Boys Night Out (band)

The band formed in 2001 when Connor Lovat-Fraser (lead vocalist, guitar) and Jeff Davis (lead guitar, piano) started collaborating on songs. They were joined by Dave Costa (vocals, bass), Chris Danner (drums), and Rob Pasalic (guitar, vocals) and, that year, independently released the four-song EP You Are My Canvas, which was influenced by fellow Burlington hardcore act Grade. Danner left the band and was replaced on drums by Ben Arseneau. The band signed to One Day Savior Recordings and, in 2002, released the EP Broken Bones and Bloody Kisses.{{Cite web|last=Julien|first=Alexandre|author-link=Alexander Julien|date=November 9, 2011|title=One Day Savior Recordings Interview on Canadian Releases|url=https://www.abridgedpause.com/onedaysaviorrecordings|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200225233602/http://www.abridgedpause.com/onedaysaviorrecordings|archive-date=February 25, 2020|access-date=September 6, 2020|website=Abridged Pause Blog|language=en-US}}

Interest in the band was immediate, and they were signed to New Jersey–based Ferret Records. Their debut album, Make Yourself Sick, was released in 2003. It was much lighter and pop-punk-oriented, but with the same heavy screaming and guitars found on earlier releases. The band toured heavily in support of the record with acts such as My Chemical Romance, Catch 22,{{cite web |title=Catch 22 / Boys Night Out / The Goodwill |url=https://www.punknews.org/review/2343/catch-22-boys-night-out-the-goodwill-live-in-providence |website=punknews.org |publisher=Punk News |access-date=10 March 2022}} Saves the Day,{{cite web |title=Boys Night Out, Saves The Day |url=https://lambgoat.com/news/3521/boys-night-out-saves-the-day-etc-tour/comments/ |website=lambgoat.com |publisher=Lambgoat |access-date=10 March 2022}} and as part of the 2005 Warped Tour.1 Boys Night Out also was featured in the 2005 Nintendo Fusion Tour with Fall Out Boy, Motion City Soundtrack, The Starting Line, and Panic! at the Disco.{{cn|date=March 2022}}

The band's next album, 2005's Trainwreck, was a more subdued concept album based on a man's loss of sanity. Trainwreck opens with a doctor dictating his notes into a tape recorder. The album chronicles the arrest, trial, treatment and subsequent release of a man who, in a waking dream, murders his wife and then cuts off his hands so he can not kill again. During the recording of this album, Arseneau had left the band; Adam Kingsbury briefly stepped in before Brian Southall joined permanently. Keyboardist and singer Kara Dupuy had joined the band; her vocals act as the deceased wife's voice heard by the patient throughout the album. In support of the album, the band toured with Armor for Sleep, went to the UK with Less Than Jake and played the Waidestock! festival in Pennsylvania.{{cite web |last1=Righi |first1=Len |title=Waidestock! is hip deep in punk... |url=https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-2006-10-12-3706047-story.html |website=mcall.com |publisher=The Morning Call |access-date=10 March 2022}}

Also in 2006, the band released a limited-edition DVD, filmed at The Opera House in Toronto, called Dude, You Need To Stop Dancing - A Film About Boys Night Out. By this time, Dupuy had left, as had Pasalic, who formed the band Saint Alvia. He was replaced by guitarist Andy Lewis, formerly of The Fullblast. Later that year, Brian Southall left the band to join The Receiving End of Sirens. He was replaced by Ben Arseneau, the original drummer.

Boys Night Out released the EP Fifty Million People Can't Be Wrong in February 2007, then, in June, their third album, Boys Night Out. The first single from the album was "Up with Me". They spent all of 2007 on the road, with Plain White T's, Scary Kids Scaring Kids and The Dear Hunter.

