KEN mode is a Juno award winning noise rock influenced metallic hardcore band from Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada that was formed in Sept, 1999.
Formed in 1999 by Royal Conservatory of Music trained musicians Jesse Matthewson, Shane Matthewson, CA, and long-time friend Darryl Laxdal (bass), the group released several demos from 1999 to 2003, leading to the release of their debut full length Mongrel on Escape Artist Records.
Several tours followed with the likes of Relapse Records’ The End ,Sulaco and American Heritage in addition to regional dates with Mastodon, Burnt By The Sun, Anodyne, Pelican, Harkonen, Breather Resist, The Dream is Dead, Psyopus, Daughters, and Buried Inside across the Midwestern and East Coast United States, and throughout Canada. In 2004 Laxdal left the band, only to rejoin in 2005 to finish the band’s follow-up record Reprisal, released in 2006 on CD by Escape Artist Records, and on double-LP by No List Records. After the recording of Reprisal Laxdal and the band parted ways again.Picking up bass duties after Laxdal’s departure was Drew Johnston (guitarist in Electro Quarterstaff) who also played with Jesse, Shane and Darryl in Hide Your Daughters.
In October 2006 the band took part in the “Exclaim! Magazine Aggressive Tendencies Tour” with Pelican and Daughters across Canada. Bass duties were handled by former Kittens and Projektor member Jahmeel Russell who also played with Jesse, Shane and Drew in Hide Your Daughters.