Website: http://www.brokensocialscene.ca

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/brokensocialscene

Broken Social Scene started out in 1999, born of a theme that has become the stalwart of the band's existence: friendship in tough times. Kevin Drew was a talented, but essentially unknown musician who specialized in lovely bedroom instrumentals; Brendan Canning was a vet of several Toronto almost-made-its. Theirs was a theme shared by nearly all local musicians who had their kick at the American can––Canada's best artists seemed destined to be ignored outside the confines of home.

In the dead of winter 1999-2000, cocooned in a basement, the duo worked on their elegant debut, Feel Good Lost, with a bunch of their friends. Though mostly instrumental and somnambulant, this recording set up an important template for BSS's growth.

Still, most of the musicians involved in the band had other bands to which they pledged their main time. BSS was a side project, an escape, an experiment––one where the only constant was the willingness to go from feedback workouts to daydream soundtracks to indie-rock soul jams without worry of continuity.

After a year of gigging around town with the fairly solid line-up of Drew, Canning, Justin Peroff, Andrew Whiteman, Charles Spearin, John Crossingham, as well as vital support from Leslie Feist, Evan Cranley, and Metric's Emily Haines and James Shaw, the band decided to record a new album.

What eventually happened next, (after months of recording, rerecording, and countless mixes), is now well known: You Forgot It In People was released in October 2002 to great local praise, and then a fanfare that slowly but surely grew in volume and breadth. Instead of the spate of Canadian shows and quick return to studio that most expected from any Toronto group-du- jour, Broken Social Scene spent the next two-and-a-half years on tour in the U.S., Europe and Japan. Drew and managers Jeff Remedios and Daniel Cutler also launched their own imprint, Arts & Crafts, which became home to BSS and its numerous satellite acts, such as Apostle of Hustle and Stars. All the while, You Forgot It In People sold over 150,000 copies worldwide, and, along with their relentless touring, established BSS as one of the biggest and most critically acclaimed bands in independent music.

After the intense experience of YFIIP, the band's producer, David Newfeld, became the band's "sixth man" - a workhorse whose dedication to recording the band knew no boundaries. The band stole studio moments wherever possible, knowing that as they toured, Newfeld was working maniacally, shaping each tune into another of his trademark headphone masterpieces.

Broken Social Scene was a fitting title for the band's third record; the album an apt aural representation of the band's friendship: messy, overrun, irregular but spirited, passionate, honest and hopeful. Complete and utter chaos––who doesn't like to be surprised by what the new day will bring?

BSS returned in 2010 with a new line up and a brand new lp, Forgiveness Rock Record. Adored by fans and acclaimed by critics, Forgiveness Rock Record was the work of a band maturing, but in no sense slowing down.