Cowards
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"Cowards - Demo Tape Review"

Bought it in Olympia, sounds like it could be from Olympia (which is a polite way of saying that it sounds kinda pretentious even though it’s really good), and it was recorded in Vancouver. I’m gonna go ahead and say that COWARDS are from Canada, since I really like the tape and find myself generally fond of Canadians. COWARDS hit on so many cylinders on this demo…immediately, they remind me of JESUS LIZARD, but that comparison fades after the first song. The combination of distorted vocals and DK-esque high end guitar repeatedly stabbing leads into the rhythm section creates an aura reminiscent of feisty goth bands, but COWARDS sound to hip (and even a little too rock ‘n roll) for that. “Human Smear” starts off with such a minimally infectious riff, and then they break it expertly into half time and make it even better - all this before the song even starts. “In The Mouths Of 13 Year Olds” follows, and the vibe is complete…COWARDS are THE VSS on Dilaudid plus UNSANE wearing suits and playing in a candlelit goth club. Now the only thing more pretentious than the music is my magniloquent description of the music. - Terminal Escape Blog


"Cowards - Demo Tape Review"

Bought it in Olympia, sounds like it could be from Olympia (which is a polite way of saying that it sounds kinda pretentious even though it’s really good), and it was recorded in Vancouver. I’m gonna go ahead and say that COWARDS are from Canada, since I really like the tape and find myself generally fond of Canadians. COWARDS hit on so many cylinders on this demo…immediately, they remind me of JESUS LIZARD, but that comparison fades after the first song. The combination of distorted vocals and DK-esque high end guitar repeatedly stabbing leads into the rhythm section creates an aura reminiscent of feisty goth bands, but COWARDS sound to hip (and even a little too rock ‘n roll) for that. “Human Smear” starts off with such a minimally infectious riff, and then they break it expertly into half time and make it even better - all this before the song even starts. “In The Mouths Of 13 Year Olds” follows, and the vibe is complete…COWARDS are THE VSS on Dilaudid plus UNSANE wearing suits and playing in a candlelit goth club. Now the only thing more pretentious than the music is my magniloquent description of the music. - Terminal Escape Blog


"Cowards"

Although I’d seen Cowards before, their set for Black Summer still blew me away with its brilliant intensity. Burly vocalist Keith Wecker billowed around, taking giant gulps of beer between bursts of lyrics he hurled outwards to the audience like the angry words of God. The drunken preacher was joined by a noisy and thoroughly loud ensemble. Taking obvious cues from noise bands like Killing Joke and the Jesus Lizard, Cowards provided a steady, shuddering close to the evening. While they were a little rough around the edges, maybe that’s what made them so much fun to watch.

Fraser Dobbs - Discorder


"Killing Joke / Cowards @ Venue, Vancouver BC, December 14, 2010"

I got to Venue in time to catch local openers Cowards do their best Jesus Lizard impression. This isn’t a slam either; I liked what I heard as far as their music goes. I just found the whole we-really-don’t-give-a-shit-to-be-here affectation to be laid on a little thick. It’s not like I expect cartwheels onstage, but the slightest hint of enthusiasm might have been called for – considering you landed a gig opening for the band who’d helped invent the genre you’ve clearly taken the majority of your influence from. Knowing zero about Cowards prior to the show (there are a bunch of bands with the same name on MySpace), I wasn’t sure where they were from, and a couple of members had the Joy-Division-era, Factory Records (anti-)look down to a T. But then I saw the lead singer swigging from a bottle of Pilsner Old Style onstage, so that was a dead giveaway that they were definitely from nearby.

Kyle Harcott - Hellbound.ca


"Killing Joke / Cowards @ Venue, Vancouver BC, December 14, 2010"

I got to Venue in time to catch local openers Cowards do their best Jesus Lizard impression. This isn’t a slam either; I liked what I heard as far as their music goes. I just found the whole we-really-don’t-give-a-shit-to-be-here affectation to be laid on a little thick. It’s not like I expect cartwheels onstage, but the slightest hint of enthusiasm might have been called for – considering you landed a gig opening for the band who’d helped invent the genre you’ve clearly taken the majority of your influence from. Knowing zero about Cowards prior to the show (there are a bunch of bands with the same name on MySpace), I wasn’t sure where they were from, and a couple of members had the Joy-Division-era, Factory Records (anti-)look down to a T. But then I saw the lead singer swigging from a bottle of Pilsner Old Style onstage, so that was a dead giveaway that they were definitely from nearby.

Kyle Harcott - Hellbound.ca


"Onieda/Cowards Anza Club, Vancouver BC Aug 22nd"

First, Cowards, a relatively new Vancouver band, got the night rolling. Featuring various members of Vancouver’s thriving noise scene, as well as members of local favourites Certain Breeds and Fortress, Cowards struck a balance between their other projects by concocting a volatile brand of noise rock that commanded the audience’s attention. Sharp post-punk guitar lines went head-to-head with lumbering bass, a combination that brought to mind Albini-era Jesus Lizard. Even the bellowed vocals of frontman Keith Wecker were reminiscent of the legendary David Yow. A promising start for a band that’s sure to gain some attention outside of their hometown.

Mark E. Rich - Exclaim!


"Onieda/Cowards Anza Club, Vancouver BC Aug 22nd"

First, Cowards, a relatively new Vancouver band, got the night rolling. Featuring various members of Vancouver’s thriving noise scene, as well as members of local favourites Certain Breeds and Fortress, Cowards struck a balance between their other projects by concocting a volatile brand of noise rock that commanded the audience’s attention. Sharp post-punk guitar lines went head-to-head with lumbering bass, a combination that brought to mind Albini-era Jesus Lizard. Even the bellowed vocals of frontman Keith Wecker were reminiscent of the legendary David Yow. A promising start for a band that’s sure to gain some attention outside of their hometown.

Mark E. Rich - Exclaim!


Discography

7" Singles:

"In The Mouths of Thirteen Year Olds"
b/w "See 'Em, Be 'Em", "Join Together To Stop the Cake"

Self-released, 2012.

Cassettes:

S/T - 5 song demo

"CMBM", "Human Smear", "In the Mouths of 13 Year Olds"
"Join Together to Stop the Cake", "Magic Swede"

Self-released, 2010.

Photos

Bio

Early Life

Kevin Vincent "V" Vecker (January 15, 1984 – February 12, 2012) was a Canadian lead vocalist, primary lyricist, and a founding member of the rock band Cowards. He was born and raised in Fort Langley, British Columbia to Margaret (1954 – ) and Leonard Vecker (1967 – ).

Cowards

Vecker formed Cowards in the winter of 2010 with friends and schoolmates Spencer Junstrom (bass), Josh Rossington (guitar), and Corey Burns (drums). Cowards' name is a mock tribute to a gym teacher the boys had in high school who disapproved of male students with sloping shoulders.

Personal Life

In his spare time, Vecker enjoyed soccer and was a fan of
Grinderman. Although he never married, he was not gay.
Vecker had several run ins with the law, especially in 1999 when he was arrested for hurling Spencer Junstrom out of a second story hotel room.

Death

On February 12, 2012, a Ford Aerostar carrying the band
between shows from Greenville South Carolina, to Baton Rouge, Louisiana, crashed outside of Gillsburg, Mississippi. Vecker died in the crash on impact, after the car struck a tree. Remaining band members survived, although all were injured. According to bandmate Josh Rossington and family members, Vecker frequently discussed his mortality and told them that he would never live to see twenty-seven. Vecker was twenty-eight at the time of his death.

Bassist Spencer Junstrom took over as the bands new lead singer by the time the group had recovered the next day.

L.K.F