Jakalope
Encyclopedia
Jakalope is a Canadian
pop
/electronica
group. They are named for the fictional animal of the same name, although the animal's name is more commonly spelled jackalope
. The band was formed in 2003 by noted Canadian industrial musician and producer Dave "Rave" Ogilvie most famous for his studio work with such acts as Skinny Puppy
, David Bowie
, Nine Inch Nails
, and Marilyn Manson
. The band gained much popularity after playing the opening theme song to seasons 4—7 of the TV series Degrassi: The Next Generation
.
project headed by Dave Ogilvie. His conceptual aim was towards new musical genre rooted in industrial rock
(for which Ogilvie is famed), but would be able to flow smoothly between searing rock and melodic pop. It was around this time that Ogilvie became acquainted with the vocal stylings of Katie B
while she was working at Bryan Adams
' The Warehouse Studio
in Vancouver, British Columbia. The two of them had instant chemistry, and Katie took her position center stage as the front woman of Jakalope.
Their debut album, It Dreams
, was released in 2004, and spawned the hit singles and videos "Pretty Life", and "Feel It". The 3rd single was "Go Away", but the video received little play on MuchMusic
and was unsuccessful compared to the two previous singles. In 2005 It Dreams was released in Japan
.
For this album, the band collaborated with a large number of guest musicians, including Trent Reznor
(who contributed production work, as well as song writing, and instrumentation), Kat Bjelland
and members of Acid Polly Sloan
, Monster Magnet
and Malhavoc.
The cover art for It Dreams received the Juno Award
for Best CD/DVD Artwork Design of the Year in 2005, and was designed by artist Vincent Marcone
.
confirmed that Jakalope would return to the studio in late October to record their next album, Born 4
. The first single off the new album, "Upside Down (And I Fall)", was released to radio in March 2006. There was some controversy with the release date constantly changing, from an initial date set for spring 2006. Due to undisclosed reasons the release date was postponed several times, until the release on October 3.
Trent Reznor
returned as co-producer and other guests on the second album include Allie Sheldan (Rio Bent), Thom D'arcy
(Small Sins
), Bob Pantella (Monster Magnet), Alex Lifeson
(Rush
), Jeremy Fisher
and Bill Rieflin (Ministry
, R.E.M.
, Married To Music). Vincent Marcone returned once more to do the CD design.
Born 4 was released on June 7, 2006 in Japan, and on October 3 in Canada. It is now available for purchase on iTunes
in both the United States and Canada.
The spot of lead singer was eventually filled by Chrystal Leigh, former lead singer for now-defunct Vancouver band The Perfect Strangers. She also fronted the Chrystal Leigh Band during a stint in Kelowna, and contributed supporting vocals to the song 'Vertebrae' by Closing Iris. Of Chrystal, Ogilvie has said "I was blown away by her personality, her voice, and the fact that she's a piano player," recounts Ogilvie, before dishing, "I was dying to have someone to collaborate with, who actually is a musician and not just a singer."
For the next few years, Jakalope would remain quiet as they slowly put together new material and searched for a new label. They still played the occasional show, such as playing at the 2009 Juno Festival and released the occasional song via their myspace.
In August 2009 Jakalope released yet another new song, titled "a.k.a. Cupcake", through their YouTube account and announced that final recording for their new album had begun.
In February 2010, the band announced that they had signed to 604 Records
and soon after announced that filming of a video for their upcoming single, titled "Witness", would be taking place in the coming week.
In March 2010 the band announced via twitter that the first single would be released at the end of March and the new album would be out by the end of May.
On May 19, 2010 Jakalope posted 3 new songs on their MySpace page, "Witness", "Baby Blue" and "Combine", as well as a trailer for their upcoming music video for "Witness".
On July 13, 2010, "Witness", the first single from the band's forthcoming album, was made available through the iTunes Store. A remix named "Witness (Kevvy Mental Remix)" by Kevin James Maher
was also made available for purchase.
Chrystal Leigh announced that the next music video would be for the song Magnolia.
