Jesse Frederick Keeler (born November 11, 1976 in Toronto) is a Canadian musician. He is perhaps best known as the bassist of former Canadian rock band duo Death from Above 1979, as well as being one half of the electronic music group MSTRKRFT. Keeler's multi instrument musical talent (known to sing, play drums, guitar, bass, keyboards, saxophone, as well as produce and write) has led him to create a variety of styles of music over his career. From the pummeling hardcore of Standing 8, the then forward thinking synth punk of Black Cat #13, the drum and bass/garage house sounds of Casino Steel, pseudo classic rock of Death From Above 1979 or more recently the electro/house/punk of MSTRKRFT.
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Biography
Keeler first started off playing in many different local Toronto bands, his most popular project being Black Cat #13. Black Cat toured with The Locust and released several now collectible 7" records. Once Black Cat split, he formed his own 7-piece music project, Femme Fatale. Though the live band broke up, Keeler recorded all 3 of the released EPs himself, with production work from longtime friend Al Puodziukas (AKA "Al-P"), a longtime friend of Keeler's, with whom he would later go on to form MSTRKRFT. Keeler intended on recording the 3 Femme Fatale EPs in one continuous take, but found that the drumming could be fresher sounding if Sebastien Grainger, played on one of the EPs. At the time Grainger was playing in the live incarnation of Femme Fatale and it made sense. This was only the beginning of their musical partnership. Keeler had recorded 3 bass + drum instrumentals which he showed Grainger who then expressed a desire to sing on them. After trying to find a drummer with no luck, Grainger tried singing and drumming at the same time, result of which became Death from Above 1979. After touring extensively for DFA1979's second release, You're a Woman, I'm a Machine, the band took time off. Keeler finished building MSTRKRFT studios in East York, Toronto, and started up MSTRKRFT along with producer Al-P. On August 4th, 2006, DFA1979 officially announced their breakup via their website, making MSTRKRFT Keeler's full-time occupation.
Current occupations
At present, Keeler and Al-P are touring with MSTRKRFT, doing select remixes and are working on their second LP, slated to be released in early 2008.
Discography
Femme Fatale
- 2001 As You Sow, So Shall You Reap (EP)
- 2002 Fire Baptism (EP)
- 2004 From the Abundance of the Heart, the Mouth Speaks (EP)
Death from Above 1979
- 2002 Heads Up (EP)
- 2004 Romantic Rights EP (EP)
- 2004 You're a Woman, I'm a Machine (LP)
- 2005 Romance Bloody Romance: Remixes & B-Sides (LP)
