"Not being punk enough for the punks and being too punk for the indie kids, people don't know where to throw us," says drummer Dave Brown. "The result usually sees us playing some interesting mixed bills, which we all like even though there are usually some confused faces."
Maybe you've been one of them. Rounded out by Lachie MacDonald on guitar and vocals and Alex Mitchell on bass, Dyscontrol has been steadily playing shows around town since 2011. These gigs are generally blink-and-you'll-miss-it experiences, as MacDonald admits their show is a "relatively fast-paced affair."
"I'm not very good at talking into the microphone in between songs, so we tend to play our songs in quick succession," he says. "I don't like doing things in front of other people that isn't rehearsed. I tend to talk like a robot."
For those who haven't heard Dyscontrol, there are plenty of other descriptors besides robot talk. Their songs sear and smoulder, but they are also far more substantial than most punk out there these days. This could be attributed to the band's disciplined approach to songwriting---MacDonald favours minimal and straightforward sounds over anything too frilly.
"I can get a bit of a bee in my bonnet when effects are overused and saturate the sound of bands," he says. "The use of dynamics over noise saturation tends to be my personal preference. I think that shines through in what I bring to the band, but who knows. I spend too much time thinking about it."
These dynamics are on full display on the band's upcoming "Lies"/ "Calling Back" seven-inch, which will be released on June 28 from Sewercide Records. Brown is happy to be releasing this single on his own label and believes that these songs mark a clear progression for the band.
"I feel the new record is us really starting to get a sound down," he says. "When you get to that point you can't help but feel like going forward. It will be interesting to see where things go from here."
Dyscontrol w/Moonsocket, The Reference Desk, Friday, June 21, 10pm, Gus’ Pub, 2605 Agricola Street, $5
