Cell Deth

Cell Deth is a straight-to-the-skull, fast-hardcore punk band from Charlottetown. In 2021, Ryan Kirkpatrick (bass) and Brett Sanderson (drums) had the idea to start a band. They mentioned it to Matt Sheidow (guitar) who had already started stockpiling guitar parts, song ideas, and even a band name for a future project. Matt had been binging on the American hardcore punk band Scholastic Deth, and they inspired the name Cell Deth. When Ryan and Brett proposed a band, Matt joined and offered up his secret band name and his song ideas and Cell Deth began. 

The trio spent a year working on instrumental music, and at one point even tried completing the songs with vocals, but ultimately held off. This is where Story Sheidow enters the picture and within a week or two of joining the band in November 2022, lyrics and vocals were written and recorded and Cell Deth was solidified. They draw influence from 80’s hardcore bands like Poison Idea, Jerry’s Kids, and Black Flag. 

Immediately after Story joined the band, they played their first show and within months, their first release, Demo, was issued on cassette by Sewercide Records. They quickly sold out.

In only a short time, they have performed around the country. Their second show ever was a headlining slot at Montreal’s Yell Out Fest and recently they played with legendary Canadian punks D.O.A. in Charlottetown. They’ve played Ottawa’s Sitting on the Outside Festival, Toronto and Hamilton with Brain Itch and Sago, toured British Columbia with shows in Chilliwack, Victoria, Cumberland, Vancouver at Alf House (the oldest punk house in Canada) for Better Things to Do Fest, and in Nanaimo, where they angered a wizard in a hockey jersey who was crossing the street. When their van, coming down a hill, didn’t appear to be slowing down fast enough for the wizard’s liking, he became upset with Cell Deth.  

Their recording process is efficient. Everything so far has been recorded and mixed by Brett. The band records live off the floor and quickly chooses a take for Story to sing on. The results are authentic and outstanding. 

In July 2024, Cell Deth put out their second EP, Catholic Guilt, again on Sewercide Records. The initial run of 300 copies is almost sold out. Recently, they were approached by a label in Argentina who asked to release Catholic Guilt on MiniDisc. They approved and these relics are on their way to Canada. 

Punks hold community close; they are passionate about music, and they don’t feel the need for competition. The fans buy lots of shirts and records, and bands like Cell Deth thrive. There are a lot of bands sharing bills, crashing on couches, and helping each other find new fans. As it spreads, the community builds and becomes closer.  

Since the beginning, Cell Deth has been buzzing in the Canadian and International punk community. The band admits to spending a good portion of their time on the road finding good and bad things to eat. Usually, Ryan adopts a new persona for each trip and that involves finding and buying some kind of fun hat. They have a good time. 

They are hoping to play their first shows in the United States and Newfoundland in 2025. 

If you’d like to catch a Cell Deth show, they are performing as part of an all-ages show at The Guild on October 5. They can also be found in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia on October 11 for Nowadays Fest. 

You can buy their music on Bandcamp at celldeth.bandcamp.com or stream it where you do that.