Alexisonfire is a post-hardcore band from St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada. Their music is characterized by turbulent and explosive dynamics with intricate guitar melodies. Consisting of five friends, they formed in late 2001 as the result of a three-band break up. The band's name is a sort-of homage to a contortionist stripper named Alexis Fire, who claimed to be the world's only lactating contortionist stripper. 1 This caused problems when she discovered that they were using her website name (alexisonfire.com) as their band name, and threatened to sue. However, since she had never copyrighted the title nothing became of these threats. Alexisonfire’s lyrical topics range from relationship troubles to go-karting, all delivered either by Pettit’s tormented screams, Green’s sweet vocal melodies or MacNeil’s sarcastic sneer.
While their largest fanbase is in their home country of Canada, they are also becoming more popular in other parts of the world. Recently they toured Europe and Australia with the band Rise Against, with numerous European venues selling out or having to be upgraded to accommodate the large number of fans.
The band was up for "ugliest rock band ever" at the CASBY awards (held by local Toronto radio station) but lost out to another Toronto born band named Sum 41.
Despite popular belief from some individuals, not helped by the band spelling their name as one word, the band is called "Alexis On Fire" not "Alex Is On Fire".
The video for Pulmonary Archery won 'Best Video' at the 2004 Canadian Independent Music Awards.
They won a VideoFACT at the 2004 MuchMusic Video Awards and New Group Of The Year at the 2005 Juno awards. The video for Accidents also won Best Independent Video at the 2005 MuchMusic Video Awards