The song "Pretty Life" was featured in the Canadian produced show "Lost Girl", which currently airs on Showcase in Canada.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
pop
Pop music
Pop music is usually understood to be commercially recorded music, often oriented toward a youth market, usually consisting of relatively short, simple songs utilizing technological innovations to produce new variations on existing themes.- Definitions :David Hatch and Stephen Millward define pop...
/electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
group. They are named for the fictional animal of the same name, although the animal's name is more commonly spelled jackalope
Jackalope
The jackalope is a mythical animal of North American folklore described as a jackrabbit with antelope horns or deer antlers and sometimes a pheasant's tail . The word "jackalope" is a portmanteau of "jackrabbit" and "antalope", an archaic spelling of "antelope". It is also known as Lepus...
. The band was formed in 2003 by noted Canadian industrial musician and producer Dave "Rave" Ogilvie most famous for his studio work with such acts as Skinny Puppy
Skinny Puppy
Skinny Puppy is a Canadian industrial musical group, formed in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada in 1982. The group is widely considered to be the founders of the electro-industrial genre....
, David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
, Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails
Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project, founded in 1988 by Trent Reznor in Cleveland, Ohio. As its main producer, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist, Reznor is the only official member of Nine Inch Nails and remains solely responsible for its direction...
, and Marilyn Manson
Marilyn Manson (band)
Marilyn Manson is an American metal band from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Formed in 1989 by Brian Warner and Scott Putesky, the group was originally named Marilyn Manson & the Spooky Kids with their uniquely theatrical performances gathering a local cult following in the early '90s. This attention...
. The band gained much popularity after playing the opening theme song to seasons 4—7 of the TV series Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation
Degrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi universe, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, and follows The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and...
.
Beginnings and It Dreams
Jakalope began in 2003 as an open-conceptOpenconcept
Openconcept is a term generally used to describe a type of architecture which provides a lot of flexible space. There are a few general spaces that are defined using open-concept, see restroom, stairway and changeroom....
project headed by Dave Ogilvie. His conceptual aim was towards new musical genre rooted in industrial rock
Industrial rock
Industrial rock is a musical genre that fuses industrial music and specific rock subgenres. Industrial rock spawned industrial metal, with which it is often confused...
(for which Ogilvie is famed), but would be able to flow smoothly between searing rock and melodic pop. It was around this time that Ogilvie became acquainted with the vocal stylings of Katie B
Katie B
Katie Rox is a Canadian singer-songwriter from a farm on the outskirts of Airdrie, Alberta, who currently lives in Vancouver. She performed in the past under the name Katie B.-Career:...
while she was working at Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams
Bryan Adams, is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter, guitarist, bassist, producer, actor and photographer. Adams has won dozens of awards and nominations, including 20 Juno Awards among 56 nominations. He has also received 15 Grammy Award nominations including a win for Best Song Written...
' The Warehouse Studio
The Warehouse Studio
The Warehouse Studio is a music recording facility in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, owned by Bryan Adams.- The building :The Warehouse Studio is housed in the oldest brick building in Vancouver, which is located in present-day Gastown...
in Vancouver, British Columbia. The two of them had instant chemistry, and Katie took her position center stage as the front woman of Jakalope.
Their debut album, It Dreams
It Dreams
It Dreams was the debut album by Jakalope, released on October 26, 2004.The music videos made for the album are known for the clone and hybrid theme connected to the band. Videos featuring Dave Ogilvie as a Dr. Evar and Katie B...
, was released in 2004, and spawned the hit singles and videos "Pretty Life", and "Feel It". The 3rd single was "Go Away", but the video received little play on MuchMusic
MuchMusic
MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...
and was unsuccessful compared to the two previous singles. In 2005 It Dreams was released in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
.
For this album, the band collaborated with a large number of guest musicians, including Trent Reznor
Trent Reznor
Michael Trent Reznor is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, and leader of industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. Reznor is also a member of How to Destroy Angels alongside his wife, Mariqueen Maandig, and Atticus Ross. He was previously associated with bands Option 30,...
(who contributed production work, as well as song writing, and instrumentation), Kat Bjelland
Kat Bjelland
Katherine "Kat" Bjelland is an American musician who is currently the lead singer-guitarist of the band Katastrophy Wife, and is the former lead singer and guitarist of the punk rock band Babes in Toyland....
and members of Acid Polly Sloan
Sloan (band)
Sloan is a Toronto-based alternative rock quartet from Halifax, Nova Scotia. Throughout their 20-year tenure Sloan has released 10 LPs , two EPs, a live album, a "best of" collection and no less than thirty singles...
, Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet is an American stoner rock band. Hailing from Red Bank, New Jersey, the group was founded by Dave Wyndorf , John McBain and Tim Cronin...
and Malhavoc.
The cover art for It Dreams received the Juno Award
Juno Award
The Juno Awards are presented annually to Canadian musical artists and bands to acknowledge their artistic and technical achievements in all aspects of music...
for Best CD/DVD Artwork Design of the Year in 2005, and was designed by artist Vincent Marcone
Vincent Marcone
Vincent Marcone is a Canadian web designer, illustrator, film director, and musician. He forms one third of the Guelph, Ontario based band Johnny Hollow...
.
Born 4
In early October 2005, The Orange Record LabelOrange Record Label
Orange Record Label is a Canadian independent record label, located in Toronto, Ontario. Orange recordings are distributed in Canada by Universal Music Canada, which is also a minority stakeholder in the label....
confirmed that Jakalope would return to the studio in late October to record their next album, Born 4
Born 4
Born 4 is the second album from Canadian group Jakalope. It was released in Japan on the 7th of June, and was released on October 3rd in Canada. The first single off the album is Upside Down , with an accompanying video. It can be noted that the video has left behind the themes of cloning that were...
. The first single off the new album, "Upside Down (And I Fall)", was released to radio in March 2006. There was some controversy with the release date constantly changing, from an initial date set for spring 2006. Due to undisclosed reasons the release date was postponed several times, until the release on October 3.
Trent Reznor
Trent Reznor
Michael Trent Reznor is an American multi-instrumentalist, composer, record producer, and leader of industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. Reznor is also a member of How to Destroy Angels alongside his wife, Mariqueen Maandig, and Atticus Ross. He was previously associated with bands Option 30,...
returned as co-producer and other guests on the second album include Allie Sheldan (Rio Bent), Thom D'arcy
Thomas D'Arcy
Thomas D'Arcy, is a Canadian singer and songwriter born in Guernsey, Channel Islands. He has been part of such bands and indie rock acts as The Carnations, All Systems Go!, Small Sins , Another Blue Door, The I-Spies and The Suspenders, among others.-Career:D'Arcy's family immigrated to Toronto,...
(Small Sins
Small Sins
Small Sins is the Toronto-based indie rock act of Thomas D'Arcy, former member of The Carnations. The Small Sins were once known as The Ladies and Gentlemen, but due to legal reasons they had to change their name...
), Bob Pantella (Monster Magnet), Alex Lifeson
Alex Lifeson
Aleksandar Živojinović, OC, better known by his stage name Alex Lifeson, is a second generation Serbian-Canadian musician, best known as the guitarist of the Canadian rock band Rush. In the summer of 1968, Lifeson founded the band that would become Rush with friend, drummer John Rutsey...
(Rush
Rush (band)
Rush is a Canadian rock band formed in August 1968, in the Willowdale neighbourhood of Toronto, Ontario. The band is composed of bassist, keyboardist, and lead vocalist Geddy Lee, guitarist Alex Lifeson, and drummer and lyricist Neil Peart...
), Jeremy Fisher
Jeremy Fisher
Jeremy Fisher is a Canadian singer-songwriter. Fisher is based in Montreal, Quebec and was previously based on Vancouver Island, B.C. and in Seattle, Washington, U.S.A....
and Bill Rieflin (Ministry
Ministry (band)
Ministry is an American industrial metal band founded by lead singer Al Jourgensen in 1981. Originally a synthpop outfit, Ministry changed its style to industrial metal in the late 1980s. Ministry found mainstream success in the early 1990s with its most successful album Psalm 69: The Way to...
, R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
, Married To Music). Vincent Marcone returned once more to do the CD design.
Born 4 was released on June 7, 2006 in Japan, and on October 3 in Canada. It is now available for purchase on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
in both the United States and Canada.
