Youth Code is an American EBM duo, formed in 2012 by Sara Taylor and Ryan George in Los Angeles, California. The duo's musical style, following the model of early Wax Trax! Records, has been described as industrial music infused with "hardcore angst." Following their self-released Demonstrational Cassette in 2012 and a chance meeting with Psychic TV, Youth Code were invited to release their first single, "Keep Falling Apart", through Angry Love Productions (the label's first non-Psychic TV release). Since then, they have released two full-length studio albums, an EP, and two additional singles.
In 2013, Youth Code signed with Dais Records, releasing their self-titled debut and served as the opening act for groups such as AFI, Suicide Commando, and Nothing. The pair's music has drawn the attention of mainstream media outlets such as the Los Angeles Times and Pitchfork, as well as praise from major industrial acts such as Skinny Puppy and Front Line Assembly, who invited them on the Eye vs. Spy Tour in 2014. Youth Code opened for Skinny Puppy's Down the SocioPath Tour later in 2015 and have since continued to perform throughout the country. They released their second album, Commitment to Complications, in April 2016.
History
Formation and early releases (2012-2013) Ryan George had performed in a number of punk and hardcore bands for several years before meeting Sara Taylor, who had ten years experience working as tour manager for musical acts of various genres. Taylor had never previously performed in a band, but was taught how to play synthesizers by George. The pair started experimenting with various kinds of sounds until they created something that suited their liking. Vacation Vinyl, where Taylor had been working at the time, announced that there was to be a showcasing of music played by their employees; Taylor informed her manager that she and George would be performing under the name Youth Code. Following their debut performance, Youth Code released a demo tape called Demonstrational Cassette, which became well-circulated and highly sought after. The inside cover of the tape reads "We Were Never Supposed to be a Band", referring to the fact that Youth Code was only supposed to be a one-off gig.
On the band's name, the pair have stated that they were originally going to make fake bands with Greh Holger, manager of the label Chondritic Sound. A split cassette was planned (though never released), in which Youth Code would play Nitzer Ebb-esque music, while Holger would perform music similar to that of Klinik and Clock DVA.
Taylor had met and befriended the band Psychic TV while working as a tour manager. The duo was invited to release their 7-inch single "Keep Falling Apart" through Psychic TV's personal label, Angry Love Productions. The single was a limited release and sold out rapidly. Youth Code released their self-titled studio debut in 2013 through Dais Records. The album's musical style was compared to those of prominent industrial music acts such as Front Line Assembly and Ministry. The album caught the attention of mainstream media outlets such as Pitchfork, who described Youth Code's debut as "hellish" and "uncompromising", but balanced. Three tracks from their demo tape were re-recorded for the album. A music video for the song "Carried Mask" was also produced.
A Place to Stand and the Eye vs. Spy tour (2014)
In late 2013, it was announced that Youth Code would open for alternative rock band AFI starting in January. The announcement came just a few months after a stint supporting Belgian electro-industrial act Suicide Commando. George described how they were so bewildered by the invitation that they could not refuse. The duo were not well received on stage, but stated that they generated more interest backstage, where they had conversations with mostly older members of the audience. George also noted that they "felt like missionaries" while performing with AFI, introducing industrial music to a younger generation. Youth Code also performed several dates in support of shoegazing groups Nothing and Whirr.