Devon Lougheed of Altered By Mom.

'Is A Gateway Drug’ pays homage to 90s skate-punk while avoiding the pitfalls of nostalgia. It makes sense that all of the musicians—guitarist Mick Hutchinson, drummer Chris Nikolaidis, singer/guitarist Cam Gray, and bassist Donnie Hopper grew up on a steady diet of Tony Hawk Pro Skater and Fat Wreck Chords.

Tracks like ‘Conspiracy 2 (Shadowban)’ and ‘Garbage in my Brain’ serve as meditations on misinformation and internet culture, while ’Stay At Home Son’ paints a portrait of adolescence extending into infinity. The Bare Minimum break up the predictability of melodic hardcore on ‘Panic' with drummer and bassist Chris and Donnie trading blast beats and guttural screams. The penultimate track ‘Part Time Punks’ shows a more progressive side of the band, providing a meta-commentary on being a punk band during late capitalism.

The album is accompanied with goofy videos for ‘Garbage in my Brain’ and 'Conspiracy 2 (Shadowban)’ showing the band’s propensity to blend absurd humor with serious critique. 'Is A Gateway Drug’ was mixed by Devon Lougheed of SuperBonBon Sound and mastered at CPS Mastering.

The Band

Rising out of the underground Toronto punk scene, the Bare Minimum channel but subvert skate-punk into something new. Equally at home at a DIY basement show or festival stage, the Bare Minimum embrace the chaotic nature of punk shows emphasizing energy over precision. The band is also actively involved in promoting the local scene; self-releasing a documentary about a local DIY venue, interviewing their scene peers on social media, curating playlists, and working with local non-profits. The Bare Minimum have played Pouzza Fest, Canadian Music Week, and NXNE; and shared the stage with Meat Wave, No Fun At All, and Adrenalized.

• Cam Gray / 

  Vocals, Guitar

• Donnie Hopper / 

  Bass (Lead vocals on ‘Panic’)

• Mick Hutchinson / 

  Lead Guitar

• Chris Nikolaidis / 

  Drums (Lead vocals on ‘Panic’)

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