Katie B's Departure and the arrival of Chrystal Leigh
In spring 2007, frontwoman Katie B. left the band to pursue a solo career. She summarizes her experience with Jakalope as a time where she "grew as a songwriter, a performer, an artist, and learned many a valuable lesson". The split is said to be amicable and there is no ill will between the two parties.The spot of lead singer was eventually filled by Chrystal Leigh, former lead singer for now-defunct Vancouver band The Perfect Strangers. She also fronted the Chrystal Leigh Band during a stint in Kelowna, and contributed supporting vocals to the song 'Vertebrae' by Closing Iris. Of Chrystal, Ogilvie has said "I was blown away by her personality, her voice, and the fact that she's a piano player," recounts Ogilvie, before dishing, "I was dying to have someone to collaborate with, who actually is a musician and not just a singer."
For the next few years, Jakalope would remain quiet as they slowly put together new material and searched for a new label. They still played the occasional show, such as playing at the 2009 Juno Festival and released the occasional song via their myspace.
Things That Go Jump In The Night
First, the band released two new songs, via their official MySpace, the first titled "Delicious" and the second, a cover of a Julee Cruise song, "Falling". Ogilvie announced that the album would be named Delicious. Another song, titled "Last Song", was released via the official Jakalope fansite. A remix of "Delicious" by Alkatraz was also released to their Myspace.In August 2009 Jakalope released yet another new song, titled "a.k.a. Cupcake", through their YouTube account and announced that final recording for their new album had begun.
In February 2010, the band announced that they had signed to 604 Records
604 Records
604 Records is the production company of Nickelback singer Chad Kroeger and attorney Jonathan Simkin, founded in 2002. Their records are distributed in Canada by Universal Music Group....
and soon after announced that filming of a video for their upcoming single, titled "Witness", would be taking place in the coming week.
In March 2010 the band announced via twitter that the first single would be released at the end of March and the new album would be out by the end of May.
On May 19, 2010 Jakalope posted 3 new songs on their MySpace page, "Witness", "Baby Blue" and "Combine", as well as a trailer for their upcoming music video for "Witness".
On July 13, 2010, "Witness", the first single from the band's forthcoming album, was made available through the iTunes Store. A remix named "Witness (Kevvy Mental Remix)" by Kevin James Maher
Kevin James Maher
Kevin “Kevvy Mental” Maher is a Canadian musician, film composer, remix artist and music producer, most notable for his work in Fake Shark - Real Zombie! as lead vocalist and programmer.-Early life:...
was also made available for purchase.
Chrystal Leigh announced that the next music video would be for the song Magnolia.
Members
Due to the nature of the band, there are constantly rotating members, however the core members of the band include:- Chrystal Leigh - Lead Vocals, Keyboard, & Piano
- Dave "Rave" Ogilvie - Keyboard, Guitar, & Vocals
- Phil Caivano (Monster MagnetMonster MagnetMonster Magnet is an American stoner rock band. Hailing from Red Bank, New Jersey, the group was founded by Dave Wyndorf , John McBain and Tim Cronin...
) - Matt WarhurstMatt WarhurstMatt Warhurst is a Canadian musician and record producer. He has played bass guitar in the punk rock group SNFU and the industrial rock band Jakalope.-Career:...
(SNFUSNFUSNFU is a Canadian punk rock band formed in 1981 in Edmonton, Alberta and later relocated to Vancouver, British Columbia. They have released nine full-length albums and are cited as a formative influence on the skate punk sub-genre....
) - Sean StubbsSean StubbsSean R. Stubbs is a Canadian musician. He has served as the drummer in the industrial rock bands Numb and Jakalope, and the punk rock band SNFU. He has also been a member of alternative rock singer-songwriter Bif Naked's band.-Career:...
- Anthony Valcic (Flu, Download)
- Jeremy Fisher - Jeremy can be heard singing in early Jakalope songs with Katie B
- Don Harrison, Don Binns and Don Short. (Harrison, Binns and Short, nicknamed "The Three Dons", are all former members of the bands Sons of FreedomSons of Freedom (band)Sons of Freedom were a Canadian alternative rock band of the late 1980s and early 1990s. The band, consisting of vocalist James Newton, guitarist Don Harrison, bassist Don Binns and drummer Don Short, formed in 1987 in Vancouver, British Columbia....
and 2preciious2preciious2preciious was a Canadian alternative rock band of the 1990s. The band consisted of Lee Aaron, guitarist Don Harrison, bassist Don Binns and drummer Don Short. The "three Dons" were all former members of the band Sons of Freedom....
