Up here in Canada Our Lady Peace is legendary. I remember watching them play a little club in Calgary called the Republik on their first tour and we all thought, “This band is going places”. That was a long time ago and OLP are still at it, having just released a new album called Burn Burn.

We caught up with guitarist Steve Mazur to get some of his favorite bands and albums. Check them out:

Ray LaMontagne–Until the Sun Turns Black: In this day and age where we are ambushed by music and so-called artists at every turn, it can be tough to discern who is worthy of checking out. Ray LaMontagne is one of those that you want to check out. Just because we have more and more people putting their music out there doesn’t mean that we have any more real artists than we did in years and ages past. Ray LaMontagne is the real deal, a real artist.

Devo–Duty Now for the Future: When I first got a Devo record, I thought it was cool and really quirky and all that but it didn’t stick with me. I’d like to think that I’m a better person now because when I dug their 1st two albums out recently again, I was floored. The arrangement of parts within the instruments are ridiculously original, intricate, and effective. They were such a one-pointed focus of a band and vision. Don’t cast them off as just goofy. There’s genius there as well.

TV on the Radio–Dear Science: I have grown cautious and somewhat weary of the word “eclectic” from past experience of artists who throw a bunch of different styles or instruments together without any depth and expect you to dig it ’cause “It’s so diverse, man….” You still have to have quality in there. That’s where TV on the Radio comes in.

Queen–A Day at the Races: Yeah Freddie was flamboyant. Yes they were dramatic. They probably were also the best band of the 20th century. To think that they cranked out an album or more a year of this quality and depth in the 1970’s makes me wonder if they were not of this earth. And it makes me feel lazy.

King’s X–Dogman: The best band that you’ve probably not heard of, and a great record of theirs. One part great guitar riffs and tone, one part crazy cool distorted bass, two parts killer Beatles-like harmonies, one part gritty gospel-like lead vocals, and many parts great, great songs. Please buy this record. If you don’t like it I will pay you back.