027’s New Single, Umbilical Cord,” Out Now
Ontario fuzz-rock trio 027 is charging forward with raw energy and a DIY ethos that’s impossible to ignore. Fresh off the release of their blistering new single “Umbilical Cord”—a chaotic, toe-tapping anthem built for mosh pits—the band also drops their self-titled compilation album today, blending one new track with standout songs from 2023 to 2025.
Formed in 2022 by longtime friends Keagan Ross and Caleb Lavictoire, and joined by drummer Gray Laine, 027 has quickly become a fixture in Ontario’s underground scene—writing, rehearsing, and self-producing out of storage units and basements. Their sound is a volatile fusion of punk, metal, stoner rock, and fuzzcore, channeling unfiltered emotion into every riff.
With a fierce commitment to all-ages shows and supporting emerging youth bands, 027 isn’t just making noise—they’re building a community. “Umbilical Cord” is just the beginning of what’s next.
First off, care to introduce 027 to our readers?
Caleb: We are 027, a punk/sludge-fuzz band from Orangeville, ON. Keagan (singer/guitarist) and I, Caleb (bassist), were both raised in the small city, with Gray growing up in Tottenham. We all loved music from a very young age, eventually learning our instruments and honing our craft. Keagan and I were in a few elementary school bands, which first began at 10 years old. Over the years, we practiced and released music, and we eventually met Gray, who was focusing on his bands Dorene and Revelstoke. We soon built a bond over our shared love of music. In November 2022, Keagan caught wind of a band that was seeking an opener for a local show. Having never played together, we put together a setlist and met up at the venue. We jammed for the first time as a unit in the basement of the venue. The rest is history…
You’ve said the band came together just days before your first show. How did that chaotic beginning shape the chemistry between the three of you?
Keagan: Our first time playing together as a trio was on stage; this set the tone for what was to come. From the start of the band, we’ve performed with every ounce of energy we can put out. Backyards, basements, dive bars, and clubs, it doesn’t matter where we are or who we’re playing to. What matters is that we’re together, making music we love. We have and always will carry ourselves with that mindset.
“Umbilical Cord” is packed with explosive energy and jerky rhythms — how did this track come together, and what does it mean to you?
Keagan: This track came to be in a similar fashion to our others. Gray started by introducing the opening riff after jamming on it a bit. I came up with the rest of the track, the lyrics were improvised throughout the first few live performances, and after a few months, the song was complete. To us, the song is a great happy medium between our love of progressive rock and punk. Some have told us it’s a “King Crimson-esque track.”
Your self-titled album includes both new and older tracks. How did you choose which songs made the cut, and what story does the collection tell about 027?
Keagan: This newest CD is a compilation of the past 2 years of being a band. We think these songs blend well and create a glimpse of the evolution of 027. Since we thrive onstage, we included some live tracks. We hope that gives people a different perspective on us; we are not only a sludge-fuzz band, but a punk band who can create a memorable, high-energy performance
As you continue to self-produce, how has your approach to recording and songwriting changed between Light of the Black Sun, You’re Not Supposed to Know, and now?
Gray: The songwriting has remained largely the same; someone comes to practice with an idea and we jam on it, adding parts and sections until it becomes a song. From there, they usually get refined as we start playing them live. That’s how Light of the Black Sun came together, as well as Umbilical Cord. However, our recording process has become a lot more meticulous. Light of the Black Sun was recorded live off the floor in my basement in about 4 hours, but for Umbilical Cord and most of You’re Not Supposed to Know, all of the instruments were tracked individually over the course of a few months. The drums and bass were still tracked in my basement, but the vocals and guitar were recorded in our storage unit, where we jam.
You’re known for playing high-energy, all-ages shows and lifting up younger bands. Why is that so important to you, and what has the response been like from your community?
Keagan: All ages shows have been important to us since day one. We were 17 when we hosted our second show, so we felt it wasn’t fair to book or throw shows that weren’t accessible to everyone. This has never changed; our most recent show in Orangeville saw nearly 80 young people packed in a small local hall. All our gigs but one up until the end of June are all ages
The band seems to be evolving fast. What are some goals you’ve set for the rest of 2025?
Keagan: We strive to continue a consistent gigging schedule throughout the summer and hope to do some more recording this fall. Our songwriting and setlists continue to evolve, and we are excited to lay down some of our new ideas on tape and draw on our new experiences in the studio.
Upcoming Shows:
06.07.25 Toronto, ON @ Steelworks Hall
06.08.25 Kitchener, ON @ Midnight Run
06.14.25 Aurora, ON (early) @ 169 Edward st
06.14.25 St Catherine’s, ON (late) @ NAC Center
06.22.25 Toronto, ON @ Seascape **19+
06.28.25 Kitchener, ON @ Union