You Say Party! We Say Die!
Encyclopedia
You Say Party was a Canadian
five piece dance-punk
band from Abbotsford
, British Columbia
. Their album Hit the Floor!
was released in September 2005, and the band recently completed their second Canadian tour, an appearance at South by Southwest
and a tour of the United States, before touring the United Kingdom
and Germany
. Their second album Lose All Time
was released in Canada on March 20, 2007, and in the United States on Aug 18, 2007, on Paper Bag Records
, in the United Kingdom on June 18, 2007, on Fierce Panda Records
and in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on August 17, 2007, on PIAS
. Their third album XXXX
was released on September 29, 2009 in Canada, February 9, 2010 in the USA and was released on May 17, 2010 in the UK.
You Say Party! We Say Die! played their first show in April 2004, and gained some instant notoriety for their "willingness to play anything, anywhere, anytime." Their first show was played in a church basement in Abbotsford opening for Fun 100
. That year, they independently released their first EP
, danskwad , which is, according to different sources, a reference to the people who came to their shows, a name considered early on the for the band, or the name of a more or less unrelated earlier band.
In 2005, the band began receiving press as the five members toured Canada, opening for such notable acts such as The Blood Brothers and Pretty Girls Make Graves
. They released a full-length album, entitled Hit the Floor!
, in September, received some positive reviews, and performed at Pop Montreal
.
In 2006, Edmonton
-based record label Reluctant Recordings released Hit the Floor on vinyl, as You Say Party toured Canada for the second time. The group appeared at SXSW and was interviewed on MuchMusic
, as they received funding for a video of "The Gap (Between the Rich and the Poor)" from VideoFACT
. You Say Party toured the United Kingdom
and Germany
in May/June 2006, then continental Europe with a focus on the UK in August 2006, released a single for "The Gap" on UK label Cheesedream, and one for "You Did It!" on UK label Sink & Stove.
In October 2006, You Say Party was heading to the United States for a major tour; however, they did not have the proper visas to be able to perform in the United States. Since band member Stephen O'Shea is banned from performing in the United States for five years, the band cannot perform in the United States until 2011 with O'Shea.
In January 2007, after months of speculation, You Say Party finally signed an album deal with Toronto
based Paper Bag Records
label. The label features such artists as Uncut
and Tokyo Police Club
. The band released their new album, Lose All Time
, on March 20, 2007 in Canada. Lose All Time
has been released by Fierce Panda Records
in the United Kingdom and PIAS
in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
On August 26, 2008, You Say Party released Remik's Cube
, a remixed version of their previous album Lose All Time
. The digital-only release was put out on Paper Bag Digital, the online imprint of Paper Bag Records
.
After relentless touring, members began paying attention to their personal lives again, pursuing artistic endeavors and meaningful employment. They provided supportive care for adults living with disabilities, aid to the poor in developing countries, and services for the homeless in Vancouver's Downtown East Side and the message was put forth that "the loving is the everything."
The rest of 2008 was spent creating the songs that grew to become their third album, XXXX
. Collaborating with producer Howard Redekopp
(Tegan and Sara
, The New Pornographers
), XXXX was recorded between January and August 2009.
XXXX was released to critical acclaim, and reached #1 on Canadian campus radio charts in only its second week on the charts, remaining at #1 for six weeks straight. Additionally, XXXX' s lead single, "Laura Palmer's Prom", reached #1 on CBC Radio 3's The R3-30
chart the week of November 28, 2009 and the band was asked to perform on CBC Radio One
's morning show Q
. YSP!WSD! played two shows for the 2010 Winter Olympics held in Vancouver, BC. In November 2009, Aux brought Becky together with one of her idols, Martha Johnson of Martha and the Muffins
, for a fascinating cross-generational interview.
On April 16, 2010, just after the band had just finished touring the U.S. and Western Canada, drummer Devon Clifford collapsed on stage during the band's set at The Rickshaw Theatre in Vancouver. He died on April 18, reportly as a result of complications arisen from a sudden brain hemorrhage. They were slated to begin a European tour later in the month in support of XXXX, starting in Germany in April and ending in Mallorca, Spain, in June.
