Lee Tesche

Algiers

Tesche is a founding member of Algiers, an Atlanta-rooted post-punk band whose music has been described as combining gospel, punk, post-punk, industrial music and political critique.^[8][9] According to AllMusic, the band formed in Atlanta when guitarist Tesche and bassist Ryan Mahan, both active in the city's underground rock and noise scenes, began working with vocalist and guitarist Franklin James Fisher.^[8] Interview described Algiers as having started as a three-piece in Atlanta before expanding across multiple cities, with Tesche remaining in Atlanta while other members were based in London and New York.^[10]

Algiers released its self-titled debut album through Matador Records in 2015. Reviewing the album for Pitchfork, Stuart Berman noted that Fisher, Tesche and Mahan assembled the record through transatlantic collaboration, with Tesche and Mahan then based in London.^[11] Coverage of the band has noted Tesche's role as guitarist and multi-instrumentalist, with AllMusic listing his credits across Algiers releases as including guitar, prepared guitar, prepared piano, percussion, synthesizer, saxophone, electronics, programming, vocals, photography and design.^[2]

In 2020, Tesche appeared with Algiers vocalist Franklin James Fisher on World Cafe to discuss the band's album There Is No Year.^[12] WNYC's Soundcheck has described Algiers' instrumentation as including Tesche on guitar, prepared guitar, harmonium, saxophone and prepared piano.^[13]

Lyonnais

Tesche has also been a member of Lyonnais, an Atlanta experimental rock and post-punk group.^[14] AllMusic lists Tesche among Lyonnais' group members, alongside Farbod Kokabi, Farzad Moghaddam and TJ Blake.^[14] In 2016, Immersive Atlanta described Tesche as Lyonnais' guitarist and noted that his work with Algiers had brought him international attention.^[15]

Lyonnais released Want for Wish for Nowhere in 2011 and Anatomy of the Image in 2016.^[16] The video for Lyonnais' "A Sign From On High / Modern Calvary" was directed by Tesche and Sam Campbell.^[5]

Nun Gun

Tesche and Algiers bandmate Ryan Mahan formed Nun Gun with visual artist Brad Feuerhelm.^[6][17] The project released Mondo Decay, a multimedia work pairing Feuerhelm's photography with an original soundtrack, in 2021.^[6]

Through Nun Gun, Tesche collaborated with Mark Stewart of The Pop Group. Stereogum described Nun Gun as a collaborative project between Tesche, Mahan and Feuerhelm, and noted that the track "Stealth Empire" featured vocals from Stewart.^[7] The Quietus also described the release as a video collaboration with Stewart, connected to Nun Gun's Mondo Decay project.^[6]

Dead Pioneers

Tesche is the bassist for Dead Pioneers, a Denver punk band led by visual and performance artist Gregg Deal.^[18][19] Deal told PopMatters that he met Tesche during an artist residency in Florida, where the two worked on the first iteration of the Dead Pioneers song "Bad Indian".^[19] The collaboration later developed into a larger set of songs and recording sessions for the band.^[19]

Tesche has also directed music videos for the band, including "Mythical Cowboys", "Never Alone" featuring The Interrupters, and "The Worst Among Us" featuring Jason Williamson of Sleaford Mods.^[20][21][22]

Film, video and design work

Tesche has worked as a filmmaker, video director, curator and visual collaborator. The Atlantic Center for the Arts described him as a multi-instrumentalist, sound designer and filmmaker whose work includes experimental tape-based music and contributions to television and film.^[1] In 2015, The Line of Best Fit reported that Tesche directed the video for Algiers' "Black Eunuch".^[4]

Tesche curated the Atlanta installment of Burn to Shine, the documentary film series created by filmmaker Christoph Green and Fugazi drummer Brendan Canty.^[3][23] Burn to Shine 6: Atlanta was filmed in 2007 and featured performances by artists including Shannon Wright, Deerhunter, Black Lips, Mastodon, The Coathangers, The Mighty Hannibal, and others.^[24] In a 2009 interview with Creative Loafing, Canty credited Tesche's local organizing role in making the Atlanta installment happen.^[25]

With Algiers

• Algiers (2015, Matador Records)^[11]
• The Underside of Power (2017, Matador Records)^[2]
• There Is No Year (2020, Matador Records)^[12]
• Shook (2023, Matador Records)^[2]

With Lyonnais

• Want for Wish for Nowhere (2011)^[16]
• Anatomy of the Image (2016)^[16]

With Nun Gun

• Mondo Decay (2021)^[6]
• Stealth Empire (In Dub) (2021)^[6]

With Dead Pioneers

• Po$t American (2025, Hassle Records)^[18]
• Wagon Burner (2026, Hassle Records)^[19]