Dirty Little Rabbits
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2007 in Johnston, Iowa, United States |
| Founder | Shawn Crahan |
| Defunct | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Johnston , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Shawn Crahan, Stella Katsoudas, Michael Pfaff, Jeff Karnowski, Ryan Martin, Ty Fury |
| Products | Music albums and EPs |
Dirty Little Rabbits was an American alternative rock ensemble established in 2007 in Johnston, Iowa. Frequently regarded as a side venture of Shawn Crahan, the founder of the heavy metal group Slipknot, the project also involved Stella Soleil, known from Sister Soleil. The band remained active until 2010.
History
The inception of the band traces back to 2007 when Slipknot's Sid Wilson introduced Shawn Crahan to Michael Pfaff, who would later join Slipknot. This meeting led to a jam session that ultimately resulted in the creation of Dirty Little Rabbits. Crahan brought on guitarist Ty Fury, a collaborator from his Denver days, while Pfaff invited bassist Jeff Karnowski to join. Following auditions with several vocalists, Crahan selected Stella Katsoudas (Stella Soleil), a longtime acquaintance.
Initially, the group performed across the U.S. Midwest and independently launched their first EP, Breeding, on August 15, 2007. They toured as support for Stone Sour in late 2007 and continued with their own shows and support slots for Mindless Self Indulgence during 2008. However, Crahan’s obligations with Slipknot caused a brief break during the summer Mayhem Festival.
Upon signing with The End Records, Dirty Little Rabbits recorded at Sound Farm Studio and released their second EP, Simon, on January 27, 2009. Plans were made for a full-length album later that year. International dates supporting Lacuna Coil and an appearance at the Sonisphere Festival were canceled due to exhaustion as Crahan managed commitments between both bands.
Their debut full album, self-titled Dirty Little Rabbits, was issued on July 6, 2010, via The End Records. That year saw Ryan Martin replace Ty Fury on guitar. The band took part in the Vans Warped Tour from July through August 2010 and concluded their live performances with a final show on October 23, 2010.
Musical style
The sound of Dirty Little Rabbits diverges notably from Crahan’s main project, Slipknot. In a 2008 interview, Crahan identified himself as an "alternative person in art and music," explaining that metal was not his primary influence growing up. While other Slipknot members concentrate on metal genres, he embraced it to provide variation. He regarded Dirty Little Rabbits as the group he had been anticipating, highlighting the significance of featuring a female vocalist to express both male and female viewpoints.
Final members
- Shawn Crahan – drums (2007–2010)
- Michael Pfaff – keyboards, organ (2007–2010)
- Jeff Karnowski – bass (2007–2010)
- Stella Katsoudas – vocals (2007–2010)
- Ryan Martin – guitars (2010)
Former members
- Ty Fury – guitars (2007–2010)
Discography
- Studio albums
- Dirty Little Rabbits (2010)
- EPs