The band subsequently announced that they were officially dropping "We Say Die" from their name, "out of respect for [Clifford] and the evolution of life". It was also announced that Krista Loewen had left the band, while Robert Andow and Bobby Siadat of Vancouver band Gang Violence had joined, taking over keyboards and drums, respectively. On July 29, the band performed an outdoor show at Jubilee Park in their hometown of Abbotsford, their first live show since Clifford's death. Siadat subsequently decided not to remain with the band, and was replaced by Al Boyle of the band Hard Feelings.
In July 2010 the band unveiled the track listing for their new remix album, aptly titled REMIXXXX, which was released on September 21, 2010. Concurrently, the band announced a rescheduled series of concert dates in the United Kingdom
and Ireland
for fall 2010.
On October 25, 2010, YSP released a split 7" with The Duloks on Club.The.Mammoth Records.
On April 14, 2011, YSP announced "the immediate cease to activity as YSP," according to a statement released by the band. Bassist Stephen O'Shea wrote: "Becky [Ninkovic, vocals], Derek [Adam, guitar] and I are announcing the immediate cease to activity as YSP. Call it a hiatus. Call it a break. Call it whatever you want. It's been a hard year for us. Not a bad year. We've experienced wonderful support from people. But you gotta listen to your body and your mind when it begins to revolt against what you think it is you have to do. So we're gonna stop for a while, and we're gonna work on who we are as people. We know that everyone understands exactly why and where we're coming from. Thanks for the support over the years."
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
five piece dance-punk
Dance-punk
Dance-punk is a music genre that emerged in the late 1970s, and is closely associated with the post-punk and No Wave movements.-Predecessors:...
band from Abbotsford
Abbotsford, British Columbia
Abbotsford is a Canadian city located in the Lower Mainland of British Columbia, adjacent to Greater Vancouver. It is the fifth largest municipality in British Columbia, home to 123,864 people . Its Census Metropolitan Area, which includes the District of Mission, is the 23rd largest in Canada,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. Their album Hit the Floor!
Hit the Floor!
Hit the Floor! is the debut album from You Say Party , a Dance-punk band hailing from Abbotsford, British Columbia...
was released in September 2005, and the band recently completed their second Canadian tour, an appearance at South by Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
and a tour of the United States, before touring the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. Their second album Lose All Time
Lose All Time
Lose All Time is the second album from Vancouver's You Say Party and the first for their new label Paper Bag Records who released it on March 20, 2007....
was released in Canada on March 20, 2007, and in the United States on Aug 18, 2007, on Paper Bag Records
Paper Bag Records
Paper Bag Records is a Canadian independent record label and artist-management company, founded in 2002 and based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:...
, in the United Kingdom on June 18, 2007, on Fierce Panda Records
Fierce Panda Records
Fierce Panda Records is a London-based independent record label, with its first release in February 1994. It also produced a small number of releases that year by now famous artists such as Ash, The Bluetones, Baby Bird and Supergrass...
and in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on August 17, 2007, on PIAS
PIAS
-Abbreviations:* PIAS Entertainment Group** Pln, Sam, an independent record label based in London and owned by the PIAS Entertainment Group** PIAS Recordings, an international recoro known as Play it Again, Sam Records...
. Their third album XXXX
XXXX (album)
XXXX is the third full-length album by Canadian dance-punk band You Say Party , released September 29, 2009...
was released on September 29, 2009 in Canada, February 9, 2010 in the USA and was released on May 17, 2010 in the UK.
History
You Say Party! We Say Die! was conceived by Stephen O'Shea, Becky Ninkovic and Krista Loewen in November 2003. The band was birthed out of a bike gang known as The Smoking Spokes. December was too cold to ride bikes, so they started jamming in Becky's parents' basement.You Say Party! We Say Die! played their first show in April 2004, and gained some instant notoriety for their "willingness to play anything, anywhere, anytime." Their first show was played in a church basement in Abbotsford opening for Fun 100
Fun 100
Fun 100 were a Canadian indie rock band from Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada.-History:They formed on the first day of the year 2000. They mostly played in and around Vancouver, and have gone on two tours across Canada....
. That year, they independently released their first EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, danskwad , which is, according to different sources, a reference to the people who came to their shows, a name considered early on the for the band, or the name of a more or less unrelated earlier band.