By the end of 2007, Lovat-Fraser was having trouble with his voice and, on their tour of eastern Canada, their van died and they had to cancel all of their concert dates. In 2016, Lovat-Fraser said that, at that time, the decision was made to fold the band.{{cite web |last1=Kamiński |first1=Karol |title=BOYS NIGHT OUT discuss their comeback, June 2016 |url=https://idioteq.com/boys-night-out-discuss-their-comeback/ |website=idioteq.com |publisher=Idioteq |access-date=10 March 2022}} However, on the band's Facebook page, he posted "No breakup. No lost members. No getting dropped. We're just taking it easy for a while. Once we finished our contract with Ferret we opted to leave the label. We've been touring non-stop for the past few years and we're all feeling the wear and tear of constant life on the road. We started this band as a means of escape from everyday life...this is a return to that frame of mind. Easy like Sunday morning. It's pretty refreshing to just sit back and write songs without pressure from all sides telling you that there HAS to be a new record on day x. Before we release another full-length we're going to take our time to make sure that it's as wickedly radical and gnarly as it can possibly be. So, yeah...that's the gist of it. You won't be seeing us playing a whole lot of shows in the coming months - and we definitely won't be playing extended tours - but we're still alive and kickin'."{{citation needed|date=March 2022}}

On October 24, 2009, the original line-up of Boys Night Out played The Opera House in Toronto. The band played both Broken Bones And Bloody Kisses and Make Yourself Sick in their entirety. One of the opening bands was Lovat-Fraser's new band, Crazy Diamond; another was his former band Love You to Death (aka The Pettit Project). {{cite web |title=Boys Night Out live in Toronto (2009) |url=https://www.punknews.org/review/8777/boys-night-out-live-in-toronto |website=punknews.org |publisher=Punk News |access-date=10 March 2022}}

In 2009, Lovat-Fraser and Davis joined producer Scott Komer to form a band called Hard Calibers. The purpose of the band was to record a version of ESRT Page 14 by Justin Veatch of the Ivoryton Piano Factory. The song is featured on a compilation album of music by Veatch, an American musical prodigy who died of an accidental heroin overdose in 2008 at the age of 17.{{cite web |last1=Nightstars |first1=Iamthe |title=The Ivoryton Piano Factory Permagrin: The Music of Justin Veatch |url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/61010/The-Ivoryton-Piano-Factory-Permagrin-The-Music-of-Justin-Veatch/ |website=sputnikmusic.com |publisher=Sputnik Music |access-date=10 March 2022}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thejustinveatchfund.org|title=The Justin Veatch fund|website=Thejustinveatchfund.org|accessdate=10 June 2016}}

As of early 2013 the band had yet to make an official announcement on its split, but Lovat-Fraser posted, "I'm sorry to say it, but I can't really see BNO getting back together for any shows. It seems that everyone is getting back together for reunion shows these days, but sadly, I don't think BNO will be counted among them."{{citation needed|date=March 2022}} In March, he tweeted, "Just finished recording the new full-length. Sounds like shit.".{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BNOBoysNightOut/status/313107044217524225|title=Boys Night Out on Twitter|website=Twitter.com|accessdate=10 June 2016}} Two days later the band tweeted: "There is no new album, but if we recorded one right now it would absolutely sound like shit.". The former band's Twitter page description also states they are no longer a band though they still used the account from time to time.{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BNOBoysNightOut|title=Boys Night Out (@BNOBoysNightOut) |website=Twitter.com|accessdate=10 June 2016}}

In 2016, the band released the EP, "Black Dogs". In 2017, the Patchwork Theatre of Niagara Falls created the play Trainwreck, based on the Boys Night Out album.{{cite web |title=Patchwork Theatre presents "Trainwreck", June 2017 |url=https://sheepieniagara.com/2017/06/01/patchwork-theatre-presents-trainwreck-tonight/ |website=sheepieniagara.com |publisher=Sheepie Niagara |access-date=10 March 2022}}

