Complete List Of Metric Band Members

Born from the shared musical disdain between two Toronto musicians watching a lackluster performance at the Horseshoe Tavern in 1996, Metric has evolved into one of Canada’s most enduring indie rock exports. The band was formed in 1998 in Toronto, Ontario, initially as a duo called Mainstream before adopting the name Metric. Canadian indie rock and new wave band Metric have released nine studio albums, seven extended plays, 25 singles, two video albums, 29 music videos, and three soundtrack albums. The band has experienced one member change in their rhythm section early in their career, with Jarrett Mason as their bassist from 2000-2002 before Joshua Winstead joined as bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2002–present).

Award-winning indie rock band Metric has gained national and international attention for their socially and politically conscious lyrics and upbeat electro-pop, which incorporates elements of rock, new wave, electronica and grunge. The band has received three Juno Awards — for Alternative Album of the Year in 2010 and 2013, and Group of the Year in 2010 — multiple CASBY Awards and three nominations for the Polaris Music Prize. In 2023, Metric ranked 41st on Rolling Stone’s The 50 Greatest Canadian Artists of All Time. The group has maintained remarkable stability, with their current lineup remaining unchanged since 2002, spanning over two decades of creative collaboration and international touring success.

Emily Haines

Emily Savitri Haines (born 25 January 1974) is a Canadian singer and songwriter. She is the lead singer, keyboardist and songwriter of the rock band Metric and a member of the musical collective Broken Social Scene. Haines was born in New Delhi, India, to American-born parents, and was raised in Fenelon Falls, Ontario. She grew up as a dual citizen of both Canada and the United States. Her father, poet Paul Haines (best known for his lyrical collaboration with Carla Bley in the 1971 jazz opera Escalator over the Hill), often made cassettes of rare and eclectic music for his daughter to listen to. This early exposure to diverse musical influences would prove formative in her artistic development. Haines met her future Metric co-founder James Shaw in Toronto in 1996, and their creative partnership began immediately with their shared criticism of a disappointing live performance they witnessed together.

Haines has been with Metric since its inception in 1998, serving as the band’s primary vocalist and contributing keyboards, synthesizers, guitar, tambourine, harmonica, and piano to their recordings. Her contributions have been integral to every Metric album, from their 2003 debut “Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?” through 2022’s “Formentera.” She provided lead vocals and co-writing on signature tracks like “Combat Baby,” “Dead Disco,” “Help I’m Alive,” and “Gimme Sympathy.” Her distinctive vocal style and stage presence have become synonymous with the band’s identity, while her lyrics often explore themes of technology, relationships, and social commentary.

Outside of Metric, Haines has enjoyed a successful solo career under the moniker Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton. In 2006, as Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton, Haines released the studio album Knives Don’t Have Your Back, followed by the EP What Is Free to a Good Home? in 2007, which was inspired by the death of her father. On September 15, 2017, Emily Haines & The Soft Skeleton released the album Choir of the Mind. Her solo work showcases a more intimate, piano-driven approach compared to Metric’s electronic rock sound. Additionally, she has been a significant contributor to Broken Social Scene, particularly notable for her vocals on “Anthems for a Seventeen Year-Old Girl” and co-writing credits on their acclaimed album “You Forgot It in People.”

James Shaw

James Shaw (sometimes credited as Jimmy Shaw) is a founder and lead guitarist of Canadian indie rock band Metric. He is also a member of the band Broken Social Scene and an award-winning producer. Shaw was born in London, England and raised in Bellevue, Ontario, Canada. Shaw’s musical journey began with classical training, spending three years at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York City studying trumpet and classical composition. However, he grew disillusioned with the rigid structure of classical music education and eventually abandoned his classical pursuits to explore contemporary music. His meeting with Emily Haines in 1996 proved to be the catalyst for Metric’s formation, as they immediately began collaborating on songs together.

As Metric’s guitarist and co-founder, Shaw has been present on every album since the band’s formation. He has served not only as lead guitarist but also as a producer on many of their recordings, contributing keyboards, synthesizers, theremin, and backing vocals. His guitar work has evolved from the electronic-influenced sounds of their early albums to the more guitar-driven approach of later releases like “Art of Doubt.” Shaw’s production credits extend beyond performance, having produced or co-produced most of Metric’s discography. In 2013 he won the Juno Award for Producer of the Year for the songs “Youth Without Youth” and “Breathing Underwater” from Metric’s album Synthetica. His technical expertise and creative vision have been instrumental in shaping Metric’s distinctive sound that blends indie rock with electronic elements.

Shaw’s career extends well beyond Metric through his involvement with Broken Social Scene, one of Canada’s most celebrated indie rock collectives. James Shaw – trumpet, various instruments (2004; 2007; 2009–2010; 2016–present) with the group, contributing both as a performer and collaborator. Shaw performed with Broken Social Scene on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert March 30, 2017. He has also worked as a producer for other artists, including producing the debut album for Montreal band The Lovely Feathers. Shaw owns Giant Studios in Toronto, where much of Metric’s recent work has been recorded, giving him complete creative control over the band’s sound and production process.

