Bands

Mico

Mico was formed in 1998 by John and Troy in Banff, Alberta, following the dissolution of John's previous band, Red Fisher. Their debut CD "Standing Inside A Shadow" came out on Edmonton label, Does Everyone Stare? in 2001. Mico underwent a series of member and instrument changes following the release of their second album "Outside the Unbearable Grows" (G7 Welcoming Committee) in June 2003, but the core members remained.

While rooted in "punk", both in their ideals and musical inspiration, the band drifts into several musical styles in any given song. You're just as likely to find 8 minute long shoegazer-ish compositions as you are 30 second rock songs, and sometimes a combination. The difficulty in pigeon-holing the band means that they are often branded with the misleading "emo" label - something they are less than comfortable with. The key here is melody - each song laden with hooks and burning with energy, yet still managing to maintain an underlying melancholia throughout. Although "the personal is political" label applies here, vocalist and key songwriter John Stewart is also not afraid to cut the shit and say exactly what's on his mind.

2001 - 2004 saw Mico garnering critical acclaim while criss-crossing Canada and the United States. They've shared the stage with bands such as The Weakerthans, Strike Anywhere, Propagandhi, Samiam, Moneen, Hot Hot Heat, the New Pornographers and Onelinedrawing.

Although the Mico's membership is in a constant state of flux, and the band is now based out of Winnipeg, MB, Stewart continues to push Mico forward, releasing the digital-only album "Our Living Language" in October of 2006 and touring across Canada.