The 3tards

The 3tards
The 3tards perform at the Opera House in Toronto, opening for Green Jelly (July 4, 2008)
Background information
Origin	Brampton, Ontario, Canada
Genres	Punk rock Hardcore punk
Years active	2001–Present
Labels	Wounded Paw, Spinerazor, Universal Music Canada
Associated acts	Bunchofuckingoofs Razor
Website	the3tards.com
Past members	John Romanelli Michael Korban Rob Mills Gus Pynn Andrew Fox Eric Carr Keith MacIntyre Devin Fox

The 3tards were a Canadian hardcore punk rock band that was formed in Brampton, Ontario, in 2001. The 3tards released two full-length albums - Greatest Hits Vol. 2 (Wounded Paw, 2004, re-released by Spinerazor/Universal Music Canada, 2006) and Crystal Balls (Spinerazor/Universal Music Canada, 2005).

They were known for their satirically outrageous, vulgar and sexual lyrics, wild live shows including costumes, theatrics (they've staged live births, circumcisions, blood baptisms, etc. as part of their act), and socially liberal politics (for example following its legalization in Canada they held a mock gay wedding on stage between John Tard and Fox Tard, including a passionate kiss between the two). They have been described as "Canada's most politically incorrect punk band."

In late 2001, vocalist John Romanelli (John Tard) and guitarist Michael Korban (Mike Tard), best friends since childhood in Brampton, formed The Trouser Snakes with John Tard's brother-in-law Rich on bass. Originally writing songs with the help of a drum machine, the band eventually recruited another childhood friend of John Tard's, Rob Mills (Rob Tard), who was also drumming for Ontario metal band Razor. At this point the band's name was changed to The 3tards, and the band played their first and only show with this line-up at Harry Flashman's in Brampton. The show consisted of three songs for a grand total of seven minutes worth of music, and another 22 minutes of drunkenly harassing the bar's patrons from the stage.

Shortly thereafter Rich left the band, with Rob Tard taking over bass-playing duties. The band approached the (at that time former, and now current) drummer for Toronto thrash band Sacrifice Gus Pynn (Gus Tard) to play drums. This line-up played a total of 10 shows in the Toronto area.

In August 2003, Rob Tard left the band and Andrew Fox (Fox Tard), formerly of Toronto punk bands Delirium Tremor, Shitloads of Fuck-All and Los Goblynz, joined as bassist. It was at this time that the band was signed by Preston Sims of Toronto punk label Wounded Paw to record their first album, Greatest Hits, Vol 2. Recorded over December 2003 and January 2004, the album included popular anthems 3tarded, Bigger The Better, and Gay Heavy Metal Singer, an ode to legendary Judas Priest vocalist Rob Halford.

During recording, the band was invited to play a benefit concert at Toronto club The Kathedral. This was the band's first large-scale exposure to an all ages crowd, with several hundred teenagers in attendance. This proved to be a pivotal moment for The 3tards as they were quickly embraced by the all ages punk rock scene. They have since rarely played shows that were 19-plus-only.