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{{Short description|Canadian rock band}}
'''Les Colocs''' were a major ] of the ] of the ].
{{Multiple issues|
{{Expand French|topic=cult|date=July 2021}}
{{Tone|date=July 2021}}
{{BLP sources|date=January 2011}}
}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Misplaced Pages:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name = Les Colocs
| image =
| caption =
| image_size =
| background = group_or_band
| alias =
| origin = ], ], Canada
| genre = ], ], ], ]
| label = ]<br/>Musicomptoir
| years_active = {{start date|1990}}–{{end date|2000}}
| associated_acts = ]
| website = {{URL|colocs.qc.ca}}
| current_members =
| past_members = ]<br/>]<br/>Mike Sawatzky<br />]<br />Jimmy Bourgoing<br />André Vanderbiest
}}
'''''Les Colocs''''' (The Roommates) were a Quebec rock band formed in Montreal in 1990 by singer-songwriter ]. Known for their energetic performances and eclectic fusion of musical styles, they blended rock with folk, swing, blues, and world music. Their lyrics, written in ], addressed social themes such as poverty, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and consumerism while maintaining a lighthearted and humorous public image, which contributed to their widespread appeal.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=S.-Legault |first=Daniel |date=1995 |title=André Fortin, des Colocs L'INQUIÉTUDE DU FOU DU ROI |url=https://collections.banq.qc.ca/ark:/52327/2226059 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=BAnQ |publisher=VO |pages=8-13 |language=fr}}</ref>


==Profile== ==History==
The band gained prominence with their self-titled debut album, selling over 60,000 copies and establishing a reputation for combining sharp social commentary with catchy melodies.<ref name=":0" /> Despite frequent lineup changes, Fortin and guitarist Mike Sawatzky remained the core members. Following their 1995 album ''Atrocetomique'', they expanded their sound by collaborating with Senegalese musicians the Diouf brothers on ''Dehors novembre'' (1998), an album noted for its introspective themes.<ref name=":0" />
Fronted by ], ] gave Quebecers unique songs colored with humanity, simplicity and social concience (especially regarding poverty). They marked the ] with their sound, infused with ], first very wild and festive, later more mellow, as well as more inspired by ] & ]. This new direction inspired a collaboration with the ] ] for the album ''Dehors novembre''.


Although often perceived as a "party band," Fortin later emphasized the importance of his lyrics, aiming to balance entertainment with social critique.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Borowiecki |first=Anna |date=2011-06-22 |title=Singer favours French band |url=https://www.stalbertgazette.com/local-entertainment/singer-favours-french-band-1275359 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=St. Albert Gazette |language=}}</ref> He believed in writing from personal experience to create universally relatable songs, a method evident in tracks like ''La rue principale'' and ''Juste une p’tite nuite''.<ref name=":0" />
They were a group promoting tolerance, and had a ] line up (for example, Mike Sawatzky is a ] from ], André Vanderbiest in from ] and Patrick Esposito Di Napoli is of ]). Dédé Fortin (as well as other members like Serge Robert, later to be known as ]) was a passionate ] and brought the band to play an important role in the ] via partisan shows.


Fortin died by suicide on May 8, 2000, effectively ending the band.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2000-05-11 |title=Quebec singer found dead beside knife |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/quebec-singer-found-dead-beside-knife-1.240101 |access-date=2025-01-19 |website=CBC News}}</ref> The remaining members released a final album, ''Suite 2116'', before disbanding. Despite their relatively short career, ''Les Colocs'' remain an influential part of Quebec’s music history, recognized for their blend of social commentary and musical innovation.<ref name=":0" />
The festive nature of many of their songs is sharply contrasted by a difficult destiny, marred with the ] rapture of member Patrick Esposito Di Napoli, a victim of ], and frontman Fortin taking his own life in ], ending the very band (see ]).


==Members== ==Members==
*] ''(songwriting, vocals, guitar, drums, etc.)'' *] ''(songwriting, vocals, guitar, drums, etc.)''
*Mike Sawatzky ''(guitar, saxophone & harmonica)'' *Mike Sawatzky ''(guitar, saxophone & harmonica)''
*] ''(double bass; later known as Mononc' Serge, quit after "Atrocetomique")'' *] ''(double bass; later known as Mononc' Serge, quit after "Atrocetomique" for a solo career)''
*André Vanderbiest ''(double bass; replaced Serge Robert)'' *André Vanderbiest ''(double bass; replaced Serge Robert)''
*Patrick Esposito Di Napoli ''(harmonica; fell victim of AIDS in 1994)'' *] ''(harmonica; died of AIDS in 1994)''
*Jimmy Bourgoing ''(drums, quit after "Dehors novembre")'' *Justin Allard ''(drums, replaced Jimmy Bourgoing)''
*Justin Allard ''(drums, replaced Jimmy Bourgouin)''
*Jean-Denis Levasseur ''(clarinet & saxophone; joined for "Dehors novembre")'' *Jean-Denis Levasseur ''(clarinet & saxophone; joined for "Dehors novembre")''

*Etc.
==Additional associated musicians==
*Louis Léger (guitar)
*Cameron delay (guitar)
*Mara Tremblay (violin)
*] (violin)
*Guy Bélanger (harmonica)
*Benoît Gagné (trombone)
*Benoît Piché (trumpet)
*Élage Diouf|El Hadji Fall Diouf (singer and percussionist)
*Pape Abdou Karim Diouf (singer and percussionist)
*Michel Dufour (drums)


