From Orillia Garage Jams to Global Airwaves: Bleeker’s Unstoppable Rock Journey

Wednesday, 12 August 2026 00:05

From their early days as teenage prodigies in Orillia to earning international chart hits and Juno nominations, high-energy rock outfit Bleeker remains a cornerstone of regional pride

Long before their songs were lighting up international radio charts, touring across continents, or garnering Juno Award nods, the story of Bleeker began on the quiet residential streets of Orillia. Formed in 2003, the original group—then known as Bleeker Ridge—was built around two pairs of brothers: Taylor and Cole Perkins, alongside Dan and Dustin Steinke. Meeting at a local Orillia music shop when the youngest members were just 12 years old, the boys bonded over a shared obsession with vintage classic rock, cutting their teeth on the complex riffs of Jimi Hendrix and Joe Walsh.

Named after Bleeker Street and Ridge Avenue—the two Orillia roads where the band members grew up—the young quartet quickly turned heads across the region. Their prodigy-level musicianship and fierce, shirt-off stage presence belied their young age, catching the eyes of major industry executives while they were still in high school. By 2010, Bleeker Ridge had inked a major deal with Roadrunner Records, launching them onto the national stage.

As the years progressed, the band underwent a vital transformation. Following the departure of the Steinke brothers in 2016, Taylor and Cole streamlined the group’s name to simply Bleeker and refined their sound into a swaggering, hook-loaded hybrid of alternative rock, garage grit, and bluesy flair. Joined by bassist Mike "Dutch" Vandyk, drummer Chris Dimas, and guitarist Tim Kehoe, the Orillia outfit proved that their early potential was just the opening act.

Through every lineup evolution and record release, Bleeker has maintained a permanent home on The Bay’s playlist, serving as a shining benchmark for local talent made good.

Key Anthems: Songs That Defined Their History

Over the past decade and a half, Bleeker has built a deep catalog of hard-hitting rock anthems that have defined their sound.

"Small Town Dead" (2010)

The breakout hit that introduced the band to Canada at large. Written during their Bleeker Ridge era, this hard-rocking title track surged into the Top 10 on Canadian Active Rock radio. The tongue-in-cheek music video, featuring an appearance by Trailer Park Boys actor Robb Wells, captured the restlessness and gritty charm of small-town youth.

"Highway" (2016)

The career-defining smash off their acclaimed album Erase You. Driven by Taylor Perkins’ raw, soaring vocal delivery and infectious guitar grooves, "Highway" peaked at #4 on the Canadian Rock charts and cracked the Top 15 on US Mainstream Rock radio. The success earned Bleeker a 2017 Juno Award nomination for Breakthrough Group of the Year.

"Give a Little Bit More (Disaster)" (2020)

A slick, groove-heavy alternative single that reinforced the band's international reach, charting on the US Billboard Alternative charts and proving their ability to pivot seamlessly between heavy rock swagger and modern alt-pop sensibilities.

The New Chapter: "Outside"

Bleeker continues their momentum with their latest single, "Outside," featured on their record Elephant.

"Outside" captures the band at the height of their songwriting maturity. Anchored by a heavy, driving rhythm section and explosive guitar work, the track pairs their signature stadium-ready energy with deeply vulnerable lyricism. Frontman Taylor Perkins navigates themes of personal flaws, isolation, and searching for human connection when life feels overwhelming.

With its soaring chorus and unvarnished production, "Outside" stands out as an immediate crowd-pleaser that fits right alongside the band's classic catalog on the dial. Two decades after picking up their first instruments in an Orillia living room, Bleeker continues to demonstrate why they remain one of Central Ontario's most enduring and exciting rock exports.

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