Our Lady Peace
Canadian alternative rock band with ten studio albums and diamond sales.
Our Lady Peace (often called OLP) is a Canadian alternative rock band that got its start in Toronto in 1992. The group has always been fronted by vocalist Raine Maida, and its current lineup includes bassist Duncan Coutts, guitarist Steve Mazur, and drummer Jason Pierce. Over their career, they’ve sold millions of albums globally, collected four Juno Awards, and earned ten MuchMusic Video Awards—tying with Billy Talent for the most MMVAs ever won by a band. Several of their singles have cracked the Top Ten on a Canadian chart (the overall Singles Chart, the Rock Chart, or the Alternative Rock Chart). From 1996 to 2016, they were among Canada's top-selling bands, though specific rankings vary by source.
The band has put out ten studio albums, one live album, and two compilations. Their first album, *Naveed* (1994), went quadruple platinum in Canada. It featured the breakthrough single "Starseed," which peaked at No. 11 on the US Modern Rock Tracks chart and did not chart on the US Mainstream Rock Tracks chart, and the title track, which peaked at No. 4 on Canada’s Alternative Rock Chart. Their 1997 album *Clumsy* reached No. 1 in Canada and is seen as their signature work. It was certified Diamond in Canada; its title track hit No. 1 on the Canadian Singles Chart, and the lead single "Superman’s Dead" reached No. 2 on Canada’s Alternative Rock Chart. In the US, *Clumsy* went platinum, with the title track peaking at No. 5 on the US Alternative Rock chart. The 1999 album *Happiness... Is Not a Fish That You Can Catch* also hit No. 1 in Canada and went triple platinum there. Its singles "One Man Army" and "Is Anybody Home?" reached No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, on Canada’s Alternative Rock Chart. Critics often praise the band’s first four albums for their unique sound, and Maida’s vocals have been described as "erratic" and "truly unrivaled."
The fifth album, *Gravity* (2002), marked a "radical departure" from the band’s earlier style. Maida confirmed the shift, calling it "vastly different." *Gravity* hit No. 2 in Canada and became the group’s fifth straight—and last—double platinum seller there. "Somewhere Out There" and "Innocent" reached No. 1 and No. 2 on the Canadian Singles Chart, respectively. In the US, *Clumsy* was their highest-charting album, peaking at No. 5; "Somewhere Out There" was their most successful
- formed
- 1992
- origin
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- genre
- Alternative rock
- nationality
- Canadian
- key_members
- Raine Maida (vocals), Duncan Coutts (bass), Steve Mazur (guitars), Jason Pierce (drums)
- notable_albums
- Naveed (1994), Clumsy (1997), Happiness... Is Not a Fish That You Can Catch (1999), Gravity (2002)
- awards
- 4 Juno Awards, 10 MuchMusic Video Awards
Lore & Background
Our Lady Peace formed in 1992 when guitarist Mike Turner placed an ad in Toronto's Now newspaper. Michael Maida, a criminology student, replied first, and the two formed a band with drummer Jim Newell and bassist Paul Martin. After Martin departed, Chris Eacrett joined on bass. Turner and Maida met producer Arnold Lanni at a music seminar, and the band began writing with him. The name changed to Our Lady Peace after a Mark Van Doren poem. An independent video for 'Out of Here' aired on MuchMusic. After Newell left, session drummer John Bouvette filled in, and the band signed with Sony Music Canada in April 1993.
Reader's Guide
Our Lady Peace stands as a significant force in Canadian alternative rock, achieving commercial success and critical recognition over three decades. Their debut album Naveed established them with a distinctive sound, while Clumsy became their signature work, reaching Diamond status in Canada and earning them a lasting place in the country's music landscape. The band's ability to evolve, as seen in the stylistic shift of Gravity, allowed them to maintain relevance and achieve their highest US chart position. Their ten studio albums, multiple Juno Awards, and record-tying ten MuchMusic Video Awards underscore their impact. Between 1996 and 2016, they ranked as the third best-selling Canadian band and ninth best-selling Canadian artist overall in Canada, reflecting sustained popularity. Their legacy includes influencing the Canadian rock scene and producing nineteen Top Ten singles on Canadian charts, with songs like 'Starseed' and 'Clumsy' remaining emblematic of 1990s alternative rock.
Did You Know?
- Our Lady Peace has won ten MuchMusic Video Awards, the most ever awarded to a band, tied with Billy Talent.
- Their 1997 album Clumsy was certified Diamond in Canada, representing sales of one million copies.
- The band's name comes from a Mark Van Doren poem of the same name.
- Gravity (2002) was their highest-charting album in the United States, reaching No. 9.
More in Alternative rock groups from Toronto 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record