Artist description A four piece barrage of guitars, bass, drums and vocals.

Musical Influences Pixies, Bob Marley, The Clash, Sex Pistols,

Similar Artists Fugazi, Green Day, Bob Mould, Sugar, Frank Black

Artist History WHATEVER adjective you wish to apply to THE MESS - crass, infantile, obnoxious, outlandish - no one can claim the band isn't market savvy. Slashing and burning through trails first laid out by bands such as Failure, Therapy?, Doughboys, New Model Army, Swervedriver and the Clash, the Toronto-based group has managed to forge a musical identity that's easily packaged and intellectually undemanding. The result is a band whose collaborative efforts devise a sense of orchestration, incorporating troublesome love songs, worldly angst and humoristic parodies with overdoses of irony. Although formed in frustration as a rebuke to the stagnation prevalent in the early 90’s, they were forged by their years of experience in the Toronto underground music scene. Rock & Roll has always been a feigning game. The true dilemma for any band is whether or not it can elude or enrich its enticement. When it comes to transforming influences into something prevalent, THE MESS falls somewhere in the middle. Not quite mainstream listening, but inventive nonetheless.

Group Members Active: Mike Atkinson (vocal/guitar), Randy Nolson (drums), Mark Moore (guitar), Doug Erwin (Bass) Contributions: Glen Atkinson (Drums) Dave "Republic" David (Bass Guitar on Two Step Punch, Evelyn, Guerilla Cookies, Safe Creative Hate, Once Upon a Time and E.S.A.D)

Instruments Guitar, Bass Drums and Vocals

Albums Happy as a Bastard on Fathers Day (LP)

Press Reviews "One of the more satisfying sound-barrage bands around. The guitars build obese, monolithic structures that spill over their boundaries as bright, hyperventilating tones scamper about aimlessly. A disgruntled singer nurses his hurts in the background, lashing out with slothful monosyllables that would make Poison Idea proud." - listen.com

Additional Info Pop Ugly (EP)

Location Markham, Ontario - Canada

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