Born in Trenton, Ontario, he has recorded music under the stage names Gentleman Reg and Regina Gently.

[7] Members of Royal City and The Constantines have regularly appeared as Vermue's band, live and on recordings, as well as long-time drummer Greg Millson, who now performs with Great Lake Swimmers.

Vermue was also a member of The Hidden Cameras for several years and has performed with Broken Social Scene, sung backup for Sufjan Stevens, and often guests with Owen Pallett.

Songs by Gentleman Reg have appeared in such films as Shortbus, Wilby Wonderful, Twist, The End of Silence, Late Fragment, and on the television show Queer as Folk.

Vermue, who is openly gay,[8] appears in a cameo role in the 2006 John Cameron Mitchell film Shortbus.