| Genetic Control | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Montreal, Canada |
| Genres | punk rock |
| Years active | 1982–1986, 1998–present |
| Labels | Generic Records, Sonik's Chicken Shrimp Records |
| Associated acts | Unruled, D.B.C., Vomit and the Zits |
| Website | http://www.myspace.com/geneticcontrol1 |
| Members | |
| Mike Price Rob Porter Rob Huppé Douglas Crevier Louis Lévesque |
|
Genetic Control is a Canadian Hardcore punk band from Montreal, whose "First Impressions" single is one of the most sought after item for punk record collectors. They existed from 1983 to 1986, and then reunited in 1998. They played with many bands such as the Dead Kennedys, Charged GBH and Suicidal Tendencies. They were also known for the comical disguises they wore on stage during the band's performances.[1][2]
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Genetic Control began in 1983 when Mike Price, Rob Porter, Rob Huppé and Doug Crevier[3] joined forces with the drummer Mike Brisebois. By the end of 1983, they fired Brisebois and he was replaced by Louis Lévesque,[3] who had just quit fellow Montreal punk band Unruled.
The name Genetic Control was taken from Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, where genetic control was described as the highest form of social control, where the system is capable of doing unlimited good or bad, depending of the channel of energy chosen.[3] They also recorded a song named "Brave New World", and mention Huxley in the lyrics.
Influenced by Minor Threat and the Bad Brains, the band established itself in an old apartment block, that also served as a rehearsal space for local bands dubbed as the BBC (for Bleury Beach Club), which gave birth to the 1980s Montreal hardcore scene. Their songs are in the form of a short story, depicting people and situation as the band sees them.[3] The band first released the song "Suburban Life" on the Primitive Air-Raid compilation album on Psyche Industry Records in 1984.[1][2][3]
They wanted to record an album in 1984, but they did not have sufficient funds, and settled for a single release. "First Impressions" was released on Generic Records, of which only 500 copies were pressed. Singer Mike Price recorded while on crutches, after he was hurt in the mosh pit during one of their first shows.[3] They also recorded an album in 1985, but the master tapes were kept by the studio owner because the band did not have money to pay him. Instead he gave them a cassette copy. Many years later, the band tried to locate the master tape to allow them to mix and release it, but have never been able to do so.[1][2][4]
The band was supposed to go on tour but shortly after,[3] failing to release their LP, the band split up because of conflicts between the band members. But in the years after, their single that was already very rare, became one of the most sought after collectibles by punk rock record collectors all around the world, fetching as much as $500 on eBay during the 1990s. This prompted the German label, Lost & Found Records, to press a bootleg of the 7" on CD, with the song "Suburban Life" as a bonus track. However, the band were never paid for the article.[1][2]
Genetic Control reunited in 1998 for the Les Foufounes Électriques 15 years anniversary, playing a few shows during the summer. They then started to play regularly again, even though some members were by then in Toronto, and others in Vancouver and Montreal. In 2005, they released Brave New World on Sonik's Chicken Shrimp Records, which was taken from one of their 1998 concerts, and included a new song, the original 7" single and "Suburban Life". It became the first of Sonik's Chicken Shrimp Records releases to become out of print.[1][4][5][6]