Though I had seen their band name appear on some show flyers last year, I only just heard False Body a few weeks for the time first time. My mistake. The Edmonton, Alberta-based band play a chaotic take on hardcore that melds in the speed and precision of top-notch grindcore with laser precision. I clearly had to learn more about the quartet.
"Our drummer Justin and I have been playing in various bands together for over a decade at this point and we work really well together," guitarist Lee tells me about False Body's origin story. "Around 2017, the singer of our previous band moved away and we wanted to start a new project to keep playing together.
"Michelle got involved after participating in Not Enough Fest in Edmonton. NEF was a festival organized for the purpose of giving women, queer, and trans artists a space – basically it was a series of workshops helping participants play music and form bands culminating a big show with all the new bands. Michelle did some vocal workshops with them and from there she wanted to pursue it more which is how she came to be our singer."
2024 saw the release of False Body's It's Not Permanent EP, but changes were brewing. Last year found the band's lineup changing with the addition of new bassist Grant. "When our previous bassist left the band he joined as a full member, and he’s been a really welcome addition, he meshes perfectly with us," says Lee.
False Body just kicked off the year by dropping their best work yet, a 4-track collection entitled Leaving to Mourn:
As I mentioned earlier, False Body's sound is frenzied yet focused, something you can clearly hear on the new EP. "We’re basically a grind band that plays hardcore if that makes sense. Lots of noisy fast riffs, lots of blast beats, but also a lot of groove.
"A lot of the time I feel like I’m straight up ripping off Nasum or Magrudergrind riffs, but then everyone else adds their own touches and the final product feels very different. There’s also influence from bands like Converge or Gaza, both for their chaotic parts but also their melodic elements. We try to be eclectic but also cohesive."
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I'm curious about the lyrics to the second track on Leaving to Mourn, a scorcher called "Peace of Mind," so I ask Lee for some insight. "It’s about the way people make excuses to justify and normalize animal abuse.
"When you’re vegan for a long time it feels like you hear the same 5 or 6 anti-vegan arguments over and over ad nauseam, so this track is just looking at one of those arguments, specifically the argument that it’s okay to treat animals badly if they are bred with that purpose in mind.
"Generally, though, I think it’s just best to live in a way that shows how it can be an easy lifestyle, rather than proselytizing day-to-day. Otherwise you just get into arguments and people close themselves off to your point of view."
Given False Body's eclectic sound is a big bonus and a testament to the breadth of their writing style, but I can also see it getting in the way with the more close-minded, staunch listeners out there. "I think that has only ever been a benefit to us," Lee opines. "If there are any staunch purists out there hating on us, we haven’t heard from them.
"Our city is also pretty isolated and the DIY promoters and other bands here are all aware of that, so as you alluded we get to play a lot of different types of shows which is really cool. On the one hand we’ve gotten to play with like No Right, but then on the other hand we’ve also gotten the chance to play with a band like Grave Infestation, so yeah we’re really lucky."
As our conversation reaches its end, Lee wants to make sure he has a moment to shout out False Body's local music community. "There’s so much sick shit to shout out in Alberta. These promoters: Capital HC, Clean Up Your Act Productions, Project 23, Chetfuck Records, DOA Promotions, JFK.
"These bands/artists: Eyes Front, Abrupt Decay, Vibes, Obroa-Skai, Anthrodynia, Pre-Breaker, Autolysis, Feeding, Everythingyoueverloved, OOSH, Hydrate, Taylor Jade, Hate Mission, Boiling Lye, Teacup Romance, No Skies, Chaser. Marc Morin for graphic design and Ryan Philip Griffiths for tattoos."
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Leaving to Mourn is out now on all music digital music outlets.
False Body on social media: Instagram
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