Music Style Tech punk

Musical Influences Hot Water Music, Grade, Propagandhi

Similar Artists N/A

Artist History In March of 1994, the only line up Edmonton, Alberta's Choke would ever know was assembled for the first time. Two short months later, they played their first shows around town and began developing a strong reputation. Their immediate success with live audiences was quickly followed by the release of their first album, 'Lotion', in August of that year. The debut album and its supporting tours were extremely successful, with 'Lotion' selling in excess of 1000 units. Ready to expand and grow as a band, the group's second album was recorded over several months at a variety of studios and rehearsal spaces around Edmonton. Engineered and produced by Edmonton's Brent Oliver, "Give'er" was completed and subsequently released in September of 1996. Following a sold out CD release party, Choke embarked on a period of heavy touring, playing close to one hundred shows in just over a year. Through road trips and short tours with such bands as Trigger Happy, Good Riddance, Diesel Boy and Jughead's Revenge, they managed to carve out an undeniably strong following in cities large and small across western Canada. In response to their growing popularity, Choke teamed up with Winnipeg based Smallman Records to release their third album, "Needless to Say". Arguably one of the most intense and innovative bands in Canada, Choke finally had the opportunity to have their music heard nation wide. The album hit stores across Canada in January, 1998, and went on to sell out of it's first pressing of 1000 copies within 6 weeks. The album was also well received by media and radio, as it stayed on the National College Radio Charts (EARSHOT!) for four months, peaking at #15. In support of 'Needless to Say', Choke played on a number of tours across North America, including slots on Sno-Jam and dates with Bad Religion. Since then, they have stayed on the road full time, headlining their own shows across Canada and the USA, as well as touring with California's No Use For A Name and New York's Kid With Man Head. Their most recent tour was across Eastern North America in May/June 1999, highlighted by their headlining appearance on BOARDFEST II throughout Quebec. The follow up to "Needless to Say" was recorded in late August 1999 by Blair Calibaba, who is responsible for recent albums by Gob, Brand New Unit and By a Thread. Touring for the new album began in September 1999, when Choke hooked up with Fat Wreckchords band's Strung Out and Mad Caddies for shows across North America. After that Choke will continue to cross the continent well into 2000. If the response to "Needless to Say" was any indication, 2001 should be a year in which Choke becomes a mainstay in punk music.

Group Members Stefan Levasseur, Shawn Moncrieff, Caly Shea, Jack Jaggard

Instruments Geetas and drums

Albums Lotion, Give er, Needless to Say, Forward

Press Reviews In my eyes, Winnipeg's Smallman Records is rapidly becoming the quintessential label for some of the best in Canadian punk. The bands on Smallman are shining examples of intricate and technical punk; blending the elements of California melody with complex timing and whirlwind tempo changes, to create a truly unique style of music. At the most extremely complicated and creative center sits Edmonton's Choke. Their last album, 'Needless To Say' was hailed by the Canadian press as one of the greatest releases to ever come out of the great North. A mesh of melodic complexity and lyrical genius, 'Needless T Say' was without a doubt, a milestone in the career of this great band. With their new album, 'Foreward', Choke continues to display some of the most unique punk imaginable; and while not as immediately gripping as 'Needless To Say', 'Foreward' is in its own right, an album of multifaceted, disjointed melodic punk that only solidifies Choke as one of the most talented bands going today. On first listen, the opening track "Recoil" sets a mood of rapid fire chord changes, off-beat rhythms and shifting melodies. Chaotic breaks are incredibly controlled; there is so much going on, that it is truly hard to believe that Choke could even remember where the hell they are in the song, let alone play it with such direction. Amid the double barrel dose of guitars, the vocals ramble in their own rhythm, dispelling abstract thoughts with a stream of imagery. Vocally, Choke are one of those bands that may or may not effect your ability to embrace them. Often nasally and high pitched, the vocals initially threw me off guard. Coupled with the often melodic and odd-timed delivery, the vocals are as intricate to Choke as the music that pours out behind. At their most direct, like the fabulous "Numb Phase", Choke are the prog-punk equivalent of ALL or Lagwagon. But there is such a uniqueness to their sound, that even the most straight-forward of tunes involves more aspects than the majority of most records. A some point, having recently discovered the chaos of The Dillenger Escape Plan, Choke seem to me to be what DEP would sound like should they attempt to infuse melody and control into their unbridled style. Honestly, I am in total awe of the process it must take to write and perfect songs of this nature. The complexity here is staggering. But alas, this may be the only downfall for this incredible band. In a scene dominated by steady power-driven rhythms, and aggressive vocals, Choke may be difficult for the average punk fan to get into. I admit, when I first heard them, I was so confused at the time changes and stop start rhythms, that I didn't know whether to praise them or turn them off. Only after getting acquainted with their music did I begin to fully appreciate all 'Foreword' has to offer. And I witnessed first hand the confusion of those unfamiliar with the band, at their recent opening stint for AFI. There was so much happening...not the steady paced punk those in attendance were accustomed to, but a brilliant display of seizure inducing tempo changes. The more I listen to Choke, the more I picture a rapid-fire punker Fugazi, with all the rhythmic fluctuation and intensity that coats the underbelly of some fantastic melody. On tracks like "One Less Thing At A Time", Choke pull in the reigns on their usual maximum overdrive to exhibit a beautifully written acoustic number that simply enchants. And without missing a beat, "Lifeline" follows with one of the most melodic and downright confusing sets of tempo changes I have ever heard. The song fucking tears things up...this sounds like an emo band playing hardcore. On the final track, "I've Told Myself A Thousand Times", Choke pull no punches in displaying their unrivaled penchant for melodic punk with more than a fair share of speedy drumming and some great progressive breaks in between a straight forward delivery. Without a doubt, this may be the best drummer I have ever had the pleasure of hearing...and seeing him do this live was un-fucking-believable. In a perfect world, Choke would be considered the end all of abstract melodic angst-ridden punk; the band in which all bands of this nature are judged. But as luck would have it, Choke are most likely to be misunderstood rather than accepted, and that is a terrible injustice. Though the vocals, and the excessive tempo changes may not be your bag, there is no way in hell anyone with any respect as to musical prowess could ever use the term "they suck" with Choke. After 4 albums, and numerous tours with the likes of Strung Out, AFI and countless other elite of the American scene, Choke is a band that has earned the right to be heard and appreciated for one serious fucking whallop on the head of originality in the scene. One of the most talented and under-heard bands around, Choke deserve your undivided attention at least for a listen; you can say you have heard a great fucking band that is honestly like no other...and that in itself makes me proud to be a fan

Additional Info Across The Water, Split with Layaway Plan, Adhesive and Astream

Location Edmonton, Alberta - Canada

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