Junkhouse
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1989 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada |
| Founder | Tom Wilson, Dan Achen, Russ Wilson, Ray Farrugia |
| Defunct | 1998 (disbanded) |
| Headquarters | Hamilton , Canada |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
Junkhouse is a rock ensemble originating from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, established in 1989. Throughout the 1990s, they released three studio albums and achieved several singles that charted within Canada. Although the group disbanded in 1998, they have reunited sporadically for live performances.
History
The band was formed in 1989 in Hamilton, Ontario with an initial lineup consisting of vocalist and guitarist Tom Wilson, guitarist Dan Achen, bassist Russ Wilson (unrelated), and drummer Ray Farrugia.
Early in their career, Junkhouse gained recognition by opening for Crash Vegas during that band’s first album tour. Colin Cripps of Crash Vegas served as an early guide and supporter. In 1993, Junkhouse secured a contract with Sony Music, initially releasing a demo titled Here Lies Happiness before transitioning to Sony’s Epic Records label. Their official debut, Strays (1993), produced by Malcolm Burn, included radio-friendly tracks such as "Out of My Head," "Praying for the Rain," and "Big Brown Turtle," all of which appeared on RPM's Top Singles chart. Additionally, the band contributed a rendition of "Oh, What a Feeling" to the Due South soundtrack. The track "Gimme the Love" topped RPM’s CanCon chart in October 1994.
The follow-up album, Birthday Boy (1995), featured a duet with Sarah McLachlan titled "Burned Out Car." Its lead single "Be Someone" reached number 17 on RPM's Top Singles list. After Russ Wilson departed in 1996, Grant Marshall took over bass duties. In 1997, following the dissolution of Crash Vegas, Colin Cripps joined Junkhouse as an additional guitarist and keyboard player.
Their third and final album, Fuzz, mainly penned by Wilson and Cripps, was released under Sony’s Columbia Records. Singles such as "Pearly White" and "Shine" attained top ten positions on RPM's Alternative 30 chart. Following this release, members pursued individual projects. In 2002, Sony issued a greatest hits collection titled Rounders: The Best of Junkhouse. The band has reunited intermittently for special events including a tsunami relief concert in 2005 and a celebration marking their twentieth anniversary in 2009.
Tom Wilson embarked on a solo career releasing Planet Love (2001) and Dog Years (2006), participated in the supergroup Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, and co-founded Lee Harvey Osmond with Farrugia in 2009. Colin Cripps became involved with groups such as C and C Surf Factory and Blue Rodeo.
Dan Achen operated Catherine North Studio located in Hamilton, which attracted internationally renowned musicians including his niece Feist. He also co-produced Dallas Green’s Juno Award-winning album Bring Me Your Love, Green being known from Alexisonfire.
Achen passed away from a heart attack while playing hockey on March 15, 2010; his funeral was attended by former band members. Russ Wilson died at home on March 13, 2024, aged 62.
Members
- Tom Wilson – vocals, guitars (1989–1998)
- Dan Achen – guitars (1989–1998; deceased 2010)
- Ray Farrugia – drums (1989–1998)
- Russ Wilson – bass (1989–1996; deceased 2024)
- Grant Marshall – bass (1996–1998)
- Colin Cripps – guitars, keyboards (1997–1998)
Studio Albums
- Strays (1993)
- Birthday Boy (1995)
- Fuzz (1997)
Singles
| Release Date | Song Title | Peak Chart Positions | Associated Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN | CAN Alt. | |||
| October 1993 | "Out of My Head" | 49 | Strays | |
| February 1994 | "The Sky Is Falling" | 50 | ||
| May 1994 | "Praying for the Rain" | 41 | ||
| September 1994 | "Gimme the Love" | |||
| December 1994 | "Big Brown Turtle" | 69 | ||
| August 1995 | "Be Someone" | 17 | Birthday Boy | |
| February 1996 | "Brown Shoe" | 80 | 24 | |
| April 1996 | "Burn for You" | 76 | ||
| September 1997 | "Pearly White" | 46 | 6 | Fuzz |
| December 1997 | "Shine" | 29 | 9 | |
Additional Releases
- 1991 Here Lies Happiness (independently released demo)
- 2002 Rounders: The Best of Junkhouse (compilation of greatest hits)