Die Mannequin
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2005 in Toronto, Canada |
| Founder | Care Failure (Caroline Slezak Kawa) |
| Defunct | 2023 |
| Fate | Disbanded following the death of lead vocalist Care Failure |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
Area served | Canada, Europe, North America |
Key people | Care Failure (Caroline Slezak Kawa) |
| Products | Music albums and EPs |
Number of employees | 4 (final lineup) (2023) |
| Parent | How To Kill Records (own label) |
Die Mannequin was an alternative rock group originating from Toronto, Canada, established in 2005 by guitarist and vocalist Care Failure (Caroline Slezak Kawa). The band extensively toured throughout Canada, serving as the opening act for well-known artists such as Buckcherry, Guns N' Roses, Marilyn Manson, and Sum 41. Their European tours included multiple appearances, notably supporting Danko Jones during his 2008 tour.
History
The roots of Die Mannequin trace back to Care Failure’s previous project, "The Bloody Mannequins." In early 2006, Failure independently recorded the debut EP titled How to Kill under How To Kill Records in partnership with Cordless Recordings. Due to the absence of a stable backing band, she performed vocals, guitar, and bass herself. The drums and production duties were undertaken by Jesse F. Keeler from Death from Above 1979. This four-track EP was co-produced alongside Al-P of MSTRKRFT and mastered by Ryan Mills at Joao Carvalho Mastering.
Care Failure also contributed to the supergroup Big Dirty Band, which featured members from the Canadian hard rock ensemble Rush. This collaboration resulted in a rendition of The Bobby Fuller Four’s "I Fought The Law", included in the 2006 film Trailer Park Boys: The Movie.
Following this, Failure enlisted her longtime friends Ethan Deth on bass and Pat M. on drums. Ethan Deth was soon replaced by Anthony "Useless" Bleed, formerly of Kïll Cheerleadër, who played bass and provided backing vocals. Under the management of Shull Management, Die Mannequin secured a publishing deal with EMI in mid-2006, launching their own label How To Kill Records with distribution handled by Warner Music Canada. That year, they supported Guns N' Roses during the eastern segment of their North American tour.
In late 2007, the band released the EP Slaughter Daughter, featuring tracks produced by Ian D'Sa of Billy Talent and Junior Sanchez. The release also included a live version of "Open Season." The single "Do It Or Die" gained rotation on both Much Music and Much Loud.
The two EPs were later combined into the compilation Unicorn Steak, which added two previously unreleased songs: an early demo entitled "Empty's Promise" and a cover of the Beatsteaks' "Hand in Hand." A music video for "Saved By Strangers," directed by Bruce McDonald, followed this release. McDonald also helmed the documentary The Rawside of Die Mannequin, which debuted at Toronto’s North By Northeast festival in June 2008.
In 2009, Die Mannequin appeared in the documentary series City Sonic, reflecting on Toronto’s CFNY radio station.
On September 8, 2009, they unveiled their album FINO + BLEED, mixed by Mike Fraser. During that year’s Canadian dates of Marilyn Manson's The High End of Low Tour, Die Mannequin performed as an opening act.
On March 21, 2012, the band announced forthcoming new material coinciding with the release of Hard Core Logo 2.
The single "Sucker Punch" was released on August 20, 2014, preceding their sophomore full-length album Neon Zero, which launched on October 28, 2014. Exclaim! characterized the album’s sound as 'evil dance metal'.
Caroline Kawa (Care Failure) passed away on March 30, 2023, at age 36.
In April 2024, a commemorative event named Failurefest was held at Toronto's Bovine Sex Club, featuring performances by ACIIDZ, Fine Motor Control, Blackout Orchestra, Ian D'Sa, Kali-Ann Butala (Bad Waitress), Emily Bones, and Valerie Knox (Anti-Queens). Proceeds from this tribute benefitted Sistering, an organization where Failure had volunteered.
Band members
- Last roster
- Caroline Slezak "Care Failure" Kawa – lead vocals, guitar, bass (2005–2023, deceased)
- Keith Heppler – drums, percussion (2015–2023)
- J.C. Sandoval – guitar, backing vocals (2015–2023)
- Stephany Seki – bass, backing vocals (2018–2023)
- Previous members
- Ethan Kath – bass (2006)
- Ghostwolf – drums, percussion (2006–2009)
- Anthony "Useless" Bleed – bass, backing vocals (2006–2014)
- Dazzer Scott – drums, percussion (2009–2014)
- Stacy Stray – guitar, backing vocals (2009–2014)
- Kevvy Mental – bass, backing vocals (2015–2018)
Studio albums
- Fino + Bleed (2009)
- Neon Zero (2014)
EPs
- How to Kill (2006)
- Slaughter Daughter (2007)
- Danceland (2012) No. 76 CAN
Compilations
- Unicorn Steak (2008)
Soundtracks
| Year | Album title | Track |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Hard Core Logo 2 | "Do It or Die" |
| "Orson Wells + 2012" | ||
| "The Other Tiffany" | ||
| "Candide" |
Singles
| Year | Song | Chart peak | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN Alt |
CAN Rock |
|||
| 2006 | "Autumn Cannibalist" | × | × | How to Kill |
| 2008 | "Do It or Die" | × | × | Unicorn Steak |
| 2008 | "Saved by Strangers" | × | × | |
| 2009 | "Bad Medicine" | 11 | — | Fino + Bleed |
| 2009 | "Dead Honey" | 32 | 35 | |
| 2009 | "Miss Americvnt" | — | — | |
| 2012 | "Orson Welles & 2012" | 48 | — | Danceland |
| 2014 | "Sucker Punch" | x | x | Neon Zero |
"—" indicates a release that did not chart.
"×" indicates times when charts were unavailable or unarchived.