Means was a Canadian

Christian Christians () are people who follow or adhere to Christianity, a monotheistic Abrahamic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The words ''Christ'' and ''Christian'' derive from the Koine Greek title ''Christós'' (Χρι ...

post-hardcore Post-hardcore is a punk rock music genre that maintains the aggression and intensity of hardcore punk but emphasizes a greater degree of creative expression. It was initially inspired by post-punk and noise rock. Like post-punk, the term has been ...

and

melodic hardcore Melodic hardcore is a broadly defined subgenre of hardcore punk with a strong emphasis on melody in its guitar work. It generally incorporates fast rhythms, melodic and often distorted guitar riffs, and vocal styles tending towards shouting and ...

band from Regina,

Saskatchewan Saskatchewan ( ; ) is a Provinces and territories of Canada, province in Western Canada, western Canada, bordered on the west by Alberta, on the north by the Northwest Territories, on the east by Manitoba, to the northeast by Nunavut, and on t ...

History

The band was formed in 2001 under the name of Means 2 An End as a three-piece by main-songwriter and lyricist Matt Goud. They were originally from the small city of

Dauphin, Manitoba Dauphin () is a city in Manitoba, Canada, with a population of 8,457 as of the 2016 Canadian Census, with an additional 2,388 living in the surrounding Rural Municipality of Dauphin (RM), for a total of 10,845 in the RM and city combined. The ci ...

. In 2003, they relocated to Regina, Saskatchewan. They eventually integrated elements of hardcore into their sound and dropped "2 An End" from their name. It was around this time, in 2005, that original bassist Blair Roberts quit to pursue a family. He was replaced by Dylan Johnstone, formerly of Yorkton, Saskatchewan hardcore group Statement of Service. They remained a three-piece until mid-2006 when Wells joined so Johnstone could switch to lead vocals. This era of the band saw them switch to a mainly

metalcore Metalcore (also known as metallic hardcore) is a fusion music genre that combines elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. As with other styles blending metal and hardcore, such as crust punk and grindcore, metalcore is noted for its use of ...

sound inspired by

Shai Hulud Shai Hulud is an American metalcore band formed in Pompano Beach, Florida, in 1995, and later based in Poughkeepsie, New York. The band is named after the giant sandworms in Frank Herbert's novel ''Dune''. The two mainstay members of Shai Hul ...

and

Misery Signals Misery Signals is an American-Canadian metalcore band formed in Wisconsin in 2002. History Formation (2002–2003) Misery Signals was formed after the disbanding of several bands, including 7 Angels 7 Plagues, Hamartia, and Compromise. Having p ...

. The group toured in the US and Canada, and was featured in the June 2007 issue of ''

Alternative Press Alternative press may refer to: Individual publications * ''Alternative Press'' (magazine), an American music magazine Alternative journalism * Alternative media ** Alternative media (U.S. political left) ** Alternative media (U.S. political ri ...

'' magazine as well as multiple other publications. Their 2007 album, ''Sending You Strength'', was released in the US on

Facedown Records Facedown Records is a Christian rock record label based in Fallbrook, California that is devoted to hardcore punk and metalcore bands (Christian and secular) with a few death metal acts such as Immortal Souls and Indwelling. Founded by No Inn ...

.Review of ''Sending You Strength''
. Revolt Media. Accessed December 15, 2007. Means disbanded after a series of farewell shows in select Canadian and US cities. They played their final show to a sold-out crowd at the Riddell Centre in the University of Regina on November 28, 2008. This show was captured on video and given out to friends of the band.

Members

* Aaron Friesen – drums (2001–2008) * Dylan Johnstone – vocals, bass (2005-2006) lead vocals (2006–2008) * Matt Goud – guitar, clean vocals, (2001–2008) lead vocals (2001-2006) * Todd Wells – bass guitar (2006–2008) * Blair Roberts – bass guitar, vocals (2001-2005)

Discography

As Means 2 An End * ''Soul Soup for the Teenage Chicken LP'' (Self Released, 2001) * ''Demo 2002'' (self Released, 2002) * ''There's Always Right Now'' on Negatives to Positives compilation (Abednego Records, 2003), produced by Keith Kilps and Cordel Wolski. * ''Am I Who My Dog Thinks I am EP'' (Self Released, 2003) As Means * ''In Red Grace'' (Lonely Tree Records, 2004) * ''More Than Watchmen For The Morning EP'' (Torque Records, 2005) * ''Means & Blind Witness - Split EP'' (Torque Records, 2007) * ''Sending You Strength'' (

, 2007) * ''To Keep Me From Sinking'' (Facedown Records, 2008)

Awards

GMA Canada Covenant Awards

* 2006 Hard Music Album of the Year: ''More Than Watchmen For The Morning'' * 2006 Hard Music Song of the Year: "You Will Become"

References

External links

Means' Official MySpace Page

Means' Purevolume Page

"No Small Means" - March 2007 Interview with Matt Goud and Todd Wells of Means
{{DEFAULTSORT:Means Canadian hardcore punk groups Musical groups established in 2000 Canadian Christian rock groups Canadian post-hardcore musical groups Melodic hardcore groups Musical groups from Regina, Saskatchewan Musical groups disestablished in 2008 2000 establishments in Saskatchewan 2008 disestablishments in Canada