From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia GrimSkunk
GrimSkunk
GrimSkunk History
GrimSkunk formed in 1988 out of a previous hard rock
group known as Fatal Illness.[2] GrimSkunk played their
first show in April, 1989. Their first demo, Autumn Flowers,
was released two years later, in April, 1991. The band,
along with Groovy Aardvark, were among the first "alter-
native" bands to tour Quebec, thus creating a market for
this genre.
In the first years of GrimSkunk’s career, cannabis was
always very present in the band’s image. Hemp leaves
were on their CD covers, and references to cannabis
could be found in the albums’ names (Autumn Flowers,
GrimSkunk (2009) Exotic Blend), in their songs’ titles (Zig-Zag), and in their
Background information lyrics ("Pourquoi, pourquoi ne pas fumer? / C’est ben lé-
gal de boire", Why, why can’t we smoke / Isn’t it legal to
Origin Montreal, Quebec, Canada drink?). The band’s name itself is an allusion to skunk
Genres Punk cannabis. Their second album, Meltdown was released in
1996.[2] In 1997, GrimSkunk members founded an inde-
Years active 1988–present
pendent Montreal-based record label, Indica Records.[2]
Labels Indica Records From then on all their albums would be released on that
label, which also helped promote local alternative bands.
Website http://www.grimskunk.com/
Members
Franz, Joe Evil, Ben Shatskoff, Vincent Peake, Peter Edwards
Past members
Marc Saint-Maurice (1988-1999)
Todd Wircham (1999 - 2004)
Alain Vadboncoeur (1988-2009)
GrimSkunk is a rock band from Montreal, Quebec with
punk, rock, progressive and world music influences.
Their style is self-described as "world punk"[1] It is re-
garded as being part of the foundation of the Quebec "al-
Grimkskunk in 2006
ternative" scene, having influenced many young musi-
cians and bands.
In that same year, the band’s longtime manager and
The band is known to integrate many languages in
friend Simon Gallipeault was killed in a "hit-and-run"
their songs, such as French, English, Spanish, Greek and
longboard accident involving a car.[1][2] The band be-
Arabic. They have also integrated many styles of music,
came self managed with Franz Schuller as the main
including punk, classic rock, metal, reggae, rap and world
"mouthpiece". The 1998 album, Field Trip, is dedicated to
music among others.
their lost manager and his voice is sampled before the
Over the years, the band shared the stage with many
track Live for today.
established acts such as System Of A Down, Meshuggah,
The bassist, Marc "Boris" Saint-Maurice, left in 1999
Manu Chao and Suicidal Tendencies, as well as peers
to become an activist in the marijuana legalization move-
Anonymus, Vulgaires Machins, Deadly Apples, The Sainte
ment, founding the Bloc Pot[2] and the Marijuana Party of
Catherines and many more.
Canada. Todd Wircham replaced Saint-Maurice for a few
years. He has since been replaced by Vince Peake, former
Groovy Aardvark singer and bass player.[3]
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia GrimSkunk
The band went on a short hiatus in 2000 after singer • GrimSkunk Plays... Fatal Illness (Indica Records), 2001
Joe Evil suffered serious burns from a fire in his apart- • Seventh Wave (Indica Records), 2002)
ment.[4] • Live + DVD unplugged (Indica Records), 2003
In 2002 the band released its seventh album, Seventh • Fires Under the Road (Indica Records), 2006
Wave, which was not well-received by certain critics and
fans who did not like the musical change in direc-
tion.[3][5][6]
External links
In 2002, they performed their first and only un- • GrimSkunk’s official web site
plugged show in Saint-Roch Church in Quebec City.
In 2006, they released Fires Under the Road, which
marks a return to the sound of their earlier albums. [6]
References
[1] ^ 9 Gabriel Allard (15 October 1999). "Un grand
groupe". http://www.cvm.qc.ca/empreintes/
Members Publications/Canif/A99/pdf/cd16.pdf. Retrieved 13
• Franz Schuller - Rhythm guitar, vocals November 2008. (French)
• Joe Evil - Keyboard, vocals [2] ^ Rupert Bottenberg (October 20–26, 2005). "The
• Ben Shatskoff- Drums grass is always greener: no short-term memory loss
• Vincent Peake - Bass for GrimSkunk". Montreal Mirror.
• Peter Edwards - lead guitar http://www.montrealmirror.com/2005/102005/
• Marc "Boris" Saint-Maurice - Bass (1988–1999) watn18.html. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
• Todd Wircham - Bass (1999–2004) [3] ^ Marc-André Boivin (06-07-2007). "Grimskunk au
• Alain Vadboncoeur - Drums (1988–2009) Festival d’été". Canoe. http://fr.canoe.ca/
divertissement/musique/entrevues/2007/07/06/
4319981-ca.html. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
Discography [4] Rupert Bottenberg (November 30, 2000). "S.O.S.
• Autumn Flowers Demo (GrimSkunk Productions) 1991 (save our skunk)". Montreal Mirror.
• Exotic Blend E.P. (GrimSkunk Productions) 1992 http://www.montrealmirror.com/ARCHIVES/
• Rooftop Killer 7" (GrimSkunk Productions, L’Oblique, 2000/113000/news5.html. Retrieved 23 May 2011.
en Guard Records) 1993 [5] http://www.voir.ca/publishing/
• Grim Skunk (Indica Records) 1994 article.aspx?zone=1§ion=6&article=44875
• Meltdown (Indica Records) 1995 [6] ^ Olivier Robillard Laveaux. "Fires Under the
• Autumn Flowers - Rerolled (Indica Records) 1997 Road". Voir. http://www.voir.ca/publishing/
• Fieldtrip (Indica Records) 1998 article.aspx?zone=1§ion=6&article=44392.
• EP 2000 (Indica Records) 2001 (French)
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=GrimSkunk&oldid=462310051"
Categories:
• Canadian alternative rock groups
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