Lae-Tseu - Discography (1996-2004)

    Lae-Tseu was an emocore and later post-punk band from Montreal, Quebec. The band was a mainstay in the Montreal scene and played shows with bands like The Plan, Shotmaker, Blake, Rockets Red Glare, Daddy's Hands, Spengler and Kiss Me Deadly. Lae-Tseu had two distinct phases, one in the late 90s and one in the early 00s. The tastefully lo-fi 1998 demo has a pretty impassioned and technical emo/hardcore flavour, with some spoken word and sing-song choruses à la Cap'n Jazz; I could maybe even compare them to the French band Petit Printemps at this stage. The original vocalist Adam left the band after recording this material.

(Dave from Daddy's Hands/Breakwater playing with Lae-Tseu at Barfly in Montreal)

    In the early 00s, Lae-Tseu shared a practice space with Daddy's Hands and that influence can definitely be heard on the 2001/2002 demos. I'm assuming the song "Emily's Last Dance" refers to Emily from Daddy's Hands (RIP). The band at this stage had a more mature and varied sound, with some gothish influence, boy/girl vocals, and keyboards/sax thrown in.

    Lae-Tseu seem to be pretty overlooked in the grand scheme of Canadian emo-adjacent stuff, but they carved out a niche for themselves and made some pretty interesting songs. It's always cool to hear emo-esque stuff that's come out of the scene in Montreal, especially since most of the bands I've posted so far from Quebec are emocrusty outfits. 

Bandcamp

Youtube

The Burlesque Drama (2001/2002 Demos) CD 2002 (The Mintaka Conspiracy)

Kepler - Discography (1996-2006)

    Kepler was a slowcore/indie-rock band from Ottawa, Ontario. I'm branching out a bit with these guys but they were definitely connected to the Ontario "scene" back in the day, being on Spectra Sonic and Troubleman records and sharing members with the post-hardcore band Weights and Measures, that being said they weren't a hardcore band. Kepler was and remains to be one of the more underrated slowcore bands to come out of Canada (and in general).

    The band originally started out with a very very slow slowcore sound reminiscent of bands like Codeine and Blue Tile Lounge; over time Kepler really matured and found their niche, a blend of indie rock and slowcore that worked exceptionally well for them. The albums Fuck Fight Fail and Missionless Days are definitely my favourite from them, with pensive lyrics, catchy guitar work and the occasional pedal steel. I've known about Kepler for a long time now, they aren't that hard to come by in the various dollar bins scattered across Canada's landscape but I have really emotionally connected with them lately and I can't recommend them enough.

Fun fact: Kepler's guitarist Jeremy Gara went on to play drums for Arcade Fire

Discography

Demo 1997

1999 Kepler 7" (Spectra Sonic)

This Heart Is Painted On CD 1999 (Spectra Sonic)

Fuck Fight Fail CD 2000 (Troubleman)

ST 7" 2002 (Resonant)

Missionless Days CD 2002 (Troubleman)

Attic Salt CD 2005 (Troubleman)

Midvale - Discography (1996-1999)

     Midvale was an emo hardcore band from Washington, DC. Guitarist Marc Krupanski, who also played in Eldritch Anisette and Network 34, showcases his tight and interesting guitar work here. Like their Maryland contemporaries Anasarca, Midvale toted a mix of punk, post-hardcore, and metal styles, along with varied song structures, mid-tempo sing-shouted vocals, and grooving guitars. In that respect, they even remind me a bit of the British band Fabric. Midvale is one of the more obscure bands I've posted here but they really shouldn't be, given all the connections they have. I blind bought the First Aid For Fireman 7" at Recordland here in Calgary a million years ago and I don't think I would have figured out they existed otherwise. Overall, the members of this band were clearly talented and they left behind a handful of very tight, catchy and interesting releases. Thanks to Tenzin for the demo rip!

Solo Releases

Living Silent Comp

First Aid For Firemen 7" 1997 (Ed Walters)

Demo 1996

Five And Six (Tie) 1998 (Status Recordings)

Dahlia Seed - Discography (1992-1996)

    Dahlia Seed was an emo/hardcore band from New York. Having one of the more productive and prolific runs of the early 90s emo scene, Dahlia Seed released 2 albums and a slew of singles in their 4 year run, all the while taking off to tour the country and play bills with many other influential bands. Dahlia Seed while under-heard and underrated, definitely contributed a lasting influence to the emo/post-hardcore scene with their unique blend of New York post-hardcore ala Quicksand and indie-rock. Lead singer Tracy Wilson expertly balances soft sing-song vocals with harsh shouts to create a fun and catchy loud-soft dynamic. I'd definitely recommend checking out their 1996 LP Survived By as it's just a total blast to listen to and one of those formative emo albums for me that I got into way back when.

Bandcamp

(I'm going to be lazy and link the discogs for this one because they have so many releases)

Discogs

Valentine's Kids Litter LP 1994 (Theologian)

Survived By LP 1996 (Troubleman)

Please Excuse All The Blood Compilation CD 1996 (Spirit Of Orr)

dis- - Discography (1991-1996)

     dis- was a math-rock/post-hardcore band from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. These guys really differ from the stuff I usually post on the blog but I think they have enough crossover and influence to warrant being included. dis- was an anomaly, an Albini-core band with plenty of influence from the hardcore scene, drawing comparisons to bands like Skinner Pilot, Slint, Rodan, Staynless, Hurl etc. dis- played shows with bands from tons of different underground scenes, from emo rockers Compound Red to grunge heroes Pond. dis- refused to be pinned down in their sound or feel. Their "Historically Troubled Third Album" is probably my favourite work from them, being recorded and mastered by Steve Albini, it has a great raw sound that compliments their laid back- grooving style and disinterested vocals. Overall, dis- is more than overlooked and a worthwhile listen.

Bandcamp

The Rest

The Historically Troubled Third Album 1996 (My Pal God)

M 386 .D57 1994 (Twelve Inch)

Small Fry Sessions 1 & 2 1993 (Twelve Inch)

Nicolae b/w Cage Me Safely 1994 (South East)