Since No Echo last checked in with Calgary’s Bottom Feeder, the band hasn’t wasted any time turning early promise into real momentum. Over the past year, they’ve been hitting their local scene hard—jumping on bills, throwing their own shows, and steadily building a reputation for intensity and consistency.
That grind paid off with the release of their new EP, I, a fully DIY effort that’s already reaching far beyond their immediate circle. “So far the response has been fantastic,” guitarist Matt Lannon tells No Echo. “Our release show was sold out before the first band started, and we’ve gotten comments from fans as far as Europe, Australia, and Indonesia.”
A year of staying active has also sharpened the band itself. With the lineup intact, Bottom Feeder has locked into a tighter, more focused unit. “We’ve been lucky to keep the same lineup, so it’s been a year of learning to gel live and figuring out what kind of band we want to be,” Lannon explains. “Right now we’re in a really good place… the shows are super tight.” And yes, everything is faster now: “We certainly play all our songs faster than we did a year ago,” he adds.
That growth carries into their newer material. While early songs leaned heavily on straight-ahead speed, I pushes things outward—without losing that core aggression. “This EP is very pedal to the metal,” Lannon tells No Echo, “but it also includes elements of stoner rock, sludge, and even some clean singing.” The band has also started paying closer attention to visuals, pairing the music with more developed artwork and video elements to build a stronger overall identity.
All of this is happening within a Calgary scene that’s thriving despite its limitations. “There’s almost no government support of the arts here,” the guitarist notes, “but the scene is very strong right now with good turnouts every weekend.” That energy shows up in the kinds of spaces Bottom Feeder has been playing—DIY in the truest sense. “Our release show was in a t-shirt store. We’ve played the storage room of a coffee shop, and one of our wildest shows was at a pizza restaurant.” It’s that kind of environment that’s helping shape the band in real time.
Outside of their own camp, they’re keeping an ear to the ground as well. Alongside bigger names (“Does the new Converge release count? That record is dope.”), Lannon's shouting out bands like Vietnam’s Cút Lộn and local standouts Glasscult, Tatara, Astrology Girl, and Griefeater.
Looking ahead, Bottom Feeder isn’t slowing down. The band already has seven new songs in progress, with plans to record a couple this fall for a smaller release in early 2027, followed by a full EP. They’re also aiming to expand beyond Calgary and start playing more shows across Western Canada.
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