if you ever have a chance to see fred live, do yourself a favor and go
Anybody into Godspeed! You Black Emperor? Montreal post-rock collective. 20 minute apocalyptic songs with guitars and violins.
Also, I used to adore a Toronto band called Moxy Fruvous that used to play at Styleen's Rhythm Palace in Syracuse a lot. 4 members standing side-by-side, including the drummer (very Velvets-like).