| KEN mode | |
|---|---|
KEN mode performs live circa 2002 |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada |
| Genres | Noise rock, sludge metal, post-hardcore |
| Years active | 1999–present |
| Labels | Escape Artist, Arctodus, No List, Profound Lore |
| Associated acts | Hide Your Daughters, Electro Quarterstaff, Kittens, Projektor, Velodrome |
| Website | ken-mode.com |
| Members | |
| Jesse Matthewson Shane Matthewson Andrew LaCour |
|
| Past members | |
| Darryl Laxdal Drew Johnston (live bass) Jahmeel Russell Chad Tremblay Thérèse Lanz (live bass) |
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KEN mode (an acronym for Kill Everyone Now[1]) is a Canadian metallic hardcore-influenced noise rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba that was formed in September 1999.
Contents |
Formed by brothers Jesse (guitar/vocals) and Shane Matthewson (drums) and long-time friend Darryl Laxdal (bass), the group released several demos from 1999 to 2003, leading to the release of their debut full length Mongrel on Escape Artist Records.[2][3]
Several tours followed with the likes of Relapse Records' The End ,[4] Sulaco and American Heritage [5] in addition to regional dates with Mastodon, Burnt By The Sun, Anodyne, Pelican, Harkonen, Breather Resist, The Dream is Dead, Psyopus, Daughters, and Buried Inside across the Midwestern and East Coast United States, and throughout Canada. In 2004 Laxdal left the band,[6] only to rejoin in 2005 to finish the band's follow-up record Reprisal, released in 2006 on CD by Escape Artist Records, and on double-LP by No List Records. After the recording of Reprisal Laxdal and the band parted ways again.[7] Picking up bass duties after Laxdal's departure was Drew Johnston (guitarist in Electro Quarterstaff)[8][9] who also played with Jesse, Shane and Darryl in Hide Your Daughters.
In October 2006 the band took part in the "Exclaim! Magazine Aggressive Tendencies Tour" with Pelican and Daughters across Canada.[10] Bass duties were handled by former Kittens and Projektor member Jahmeel Russell who played with Jesse, Shane and Drew in Hide Your Daughters.[11]
KEN mode went on to work with Jahmeel for the band's third full-length, Mennonite, which was released in July 2008[12] on CD by Jesse Matthewson's own label, Arctodus Records, and on 3x7" vinyl by No List Records.
Prior to releasing Mennonite, Chad Tremblay joined the band as their fourth bassist in two years. The band embarked on a European tour with Welsh rockers Taint.[13] Chad would go on to direct the bands debut music video for the song "Extending Common Courtesy Throughout The Evening" from their Mennonite album.
In 2010 the band announced that Profound Lore Records will release its fourth full length album, titled Venerable, to be recorded August 2010 with Kurt Ballou of Converge. They also announced several North American tours with Gaza, Engineer, Rosetta, Buried Inside, Wolvhammer, Clinging To The Trees Of A Forest Fire, and others.[14] In June 2011, KEN mode toured the US with Deafheaven.[15]
On June 19, 2011 the band played the Hellfest (French music festival) Open Air festival in Clisson France.