(E)

(E) -or (e), lower case!- was an experimental and new wave project that grew out of the burgeoning Vancouver punk scene around 1980. The project was the brainchild of Gary Middleclass (aka Gary Bourgeois) who also recorded with underground punk band The Generators, as well as the more famous Payola$. Bassist Michael Wonderful, also of The Generators, Brock Rock (Brock Smith), and Aleh (aka Nathan Holiday) formed the core of the initial band. Along with producer Bob Rock, (e) recorded two bleepy and punked out synth tracks for the project's debut 7", 'Reaction / Coincidence'. 

Middleclass then took (e) towards a more minimal approach with its second 7", 'Prime Cuts', which was released as the original soundtrack to the Paul Wong videotape of the same name. The 7" was the first to feature a new line-up: Young Canadians' drummer Barry Taylor, and keyboardist-vocalist Gina Daniels joined Middleclass in what would become the core of (e) for the next two years. Middleclass, Daniels, and Taylor are joined on these tracks by Glen Nelson of Images In Vogue and Mobile Clones fame.

 
The project's only 12" (and final release) was 'The Levitation Syndrome', a joyful burst of youthful energy and minimal synth that is as fresh today as it was when it was released by the cult label Rogelletti Records in 1981. Everything on these tracks comes together brilliantly; the melodies, the shy and fragile vocals, the subtle and excellent drumming, and the splendour of a short-lived minimal synth scene with all the energy of punk rock, west-coast style. [SOURCE: BANDCAMP]