All Systems Go!

All Systems Go! was a Canadian punk rock supergroup that brought together members from several influential bands, including Big Drill Car, Doughboys, Asexuals, The Carnations, Descendents, C’mon, and The Weakerthans. Known for their high-energy performances and eclectic blend of punk rock, the band left a lasting impact during their active years from the late 1990s to the mid-2000s.

History

Formation and Early Years (1998–2001)

All Systems Go! was formed following the breakup of two notable bands: Big Drill Car in 1995 and Doughboys in 1996. Mark Arnold and Frank Daly from Big Drill Car joined forces with John Kastner and Peter Arsenault from Doughboys. Kastner and Arnold, who had been longtime friends from Montreal, decided to collaborate and moved to Toronto to start the new project. They recruited drummer Matt Taylor and began working on their debut album.

The band made their live debut at the 1998 North By Northeast Music Conference in Toronto, taking a break from recording to perform. They quickly gained attention, performing at the Toronto Warped Tour and opening for Pearl Jam at the Molson Centre in Barrie, Ontario, during the latter’s Yield Tour.

Their self-titled debut album, All Systems Go!, was released in 1999. Produced by Daniel Rey, known for his work with the Ramones, the album featured a blend of hard rock, punk, and vocal harmonies. Notably, the album included the track “Subzero,” co-written by Rey and Dee Dee Ramone. The album’s production was financed by Kastner using funds he earned from scoring films.

In 2000, Frank Daly left the band and was replaced by Thomas D’Arcy of The Carnations on bass and vocals. Matt Taylor also departed, and C’mon drummer Dean Dallas Bentley joined the group, solidifying the lineup for their next phase.

Mon Chi Chi and European Tour (2002–2004)

For their second album, Mon Chi Chi, released in 2002 on Bad Taste Records, All Systems Go! expanded their sound and brought in a variety of contributors. Kastner and D’Arcy both contributed to the songwriting and took on vocal duties. The album featured guest appearances from several notable artists, including Jonathan Cummins (Doughboys), Pete Stahl (Queens of the Stone Age), Leonard Phillips (The Dickies), and Melissa Auf der Maur. The band co-wrote “Tell Vicki” with Daniel Rey, “Fascination Unknown” with Greg Dulli, and “Running Blind” with Kastner’s former bandmate Ivan Doroschuk from Men Without Hats.

To promote Mon Chi Chi, the band embarked on a European tour, gaining a broader audience. In 2003, they performed on the television show Open Mike with Mike Bullard and played at Belgium’s Dour Festival.

Shortly after the album’s release, Thomas D’Arcy left the band, and Karl Alvarez from Descendents joined as the new bassist. This lineup toured briefly but did not produce any further studio albums.

A Late Night Snack and Legacy (2006)

In 2006, All Systems Go! released A Late Night Snack, a collection of outtakes and unreleased songs from their time together. The same year, their song “Tell Vicki” was featured in the film Firewall, bringing their music to a wider audience. Although the band had disbanded by this time, their contributions to the punk rock scene remain influential, and their music continues to resonate with fans.

Members

Current Members

• Mark Arnold – guitars (also of Big Drill Car)
• John Kastner – vocals, guitars (also of Asexuals and Doughboys)
• Matt Taylor – drums, backing vocals
• Dean Dallas Bentley – drums (also of C’mon)
• Frank Daly – bass (also of Big Drill Car)
• Peter Arsenault – guitar (also of Doughboys)
• Thomas D’Arcy – bass (also of The Carnations)
• Karl Alvarez – bass (also of Descendents)

Discography

For a comprehensive list, see All Systems Go! discography.

Albums

• All Systems Go!, Coldfront Records (1999)
• Mon Chi Chi, Bad Taste Records (2002)
• A Late Night Snack, Independent (2006)

EPs

• I’ll Be Your Radio, Bad Taste Records (2000)
• Promo 2001, Bad Taste Records (2001)
• Fascination Unknown, Bad Taste Records (2002)
• Promo 2002, Bad Taste Records (2002)
• Tell Vicki, Bad Taste Records (2003)