There is still significant interest in the band. In 2021, Forge Again Records released the Boys Night Out compilation album, Nevermind 2. In an interview, Lovat-Fraser commented that people are still getting Boys Night Out tattoos, and the band's Facebook page remains active as a fansite and marketing tool. Lovat-Fraser speaks of the band in the past tense{{cite web |last1=Porter |first1=Ryan |title=INTERVIEW: Boys Night Out's Connor Lovat-Fraser |url=https://www.scenedaddy.com/blog/interview-boys-night-out-connor-lovat-fraser |website=scenedaddy.com |publisher=Scene Daddy |access-date=10 March 2022}} and, in June 2021, commented on Facebook that a reunion is "unlikely".{{cite web |title=Boys Night Out, June 9, 2021. |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=333815718113178&set=a.214146396746778 |website=facebook.com |publisher=Facebook |access-date=10 March 2022}}

Following a social media post in which Connor revealed the band had turned down multiple proposals for a reunion show over the years as he was the only member still interested in performing live, Boys Night Out reunited in 2024 with a wholly new line-up to play the final Furnace Fest.{{cite web |author-link=Boys Night Out|title=Boys Night Out added to Furnace Fest 2024, P.O.D. no longer able to perform|url=https://lambgoat.com/news/43202/boys-night-out-added-to-furnace-fest-2024-pod-no-longer-able-to-perform/ |website=lambgoat.com |publisher=Lamb Goat |access-date=September 29, 2024}} According to Lovat-Fraser, the reunion is dedicated to honouring the life and memory of Julia MacIsaac, his partner who was murdered in March of 2024.{{cite web |title=Boys Night Out on Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/bnoboysnightout/p/DAVu2kVptdG/ |website=instagram.com |access-date=March 27, 2025}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

Current members

• Connor Lovat-Fraser – lead vocals {{small|(2001–2016, 2024–present)}}
• Scott Komer – bass {{small|(2024–present)}}
• Matt McCausland – drums {{small|(2024–present)}}
• Joe Baldasio – guitar {{small|(2024–present)}}
• Jet Turner – guitar {{small|(2024–present)}}

{{col-2}}

Former members

• Jeff Tarbender Davis – guitar, vocals {{small|(2001–2016)}}
• Dave Costa – bass, vocals {{small|(2001–2016)}}
• Ben Arseneau – drums {{small|(2001–2004, 2006–2016)}}
• Andy Lewis – guitar {{small|(2006–2016)}}
• Chris Danner – drums {{small|(2001)}}
• Rob Pasalic – guitar, vocals {{small|(2001–2005)}}
• Adam Kingsbury – drums {{small|(2005)}}
• Brian Southall – drums {{small|(2005–2006)}}
• Kara Dupuy – keyboards, vocals {{small|(2005–2006)}}

{{col-end}}

Timeline

{{#tag:timeline|

ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20

PlotArea = left:110 bottom:80 top:0 right:15

Alignbars = justify

DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy

Period = from:01/01/2001 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}

TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy

Legend = orientation:vertical position:bottom columns:4

ScaleMajor = increment:2 start:2001

ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:2001

Colors =

id:Vocals value:red legend:Vocals

id:Guitar value:green legend:Guitar

id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass

id:Keys value:purple legend:Keyboards

id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums

id:Album value:black legend:Studio_album

id:other value:gray(0.6) legend:Other_release

id:bars value:gray(0.95)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

LineData =

layer:back

color:other

at:07/01/2001

at:08/20/2002

at:06/27/2006

at:02/06/2007

at:07/08/2016

color:Album

at:09/23/2003

at:07/26/2005

at:06/26/2007

BarData=

bar:Connor text:"Connor Lovat-Fraser"

bar:Jeff text:"Jeff Tarbender Davis"

bar:Rob text:"Rob Pasalic"

bar:Andy text:"Andy Lewis"

bar:Joe text:"Joe Baldasio"

bar:Jet text:"Jet Turner"

bar:Dave text:"Dave Costa"

bar:Scott text:"Scott Komer"

bar:Kara text:"Kara Dupuy"

bar:Chris text:"Chris Danner"

bar:Ben text:"Ben Arseneau"

bar:Adam text:"Adam Kingsbury"

bar:Brian text:"Brian Southall"

bar:Matt text:"Matt McCausland"

