Since 2003, Montreal’s own Issue Sixteen have been spending their time releasing records and playing shows. They have performed over 500 times in 30 countries, and they aren’t done exploring the world of DIY touring; they will be supporting the Sons of Saturn in Europe, crossing Canada and the States.
Sentences turned into irony
2002
The Montreal punk scene knows at present a real period of expansion. While the label Dare To Care is about to become an inescapable, the amateurs can also count on New Romanticize For Kids who proposes the first complete album of Issue Sixteen. Adding some more original ingredients to their somber shrill punk (xylophone, harmonica, piano and even a poem of Nelligan!), The Sixteen leans on both voices different from their singers and on some strong compositions as excellent Chessgame and moving Look At Nelligan.
The Ghosts are Bleeding
2004
In 2004 Issue Sixteen released The Ghosts are Bleeding (nrk-003) wich shows the band slowly fading into a more alt-rock sound, but still seem to throw in some screams and punk parts. The ghosts are bleeding is an epic emo rock journey into Montreal’s heart sometimes screams, but sometimes sings. The rhythms aremost of the time mid tempo, but you could hear the distortion all over the headphone. They toured Europe twice with the record (once with Gameness, once again with Hopper), and they toured in Canada, mostly on the east half of the country. Notably with Sons Of Saturn.
And Starring at her hands, Ophélia said…
2006
With the release of …And Starring at her hands Ophélia Said “…” (their 3rd full length), Issue Sixteen has blossomed into a band with its unique blend of Post-Rock and Punk. Their polyrhythmic instrumental soundscapes bring to mind the sound of Explosions inthe Sky while the frenetic guitars and emo vocals are reminiscent of bands like Moneen and the Get up Kids. Mathieu Lachapelle’s lyrics read like scenes of a synopsis; they are sometimes sung, sometimes screamed, sometimes backed up by lots of voices.
