A Primitive Evolution 

Brett Carruthers—Vocals, Guitar and Synths

Steph Misayo Seki—Bass and Synths

Stu Dead—Drums, Percussion, Dirty Beats

Owen Mackinder—Live Keys, Samples and Lights

Out of the primordial soup comes A Primitive Evolution (A.P.E.). Given the gift of sentience, they are here to create a constantly evolving soundtrack to our world with their dark, alternative rock music. Their most recent release is a collection of three songs featuring their unique take on the Motörhead song "Ace of Spades." This release was recorded, produced, and mixed by frontman Brett Carruthers who keeps himself busy producing and mixing bands (The Birthday Massacre, USS, Android Meme) and also playing bass for "The Birthday Massacre." In 2018 APE recorded their debut release on Metropolis Records "Becoming" at their self-built Desolation Studios in Toronto, ON. The album features collaborations with Writer / Producer Ian D’Sa (Billy Talent, The Lazy's) and Audio Engineer Kenny Luong (Cancer Bats, Metric). Known to be raw and visceral, with soul and beauty: A Primitive Evolution is best consumed at extremely loud volumes! 

2023 was a big year for the band which saw them supporting rock legends "The Sisters of Mercy" on the North American Leg of their world tour. Awarded "Best Rock Band" by the 2015 Toronto Independent Music Awards, A Primitive Evolution has toured and showcased at prestigious festivals CMW, NXNE & Indie Week Canada, and received strong support from Canadian Music Industry stalwarts Alan Cross (CFNY 102.1 The Edge, ajournalofmusicalthings.com)and George Stroumboulopoulos (MuchMusic, CBC). 

Pulling together a complex array of influences including Nine Inch Nails, Muse, The Cure, Tool, The Prodigy, Ministry, Radiohead, U2, Vivaldi, Alice in Chains, Guns N’ Roses and more, A Primitive Evolution’s rhythm-based attack blurs the lines of rock, electronica and all aspects between. 

“Creation is evolution” observes A.P.E. singer Brett Carruthers, “that’s what I figure we're trying to say with A Primitive Evolution. As evolved as we think we are as humans or animals, we are very much at the beginning of the evolution of mankind. We have so much to learn and yet so much has changed in the last hundred years. We have a long way to go as a species. We want our band to reflect that too, showing our raw emotions, doing it out of instinct and evolving naturally; not overthinking, just having some fun existing on this planet.”

Management: 
Michael Kuhnert michael@soundproofagency.com 
 

Label: Metropolis Records 
Jim Smith Jim@metropolis-records.com 

Similar Bands: Nine Inch Nails, Royal Blood, Queens of the Stone Age, Mastodon, Ghost BC, Tool, Deftones, Alice In Chains, Smashing Pumpkins, Refused, Marilyn Manson, White Zombie, The Kills, A Perfect Circle, Muse, Silversun Pickups, Placebo, Him, Faith No More, AFI, Sound Garden, My Chemical Romance.

Some things that were written about them: 

-These kids know how to birth an earworm. -Rue Morgue Magazine 

-Toronto’s ‘A Primitive Evolution’ are characterized by their raw, honest musical output and visionary “Alice in Wonderland-esque” music videos. A rock act that puts in effort and passion in all ways and all directions. -Rawramp Magazine 

-The Prize is born. A Primitive Evolution’s second record vibrates with soul, grit, rock and eerie goodness. -Scallywag Magazine 

-Epic is pretty much the only way to describe A Primitive Evolution’s music. -Punk Globe Magazine 

-A Primitive Evolution is something to get excited about. When I first jacked in, I was startled not only by the maturity in their sound but in the way it was so keen to resonate. Their music is easily met, easily embraced, and impossible to let go. -Bigger Than Beyonce 

-This Canadian alternative blues rock band embrace an evolution of industrial synthesized resonances and altered sampling to create a unique balance of old school rock n' roll with the modern influence of electronica... -Music News 

The performance itself was dynamite. If anyone in Toronto knows how to take advantage of a stage its these guys. A feral, unmatched energy that rips through the air and into the night, taking the crowd along with it, and voiding them of conventional salvation. -Toronto Music Scene  

RECENT ACCOLADES

-Metropolis Records Label signed Artist, with debut single produced by Ian D'Sa (Billy Talent). 

-Main Support for Econoline Crush in Hamilton and Guelph, November 2025. 

-Main Support for The Rasmus at Axis Club Toronto, May 2025. 

-Eight dates as Main Support for The Sisters of Mercy, US National Tour in 2023. 

-Fifteen dates as Main Support for Raymond Watts (PIG), US Eastern Seaboard Tour in 2019. 

-Ten-year annual headlining Artist at Krampus Ball, Opera House Toronto. 

-Awarded Best Rock Band at the 2015 Toronto Independent Music Awards.

Contact: Brett Carruthers at info@aprimitiveevolution.com