PlotData=

width:11

bar:Connor from:start till:12/31/2016 color:Vocals

bar:Connor from:09/29/2024 till:end color:Vocals

bar:Jeff from:start till:12/31/2016 color:Guitar

bar:Jeff from:start till:12/31/2016 color:Vocals width:3

bar:Rob from:start till:01/01/2005 color:Guitar

bar:Rob from:start till:01/01/2005 color:Vocals width:3

bar:Andy from:01/01/2006 till:12/31/2016 color:Guitar

bar:Joe from:09/29/2024 till:end color:Guitar

bar:Jet from:09/29/2024 till:end color:Guitar

bar:Dave from:start till:12/31/2016 color:Bass

bar:Dave from:start till:12/31/2016 color:Vocals width:3

bar:Scott from:09/29/2024 till:end color:Bass

bar:Kara from:01/01/2005 till:12/31/2006 color:Keys

bar:Kara from:01/01/2005 till:12/31/2006 color:Vocals width:3

bar:Chris from:start till:08/01/2001 color:Drums

bar:Ben from:08/01/2001 till:12/31/2004 color:Drums

bar:Ben from:08/01/2006 till:12/31/2016 color:Drums

bar:Adam from:01/01/2005 till:03/01/2005 color:Drums

bar:Brian from:03/01/2005 till:07/31/2006 color:Drums

bar:Matt from:09/29/2024 till:end color:Drums

}}

Albums

• Make Yourself Sick (Ferret, 2003)
• Trainwreck (Ferret, 2005)
• Boys Night Out (Ferret, 2007)
• Nevermind 2 (Forge Again Records, compilation, 2021)

EPs

• You Are My Canvas (Independent, 2001)
• Broken Bones and Bloody Kisses (One Day Savior, 2002)
• Fifty Million People Can't Be Wrong (Ferret, 2007)
• Black Dogs (Good Fight, 2016)

Demos

• First Demo (Independent, 2000)

Music videos

• "I Got Punched in the Nose for Sticking My Face in Other People's Business" (Make Yourself Sick, 2003)
• "Medicating" (Trainwreck, 2005)
• "Up With Me" (Boys Night Out, 2007)

DVD

• Dude, You Need to Stop Dancing (Ferret, 2006)

Compilation inclusions

• ''Dead and Dreaming: An Indie Tribute to Counting Crows (Victory, 2004) - "Walkaways"
• Skate & Surf Fest Vol. 1 (High Roller Studios, 2005) – "I Got Punched In The Nose For Sticking My Face In Other People's Business" (live video)
• Ferret Music 2004: Progression Through Aggression (Ferret, 2004) - "I Got Punched In The Nose For Sticking My Face In Other People's Business"
• Progression Through Aggression Vol. 2 (Ferret, 2005) – "Composing"
• Take Action! Volume 4 (Sub City Records, 2004) – "Medicating"
• Vans Warped Tour 2005 (SideOneDummy Records, 2005) – "Composing"

• List of bands from Canada

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.bnoboysnightout.com Official website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20070927221119/http://www.trashthestage.net/bno07.html Trash the Stage] interview with Jeff Tarbender Davis
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20071003210233/http://www.redefinemag.com/music/interviews_music_2.php?artist=Boys-Night-Out&id=86 REDEFINE Magazine] interview with Jeff Davis
• [http://www.mtv.ca/?id=1533667 Boys Night Out] on MTV Overdrive

{{Boys Night Out}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Boys Night Out}}

Category:Canadian post-hardcore musical groups

Category:Canadian emo musical groups

Category:Musical groups established in 2001

Category:2001 establishments in Ontario

Category:Ferret Music artists

Category:One Day Savior Recordings artists