4 Canadian boy bands you may have forgotten
Published June 27, 2025 at 4:33 pm
The late 1990s and early 2000s were the peak of boy band mania!
Backstreet Boys and *NSYNC dominated the charts, while groups like 98 Degrees, Five and O-Town followed close behind.
Believe it or not, Canada had its own wave of boy bands too! The kind whose photos we pasted in our lockers and songs we cranked up loud to sing along to.
Here are four Canadian boy bands you might’ve forgotten or never stopped loving:
The Moffatts
Think Hanson, but Canadian. The Moffatts formed in 1990 and were four brothers from BC: Scott, Dave, Bob and Clint. They played their own instruments and delivered a mix of soft-rock and pop. The group disbanded in 2001. Today, Bob and Clint tour as ‘Music Travel Love’, Dave shares covers online and Scott has produced music for stars like Luke Combs.
Popular songs: Misery and Girl of My Dreams
Released in: 1998 and 1999, respectively.
B4-4
B4-4 burst out of Toronto in 1999 with chaotic pop energy, lyrics you couldn’t believe got radio play, and a look that defined the Y2K era: spiked hair, puka shell necklaces, visors and puffer vests. The trio included twin brothers Ryan and Dan Kowarsky and their bandmate Ohad Einbinder. The group went their separate ways in 2004, but Ryan and Dan later continued making music as the vocal duo RyanDan.
Popular song: Get Down
Released in: 2000
soulDecision
Formed in 1993 in Vancouver (originally known as Indecision), soulDecision introduced smooth vocals and R&B-inspired pop into the mix. Fronted by Trevor Guthrie, the group’s cool, laid-back vibe set them apart during a time of synchronized dance moves and matching outfits. They disbanded in 2005, but reunited briefly in August 2016 for a show called “WHAM BAM” hosted by KISS Radio at the PNE in Vancouver.
Popular song: Faded
Released in: 2000
McMaster & James
This Winnipeg duo, Luke McMaster and Rob James, carved out their place in Canada’s pop scene with smooth vocals and heartfelt lyrics. They formed in 1997 and gave us emotional ballads perfect for school dance slow jams. They parted ways in 2002. A brief reunion in 2019 and 2023 reminded fans why their sound deserved more love.
Popular song: Thank You
Released in: 2000
—Cover photos via YouTube and Google images.