In 2005, the band began receiving press as the five members toured Canada, opening for such notable acts such as The Blood Brothers and Pretty Girls Make Graves
Pretty Girls Make Graves
Pretty Girls Make Graves was an art punk band, formed in Seattle in 2001, named after The Smiths song of the same name...
. They released a full-length album, entitled Hit the Floor!
Hit the Floor!
Hit the Floor! is the debut album from You Say Party , a Dance-punk band hailing from Abbotsford, British Columbia...
, in September, received some positive reviews, and performed at Pop Montreal
Pop Montreal
Pop Montreal is an annual music festival occurring in Montreal, Quebec, Canada in the early fall, usually at the end of September or the beginning of October. More than 400 acts are scheduled to play in more than 50 venues across the city, mostly located in the Mile End area...
.
In 2006, Edmonton
Edmonton
Edmonton is the capital of the Canadian province of Alberta and is the province's second-largest city. Edmonton is located on the North Saskatchewan River and is the centre of the Edmonton Capital Region, which is surrounded by the central region of the province.The city and its census...
-based record label Reluctant Recordings released Hit the Floor on vinyl, as You Say Party toured Canada for the second time. The group appeared at SXSW and was interviewed on MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
, as they received funding for a video of "The Gap (Between the Rich and the Poor)" from VideoFACT
VideoFACT
MuchFACT is a Canadian fund that provides grants to Canadian recording artists to help them produce music videos. FACT stands for Foundation To Assist Canadian Talent...
. You Say Party toured the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
in May/June 2006, then continental Europe with a focus on the UK in August 2006, released a single for "The Gap" on UK label Cheesedream, and one for "You Did It!" on UK label Sink & Stove.
In October 2006, You Say Party was heading to the United States for a major tour; however, they did not have the proper visas to be able to perform in the United States. Since band member Stephen O'Shea is banned from performing in the United States for five years, the band cannot perform in the United States until 2011 with O'Shea.
In January 2007, after months of speculation, You Say Party finally signed an album deal with Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
based Paper Bag Records
Paper Bag Records
Paper Bag Records is a Canadian independent record label and artist-management company, founded in 2002 and based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:...
label. The label features such artists as Uncut
Uncut (band)
Uncut is an indie rock band from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They formed as a duo consisting of Ian Worang and Jake Fairley in 2001, and have released two 12" singles and two full-length albums...
and Tokyo Police Club
Tokyo Police Club
Tokyo Police Club is an indie rock band from Newmarket, Ontario, Canada. It consists of vocalist and bassist David Monks , keyboardist Graham Wright, guitarist Josh Hook , and drummer Greg Alsop ....
. The band released their new album, Lose All Time
Lose All Time
Lose All Time is the second album from Vancouver's You Say Party and the first for their new label Paper Bag Records who released it on March 20, 2007....
, on March 20, 2007 in Canada. Lose All Time
Lose All Time
Lose All Time is the second album from Vancouver's You Say Party and the first for their new label Paper Bag Records who released it on March 20, 2007....
has been released by Fierce Panda Records
Fierce Panda Records
Fierce Panda Records is a London-based independent record label, with its first release in February 1994. It also produced a small number of releases that year by now famous artists such as Ash, The Bluetones, Baby Bird and Supergrass...
in the United Kingdom and PIAS
PIAS
-Abbreviations:* PIAS Entertainment Group** Pln, Sam, an independent record label based in London and owned by the PIAS Entertainment Group** PIAS Recordings, an international recoro known as Play it Again, Sam Records...
in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
On August 26, 2008, You Say Party released Remik's Cube
Remik's Cube
Remik's Cube is the third album by You Say Party , released digital-only on Paper Bag Digital on August 26, 2008...
, a remixed version of their previous album Lose All Time
Lose All Time
Lose All Time is the second album from Vancouver's You Say Party and the first for their new label Paper Bag Records who released it on March 20, 2007....
. The digital-only release was put out on Paper Bag Digital, the online imprint of Paper Bag Records
Paper Bag Records
Paper Bag Records is a Canadian independent record label and artist-management company, founded in 2002 and based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:...
.
After relentless touring, members began paying attention to their personal lives again, pursuing artistic endeavors and meaningful employment. They provided supportive care for adults living with disabilities, aid to the poor in developing countries, and services for the homeless in Vancouver's Downtown East Side and the message was put forth that "the loving is the everything."
