Means (band)

Means
Also known as	Means 2 An End
Origin	Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
Genres	Christian Hardcore Post-hardcore Metalcore Melodic Hardcore Pop Punk (early genre), Emotional Hardcore (early genre)
Years active	2000–2008
Labels	Lonely Tree Records Torque Recording Company Underground Operations Facedown Records
Associated acts	The Emerson Letters Continuance, Statement of Service, GoodSamPark, Every New Day, Kiros
Website	Means' MySpace
Members	Aaron Friesen Dylan Johnstone Matt Goud Todd Wells
Past members	Blair Roberts

Means was a Canadian Christian Post-hardcore/Melodic hardcore band from Regina, Saskatchewan.

History

The band was formed in 2001 under the name of Means 2 An End as a 3-piece by main-songwriter/lyricist Matt Goud. They were originally from the small city of Dauphin, Manitoba. In 2003, they relocated to Regina, SK. They eventually integrated more and more elements of hardcore into their sound and dropped "2 An End" from their name. After many years of touring, the band began to accumulate a large fanbase. 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, SK hardcore group Statement of Service). They remained a 3-piece until mid-2006 when Todd joined so Dylan could switch to lead vocals.

This era of the band saw them switch to a mainly Metalcore sound inspired by Shai Hulud and Misery Signals.The group toured in the US and Canada constantly, and was featured in the June 2007 issue of Alternative Press magazine as well as multiple other publications. Their 2007 album, Sending You Strength, was released in the US on Facedown Records.^[1][2][3][4]

Means disbanded after a series of farewell shows in select Canadian cities as well as a few 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.

Current members

• Aaron Friesen – drums (2001–2008)
• Dylan Johnstone – vocals, bass (bass/vocals 2005-2006) lead vocals (2006–2008)
• Matt Goud – guitar, clean vocals, Lead Vocals until 2006 (2001–2008)
• Todd Wells – bass guitar (2006–2008)

Former members

• Blair Roberts – bass guitar, vocals

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)
• 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 (Facedown Records, 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"

Misc

• The split with Blind Witness only featured previously released material from More Than Watchmen For The Morning EP and was released after the band had already left Torque Records.
• The first show Means 2 An End played consisted of a bunch of MxPx cover songs.
• The band got its original name from the Stretch Armstrong song of the same title.
• Matt Goud went on to start a new band called Northcote and has released two albums since 2009.
• Fans living in Winnipeg, Mb. created a basketball team in the Winnipeg Mens League to pay tribute to Means, calling themselves "Means Tribute Basketball Team." Their jersey names consist of Means songs and their numbers correspond to the album and track numbers. (Example: "What We Seek" is on their fourth album and is the ninth track, therefore the number is 49).

References

1. Review of Sending You Strength. Geekburger. Accessed December 15, 2007.
2. Review of Sending You Strength. Decoy Music. Accessed December 15, 2007.
3. Review of Sending You Strength. Hollywood Jesus. Accessed December 15, 2007.
4. Review of Sending You Strength. Revolt Media. Accessed December 15, 2007.

External links

• Means' Official MySpace Page
• Means' Purevolume Page
• "No Small Means" - March 2007 Interview with Matt Goud and Todd Wells of Means