Rough Trade – A trailblazing, politically charged, punk-inspired New Wave rock band (Arts & Entertainment)
Rough Trade was formed in Toronto in 1974 by multi-instrumentalist Kevan Staples and vocalist Carole Pope. Notorious for the openly sexual nature of their songs and the burlesque theatricality of their live performances — which often included bondage and sexual satire — the band was one of the first mainstream musical acts to include explicitly gay and lesbian references. Four-time JUNO Award winners Rough Trade are best known for the risqué, controversial hit single High School Confidential, which was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020. Rough Trade The Musical, written by Pope and Kate Rigg and starring Chilina Kennedy, is being workshopped in New York. A documentary on Carole’s life based on her autobiography Anti Diva is in development with the CBC, produced by Michelle Mama and Gay Agenda.
In partnership with Anthem Entertainment Group and Live Nation, Rough Trade will be inducted into Canada’s Walk of Fame alongside 12 other Canadian music legends at Canada’s Rock of Fame on Sept 28 at Massey Hall in Toronto!