MSTRKRFT (pronounced “Master-craft”) is moniker of a Canadian electronic music combo from Toronto. The group removed the vowels on their title as a way to prevent brand infraction with “Mastercraft”, a Canadian hardware business. The ‘C’ was switched into a ‘K’ as a way to keep the enunciation and picture of the first title.
MSTRKRFT was created in 2005 by Jesse F. Keeler of “Death from Above 1979” and Al-P (Alex Puodziukas) previously of the Mississauga, Ontario electro-pop band “Girlsareshort”. Al-P had also been the producer for Death from Above 1979’s record “You are a Lady”, “I am a Device” in addition to many of (Jesse’s former group) Black Cat #13’s records. The duo has been buddies, along with work associates, for quite a long while. MSTRKRFT also created Die Mannequin’s first EP, “The Way to Kill”, and Magneta Lane’s 2nd LP, “Dancing With Daggers”.
Their initial single was “Easy Love”, launched in the year 2006. They unveiled their 2nd single, “Work On You”, on July 6. In sharp contrast to the “Easy Love” music-video, “Work You” included cartoon bots, much like those seen in traditional cartoons. “Even though “The Looks” is MSTRKRFT’s first record showcasing authentic material, the group has made remixes from a selection of other musicians including “Buck 65”, “The Kills” and “Death from Above 1979”.
Nevertheless, MSTRKRFT introduced their very first LP, “The Appearances”, on July 18, 2006 in the USA and February 2, 2007 in the UK. Keeler and Al-P told “Eye Weekly” that several weeks before the launch of “The Looks” had been completed, the preparation phases for a follow up album had already been in progress.
Later in 2007, an edition of the song “Street Justice” had been introduced as a single. On the group’s Internet forums, Keeler mentioned that they were also working on a compilation album made up of these remixed tracks. “Street Justice” was likewise showcased in the THQ action video game, “Saints Row 2”.
In 2008 by way of Obeygiant.com, MSTRKRFT introduced a mix compact disc with Z-Trip. Together with this specific CD, Obey provided the-art work print, entitled “Sound Clash of the Titans”. Later on in this same year MSTRKRFT played in the “Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival” which contained a vast array of artists which ranged from Metallica to Jack Johnson.
Once 2009 rolled around, their remix of the song “Woman” performed by Wolfmother was highlighted in the movie entitled “Lesbian Vampire Killers”. Furthermore, on March 17, 2009, MSTRKRFT released their 2nd LP entitled, “Fist of God”. The album offers guest performances by John Legend, E-40, N.O.R.E., and Lil’ Mo, and other artists. All of the tracks on this LB were created by Jesse F. Keeler and Al-P.
Unfortunately, the critics gave this LP a rating of mediocre at best, with leading periodicals Spin, Rolling Stone, and Blender offering the record less than-stellar reviews.
In 2011 MSTRKRFT introduced a couple of brand new singles “Beards Again” and “Back in the USSA” off of their untitled third LP. Their track “Beards Again” was showcased in the Injustice: “Gods Among Us” video-game soundtrack in 2013.