"...The 12-song collection [Ghosts of the Royal Motel] is perfect barroom cool. He's got one of those rough ‘n' tumble voices that lures you in right with the opener, “Angels,” a lyric about everyday angels that features a verse by prominent guest vocalist Amanda Rheaume. A great storyteller, Allaire has some standout lines in “Bourbon.” ..."
        - Canadian Musician Magazine

"If he goes on like this for a few more years, no shit, he's on his way to being the next Canadian music legend"
"You can punch any track at random on this disc and end up with a gem."
         - Barry Hammond - Penguin Eggs

"... reminds me of the classic Neil Young albums and Buffalo Tom. Varying from pure country to rockers, from pleasant good feeling folk to the adventures of Wilco ... We knew that John Allaire is a great talent, but to prove that in such a convincing and and mindblowing way, no........ we never saw this coming."
          - Rootstime Radio, Belgium

"... add one part Strummer, one part Westerberg, sprinkle with rootsy guitars and a Canadian accent, eh ... infectious North Americana" - CBC Radio

John Allaire is an experienced, award-winning singer/songwriter. His lyrical depth, sprinkled with real life stories about people that everyone can relate to, and his ability to connect with an audience makes both his recorded material and live shows an intimate, edgy and eclectic experience. John is no stranger to performing and recording his own brand of guitar-driven alt-country/roots/folk. Whether playing solo, as he is more apt to do these days, or with the Campistas, John delivers a unique musical experience that does not easily fit into one genre. His well-arranged work is driven by sincerity and humour.

John has shared the stage with: Alanis Morrisette, Blue Rodeo, Tragically Hip, Donovan, Lynn Miles, Hoodoo Gurus, BoDeans, Dr. and the Medics, The Church, VSpyVspy, Nada Surf, Econoline Crush, Weddings Parties Anything, Tom Cochrane, Grapes of Wrath, Nils, and many more...

AWARDS
CBC Telefest top independent music video in Ontario
Top independent video in Canada 1989 as selected by MuchMusic
PROCAN (now SOCAN) independent songwriter award for "Cry at Night"
Canadian College and University Radio Assoc. top album of the month - "All's Well"

That was then...
Starting his professional music career in 1984, John has been in a number of bands, including the award-winning "The Town Cryers", a band that reached the number one spot on seven radio stations in Canada with their first release in 1987 called "All's Well".

Allaire toured the country with the Cryers all the while releasing their 1989 CD, "Surprise Surprise", which included a supporting video for Allaire's song "Never Bin Hurt B-4". The video won honours as top independent video in Canada in 1989. The CD also had the dubious pleasure of being the first release in Canada by an independent band on the emerging CD format.

The Town Cryers parted ways in 1992, but not before recording a whopping 18-track CD called "Stanley's Cup".

In 1995, John founded the alt/punk band The Mercy Miners, playing with such signed recording artists as Econoline Crush and Nada Surf. The Mercy Miners released a 10-song CD called Knuckle Sandwich in 1997.

In 2003, John released his first solo effort called Crime and Punishment. The album was a 12-song collection and, while not doing much in the way of charting on radio stations, the CD sold more than 1,000 copies (admirable for an independent release), including copies numbering in the hundreds on the east coast of Canada and the USA. 2005 saw the release of his best-selling CD to date, "Thank You Waitress!".

John's latest release "Ghosts of the Royal Motel " is out now and is garnering rave reviews as his best career work.