Ken Mode - Free Sampler & North American Tour - Idol Threat: Warning Shots at the Mainstream

I love Noise Rock. Unsane, Swans, The Jesus Lizard, Boredoms, Zeni Geva, Melt Banana, AmpRep Records… There’s just something about unpleasing sounds set to drums and rhythm. Not as extreme as pure Noise yet more abrasive than normal rock, it’s as if the harshness adds an exclamation mark to everything played (or not played.) Dissonance, distortion, atonality, it seems that my ears have some sick fetish for being grated and abused, a sort of sonic masochism if you will. I guess that makes Noise Rock more of an every day fuck and pure Noise the stuff you make safe words for. But I disturbingly digress, what was this post about?... Ah yes, music.

Ken Mode is a self-described “metallic Noise Rock” group from Canada. Formed by brothers Jesse, (guitar/vocals) and Shane Matthewson (drums) and Darryl Laxdal (bass), the group released several demos from 1999 to 2003 before releasing their debut full length "Mongrel" on Escape Artist Records. Chad Tremblay replaced Darryl on bass and they released "Reprisal" in 2006 and "Mennonite" in 2008. Their self-described tagline is pretty accurate in terms of their overall sound, with the vocals being more on the clean-hardcore-yell/David Yow side. I prefer the damaged throat-shredding of Noise Rock bands like Unsane when it comes to vocals, but don’t let that stop you from giving these guys a try. (Speaking of which, you should check out Unsane frontman Chris Spencer’s side project Celan. That’s only if you like good music though. Don’t bother if you want to keep listening to shit.)

They’ve released a sampler of their music which provides a good overview of all their releases, and you should hit them up on Myspace to purchase their cds/merch if you like what you hear. The download and links to their sites are below. They have a tour coming up and you can find the dates/locations for the tour along with a video after the jump. This upcoming North American tour will mark the first time they've been back to the US in 6 years. If you’re in Chicago May 24th I suggest you go see them at Ronny’s. I’ve only been there a few times many years ago but I remember it being about the size of a 2 car garage and being louder than hell in there. I guess it depends on the bands' equipment, but anything would be loud when the amps are 3 feet in front of you. Sonic fucking masochism.

Download Ken Mode’s Sampler: HERE

Ken Mode Official Website: http://www.ken-mode.com/

Ken Mode Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/kenmode

A few of their songs were included in a documentary on the legendary Royal Albert (‘Capricorn' being the backing for the official trailer). You can see that video below: