The Zilis were a Canadian rock and roll group from Hamilton, Ontario, active from 2012 to 2017. Two of the members continue to write original music as The Bleeding Idahos.[1]

The Zilis
The Zilis in Montréal. From left to right: Justin Bozzo, Sean Royle. Photograph by Joseph Fuda.
Background information
Origin	Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Genres	Rock and Roll
Years active	2012-2017
Labels	Independent
Members	Sean Royle Zander Lamothe Justin Bozzo

Biography

The group began playing covers as The Led Hot Zili Peppers in 2009 to pay for the expenses of their former band, Dean Lickyer.[2][3] When Dean Lickyer disbanded, Royle and Bozzo began singing and writing original music as The Zilis.[4][5] Touring frequently, they released two critically acclaimed albums between 2012 and 2014.[6][7][8]

The Zilis played festivals and concerts alongside notable acts, including July Talk, The Sheepdogs,[9] Said The Whale, Monster Truck, Arkells, Hey Rosetta!, Protest the Hero, Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker, David Wilcox, Marianas Trench, Flogging Molly, Matt Mays & El Torpedo, KISS,^{[citation needed]} Bon Jovi^{[citation needed]} and Wheatus.[10]

The group went on hiatus in 2017. Royle and Lamothe have since become music teachers and session musicians, and Bozzo is now an attorney. Royle and Bozzo formed a new band, The Bleeding Idahos.[11]

Awards

• Hamilton Music Awards – "Rock Recording of the Year" (for Sketches) nomination (2012)[12]
• The Deli Magazine – "Artist of the Month" (March 2015)
• Hamilton Music Awards – "Bassist of the Year" (2015)[13]
• Hamilton Music Awards – "Alternative/Indie Rock Recording of the Year" (for Sketches II) nomination (2015)[14]

Band members

• Sean Royle – vocals, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, banjitar, organ, harmonica, melodica, percussion (2012–21)
• Zander Lamothe – drums, percussion, vocals (2012–20)
• Justin Bozzo – vocals, bass guitar, electric guitar, acoustic guitar, piano, organ, harmonica, kazoo, percussion (2012–21)

Discography

Sketches (2012)

1. Mattina Sunshine
2. Coyote Nowhere
3. The Plight of Mrs. Brezhnev (Pt. I)
4. The Meter
5. Only Love
6. Fool's Paradise
7. Ginny's Been Gone
8. Trumpets of the Tide[15]

Sketches II (2014)

1. Trust in Me, Lorraine
2. Diamondback
3. Don't Ever Change
4. Not Around
5. Ballad of a Broken Heart
6. (All I Do Is) Treat You Right
7. On the West Side of Town
8. The Way Love Goes

See also

• Folk Radio UK

References

External links

• www.thezilis.com Archived 30 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine
• The Zilis on Facebook
• The Zilis on Twitter
• The Zilis on Bandcamp
• "Watch Ontario’s The Zilis Bring Fireside Folk Onto The Stage...".