HERDD Re-Ignites a Queer Pop-Rock Firestorm with Bold Cover of Rough Trade’s ‘High School Confidential’
Montreal-born, Sudbury-based artist HERDD steps into the spotlight with the release of his electrifying new single, a cover of Rough Trade’s groundbreaking hit ‘High School Confidential’. Known for his genre-bending pop/rock sound and fearless artistic vision, HERDD reimagines the iconic Canadian track with the same raw passion and queer energy that made it a trailblazer, while infusing it with his own modern edge. The single is now available on all streaming platforms.
“It was such a privilege to share a bill with Carole Pope, a Canadian music icon and a pioneer for queer representation, at Pride Toronto’s The Q Musicale,” HERDD reflects. “That moment meant so much to me, and coming back a year later to debut my cover of her most famous song was truly full circle.”
HERDD, the alias of Francois Cote, has quickly emerged as one of Canada’s most compelling new voices in pop and rock. Born in Montreal, raised in London, and now based in Sudbury, he brings a global perspective to his music.
His 2024 debut album ‘Afterlife’ charted internationally, reaching #41 on the US iTunes Electronic Album charts and breaking into the Canadian electronic charts as well. Known for his captivating live shows, HERDD has graced stages at Canadian Music Week and Pride Toronto, always delivering performances that are both powerful and intimate.
“I like to joke that I’m an honorary 80s kid—even though I was really just born at the tail end of the decade,” he laughs. “But the sound of the 80s—the boldness, the snares, the anthemic choruses—has always resonated with me. Covering a track like this feels natural, because it carries that fearless spirit I’ve always loved.”
In this new rendition, HERDD leans into the song’s most unforgettable lyrics: “She makes me cream my jeans when she comes my way.” Delivered with playful confidence, the line maintains its provocative edge more than four decades later, reminding listeners of the daring honesty that has always defined queer pop culture.
Other lines, like “When she passes me a look I wanna burn my books / Give up high school,” take on new resonance in HERDD’s hands, amplifying the restless longing and desire for freedom that still rings true in today’s youth-driven music movements.
“High School Confidential” was a Top 20 Canadian hit in the early 80s, and its bold celebration of queer desire earned it induction into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame. HERDD’s new version honors that legacy while expanding it for a generation raised on streaming playlists, festival anthems, and TikTok virality.
“I love the rebellious vibe of the track,” HERDD says. “Even though by today’s standards it may not seem as provocative, it was unapologetically queer for its time—and that’s incredibly inspiring. My goal was to preserve that magic while presenting it through my own lens.”
As conversations about identity, freedom, and representation dominate today’s cultural landscape, ‘High School Confidential’ feels more relevant than ever. Its themes of desire, secrecy, and teenage rebellion echo the experiences of queer youth navigating both online spaces and real-world communities. By covering the song in 2025, HERDD connects past and present, reinforcing the message that authentic expression never goes out of style.
With its pounding production, soaring vocals, and undeniable hook, HERDD’s ‘High School Confidential’ stands as both homage and reinvention. It captures the daring pulse of the original while carving out new ground in today’s pop-rock scene, ensuring the track’s place as an anthem for another generation.