Dead Hour Biography:

Life is about interrupting the known and reinventing the unknown. Kitchener-Waterloo band Dead Hour does both when writing the unique and powerful songs that they are known for. Dead Hour has best been described as a “cross between Portishead and Nirvana” with a style that is “melodic, yet heavy”. Dead Hour’s influences include, but are not limited to, Lacuna Coil, Smashing Pumpkins and, Tool.

Formed in 2008, Dead Hour has moved quickly from writing and practicing to playing venues such as the Cambridge Armoury (New Years’ Eve 2008), Victoria Park Boathouse (Kitchener) and Alexander’s Tavern (Brantford).

Dead Hour released their debut demo CD, Interlude, on February 13, 2009 at a show with capacity attendance at the Victoria Park Boathouse. This CD features the first song that the band wrote as a whole, Kill. Singer Robyn MacNair describes the song as being “a love-hate relationship with consumerism and working in retail”. Robyn’s lyrics often come from her life experiences. This has helped Dead Hour to craft songs that are compelling both emotionally and musically.

Guitarist and founder Shane Oatman (ex-Lucky Number Ten, amex-noise) is one of the dynamic factors behind the distinctive musicality of Dead Hour. Together with Robyn’s vocal stylings, they form the “melodic” side of Dead Hour. Shane previously played in Kitchener-Waterloo band Lucky Number Ten with drummer Jason Head (Vanished Hours, ex-Lucky Number Ten). Jason’s metal-influenced drumming and bassist Ivan Latendresse’s (ex-Aural Pleasures, The Rotten) punk-influenced playing form the powerful force behind the “heavy” side of Dead Hour. The bass-and-drums duo provide a solid ground for the rich, rhythmic textures of guitarist Jane Hung (Super Van City).

Individually, the members of Dead Hour have diverse musical influences and styles, ranging from the classical roots of Jane to the punk-inspired styling of Ivan. Diversity allows for the expression of different ideas, and it is perhaps this diversity that has contributed to the unique music written by Dead Hour.

In every successful band, there is always a chemistry between the band members that can’t be described in words. In the case of Dead Hour, it is clear that it works.

Email: deadhour@gmail.com