The rest of 2008 was spent creating the songs that grew to become their third album, XXXX
XXXX (album)
XXXX is the third full-length album by Canadian dance-punk band You Say Party , released September 29, 2009...
. Collaborating with producer Howard Redekopp
Howard Redekopp
Howard Redekopp is a Vancouver, British Columbia-based Canadian music producer/mixer/engineer.In 2009, Rolling Stone ranked one of Howard's projects, The New Pornographers' Electric Version, #79 in the "100 Best Albums of the Decade".-Discography:...
(Tegan and Sara
Tegan and Sara
Tegan and Sara are a Canadian indie band composed of identical twin sisters Tegan Rain Quin and Sara Keirsten Quin . Both Tegan and Sara play guitar and keyboard and write songs.-History:...
, The New Pornographers
The New Pornographers
The New Pornographers is a Canadian indie rock band formed in 1997 in Vancouver, British Columbia.-History:The band's first four albums each ranked in the top 40 on The Village Voices Pazz & Jop year-end poll of hundreds of music reviewers. From 2000 to 2006, either a New Pornographers' album or a...
), XXXX was recorded between January and August 2009.
XXXX was released to critical acclaim, and reached #1 on Canadian campus radio charts in only its second week on the charts, remaining at #1 for six weeks straight. Additionally, XXXX
The R3-30
The R3-30 is a weekly record chart show on CBC Radio 3, which counts down the week's top indie rock singles as determined by airplay , listener feedback , and other criteria . The show, hosted by Craig Norris and produced by Pedro Mendes, airs at 11 a.m Eastern time The R3-30 is a weekly record...
chart the week of November 28, 2009 and the band was asked to perform on CBC Radio One
CBC Radio One
CBC Radio One is the English language news and information radio network of the publicly-owned Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It is commercial free and offers both local and national programming...
's morning show Q
Q (radio show)
Q is a Canadian radio show, which airs on CBC Radio One. Hosted by Jian Ghomeshi, the program is a national arts magazine show. The program is also now syndicated to public radio stations in the United States through Public Radio International....
. YSP!WSD! played two shows for the 2010 Winter Olympics held in Vancouver, BC. In November 2009, Aux brought Becky together with one of her idols, Martha Johnson of Martha and the Muffins
Martha and the Muffins
Martha and the Muffins are a Canadian new wave band, active from 1977 to the present. Although they only had one major international hit single under their original band name, they had a number of hits in their native Canada, and the core members of the band also charted in Canada and...
, for a fascinating cross-generational interview.
On April 16, 2010, just after the band had just finished touring the U.S. and Western Canada, drummer Devon Clifford collapsed on stage during the band's set at The Rickshaw Theatre in Vancouver. He died on April 18, reportly as a result of complications arisen from a sudden brain hemorrhage. They were slated to begin a European tour later in the month in support of XXXX, starting in Germany in April and ending in Mallorca, Spain, in June.
The band subsequently announced that they were officially dropping "We Say Die" from their name, "out of respect for [Clifford] and the evolution of life". It was also announced that Krista Loewen had left the band, while Robert Andow and Bobby Siadat of Vancouver band Gang Violence had joined, taking over keyboards and drums, respectively. On July 29, the band performed an outdoor show at Jubilee Park in their hometown of Abbotsford, their first live show since Clifford's death. Siadat subsequently decided not to remain with the band, and was replaced by Al Boyle of the band Hard Feelings.
In July 2010 the band unveiled the track listing for their new remix album, aptly titled REMIXXXX, which was released on September 21, 2010. Concurrently, the band announced a rescheduled series of concert dates in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
for fall 2010.
On October 25, 2010, YSP released a split 7" with The Duloks on Club.The.Mammoth Records.
On April 14, 2011, YSP announced "the immediate cease to activity as YSP," according to a statement released by the band. Bassist Stephen O'Shea wrote: "Becky [Ninkovic, vocals], Derek [Adam, guitar] and I are announcing the immediate cease to activity as YSP. Call it a hiatus. Call it a break. Call it whatever you want. It's been a hard year for us. Not a bad year. We've experienced wonderful support from people. But you gotta listen to your body and your mind when it begins to revolt against what you think it is you have to do. So we're gonna stop for a while, and we're gonna work on who we are as people. We know that everyone understands exactly why and where we're coming from. Thanks for the support over the years."
