Deraps, Canada’s new hard-rock powerhouse, is touring the United States for the first time ever this month, bringing their late-’70s-inspired sound to American stages.
This band is led by Jacob Deraps, a Quebec-born guitar phenomenon whose Van Halen covers gained attention on YouTube and earned praise from The Official Van Halen News Desk. After signing with Metalville Records and securing a publishing deal with Anthem Entertainment, Jacob Deraps and Australian co-writer Josh Gallagher released their self-titled debut album in 2022.
Now, following the successful writing, production, recording, and mixing of their explosive second album, Viva Rock N’ Roll, which was released on May 23, 2025, to glowing reviews and a surprise #1 rock sales debut in Japan, the band is finally touring America.
“Touring the U.S. has always been a dream of mine,” explained Jacob Deraps. “I’m so excited to finally do it for the first time. To me, this is the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll, where my favorite bands and guitar players flourished—Van Halen, Randy Rhoads, Guns N’ Roses, Ratt, Dokken, Extreme, Steve Vai, Jake E. Lee, Steve Lukather, and so many others—these guys are my heroes!”
Now in his twenties, Jacob Deraps has already accumulated impressive accolades at a remarkable pace, including Best International Guitarist — Via Nocturna (Portugal), recognized by the Japanese rock press as “the one keeping the spirit of Van Halen alive”, and winner of the Zappa Foundation Award in his teens.
Deraps will be performing in Great Falls on February 25th at The Newbury Theater. The show promises to be a full-scale rock celebration, featuring high-energy rock ‘n’ roll, selections from their first two albums, killer classic-rock covers, and a significant tribute to Eddie Van Halen.
By Karen Anderson: February 11, 2026 – Great Falls, Mt
Author: Karen Anderson
Karen is the Editor-in-Chief overseeing all news operations at Foxys Publishing Co. She also loves photography and spending time with her dogs.
