This week marks the group's first trip east, but their friendly mugs will be familiar to many Haligonians, as members of False Face have helped a bunch of local bands put on shows in Kingston. Guitarists Mark Streeter and Stephen Guy started out as musicians in Moncton and St. John's, respectively, and agree that east coast bands past and present have been an influence. Both landed in Kingston to pursue PhDs, played a lot of MarioKart together and decided to transfer some of that racing energy into a band. Paul Saulnier (who fronts PS I Love You) joined in on drums. Streeter says, "We didn't really know anybody else who wanted to be in a band that referenced Alice Munro and sounded like Sonic Youth on a bad day, or else we probably would've asked them to join also."
Speaking of Munro, False Face's song titles could just as easily be the titles of good short stories. This spring they released their third cassette, Lifeboat/Bad Coach/I Channel the Animals (available for free download at falseface.bandcamp.com) on Guy's tape/vinyl label, Thing Itself (thingitself.com). This new offering has already received online love from Exclaim! and Weird Canada, with press often focused on what the music will do to your hair: raise it and blow it back, for starters.
Let these guys give you a new 'do at your choice of bar or house show, Thursday and Friday. Recommended welcome gifts might include a map to the lake or a bag of those President's Choice hot dog-flavoured chips.
False Face w/Debbie Diamond & The Fat Stupids, Vagrant Hearts, Nerd Army, Thursday, July 21, 9pm
, Gus' Pub, 2605 Agricola Street, $5False Face w/Bloodhouse, Bird World, Watermelon Eating Contest, Friday, July 22, 9pm, 6317 Lawrence Street