Jesse F. Keeler

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jesse F. Keeler
Keeler performing in 2005
Keeler performing in 2005
Background information
Birth name Jesse Frederick Keeler
Born November 11, 1976 (1976-11-11) (age 31)
Origin Toronto, Canada
Genre(s) Rock, dance-punk
Years active 1998-present
Label(s) Ache, Sound Virus, Last Gang, Vice, 679
Associated acts Black Cat #13, Death from Above 1979, MSTRKRFT

Jesse Frederick Keeler (born November 11, 1976 in Toronto) is a Canadian musician. He is perhaps best known as the bassist of former Canadian rock band duo Death from Above 1979, as well as being one half of the electronic music group MSTRKRFT.

Keeler's multi instrument musical talent (known to sing, play drums, guitar, bass, keyboards, saxophone, as well as produce and write) has led him to create a variety of styles of music over his career. From the pummeling hardcore of Standing 8, the then forward thinking synth punk of Black Cat #13, the drum and bass/garage house sounds of Casino Steel, the Dance-punk of Death From Above 1979 or more recently the electro/house/punk of MSTRKRFT.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Keeler first started off playing in many different local Toronto bands, his most popular project being Black Cat #13. Black Cat toured with The Locust and released several now collectible 7" records. Once Black Cat split, he formed his own 7-piece music project, Femme Fatale. Though the live band broke up, Keeler recorded all 3 of the released EPs himself, with production work from longtime friend Al Puodziukas (AKA "Al-P"), a longtime friend of Keeler's, with whom he would later go on to form MSTRKRFT.

Keeler intended on recording the 3 Femme Fatale EPs in one continuous take, but found that the drumming could be fresher sounding if Sebastien Grainger, played on one of the EPs. At the time Grainger was playing in the live incarnation of Femme Fatale and it made sense. This was only the beginning of their musical partnership. Keeler had recorded 3 bass + drum instrumentals which he showed Grainger who then expressed a desire to sing on them. After trying to find a drummer with no luck, Grainger tried singing and drumming at the same time, result of which became Death from Above 1979.

After touring extensively for DFA1979's second release, You're a Woman, I'm a Machine, the band took time off. Keeler finished building MSTRKRFT studios in East York, Toronto, and started up MSTRKRFT along with producer Al-P. On August 4th, 2006, DFA1979 officially announced their breakup via their website, making MSTRKRFT Keeler's full-time occupation.

[edit] Current occupations

At present, Keeler and Al-P are touring with MSTRKRFT, doing select remixes and are working on their second LP, slated to be released in September of 2008.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Femme Fatale

[edit] Death from Above 1979

[edit] MSTRKRFT

[edit] References

[edit] External links

Languages