Les Modes

What later became les modes started off with a few after hours jam sessions between guitarist Findlay Sontag and bassist Stew Elton at weeds cafe, where they are both employed and first met. The project stemmed from a mutual love of post punk and alt rock bands like The Sound, Joy Division, The Smiths, Wire, and Sonic Youth, among many others. They continued writing together and eventually recruited No River's Trenton Shaw on drums.
Les Modes is unique in the fact that they borrow from so many different bands, spanning different eras that their sound is somewhat undefinable. They can go from punk to psychedelic to grunge to funk in one set, but are not limited to any genre or style. Being a three piece allows them to be very tight whilst exploring and jamming with live improvisations. Jangly, delayed guitar riffs over catchy, rhythmic bass lines and minimal dance-rock drums give the group a signature nostalgic sound. Les Modes has been active since summer 2011.