Shotmaker (band)

Shotmaker
Shotmaker
Origin	Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Genres	Post-hardcore; emo; screamo;
Years active	1993–1996
Past members	Matt; Tim; Nick;

Shotmaker was a Canadian post-hardcore/emo group formed in 1993 by Matt, Tim, and Nick from Belleville and Ottawa, Ontario.

History

Shotmaker's catalogue comprises three 7"s, two full-length LP's and a 12" split EP. There is also a Shotmaker Demo Tape which is not included in the Complete Discography Double CD.

The group parted ways in 1996, but released their double CD retrospective The Complete Discography: 1993-1996 in 2000, comprising almost the entirety of their recorded material (not including a Demo Tape), including several tracks exclusive to compilations and three unreleased songs. 33 of the 43 tracks were lifted straight from vinyl due to DAT tapes being lost.^[2]

From their first 7" (pulled due to unauthorized use of the cover photo) to their final LP, Shotmaker's success lies in the intermingling of explosive riffs and complex, flowing rhythms, creating tensions best exhibited in Table, where tempos and time signatures shuffle in and out at break-neck speed. However, a number of disparate moods are explored, such as the abrasive curve or the restrained controller.controller. The trio approach catchy on 10/22/94, and an untitled instrumental track on their final album includes nothing but acoustic guitar played over radio frequency white noise.

The lyrics are rather ambiguous, sung and screamed with an urgency that complements the unyielding compositions. There is a sincerity about something, but just exactly what is open for interpretation.

Shotmaker's members went on to play in such bands as the short lived 30 Second Motion Picture, Three Penny Opera, and The Grey. Matt is currently in The Dark Plains.

In October 2023, the band release of "a moment in time: 1993-1996", a Curated 3xLP box set on transparent green, blue, and purple vinyl. Comes in a black, debossed, anti-scratch slipcase with a 12 page booklet featuring never before seen photographs by Canadian photographer Shawn Scallen. ^[3]

Trivia

The band Controller.Controller took their name from a song on Mouse Ear [Forget-Me-Not].[1]
The vinyl LP "The Crayon Club" has accidentally (?) written "The Candy Club" on the spine of the sleeve.

Discography

Albums

Title	Date of Release	Label
The Crayon Club	1994	The Great American Steak Religion
Mouse Ear [Forget-Me-Not]	1996	Troubleman Unlimited^[4]

Singles/EP's

Title	Date of Release	Label
Little Kid 7"	1993	Kung-Fu Manticore
Bull 7"	1994	Kung-Fu Manticore
Split 7" w/ Watershed	1994	Vital Communications
Split 12" w/ Maximillian Colby	1995	Nervous Wreck Kids

Compilation Contributions

Song Title	Compilation Title	Date of Release	Label
Pilot	All The President's Men	1994	Old Glory Records
7:14	heartattack No. 10	1996	Ebullition Records

Compilations

Title	Date of Release	Label
The Complete Discography: 1993-1996	2000	Troubleman Unlimited^[4]
a moment in time: 1993-1996	2023	Solid Brass Records^[5]

References

^ Ian Cohen; David Anthony; Nina Corcoran; Emma Garland; Brad Nelson (February 13, 2020). "The 100 Greatest Emo Songs of All Time". Vulture.com. Vox Media. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
^ All Inclusive Review. Exclaim!, December 2000.
^ "A moment in time: 1993-1996, by SHOTMAKER".
^ ^a ^b Shotmaker Biography. Epitonic.com. (click on "bio" to access text)
^ "A moment in time: 1993-1996, by SHOTMAKER".

External links

[1] Ian Cohen; David Anthony; Nina Corcoran; Emma Garland; Brad Nelson (February 13, 2020). "The 100 Greatest Emo Songs of All Time". Vulture.com. Vox Media. Retrieved February 15, 2020.

[2] All Inclusive Review. Exclaim!, December 2000.

[3] "A moment in time: 1993-1996, by SHOTMAKER".

[epitonic-4] Shotmaker Biography. Epitonic.com. (click on "bio" to access text)

[5] "A moment in time: 1993-1996, by SHOTMAKER".

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