AUT' CHOSE

Aut' Chose biography
Aut? Chose is a heavy progressive band from Québec that was formed in the early seventies. It was in fact a Lucien Francoeur musical project. Francoeur was, in Québec, a well-known poet and radio host. That is one of the most important aspect of the music of Aut? Chose, the poetry. Francoeur had a way of writing (sometimes) provoking poetry, but a touching one, too. He used Québécois slang in his music, recalling singers like Robert Charlebois. Another particularity of Francoeur?s way of singing is that we can not even call it singing. He was reciting the lyrics most of the time.
Aut? Chose?s first album (named Prends une chance avec moé) was released as a duo featuring Lucien Francoeur (vocals) and Pierre Gauthier (guitar, keyboards) in 1974. Other musicians like Mick Gauthier (bass), Jacques Racine (guitars) and Jacques Lalumière (drums) were featured on the album. Including a wide range of influences such as Jim Morrison, Lou Reed and even reggae, their first album has a unique style, which would define Aut? Chose?s music later.
On their second album, Une nuit comme les autres (1975), their approach was more sober, but not less original. Their line-up was also modified. This time, Jean-François St-George would join and play keyboards, Lalumière would be replaced by Chris Castle and Pierre Gauthier would leave the band to form Eclipse. The Lou Reed importance would get more important on this second release. Their sound would also get a bit more glam rock. But, most importantly, it is on this album they would develop their progressive sound with songs like Comme à radio and Une saison en enfer.
In 1976, their last album with the classic line-up, Le cauchemar Américain, was released.
The end of the seventies saw the birth of punk. Of course, Aut? Chose was influenced by this new, popular genre. They would get Guy Racine and Jean-Paul Harnois to replace Mick Gauthier and Chris Castle and get an approach similar to punk, but still putting progressive music in it.

In 2005, Lucien Francoeur and Pierre Gauthier got back together and decided to release a new album. This album is Chanson d?épouvante.
I would personally recommend their first two albums to lovers of progressive music mixed with other styles.

Biography written by Gabriel Rivest (Tsevir Leirbag)