Gashrat claim to have been playing music together since 1994. A vintage year. The same year that Deerhoof, Kottonmouth Kings, Godspeed You! Black Emperor and the Spice Girls all started their careers. Only I’m not sure how much to believe them.I've no doubt that the Montreal four piece are one of the best bands I’ve heard in a while and their vicious mix of scuzzed punk and gravel rashed melody is presented with a quality buzz. The sound is not new but it doesn't sound old either.The video for the track “I Decided”, which was edited by the band’s Rodna Howart, includes some of the best things in life; pastries, amateur boxing, foot baths and band stickers on fridges. This all accompanied by a song that is as tough and hard as an avocado pit in compost.We sent the band’s Kelly Kay some questions to find out more.Noisey: I first heard you on that Plastic Factory comp. You were the best band on it. Was that a good representation of the Montreal scene?
Kelly Kay: It does represent a segment of the Montreal scene and what a specific crew of people are doing right now. We’re kind of the wild card on the album but it’s cool to be included on it. No sweat off our backs.You are a band that switch instruments a lot. Does this affect how you write a set list or do you just go with the moment and don't bother with set lists?
Right now, we are switching a bunch but we do write a set list. We go through phases where we switch a lot and others where we keep it to a minimum. We’ve been playing together since 1994 so, you know, we try to mix it up and keep evolving. So to answer your question, yes and no.Where is your favourite place in Montreal to play? Why is that? Are there many house party shows?
We like playing at Casa del Popolo because everybody who works there is super hot and cool. We also like playing at Brasserie Beaubien because the staff is also super hot and cool. There aren’t that many house shows here, but there are some loft spaces that put on shows often enough. It’s hard to keep a loft space open in the city, though – the looming threat of crooked PIGS is too much for most people to handle/just ridiculous. RIP la Brique, Friendship Cove and the Womb.Gashrat's album will be available June 15 on Hot Releases.
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Kelly Kay: It does represent a segment of the Montreal scene and what a specific crew of people are doing right now. We’re kind of the wild card on the album but it’s cool to be included on it. No sweat off our backs.You are a band that switch instruments a lot. Does this affect how you write a set list or do you just go with the moment and don't bother with set lists?
Right now, we are switching a bunch but we do write a set list. We go through phases where we switch a lot and others where we keep it to a minimum. We’ve been playing together since 1994 so, you know, we try to mix it up and keep evolving. So to answer your question, yes and no.Where is your favourite place in Montreal to play? Why is that? Are there many house party shows?
We like playing at Casa del Popolo because everybody who works there is super hot and cool. We also like playing at Brasserie Beaubien because the staff is also super hot and cool. There aren’t that many house shows here, but there are some loft spaces that put on shows often enough. It’s hard to keep a loft space open in the city, though – the looming threat of crooked PIGS is too much for most people to handle/just ridiculous. RIP la Brique, Friendship Cove and the Womb.Gashrat's album will be available June 15 on Hot Releases.