Albums
- 2005 - Hit the Floor!Hit the Floor!Hit the Floor! is the debut album from You Say Party , a Dance-punk band hailing from Abbotsford, British Columbia...
- CD / LP Sound DocumentSound DocumentSound Document is an independent record label based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The music label signs only Canadian bands with the label's current genre focus of dance-punk/indie rock. It was founded in 2004 by Dani Vachon and Doug Phillips... - 2007 - Lose All TimeLose All TimeLose All Time is the second album from Vancouver's You Say Party and the first for their new label Paper Bag Records who released it on March 20, 2007....
- CD / LP (600 copies) Paper Bag RecordsPaper Bag RecordsPaper Bag Records is a Canadian independent record label and artist-management company, founded in 2002 and based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:... - 2008 - Remik's CubeRemik's CubeRemik's Cube is the third album by You Say Party , released digital-only on Paper Bag Digital on August 26, 2008...
- CD (1000 copies) Paper Bag DigitalPaper Bag RecordsPaper Bag Records is a Canadian independent record label and artist-management company, founded in 2002 and based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:... - 2009 - XXXXXXXX (album)XXXX is the third full-length album by Canadian dance-punk band You Say Party , released September 29, 2009...
- CD / LP (300 copies) Paper Bag RecordsPaper Bag RecordsPaper Bag Records is a Canadian independent record label and artist-management company, founded in 2002 and based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:... - 2010 - REMIXXXX - Digital Paper Bag RecordsPaper Bag RecordsPaper Bag Records is a Canadian independent record label and artist-management company, founded in 2002 and based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:...
EPs
- 2004 - Danskwad EP - CD (400 copies) band self-released
- 2010 - YSP/DULOKS EP - 7" (500 copies) Club.The.Mammoth - Split 7" between YSP and the Duloks
Singles
- 2006 - "The Gap" and "Stockholm Syndrome Parts I and II" - 7" Cheesedream Records
- 2006 - "You Did It!" and "Love in the New Millennium" - 7" Sink and Stove RecordsSink and Stove RecordsSink and Stove Records is a record label. Set-up in 2000 to fill a void in the local area, Sink and Stove Records has quickly established itself as a main player in the UK’s independent and alternative scenes, despite its provincial base.-Early years:...
- 2006 - "You Say Party! We Say Die!/The Victorian English Gentlemen's Club - Split 7" Fantastic Plastic RecordsFantastic Plastic RecordsFantastic Plastic Records is a London based record label. It was independent until 15 June 2007 when the Sanctuary Group was bought by the Universal Music Group.-Current artists:* Bearsuit* Bricolage* Guillemots* Luke Haines* New Cassettes* Oppenheimer...
- 2007 - "Monster" - Fierce Panda RecordsFierce Panda RecordsFierce Panda Records is a London-based independent record label, with its first release in February 1994. It also produced a small number of releases that year by now famous artists such as Ash, The Bluetones, Baby Bird and Supergrass...
- 2007 - "Like I Give a Care" and "Opportunity" - 7" Fierce Panda RecordsFierce Panda RecordsFierce Panda Records is a London-based independent record label, with its first release in February 1994. It also produced a small number of releases that year by now famous artists such as Ash, The Bluetones, Baby Bird and Supergrass...
- 2010 - "Laura Palmer's Prom" - virtual 7" Paper Bag DigitalPaper Bag RecordsPaper Bag Records is a Canadian independent record label and artist-management company, founded in 2002 and based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:...
- 2010 - "Dark Days" - virtual 7" Paper Bag DigitalPaper Bag RecordsPaper Bag Records is a Canadian independent record label and artist-management company, founded in 2002 and based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:...
- 2010 - "There Is XXXX (Within My Heart)" - virtual 7" Paper Bag DigitalPaper Bag RecordsPaper Bag Records is a Canadian independent record label and artist-management company, founded in 2002 and based in Toronto, Ontario.-History:...
- 2011 - "Lonely's Lunch"
- 2011 - "Laura Palmer's Prom"
External links
- You Say Party
- You Say Party at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....