I write about random things a lot. I write a lot about random things. There's a stigma in popular Canadian music that seems to insist that our favourite bands and artists stay here in Canada, a sort of microclimate of great music that rarely spills over into other borders.

Unless you've been living under a rock since February, you may have heard of The Sheepdogs. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan's newest favourite sons, the band have hit a new magnitude of fame for a Canadian act — that rare break into the States.

The Sheepdogs inspired Canadians all year long to vote for them in Rolling Stone's Choose Your Cover contest, which pitted them against 15 other bands in a contest to make the cover of the magazine. Not only did Rolling Stone get their first-ever unsigned act on the cover, but they learned a thing or two about what happens when Canadians have the opportunity to get behind their own.

It's fantastic to see the band get the recognition it deserves, and even better to see a Canadian band get that recognition south of the border. But in case anyone is paying attention, I know a couple other bands that I think listeners all over the continent will enjoy.

Cobourg's Gentlemen Husbands may not have been on Project Runway, but their style is evident in their thick rock songs and sharp blues riffs. Their first EP, Mirror Doll Business, may only be six songs in length, but the content of the record will have it on repeat in no time.

From the first seconds of "Family Economics" to the smooth vocal retreat that closes the title track, the band blows the door off of the small-town-band stereotype and swings for the bleachers. The only fault on the record is that it's over after only 21 minutes, as powerful as those may be.

Yet there's good news, during their set at El Mocambo in Toronto for NXNE, frontman Rick Ballard announced that they were working on new material, and the band debuted a couple of new songs, including a banger called "I've Got to Trust You" which is sure to be a big hit once it goes public.

Also sure to be a big hit is Burlington's Sandman Viper Command, who had a big year in 2011 so far with the release of their 7" EP Rough Love back in the spring. Since then, it seems as though everywhere this band goes is the place to be.

Sandman Viper Command has systematically set up and knocked each high-profile gig out of the park; from industry showcases to rooftop gigs to Edgefest 2011, the band has made a big and lasting impression this summer alone. Their brand of garage rock is somehow purer than most, and definitely worth a listen.

And their American break may come sooner than we think — the band is performing in New York City on October 22 in a day party to help close the CMJ Music Marathon and Film Festival. Whether or not that leads to more of the well—deserved notoriety the band has remains to be seen, but the last 12 months has seen the Sandman Viper Command stock go up, and they're equipped as a band that delivers.

If you'd like to know more about these artists, you can check out the usual places — for Sandman Viper Command, check them out Twitter @sandmanvc, Facebook and on their own blog sandmanvipercommand.wordpress.com; and for Gentlemen Husbands, visit myspace.com/gentlemenhusbands and their Twitter @gentlemenhusb. As a treat, consider visiting their Radio 3 profiles as well at radio3.cbc.ca. There is a surplus of great music between these bands.

And if you're interested in the latest music news, views and streams, consider following this column on Twitter @FSU_Bobbyisms or on Tumblr at bobbyisms.com, and there's always new music being introduced and discussed in the Music Recommendations thread in our FSU social network. This week is going to be a busy one for live music in London, so be sure to get out and support your favourite artists. I'm out of words.