Put the Rifle Down is a Canadian electronic dance band based in Toronto, Ontario, that were signed to Montreal label Summer Lovers Unlimited. Their debut full-length, Selector, was released in 2009.(January 1, 2009). "", Exclaim!. Retrieved 2009-11-30. The band includes Michael Countryman (a.k.a. Michael DarkAges) (vocals), Anthony Bruno (drums/percussion), Jordan Bimm (guitar), and Mark Cassidy (synthesizers). The band formed while all four members were studying at the University of Toronto in 2004.Taylor, Ric. "Hamilton music notes", View Magazine. Retrieved 2009-11-30. NOW magazine considers their sound similar to that of New Order.Davies, Evan (March 6, 2008). "Music feature: Put the Rifle Down", NOW. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
In 2007, the band had their song "Architekt" featured on a vinyl-only compilation called Hordes Of Canada that was issued in the UK by Cheap Date Records. The release also included songs by Crystal Castles, We Are Wolves, and Duchess Says and is now out of print. Drowned in Sound described "Architekt" as "glacial downbeat-pop at its most irresistible" and wrote that Arcade Fire was "an obvious influence".Dowling, Jordan (November 15, 2007). "Hordes of Canada ", Drowned in Sound. Retrieved 2009-11-30.
The band has played the North by Northeast music festival,Dickson, Evan (June 11, 2007). "", Chart. Retrieved 2009-11-30. the CMJ festival, Pop Montreal, and Canadian Music Week. They were invited to play the 2008 South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, but did not make it due to visa problems. Put the Rifle Down has remixed tracks by The Coast and by the French band The Teenagers. Thunderheist remixed Put the Rifle Down's track "My Industrial Park".
On October 20, 2011, the band released an LP titled New Dance, which is their final album to date. Michael Countryman has moved on to performing in the band TV Amerika as of 2024.
Discography Hordes of Canada (Cheap Date Records; 2007) UK Comp, vinyl only, OUT OF PRINT. Selector (Summer Lovers Unlimited; 2009) LP, OUT OF PRINT. NRG (Independent; 2010) LP. New Dance (Independent; 2011) LP.
References
External links Put the Rifle Down official site Put the Rifle Down at CBC Radio 3 Michael DarkAges' personal website