METZ (official capitalization) is a Canadian punk rock band formed in 2007 in Ottawa,[11] and currently based in Toronto.[12][13][14] The band consists of guitarist and vocalist Alex Edkins, bassist Chris Slorach and drummer Hayden Menzies.[10] In an interview with Austin, Texas zine The Cosmic Clash, Edkins has labeled METZ's style as punk rock, "at the core."[11]
METZ | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Ottawa, Ontario, Canada |
Genres | |
Years active | 2007 | –2024 (on hiatus)
Labels | Sub Pop, Royal Mountain, Three One G, Swami Records |
Members |
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Past members |
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Website | www |
History
editMETZ was formed in Ottawa, Ontario, in 2007 by guitarist/vocalist Alex Edkins and drummer Hayden Menzies, two longtime friends soon joined by Chuck Saso on bass. After a year of working on material, Edkins and Menzies decided to move Toronto, while Saso stayed in Ottawa. In Toronto they found their new bassist, Chris Slorach.[15]
METZ released their eponymous debut album on the Sub Pop label in 2012.[16] The album was named on the 2013 Polaris Music Prize long list.[17] The band performed a "homecoming show" at Lee's Palace in Toronto that year.[18]
On February 17, 2015, the band announced a new album, II, with the release of the album's first track, "Acetate", and an accompanying music video; the album was released May 5, 2015, in North America and the previous day elsewhere.[19] II was a long-listed nominee for the 2015 Polaris Music Prize.[20]
In May 2017, METZ announced their third studio album, Strange Peace, recorded by Steve Albini, which was released on September 22, 2017.[21][22]
Drummer Hayden Menzies has a degree in fine art from Concordia University and designs the artwork for the band.[22]
In July 2020, METZ announced that their fourth studio album, Atlas Vending, would arrive on October 9 via Sub Pop.[23]
On February 14, 2024, METZ announced their fifth album Up On Gravity Hill. The album was released on April 12 followed by a tour. On October 10, 2024 the band announced an indefinite hiatus to take time to focus on other endeavors and enjoy more time at home with family.[24]
Band members
editCurrent members
edit- Alex Edkins – guitars, vocals (2007–2024)
- Hayden Menzies – drums (2007–2024)
- Chris Slorach – bass (2008–2024)
Former members
edit- Chuck Saso – bass (2007–2008)
Discography
editStudio albums
edit- METZ (2012, Sub Pop)
- II (2015, Sub Pop)
- Strange Peace (2017, Sub Pop)
- Atlas Vending (2020, Sub Pop)
- Up on Gravity Hill (2024, Sub Pop / Dine Alone)[25]
Compilation albums
edit- Automat (July 12, 2019, Sub Pop)
Live albums
edit- Live At Ramsgate Music Hall (July 3, 2020, Bandcamp Download Only Release)
- Live at the Opera House (August 4, 2021, Sub Pop)
Singles
edit- "Soft Whiteout" / "Lump Sums" (January 13, 2009, We Are Busy Bodies)
- "Ripped On The Fence" / "Dry Up" (June 9, 2009, We Are Busy Bodies)
- "Negative Space" / "Automat" (August 10, 2010, We Are Busy Bodies)
- Metz / Fresh Snow - "Pig" / "BMX Based Tactics" (April 21, 2012, The Sonic Boom Recording Co. / Sub Pop) - "Pig" is a Sparklehorse cover
- "Pig" (April 21, 2012, The Sonic Boom Recording Co. / Sub Pop)
- "Dirty Shirt" (October 8, 2012, Sub Pop)
- Polaris Prize 2013 (2013, Scion Sessions / Sub Pop)
- "Wait In Line" Promo (November 13, 2015, Sub Pop)
- "Can't Understand" (December 4, 2015, Adult Swim / Sub Pop)
- "Eraser" (January 22, 2016, Sub Pop)
- Metz / Swami John Reis - "Let It Rust" / "Caught Up" (April 16, 2016, Swami Records / Sub Pop)
- Metz / Mission Of Burma - "Good, Not Great" / "Get Off" (April 16, 2016, Sub Pop)
- "Acid" / "Slow Decay" (March 12, 2021, Sub Pop)
- Metz / Adulkt Life (March 4, 2022, Sup Pop)
References
edit- ^ Moores, JR (May 25, 2015). "Belgian noise-rock: the shape of punk to come". The Guardian. Retrieved October 3, 2017.
- ^ Sauers, Camille. "Metz Gears Up to Bring Their Noise Punk Vibes to Paper Tiger This Fall". San Antonio Current. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
- ^ Bell, Mike. "Canuck noise-punk act METZ raise the bar by finding a Strange Peace in uncertainty". The YYScene. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
- ^ Pencz, Vivian (6 May 2013). "METZ brings its noise-punk brutality to the Biltmore". The Georgia Straight. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
- ^ Olivares, Rick (June 3, 2018). "Canadian hardcore band Metz pummels Manila". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
- ^ Bakare, Lanre (April 29, 2015). "Metz: 'If you can smother a melody in noise and grit, that's perfect'". The Guardian. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
- ^ Keane, Brian. "Metz review: Hardcore made even harder by Steve Albini". The Irish Times. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
- ^ Cober-Lake, Justin (October 14, 2020). "METZ: Atlas Vending". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
- ^ Reis, Robbie. "Metz". Pitchfork. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
- ^ a b Music: Sub Pop post-punks Metz care little for your sensitive eardrums". Denver Post, 05/03/2013.
- ^ a b Ackerman, Greg. "Interview: Alex Edkins of Metz talks pandemic, Austin scene". The Cosmic Clash. Retrieved 14 May 2023.
- ^ Hughes, Josiah (15 June 2012). "METZ Sign to Sub Pop, Plot Debut Album for October Release". Exclaim!. Retrieved 31 December 2015.
- ^ Minsker, Evan (9 October 2012). "Rising: Metz". Pitchfork Media. Retrieved 29 November 2014.
- ^ "New band of the day: METZ. The Guardian, September 27, 2012.
- ^ "METZ at Ottawa Citizen". Retrieved 22 May 2024.
- ^ "Meet METZ, Toronto’s newest rock trio". The Globe and Mail, October 5, 2012.
- ^ "Polaris Short List Anncounced" Archived 2013-06-18 at the Wayback Machine. NXEW, July 16, 2013.
- ^ "Concert Review: Metz homecoming a next-level affair". National Post. Noah Love, May 21, 2013
- ^ Coughlan, Jamie (17 February 2015). "METZ Stream 'Acetate', Announce Album, Tour". Overblown. Retrieved 18 February 2015.
- ^ "Polaris Music Prize Announces 2015 Long List". Exclaim!, 16 June 2015. Retrieved 1 January 2016.
- ^ "METZ - Strange Peace • Sub Pop Mega Mart". Sub Pop. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- ^ a b Hunt, El (September 22, 2017). "Back to the drawing board: Metz". DIY. Retrieved 2017-09-24.
- ^ Strauss, Matthew (21 July 2020). "METZ Announce New Album Atlas Vending, Share Video for New Song". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2020-07-22.
- ^ Fu, Eddie (10 October 2024). "METZ Announce Indefinite Hiatus". Consequence. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
- ^ Treble Staff (February 14, 2024). "Metz announce new album, Up On Gravity Hill". Treble. Retrieved March 8, 2024.