The Killjoys (Canadian band)

The Killjoys
The Killjoys in 2015
Background information
Origin Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Genres Alternative rock, Pop-punk, Post-grunge
Years active 1992–1998, 2015-2017
Labels Warner
Associated acts The Unteens
Simply Saucer
Teenage Head
Website thekilljoys.ca

The Killjoys were a Canadian alternative rock band who formed in 1992 in Hamilton, Ontario. The group enjoyed moderate success in Canada during the grunge/alternative rock heyday of the 1990s before disbanding in 1998, reforming in 2015, and once again disbanding in 2017.

Overview

The Killjoys released their first album Starry in 1994 through Cargo Records; the album was later re-released on Warner Music Canada.[1] This was, followed by Gimme Five in 1996 and Melos Modos in 1997. In 1998 a live album was released entitled Onenight and a Morningafter. A "best of" compilation was released in 2005 called Essentials.

In 2011 The Killjoys were featured on a compilation entitled, "Today I Hate Everyone - Perfect Songs For A Crappy Day", alongside The Ramones, Ween and Hüsker Dü.

They received a Juno Award for "Best New Group" in 1997 and a Rock Radio Award for "Independent Artist of the Year". Mike Trebilcock was also nominated for a Juno Award with Antoine Moonen in 1994, for "Best Album Design" for "Starry".

The singles "Today I Hate Everyone" and "Dana" were played on MuchMusic and MusiquePlus. The song "Rave + Drool" from Gimme Five was included on the very first Big Shiny Tunes compilation album.

After filming a music video for "I've Been Good" (from Melos Modos) in Mexico, the film was stolen by a crew member. The crew member demanded $13,000, threatening to destroy the film otherwise. The ransom was paid and the footage was returned safely.[2]

In 2000, lead singer/guitarist Mike Trebilcock released a solo album entitled Shield Millions. He composed the music for the horror films, "The Friday Night Death Slot", "Poltergeist Encounters", and "Exorcism of the Dead", and is the guitarist/electronics manipulator for proto-punk psych band Simply Saucer. He is also releasing music under the alias Sematary spawn, and has released one EP titled Music for Maniacs, Vol. 1 in 2018.

Gene Champagne formed Junior Achiever, and released "All the Little Letdowns" in 2008. His current band is The Unteens, and he is the drummer for the classic Canadian punk band Teenage Head.

The Killjoys reunited for a show in Hamilton that coincided with the Juno awards being held there in March 2015.

Killjoys live 2015

"Rave + Drool", "Soaked", "Any day now", "Today I Hate Everyone" and "I've Been Good" were frequently included in the repertoire of Canadian Alternative DJ, DJ SDGV.

The songs "Monkeysucker" and "Everything" were used in the movie The Boys Club (1997) starring Chris Penn. "Candyland" was used in the film "Sweet Karma" (2009). "Today I Hate Everyone" was used in the film "Wet Bum" (2014)

Members

Mike Trebilcock was the primary songwriter, and he played guitar and sang vocals. Gene Champagne played the drums and Shelley Woods played the bass and provided back-up vocals.

Discography

Singles

Year Title Peak Chart Position Album
CAN
[3]		 CAN
Alt.
[4]
1995 "Today I Hate Everyone" 67 - Starry
"Dana" - 30
"Anyday Now" - -
1996 "Rave + Drool" - 6 Gimme Five
"Soaked" 20 8
"Look Like Me" 37 -
1997 "Sick of You" - -
"I've Been Good" - - Melos Modos
1998 "Perfect Pizza" - -

References

  1. ↑ Larry LeBlanc (4 February 1995). Canada: Who's Who. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. pp. 80–. ISSN 0006-2510.
  2. ↑ The Killjoys biography at Jam!
  3. ↑ "The Killjoys Top Singles positions". RPM. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
  4. ↑ "The Killjoys Rock/Alternative positions". RPM. Retrieved 2011-02-26.
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