Charlie Moniz

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Charles Moniz (born Burlington, Ontario, October 31, 1980), is currently Avril Lavigne's bassist and previously held position as the drummer for the band Grade.

Charles (aka Charlie, Chaz, Chucky) attended Nelson High School in Burlington, Ontario where he was introduced to one of his first band experiences through his older sister Michelle. Already a proficient drummer by the time he started grade nine, he was snapped up by a band comprised mostly of senior students called Euphoric Crush. Charles stayed with Euphoric Crush for a little over a year, playing the Burlington, Ontario and Hamilton, Ontario bar/cub scene before the group disbanded as the lead members moved onto post secondary education. Before the break-up of the band, a demo was recorded in a practice space built in the basement of Charles's parents -- it was at this time Charles and the bassist (Paul Sveda) teamed up with Mike Baker (who engineered the recording) to form a new band in 1995.

With Baker on vocals and guitar, the threesome called themselves Balm. The group immediately fell into a steady stream of weekend shows, sparked in large part by the growing profile of the area's premiere independent record label, Sonic Unyon, and the accompanying increase in the number of viable all ages venues in the area. Balm recorded an 8-track ep, "Shoegazer", and gained enough momentum that they began headlining their own shows (despite the fact Charles's young age -- he was only 15 when the band formed -- often kept the group from appearing at non-all ages venues), gaining some notoriety around Burlington, Ontario and Hamilton, Ontario and playing with the likes of Grade, Slurpy Mundae, SianSpheric and the Rainbow Butt Monkeys (aka Finger Eleven). Balm's final recordings were 4 songs for a CD release of local Burlington, Ontario bands; produced in part by Sianspheric's Steve Peruzzi, the recordings were far and away the group's crowning achievement, showcasing both the band's Codiene-inspired glacial roar and Charles's rapidly evolving restrained style. Following a short hiatus during which time Mike moved away to university and Paul was replaced by Hamilton native Brad Isaacs, the group renamed themselves Toshiro and played two final shows (one in support of the CD release of Burlington-based electronic duo Oprph-Onic) before calling it quits in late 1997/early 1998.

Following the demise of Balm, Charles turned his attention to bass guitar while continuing to play drums for several local outfits, including Pettit Project. Shortly thereafter, Grade -- who at the time were going through personnel changes -- enlisted Charles to record and tour in support of "Headfirst Straight to Hell", the group's final release. Grade broke up in July 2002 and had their last performance at Edge 102.1 FM's Edgefest in Barrie, Ontario, but opportunity knocked once again with the offer (which arrived via a network of friends) to play bass in Avril Lavigne's band in the fall of 2002.[1]