Music
The best kept secret in music
Press
...Fusing elements of math rock, with its off-kilter timing, haunting, eerie vocals and wails...Kingdom Shiny Sparkly is a layered, challenging rock album.
-Fateema Sayani - The Ottawa Citizen: July 15, 2004
...Fusing elements of math rock, with its off-kilter timing, haunting, eerie vocals and wails...Kingdom Shiny Sparkly is a layered, challenging rock album.
-Fateema Sayani - The Ottawa Citizen: July 15, 2004
It's clear that the members of KYGC have upped the ante with this album. Powerful songs, marvellous production by the band and Jason Fee, and vocals that carry a hint of a certain UK band. It can't miss.
-Allan Wigney - The Ottawa Sun: July 14, 2004
It's clear that the members of KYGC have upped the ante with this album. Powerful songs, marvellous production by the band and Jason Fee, and vocals that carry a hint of a certain UK band. It can't miss.
-Allan Wigney - The Ottawa Sun: July 14, 2004
“KYGC combines refreshingly unique vocals, elaborate, atypical bass lines, simple but soothing guitar riffs and original drum beats to create a sound that is pleasingly fresh in a world full of repetitive, copycat alternative rock bands.” - Mark Ostler
“KYGC combines refreshingly unique vocals, elaborate, atypical bass lines, simple but soothing guitar riffs and original drum beats to create a sound that is pleasingly fresh in a world full of repetitive, copycat alternative rock bands.” - Mark Ostler
Procedures For Underground -
When a rock album is named after a book of poetry written by Margaret Atwood circa 1970, you know you're in for a bit of a downer. Procedures does tend to dwell on some miserable topics - self-delusion and chronic isolation, mostly. These dreary ruminations lead to equally dreary imagery )cold winds, underground tunnels, exploding heads and such). Still, what could have easily been a bad Radiohead knock-off instead turns out to be a wonderfully original and polished effort, thanks to some painstakingly deliberate arrangements and frequent stylistic left turns (including the use of steel guitar on This Crowded Room, a great song and the closest thing to a bright spot on the whole disc). No party tunes here, but well worth your time. - Wes Smiderle
Procedures For Underground -
“Opener 'Slogan For Hypocrites' channels Adam Duritz and his Counting Crows, particularly their 'Recovering the Satellites' CD, weaving a swirling outro underneath singsong 'bap ba-da-da' vocal whimsy, while 'Jars For Paper Men' is a straight-up rocker, with a downstroked chorus and soaring vocals. The mood throughout is a mix of relaxed-bordering-on-tripped-out, combining an understated rock aggression with elements like violin, a healthy dose of keys and female vocals… Instrumentation is almost perfect here…Between vocals, drums, bass, guitar and keys, a synergy is reached, feeding the general vibe without any one instrument overlapping or overpowering another…” - Mike Postma
Procedures For Underground -
When a rock album is named after a book of poetry written by Margaret Atwood circa 1970, you know you're in for a bit of a downer. Procedures does tend to dwell on some miserable topics - self-delusion and chronic isolation, mostly. These dreary ruminations lead to equally dreary imagery )cold winds, underground tunnels, exploding heads and such). Still, what could have easily been a bad Radiohead knock-off instead turns out to be a wonderfully original and polished effort, thanks to some painstakingly deliberate arrangements and frequent stylistic left turns (including the use of steel guitar on This Crowded Room, a great song and the closest thing to a bright spot on the whole disc). No party tunes here, but well worth your time. - Wes Smiderle
“[Procedures for Underground] is melodic and haunting, one song flowing effortlessly into the next, creating a continuous wave of music.” - Jessica Padykula
“[Procedures for Underground] is melodic and haunting, one song flowing effortlessly into the next, creating a continuous wave of music.” - Jessica Padykula
2002 BEST OF…
Procedures For Underground:
-among the top Rock/Pop releases of 2002, with 4.5 stars
-#9 on Wes Smiderle’s list of Top 10 Albums of 2002 - Wes Smiderle
2002 BEST OF…
Procedures For Underground:
-among the top Rock/Pop releases of 2002, with 4.5 stars
-#9 on Wes Smiderle’s list of Top 10 Albums of 2002 - Wes Smiderle
Discography
Procedures for Underground - 2002
Kingdom Shiny Sparkly - 2004
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
In 1999, the band of 5 - then called Juniper - set out to compete in the Elbow Room's Battle of the Bands in their native Ottawa. Vocalist/guitarist Jon Chandler, guitarist/vocalist Steve Bragg, bassist Conor Wild, and drummer Chris Wilson placed 2nd in the competition, which gave them the opportunity to take a stab at recording their first release. Their self-titled debut record was released in May of 2000.
With an indie disc to boast, they soon began performing around the town at venues such as the infamous Zaphod Beeblebrox. Still in high school, the band was thrown on several bills with other local acts, and every now and then they would support touring bands passing through town.
After a humble attempt to self-produce another demo, Juniper caught the ear of Dark Skippy Records owner John Dooher in 2001, and subsequently found themselves signed to the label. After spending a year in the studio with engineer and co-producer Jason Fee, the newly formed and named Keep Yourself Good Company released their sophomoric 'Procedures For Underground.'
After a packed CD release party at Barrymore's Music Hall in Ottawa and with the album receiving fine reviews across Canada, the band set out for weekend outings to Toronto and Kingston, while the album continued to climb campus radio charts. Along the way, KYGC enlisted the aid of longtime friend and guitarist Aaron Libbey to help reinforce their new, thicker sound. Drawing on such distinct influences as Radiohead, A Perfect Circle, The Flaming Lips, DJ Shadow, and many more, KYGC has recently completed a follow up to 'Procedures'. 'Kingdom Shiny Sparkly,' an album that finds the band exploring new musical territory, was released July 17th to enthusiastic reviews. The band currently is planning shows across Canada and was recently voted Best Local Live Band by the Ottawa Xpress' Reader's Poll.
Branching out from the Ottawa scene, KYGC has played alongside many talented musicians, such as By Divine Right, The Pocket Dwellers, Spookey Ruben, The Familiars, The Swallows, Run Chico Run, Chris Coleplaugh, and many others.
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