Montreal punk band NOBRO shakes up Juno Awards with ‘Rock Album of the Year’ nomination

Montreal's all-female punk band NOBRO is shaking up the traditionally male-dominated category at the Juno Awards.

Montreal punk band “NOBRO” is up for “Rock Album of the Year” at the Juno Awards on March 30.

This young female band is competing with established acts “Sum 41” and “Big Wreck” for the honour.

“Rock Album of The Year” is traditionally a male-dominated category at the Junos, and NOBRO is looking to change that.

Band co-founder Katheryn McCaughey says, “Especially with this album, I really didn’t think people were going to take it as seriously as they have been because of the name.”

The name, which includes a slang word for women’s anatomy, is NOBRO’s reaction to abortion rights being clawed back in the United States.

C0-founder Karolane Carbonneau says, “Fighting about rights, our rights and outrage about it and not like being like, just passive about it and just speak about it.”

Bandmate Tara Cohen adds, “There has been women on stage always, and I don’t think it’s new, but I’m happy. It’s like getting more attention now and it’s really awesome to play with all women.”

Along with their strong message, NOBRO just wants to play their punk rock loudly.

Karolane says, “Every woman and every trans people and queer people and people of colour and everybody can do what they want.”

NOBRO has been selected to play a Gala on March 29 in Vancouver, and plans on making their message and music heard.

McCaughey says, “It’s really important for just anyone to make art, especially in desperate times. Because for so many throughout history, like women have been written out of the story and through music or art or whatever, it’s a chance for us to insert ourselves back into the story.”

Cohen adds, “We’re totally free in our bodies, and I think we should just be ourselves on stage and bring that exciting and powerful energy. and I hope that is transmitted to the audience.”