Shotmaker (band)
Encyclopedia
Matt, Tim and Nick from Belleville, Ontario, Canada formed Shotmaker in 1993, a post-hardcore/emo/screamo outfit who played aggressive yet melodic hardcore music.
The group parted ways in 1996, but released their double CD retrospective The Complete Discography: 1993-1996 in 2000, comprising the entirety of their recorded material [not correct], including several tracks exclusive to compilations and three unreleased songs. 33 of the 43 tracks were lifted straight from vinyl due to DAT tapes being lost.
From their first 7” (pulled due to its controversial cover illustrating a child holding a pistol) to their final LP, Shotmaker’s success lies in the intermingling of explosive riffs and complex, flowing rhythms, creating tensions best exhibited in Table, where tempos and time signatures shuffle in and out at break-neck speed. However, a number of disparate moods are explored, such as the abrasive curve or the restrained controller.controller. The trio approach catchy on 10/22/94, and an untitled instrumental track on their final album includes nothing but acoustic guitar played over radio frequency white noise.
The lyrics are rather ambiguous, sung and screamed with an urgency that complements the unyielding compositions. There is a sincerity about something, but just exactly what is open for interpretation.
Shotmaker’s members went on to play in such bands as the short lived 30 Second Motion Picture, Three Penny Opera and more recently The Grey.
Singles/EP’s
Compilation Contributions
Compilations
Biography
Shotmaker’s catalogue comprises three 7”s, two full length LP’s and a 12” split EP. There is also a Shotmaker Demo Tape which is not included in the Complete Discography Double CD.The group parted ways in 1996, but released their double CD retrospective The Complete Discography: 1993-1996 in 2000, comprising the entirety of their recorded material [not correct], including several tracks exclusive to compilations and three unreleased songs. 33 of the 43 tracks were lifted straight from vinyl due to DAT tapes being lost.
From their first 7” (pulled due to its controversial cover illustrating a child holding a pistol) to their final LP, Shotmaker’s success lies in the intermingling of explosive riffs and complex, flowing rhythms, creating tensions best exhibited in Table, where tempos and time signatures shuffle in and out at break-neck speed. However, a number of disparate moods are explored, such as the abrasive curve or the restrained controller.controller. The trio approach catchy on 10/22/94, and an untitled instrumental track on their final album includes nothing but acoustic guitar played over radio frequency white noise.
The lyrics are rather ambiguous, sung and screamed with an urgency that complements the unyielding compositions. There is a sincerity about something, but just exactly what is open for interpretation.
Shotmaker’s members went on to play in such bands as the short lived 30 Second Motion Picture, Three Penny Opera and more recently The Grey.
Trivia
- The band Controller.ControllerController.controllercontroller.controller was a Canadian indie rock band from Toronto, Ontario. The band consisted of vocalist Nirmala Basnayake, guitarists Colwyn Llewellyn-Thomas and Scott Kaija, bassist Ronnie Morris and drummer Jeff Scheven. The band took its name from a song by Shotmaker. The band formed in 2002...
took their name from a song on Mouse Ear [Forget-Me-Not].http://www.gothamist.com/archives/2004/10/13/controllercontroller_in.php
- The vinyl LP "The Crayon Club" has accidentally (?) written "The Candy Club" on the spine of the sleeve.
Discography
Albums| Title | Date of Release | Label |
| The Crayon Club | 1994 | The Great American Steak Religion The Great American Steak Religion The Great American Steak Religion was an independent record label which released many notable hardcore records from the likes of Shotmaker, His Hero Is Gone, and Chokehold during the 1990s. Originally based in Ottawa at 5 Arlington Ave, Yannick moved to Quebec City and then Montreal, taking the... |
| Mouse Ear [Forget-Me-Not] | 1996 | Troubleman Unlimited |
Singles/EP’s
| Title | Date of Release | Label |
| Little Kid 7" | 1993 | Kung-Fu Manticore |
| Bull 7" | 1994 | Kung-Fu Manticore |
| Split 7" w/ Watershed | 1994 | Vital Communications |
| Split 12" w/ Maximillian Colby Maximillian Colby Maximillian Colby was an Emocore band formed in the early 1990s in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Never reaching much popularity outside of Harrisonburg during their lifespan, they established a unique sound melding epic post-rock and punk, recognized years later by bands like City of Caterpillar, A Day... |
1995 | Nervous Wreck Kids |
Compilation Contributions
| Song Title | Compilation Title | Date of Release | Label |
| Pilot | All The President's Men | 1994 | Old Glory Records |
| 7:14 | heartattack #10 | 1996 | Ebullition Records Ebullition Records Ebullition Records is an independent record label and distro based out of Goleta, California. It published HeartattaCk, a zine focusing on independent punk and hardcore from around the world, informed by an anti-consumerist and D.I.Y. ideology.... |
Compilations
| Title | Date of Release | Label |
| The Complete Discography: 1993-1996 | 2000 | Troubleman Unlimited |