Dabsters, Les

Websites:  No
Origin: Montréal, Québec, 🇨🇦
Biography:

Hailing from the working-class neighborhoods of St-Henri and Verdun in Montreal, Les Dabsters were a scrappy young garage band that brought a raw, unfiltered energy to the mid-60s Quebec rock scene. While many francophone bands of the era stuck to translating British and American hits, these guys dared to do something different—crafting their own originals with attitude and grit.

Their 1966 debut single, released on the tiny Passe-Temps label, showcases that rebellious streak. "J’en ai assez" is the clear standout, a snarling, Them-inspired garage rocker driven by jagged guitars, a menacing vocal sneer from singer Normand Beaudet, and a propulsive rhythm section. There’s a distinct sense of urgency in the track, as if the band is channeling their frustrations into every note. The song wouldn't have felt out of place in the smoke-filled dance halls of Montreal’s edgier youth scene, where raw energy mattered more than polish.

On the flip side, "Tu le sais bien" takes a more restrained approach, but still carries that garage edge with moody melodies and tightly wound guitar work. While it might lack the punch of the A-side, it complements it well, showing a more melodic, but still rough-around-the-edges, side of the band.

The single earned Les Dabsters some well-deserved attention, landing them spots on Quebec TV shows like Bonsoir Copains, Jeunesse En Orbite, and Surboum. But despite their promise, tragedy struck in 1968 when guitarist Denis Beaudet passed away, and the band ultimately called it quits.

Today, "J’en ai assez" stands as a hidden gem of Quebec’s 60s garage rock scene—an electrifying snapshot of a group that could have gone much further had fate allowed. If you’re a fan of raw, no-frills 60s rock with a rebellious streak, this is definitely worth a listen.