The Super Friendz

The Super Friendz are a Canadian indie rock band from Halifax, Nova Scotia.[1] They were initially active between 1994 and 1997, before reforming in 2003.

The Super Friendz
OriginHalifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
GenresIndie rock, power pop
Years active1994–1997, 2003–2004
LabelsMurderecords
Websitethesuperfriendz.bandcamp.com
MembersDrew Yamada
Charles Austin
Matt Murphy
Chris Murphy
Dave Marsh
Cliff Gibb
Lonnie James

Contemporaries of Sloan, their early work was on Sloan's Murderecords label.[2]

Career

The Super Friendz were formed in 1994 by three King's College students Charles Austin (vocals and bass), Matt Murphy (vocals and guitar), Drew Yamada (vocals and guitar). The band had no permanent drummer: at various times Chris Murphy (no relation to Matt) of Sloan, Cliff Gibb of Thrush Hermit, Lonnie James and Dave Marsh filled the role.[3]

In 1994, The Super Friendz released the cassette Sticktoitiveness independently, and the single "By Request" on Murderecords, and later toured Canada with Sloan.[4]

The band's first album, Mock Up, Scale Down was released on Murderecords.[5] The singles "10 lbs.", "Karate Man" and "Rescue Us from Boredom" were released from the album,[6] which was a Juno Award nominee for Alternative Album of the Year at the Juno Awards of 1996.[7] Mock Up, Scale Down was reissued in the United States in 1997 on March Records under the title Sticktoitiveness.

In 1996 the band contributed the song "Blue Tattoo" to the compilation album A Tribute to Hard Core Logo,[8] and released the EP Play the Game, Not Games on Murderecords. The songs on Play the Game—especially the contributions of Austin and Yamada—were significantly more experimental than on the album.

The band's second album, Slide Show, was released in early 1997.[9] By this time, James had been named as the band's permanent drummer. Critical response to the album was highly favourable, although some identified signs of creative tension in the album's diverse array of styles.[10] By August, the band had broken up.[11]

Post-breakup

Matt Murphy later re-emerged with a new band called The Flashing Lights.[4] He has also played with the bands City Field and Cookie Duster, and starred in the film The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico.[4] In 2015, he formed a new band, TUNS, with Chris Murphy and Mike O'Neill.

Austin and Yamada launched the project Neuseiland with Joel Plaskett, then of Thrush Hermit.[4] Austin is now a recording engineer and producer in Halifax, while Yamada later toured with O'Neill and others, before leaving the music industry full-time to pursue post-secondary education. James went on to release two critically acclaimed solo records on Teenage USA, as well as recording and touring as a drummer in Royal City.

In late December 2002, the Super Friendz came back together for a special holiday reunion.[4] The band recorded a reunion album, Love Energy, which was released in 2003.[4] A small tour followed in September.

Discography
  • Sticktoitiveness (1994)
  • Mock Up, Scale Down (1995)
  • Slide Show (1997)
  • Love Energy (2003)
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References
  1. "Hopped on Pop: The Super Friendz stands apart from Halifax's alternative scene -- with a sense of humor and no angst". Halifax Daily News, July 21, 1995.
  2. "Despite lack of full-time drummer, Halifax trio doesn't miss a beat". Ottawa Citizen, December 7, 1995.
  3. "Super Friendz : Halifax band has the sound of the '90s". Waterloo Region Record, December 5, 1995.
  4. Michael Barclay, Ian A.D. Jack and Jason Schneider, (2011) Have Not Been the Same: The Can-Rock Renaissance 1985-1995. (10th anniversary ed.) ECW Press. ISBN 978-1-55022-992-9. pp. 486-488.
  5. "RECORDINGS POP: Mock Up, Scale Down, The Super Friendz". The Globe and Mail, July 29, 1995.
  6. "Super Friendz rises from Halifax pop pack: Melodious trio caps big year with Rivoli show". Toronto Star, December 7, 1995.
  7. "Juno nominees reflect success of female singers: Shania Twain leads with seven nominations, followed by Alanis Morissette with six, Susan Aglukark with five and Celine Dion with four". The Globe and Mail, February 1, 1996.
  8. "VARIOUS ARTISTS: A Tribute to Hard Core Logo". Windsor Star, November 28, 1996.
  9. "Sophisticated effort from Super Friendz". Halifax Daily News, March 14, 1997.
  10. "THE SUPER FRIENDZ / Slide Show". Hamilton Spectator, March 11, 1997.
  11. "Local: Super Friendz act cancelled at festival". Kingston Whig-Standard, August 19, 1997.
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