.) - Kevin James MaherKevin James MaherKevin “Kevvy Mental” Maher is a Canadian musician, film composer, remix artist and music producer, most notable for his work in Fake Shark - Real Zombie! as lead vocalist and programmer.-Early life:...
(Fake Shark - Real Zombie!Fake Shark - Real Zombie!Fake Shark – Real Zombie! is a Canadian dance punk band. Formed in 2005, their musical style combines elements of IDM and post-hardcore. The name is a reference to Lucio Fulci's film Zombi 2, where a real shark and a zombie engage in combat.-History:...
)
Albums
- It DreamsIt DreamsIt Dreams was the debut album by Jakalope, released on October 26, 2004.The music videos made for the album are known for the clone and hybrid theme connected to the band. Videos featuring Dave Ogilvie as a Dr. Evar and Katie B...
(2004) - Born 4Born 4Born 4 is the second album from Canadian group Jakalope. It was released in Japan on the 7th of June, and was released on October 3rd in Canada. The first single off the album is Upside Down , with an accompanying video. It can be noted that the video has left behind the themes of cloning that were...
(2006) - Things That Go Jump In The Night (October 26, 2010)
Singles
- Pretty Life (2004)
- Feel It (2005)
- Go Away (2005)
- Upside Down (And I Fall) (2006)
- Digging Deep (2006)
- Witness (2010)
Trivia
- They performed the theme for the opening credits of Degrassi: The Next GenerationDegrassi: The Next GenerationDegrassi: The Next Generation is a Canadian teen drama television series set in the Degrassi universe, which was created by Linda Schuyler and Kit Hood in 1979. Degrassi is the fourth fictional series in the Degrassi franchise, and follows The Kids of Degrassi Street, Degrassi Junior High, and...
in seasons 4 & 5. And in seasons 6 & 7 the vocals were stripped and the instrumental (still performed by Jakalope) was used. That song, along with Feel It, is featured in the 2005 soundtrack Songs from Degrassi: The Next GenerationSongs from Degrassi: The Next GenerationThis is a list of Degrassi soundtracks.-The N Soundtrack:Released following the fifth season, in 2006, The N Soundtrack contains songs from Degrassi: The Next Generation, including the first recording by Degrassi actor turned rapper Drake, and other shows airing on The N and CTV.-Music from...
, and again in 2008 in Music from Degrassi: The Next Generation. - Their song "Upside Down (And I Fall)" was used as part of the soundtrack to the mountain biking video New World Disorder 8 - Smackdown, part of the New World Disorder (Freeride Mountain Biking Movie Series)New World Disorder (Freeride Mountain Biking Movie Series)New World Disorder is the name given to a series of popular freeride mountain-biking movies produced by Freeride Entertainment. The series has filmed several movies; the first of which, New World Disorder I released in late 2000 was a great success, and it proved itself to be one of the most...
. - Jakalope's song "Remote Control" was used in the Instant StarInstant StarInstant Star was a Canadian television program which aired from September 2004 to June 2008. The series starred Alexz Johnson as adolescent music competition winner Jude Harrison. The show chronicles Harrison's experience in the recording industry whilst focusing upon character development.Linda...
episode "Even Better Than The Real Thing" as Eden's Instant Star song, and their song "Go Away" was featured in the episode "The Jean Jenie". - Jakalope's Chrystal Leigh contributed vocals to the album that was produced and partially co-written by fellow band mate Dave Ogilvie for Toronto based act Raggedy AngryRaggedy AngryBased in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Raggedy Angry is a band that plays a mixture of synth and industrial rock music.On October 1, 2010 via Synthetic Sounds and Danse Macabre the band released their 3rd full length album entitled How I Learned To Love Our Robot Overlords...
.
The song "Pretty Life" was featured in the Canadian produced show "Lost Girl", which currently airs on Showcase in Canada.