The Super Friendz
Encyclopedia
The Super Friendz are a band from Halifax, Nova Scotia
, active between 1994 and 1997, reforming in 2003. Contemporaries of Sloan
, their early work was on Sloan's Murderecords
label.
, who had earlier played guitar with Black Pool; bassist Charles Austin, briefly a part of Al Tuck and No Action
; and guitarist Drew Yamada formed the core of the band. At first the band had no permanent drummer: at various times during their early years Chris Murphy
(no relation to Matt) of Sloan
, Cliff Gibb of Thrush Hermit
, and Dave Marsh
filled the role.
In 1994, The Super Friendz released a single on Chris Murphy's label, Murderecords, and later toured Canada with Sloan.
), drew great critical praise, if not necessarily commercial success. Recorded in producer Brenndan McGuire's house with Dave Marsh on drums, Mock Up blended retro-pop with Canadian rock influences.
The following year, the band released Play the Game, Not Games, a 10-inch single, also on Murderecords
. The songs on Play the Game--especially the contributions of Austin and Yamada—were significantly more experimental than on the album, and prefigured both the band's future work and its creative tension.
Mock Up, Scale Down was released in the United States
in 1997 on March Records under the title Sticktoitiveness (which earlier had been the title of an independent tape made by the band). A few of the songs from Play the Game also appeared on the U.S. release.
The band broke up in 1997 so that the members could focus on new projects.
Matt Murphy later re-emerged with a new band called The Flashing Lights
. He also played with the band City Field and starred in the film The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico
. Charles Austin is a recording engineer and producer in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Drew Yamada later toured with Mike O'Neill
and others, before leaving the music industry full time to pursue post-secondary education.
Currently the Super Friendz are recording their as of yet unnamed follow-up to 2003's Love Energy. Its status is unknown.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, active between 1994 and 1997, reforming in 2003. Contemporaries of 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...
, their early work was on Sloan's Murderecords
Murderecords
Murderecords is an independent record label that releases the music of the Canadian rock band Sloan. Originally formed in 1992 to produce just the records of that band, it later released work of other bands including Eric's Trip, The Hardship Post, Al Tuck, Stinkin' Rich, Hip Club Groove, The...
label.
Origins
The Super Friendz were formed in 1994 by three King's College students. Matt MurphyMatt Murphy (Canadian musician)
Matt Murphy is a Canadian musician and actor. He is perhaps best known as the vocalist and guitarist of 1990s band The Super Friendz.-Music career:...
, who had earlier played guitar with Black Pool; bassist Charles Austin, briefly a part of Al Tuck and No Action
Al Tuck
Al Tuck , is a Canadian songwriter and folksinger, originally from Prince Edward Island. He has spent much of his career based out of Halifax, Nova Scotia.-Biography:...
; and guitarist Drew Yamada formed the core of the band. At first the band had no permanent drummer: at various times during their early years Chris Murphy
Chris Murphy (Canadian musician)
Chris Murphy is a member of the Canadian rock band Sloan.Although born in Prince Edward Island, Murphy is commonly associated with Nova Scotia; like his fellow bandmates, he currently resides in Toronto...
(no relation to Matt) of 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...
, Cliff Gibb of Thrush Hermit
Thrush Hermit
-History:Thrush Hermit was formed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1992 by Joel Plaskett , Rob Benvie , Ian McGettigan , and Michael Catano...
, and Dave Marsh
Dave Marsh (musician)
Dave Marsh is a Canadian musician, best known for being drummer of seminal Halifax power-pop group The Super Friendz in the 1990s, of Joel Plaskett Emergency in the 2000s, and as a solo artist....
filled the role.
In 1994, The Super Friendz released a single on Chris Murphy's label, Murderecords, and later toured Canada with Sloan.
Early years
The Super Friendz' first album, Mock Up, Scale Down (1995, MurderecordsMurderecords
Murderecords is an independent record label that releases the music of the Canadian rock band Sloan. Originally formed in 1992 to produce just the records of that band, it later released work of other bands including Eric's Trip, The Hardship Post, Al Tuck, Stinkin' Rich, Hip Club Groove, The...
), drew great critical praise, if not necessarily commercial success. Recorded in producer Brenndan McGuire's house with Dave Marsh on drums, Mock Up blended retro-pop with Canadian rock influences.
The following year, the band released Play the Game, Not Games, a 10-inch single, also on Murderecords
Murderecords
Murderecords is an independent record label that releases the music of the Canadian rock band Sloan. Originally formed in 1992 to produce just the records of that band, it later released work of other bands including Eric's Trip, The Hardship Post, Al Tuck, Stinkin' Rich, Hip Club Groove, The...
. The songs on Play the Game--especially the contributions of Austin and Yamada—were significantly more experimental than on the album, and prefigured both the band's future work and its creative tension.
Mock Up, Scale Down was released in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in 1997 on March Records under the title Sticktoitiveness (which earlier had been the title of an independent tape made by the band). A few of the songs from Play the Game also appeared on the U.S. release.
Later years and break-up
Continuing to tour, the band pulled together their last studio album, Slide Show. Featuring Lonnie James on drums, this album is often considered the band's strongest effort.The band broke up in 1997 so that the members could focus on new projects.
Matt Murphy later re-emerged with a new band called The Flashing Lights
The Flashing Lights
The Flashing Lights were a Canadian alternative rock band, active in the late 1990s and early 2000s.Originally a side project that primarily played as a cover band when Matt Murphy wasn't occupied with his primary band The Super Friendz, the band consisted of Murphy on guitar and lead vocals, Gavin...
. He also played with the band City Field and starred in the film The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico
The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico
The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico is a Canadian mockumentary film, released in 2005. Written and directed by Michael Mabbott, the film stars Matt Murphy, a musician previously associated with the bands The Super Friendz and The Flashing Lights, as Guy Terrifico, a country singer releasing...
. Charles Austin is a recording engineer and producer in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Drew Yamada later toured with Mike O'Neill
Mike O'Neill (musician)
Mike O'Neill is a Canadian singer-songwriter. He is originally from Oshawa, Ontario, but has been based in Halifax, Nova Scotia since 1996.-Bio:O'Neill was a founding member of Canadian indie-rock band The Inbreds along with drummer Dave Ullrich in the 1990s...
and others, before leaving the music industry full time to pursue post-secondary education.
Reunion
In late December 2002, the Super Friendz came back together for a special holiday reunion. The band continued on to start recording their return effort, Love Energy, released summer 2003. A small tour followed in September.Currently the Super Friendz are recording their as of yet unnamed follow-up to 2003's Love Energy. Its status is unknown.
Discography
- By Request (7" vinyl) (1994)
- Sticktoitiveness (cassette only) (1994)
- Mock Up, Scale Down (1995)
- Play the Game, Not Games (10" vinyl) (1996)
- Slide Show (1996)
- Sticktoitiveness (March Records' U.S. compilation CD of Mock Up and Play the Game; different from the original Sticktoitiveness) (1997)
- Love Energy (2003)
- Sticktoitiveness (remastered, CD) (2006)