After 16 years, more than a thousand live performances, and a reputation as Canada’s ultimate party band, Dwayne Gretzky is bringing the spirit of their celebrated live show to listeners everywhere. Dwayne’s World Vol. 1 collects 20 standout performances from the band’s wildly popular Dwayne’s World YouTube series into their first-ever live covers album, available digitally September 15 and on limited-edition vinyl September 18.

Recorded completely live off the floor inside a painstakingly recreated Wayne’s World-inspired basement set, the collection captures everything that has made Dwayne Gretzky a beloved live act: infectious energy, remarkable musicianship and an unmistakable joy for celebrating some of the greatest songs ever written.

Among the collection’s defining moments is the band’s rendition of Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure,” a natural showcase for the scale and chemistry of Dwayne Gretzky’s ensemble. Tackling a song built around the interplay of two unmistakable voices, the band approaches the classic with the same philosophy that guides the entire project: honour what makes the original timeless while allowing the personalities and strengths of their own rotating cast of musicians to shine through.

“Under Pressure” sits comfortably within an album designed to move with the dynamics of a Dwayne Gretzky concert. From the euphoric singalongs of “Radio Ga Ga” and “Take On Me” to the emotional sweep of “The Chain,” the collection jumps effortlessly across decades and genres while continually building momentum.

Since launching Dwayne’s World in July 2025, the series has quietly become one of the band’s biggest success stories. Featuring lovingly recreated performances filmed inside the custom-built set, the videos have attracted more than 100,000 new followers while generating over 2 million streams. Their rendition of Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al” has garnered 1.3 million views and resonated with audiences around the world, helping introduce Dwayne Gretzky to listeners across the United States, Europe and beyond.

Rather than treating the recordings as polished studio productions, the band embraced the spontaneity that has always defined their concerts. Every performance was captured live, with no overdubs, while three cameras rolled simultaneously. Each session consisted of only three takes before selecting the strongest performance, preserving the chemistry that has developed after 16 years of playing together.

“Typically we shoot five songs in a day, working from around noon to 5pm. They’re very fun, albeit hectic shoot days. We definitely move quickly and work efficiently,” DG’s Nick Rose elaborates. “These are live recordings with no overdubs and obviously having three cameras rolling adds to the pressure overall, but it’s a fun challenge and everyone in the band always rises to the occasion.”

That live immediacy runs through all of Dwayne’s World Vol. 1. Mixed by guitarist Ian Docherty, the album balances faithful interpretations of beloved classics with the unmistakable personality of the musicians performing them. The material stretches across rock, pop, soul, new wave, country and beyond, with each selection beginning with genuine affection for the original before being matched with the strengths of the band’s singers and players.

“It’s enjoyable to try new things, mix it up, and continue to push our musical boundaries,” Nick says. “We pride ourselves on our versatility, of being able to cover a wide range of music. It’s just fun to celebrate these great timeless songs together and try to bring them to life to the best of our collective abilities.”