Social Code

Live at Stage 13, Camrose, 2004

This ain’t Grand Opera! And that’s a good thing. Unlike the final scene in an opera or a Shakespearian play, the closing chords of songs by Social Code don’t ring out over a stage littered with bloodied bodies, dead and dying. Social Code’s message is that as humans, we are capable of using bad experiences to fuel our determination to survive.. Social Code’s lyrics claim that the power to thrive despite deep emotional suffering is latent in all of us. All we need to do is decide not to be beaten. We must apply the passion induced by the suffering to the task of rebuilding. Strength from adversity. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. It’s not a new message, but it’s delivered with such personal, creative intensity that it appeals to our jaded, over-stimulated ears with the sound of raw truth.

Hailing from St. Albert, Alberta, this Canadian group is building a loyal fan base all across North America. Social Code have risen to fame in their chosen alternative/punk rock genre in just six years. The band has grown rapidly from its high school beginnings where they performed as Fifth Season. Many changes have taken place between the 1999 release of their EP, Binbox, and the completion of their 2007 album, Social Code.

They changed their name from Fifth Element to Social Code because the former name had already been used by another group. The make-up of the group has changed also. Currently the group is comprised of Travis Nesbitt, singer and album artwork designer, Morgan Gies, guitarist, Logan Jacobs, bass player and Ben Shillabeer drummer. The group has benefited from the input of several talented musicians who have joined Social Code temporarily, before moving on. This has kept their sound fresh and fluid, never predictable.

Between the release of the EP, Binbox, and the album, Social Code, they have released several other works. In 2001 Social Code released a full length album, Patiently Waiting, which brought them to the notice of a U.S. label. 2004 saw the release of A Year at the Movies, which Social Code recorded in Los Angeles, with the help of the highly regarded producer, Howard Benson. But the stresses of Los Angeles experience made the group determined to produce their own music. They used their Los Angeles stay to learn all they could about the fusion of creativity and business. Then they moved back to Canada, where they remodeled Jacobs’ basement into a recording studio of their own. And it was in this crucible that Social Code tested their own sound. Their ‘do or die’ approach was not an easy one, and stretched each band member to his limits. But the benefits of autonomy far outweighed the drawbacks. They were able to record at their own pace. At times a giddy, playful session would yield a gem of a song, like “Ten Seconds to Go”. Social Code was now in charge of their own material. And their 2007 self titled album was born.

Social Code has learned everything they know about the music business first hand. They have appeared in shows featuring Fall Out Boy, Good Charlotte and The Used, where they’ve gained valuable live performance experience. This gave them the confidence needed to attempt a video. They went to their online fan base for help with creating a video to showcase their message and their talents. Colin Minihan won the job of directing their video of the single “Bomb Hands,” which can now be seen on Much Music. This song was also included in Much Music’s PunchMuch compilation disc.

True to their vision, their self titled album, “Social Code” delivers their positive message with the conviction of a high school band, and the expertise of four musicians who are willing to go through some overwhelmingly difficult times. They use the strength gained in weathering these low times to hammer, bash and shove their high times into being. And they suggest that anyone can “Turn a tornado into a tailwind,” as the pioneers of the Positive Thinking movement used to say. The world’s your oyster! Go for it!

Social Code members are:
Travis Nesbitt - Vocals
Morgan Gies - Guitar
Logan Jacobs - Bass
Ben Shillabeer - Drums

Social Code Discography:
1999 Binbox - as Fifth Season
2001 Patiently Waiting - as Fifth Season
2004 A Year at the Movies
2007 Social-Code