Moncton metalheads Dischord have a long and sordid history. The band's bio reads like an 18A soap opera: over the past five years they've had so many beefs, brawls and lineup changes that the only original member, Luc Gagne, ends the history with an ominous: "To all those who oppose us, f--- you all."

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photo by Luc Gagne

After a dozen line-up changes, Moncton metalheads Dischord are set to record a live DVD and release their second album this spring.

Said Gagne in a phone interview, "It's been tough keeping the hopes up and keeping the band going, but I think it's paying off. The lineup right now, we don't need to force anything. Everyone's on the same page."

Now comprised of Gagne on guitar, singer Norm Robichaud, bassist Jimmy Hamilton and Eric Gibbs on drums, it appears Dischord finally has their act together - and to celebrate, they're playing a live show to be filmed for an upcoming DVD at Paramount March 5, followed by a night of extreme all-ages music at the St. George Lion's Club March 13.

Dischord is the real thing: rip-roaring, head-banging thrash metal complete with long manes of hair and live performances that are borderline bloody riot. Gagne said that's what drew him to the genre in the first place.

"It's high energy. The intensity, the freedom while we're playing on stage is appealing. You get to be the bad guys," he said.

That same villainous intensity caused problems for Gagne. Metal fans love their parties, and head-banging can be a dangerous gig. Gagne kind of remembers another show Dischord played at Paramount back in 2006 - it wasn't pretty.

"Honestly, I think someone put something in my drink. I had a huge cut over my eye because I'd been head-banging and holding a bottle of beer over my head, and I bumped my head over the beer bottle. So the blood starts coming down, but I wasn't pissed about that. I was pissed because in all the commotion I had to get a new beer," he said.

Gagne said Dischord hopes to tour after releasing an album this spring, He's confident the new group will stick together long enough to see it happen.

"We're all having a good time. We like to goof around and make people laugh; it's not tense anymore as it used to be. That's the key to success," he said.