TORONTO SKATE-PUNK BAND SHIV AND THE CARVERS SHARE THEIR TAKE ON SHANIA TWAIN’S “THAT DON’T IMPRESS ME MUCH”
Toronto alt/rock skate-punk band Shiv and the Carvers return with a soaked-in-attitude cover and music video for Shania Twain’s anthem “That Don’t Impress Me Much”, a crowd-favourite at the band’s live shows. The single marks the band’s first release of 2024 since bursting on the scene with their debut EP Physical Capital last year, listed by Billboard Canada as one of their favourite albums of the week. The tongue-in-cheek track includes new playful lyrics (“So what do you think?! You’re fucking Strombo or something?!”) and also commemorates Annie Jane Marie (Dilly Dally) as a new official member of the punk group. All proceeds for the single will go to Toronto Indigenous Harm Reduction.
Speaking on the cover, Shiv shares,
“I unabashedly love pop music and really wanted to cover this track after I watched Shania’s Not Just A Girl documentary. Mike and I thought the International version could make a really cool rock cover. When we started playing it live, we got a great response from the crowd – people love singing along and dancing to it! When we decided to record it as a cover, we wanted to have a lot of fun with it – update some of the references and make a fun lil video. Ultimately we just wanted to get creative and have a good time!”
Led by two former roller derby players, Shiv and the Carvers are keeping the Riot Grrrl spirit alive with high-volume, energy-filled songs, held authentically together with empowering lyricism. One part punk, one part goth, one part pop, they deliver what audiences are yearning for, good, old-fashioned rock and roll, flexed by modern flair.
What first started as a solo outlet for Shiv has now grown to include a group of musicians, contributing to a revamped sound that delivers hot hooks and nuanced lyrics on sex, politics, culture, and the body with aggressive prowess. It would only make sense that the band would eventually form out of the roller derby community; a home and playground for punk bands galore with Sleater Kinney, Fugazi, Green Day, and Bikini Kill soundtracking the bouts.
Making up Shiv and the Carvers is Shiv Scott (she/they) on vocals and rhythm guitar, Annie Jane Marie (she/her) on bass and backing vocals, Nicole Maxwell (she/her) on lead guitar, and Mike Wiznuk (he/him) on drums.
Shiv & The Carvers are emerging with a refined sound that still reflects the live performance energy that has made them a staple in the local Toronto music scene. Since their first show post-pandemic, Shiv & The Carvers have played Canadian Music Week in 2022 at Bif Naked’s curated showcase, and have also had their 2021 single “Pick Yr Poison” included on Laura Jane Grace’s (Against Me!) House of Vans DJ Set.