Joshua Winstead

Joshua Winstead – bass guitar, keyboards, backing vocals (2002–present) joined Metric as their bassist in late 2002, replacing original bassist Jarrett Mason. By the end of 2002, Metric had gained another bandmate: the bassist Joshua Winstead (a native of Texas), who was in town performing with long-time friend Scott-Key in the local music scene. Winstead had been friends with drummer Joules Scott-Key for approximately a decade before both joined Metric, having met during their time in the Texas music scene. His recruitment to the band came through Scott-Key’s recommendation, and the chemistry between the two rhythm section players proved to be exactly what Metric needed to solidify their sound.

Since joining in 2002, Winstead has appeared on every Metric album starting with “Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?” in 2003. His bass playing has been fundamental to tracks like “Combat Baby,” “Monster Hospital,” “Help I’m Alive,” and “Youth Without Youth.” Beyond bass guitar, he contributes keyboards and backing vocals to the band’s recordings, adding depth to their layered sound. His musical partnership with Scott-Key has provided Metric with a solid rhythmic foundation that has remained consistent for over two decades, allowing Haines and Shaw’s creative vision to flourish.

Outside of Metric, Winstead has collaborated with Scott-Key on a side project called Bang Lime, showcasing their musical chemistry beyond their work with the main band. Joules Scott-Key and Joshua Winstead have their own side project, Bang Lime. This collaboration demonstrates the strong personal and musical bond between the rhythm section members that has contributed to Metric’s stability and longevity. Winstead’s steady presence and musical versatility have made him an indispensable part of Metric’s evolution from an electronic duo to a full rock band.

Joules Scott-Key

Joules Scott-Key – drums, percussion (2000–present) became Metric’s drummer in 2000, transforming them from a primarily studio-based electronic duo into a live rock band. They recruited Joules Scott-Key (a native of Flint, Michigan) as their drummer after Haines and Shaw returned from London to New York, seeking to build a full band around their electronic compositions. Joules Scott-Key was attending college in Texas was in town with his friend Joshua Winstead performing in the local music scene. Scott-Key and Winstead had known each other for about a decade and they met Shaw and Haines at the Brooklyn loft and at local performances.

Scott-Key’s drumming has been featured on every Metric album since “Grow Up and Blow Away,” which was recorded in 2001 but not released until 2007. His powerful, driving drum style has been essential to Metric’s sound evolution, providing the rhythmic backbone for hits like “Dead Disco,” “Monster Hospital,” “Help I’m Alive,” and “Youth Without Youth.” His drumming style perfectly complements the band’s blend of electronic and rock elements, providing both precision for their synthesized components and power for their guitar-driven sections. Scott-Key’s contributions extend beyond drumming to percussion and occasional backing vocals.

Like his rhythm section partner Winstead, Scott-Key has maintained creative pursuits outside of Metric through their collaborative project Bang Lime. This side project allows both musicians to explore different musical territories while maintaining their primary commitment to Metric. Scott-Key’s reliability and creative input have been crucial to Metric’s consistency, providing them with a steady rhythmic foundation that has supported their artistic evolution across multiple decades and numerous international tours.

Jarrett Mason (Former Member)

Jarrett Mason as their bassist served as Metric’s original bassist from 2000 to 2002, during their early transition from an electronic duo to a full band. They recruited Joules Scott-Key (a native of Flint, Michigan) as their drummer and Jarrett Mason as their bassist when Haines and Shaw returned to Brooklyn from London in November 2000, seeking to build a live band around their electronic compositions. Mason joined the band during a crucial period when they were working on their debut album “Grow Up and Blow Away,” which was recorded in 2001.

Mason’s contributions to Metric were primarily during their formative period as they developed their sound from electronic demos into full band arrangements. He performed on “Grow Up and Blow Away,” though the album wouldn’t see official release until 2007 due to label delays. Le premier bassiste du groupe Jarrett Mason, mais il a quitté le groupe au milieu de l’année 2002. Il a été remplacé par Joshua Winstead (The band’s first bassist Jarrett Mason left the group in mid-2002 and was replaced by Joshua Winstead). His departure from the band came before they recorded their official debut album “Old World Underground, Where Are You Now?” in 2003.

Mason’s time with Metric, though brief, was during a critical period when the band was establishing their identity as a live act and transitioning from their electronic origins to their rock sound. His departure allowed for the recruitment of Joshua Winstead, who would prove to be the final piece needed to complete Metric’s enduring lineup. While limited information is available about Mason’s career after leaving Metric, his contribution to the band’s early development was important in their evolution from a studio project to a touring rock band. His involvement in “Grow Up and Blow Away” represents an important chapter in Metric’s history, even though the album’s delayed release meant his contributions weren’t heard until years after his departure from the group.