==Discography== ==Discography==
===Albums===
*''Les Colocs''
* ''Les Colocs'' (1993)<ref name="allmusic1"/>
*''Atrocetomique''
* ''Atrocetomique'' (]; 1995)
*''Dehors novembre''
* ''Dehors novembre'' (1998)<ref name="discogs1"/>
⚫ *''Suite 2116''
* ''Les années 1992-1995'' (]; 2001)
⚫ *''Live 1993-1998''
⚫ * ''Suite 2116'' (posthumous; 2001)
⚫ * ''Live 1993-1998'' (live compilation; 2004)
* ''Il me parle de bonheur'' (2009)

==Videography==
*''Les Colocs: L'integrale 1993-2000''


==See also== ==See also==
{{Portal|Music|Canada}}
⚫ *]
*] #]
*] #]
#]
⚫ #]
#]

== References ==
{{Reflist
| refs =

<ref name="allmusic1">
{{cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/les-colocs-p887120/discography |title=Les Colocs Discography |author= |publisher=] |date= |accessdate=25 January 2011}}</ref>

<ref name="discogs1">
{{cite web |url=http://www.discogs.com/artist/Les+Colocs |title=Les Colocs Discography |author= |date= |publisher=] | accessdate=25 January 2011}}</ref>

| colwidth =
}}

⚫ ==External links==
* {{Official website|http://www.colocs.qc.ca}}
⚫ *

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Colocs, Les}}
⚫ ==External link==
]
⚫ *
] ]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 23:42, 19 January 2025

Canadian rock band
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Les Colocs
OriginMontreal, Quebec, Canada
GenresAlternative rock, blues, swing revival, Senegalese music
Years active1990 (1990)–2000 (2000)
LabelsBMG
Musicomptoir
Past membersDédé Fortin
Patrick Esposito Di Napoli
Mike Sawatzky
Serge Robert
Jimmy Bourgoing
André Vanderbiest
Websitecolocs.qc.ca

Les Colocs (The Roommates) were a Quebec rock band formed in Montreal in 1990 by singer-songwriter André "Dédé" Fortin. Known for their energetic performances and eclectic fusion of musical styles, they blended rock with folk, swing, blues, and world music. Their lyrics, written in Quebec French, addressed social themes such as poverty, homelessness, HIV/AIDS, and consumerism while maintaining a lighthearted and humorous public image, which contributed to their widespread appeal.

History

The band gained prominence with their self-titled debut album, selling over 60,000 copies and establishing a reputation for combining sharp social commentary with catchy melodies. Despite frequent lineup changes, Fortin and guitarist Mike Sawatzky remained the core members. Following their 1995 album Atrocetomique, they expanded their sound by collaborating with Senegalese musicians the Diouf brothers on Dehors novembre (1998), an album noted for its introspective themes.

Although often perceived as a "party band," Fortin later emphasized the importance of his lyrics, aiming to balance entertainment with social critique. He believed in writing from personal experience to create universally relatable songs, a method evident in tracks like La rue principale and Juste une p’tite nuite.

Fortin died by suicide on May 8, 2000, effectively ending the band. The remaining members released a final album, Suite 2116, before disbanding. Despite their relatively short career, Les Colocs remain an influential part of Quebec’s music history, recognized for their blend of social commentary and musical innovation.

Members

  • Dédé Fortin (songwriting, vocals, guitar, drums, etc.)
  • Mike Sawatzky (guitar, saxophone & harmonica)
  • Serge Robert (double bass; later known as Mononc' Serge, quit after "Atrocetomique" for a solo career)
  • André Vanderbiest (double bass; replaced Serge Robert)
  • Patrick Esposito Di Napoli (harmonica; died of AIDS in 1994)
  • Justin Allard (drums, replaced Jimmy Bourgoing)
  • Jean-Denis Levasseur (clarinet & saxophone; joined for "Dehors novembre")

Additional associated musicians

  • Louis Léger (guitar)
  • Cameron delay (guitar)
  • Mara Tremblay (violin)
  • Joel Zifkin (violin)
  • Guy Bélanger (harmonica)
  • Benoît Gagné (trombone)
  • Benoît Piché (trumpet)
  • Élage Diouf|El Hadji Fall Diouf (singer and percussionist)
  • Pape Abdou Karim Diouf (singer and percussionist)
  • Michel Dufour (drums)

Discography

Albums

  • Les Colocs (1993)
  • Atrocetomique (live; 1995)
  • Dehors novembre (1998)
  • Les années 1992-1995 (compilation; 2001)
  • Suite 2116 (posthumous; 2001)
  • Live 1993-1998 (live compilation; 2004)
  • Il me parle de bonheur (2009)

Videography

  • Les Colocs: L'integrale 1993-2000

See also

  1. Canadian rock
  2. Culture of Quebec
  3. List of bands from Canada
  4. Music of Quebec
  5. Rock music of Canada

References

  1. ^ S.-Legault, Daniel (1995). "André Fortin, des Colocs L'INQUIÉTUDE DU FOU DU ROI". BAnQ (in French). VO. pp. 8–13. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  2. Borowiecki, Anna (2011-06-22). "Singer favours French band". St. Albert Gazette. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  3. "Quebec singer found dead beside knife". CBC News. 2000-05-11. Retrieved 2025-01-19.
  4. "Les Colocs Discography". Allmusic. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
  5. "Les Colocs Discography". Discogs. Retrieved 25 January 2011.

External links

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