Kïll Cheerleadër
| Company type | Rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Toronto , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
Kïll Cheerleadër—originally known as Cheerleader 666—was a rock ensemble originating from Toronto, Canada, established in 1999. Drawing inspiration from punk rock and heavy metal pioneers such as Iggy and the Stooges, early Guns N' Roses, Mötley Crüe, and Iron Maiden, they crafted a unique, gritty rock sound. Lemmy of Motörhead lauded them as the "greatest rock n' roll band since Guns N' Roses."
History
The founding lineup, composed of lifelong friends, refined their musicianship by covering tracks from Guns N' Roses, the Stooges, and Mötley Crüe. Their band name was a nod to their rebellious teenage years. Initially active in Toronto's music scene, their provocative behavior led to bans at local venues, prompting a strategic shift toward Southern California following a tour with Chris Squire’s garage punk group, The Tori Cobras. This exposure resulted in one of their songs being featured in professional skateboarder Kris Markovich's "Hollywood Skateboards" video, significantly increasing their recognition within the SoCal punk and skateboarding circles.
Having sold approximately 8,000 demo CDs independently, they caught the attention of a German record label that issued an unmixed seven-track LP titled Gutter Days, which was subsequently re-released on vinyl in 2003. The album garnered favorable reviews, with prominent industry figures like Nikki Sixx declaring them the "best new band." Their live shows earned praise from Spin magazine, while Alternative Press highlighted them as a "band to watch." Lemmy invited Kïll Cheerleadër to support Motörhead’s UK tour and publicly endorsed them through media such as Playboy.
Their musical style has been characterized as a blend of punk in the vein of the Stooges and rock reminiscent of Guns N' Roses, infused with early Motörhead vigor and influences from The Ramones and Neil Young. After building momentum on the West Coast with prominent performances, Kïll Cheerleadër released their first full-length album, All Hail, in 2004 under Spinerazor Records.
The group dissolved in 2006 shortly before finalizing a contract with a major label.
Aftermath
Following the breakup, members pursued various new ventures. Ethan Deth adopted the name Ethan Kath and formed the electronic duo Crystal Castles, bringing on drummer Christopher Chartrand (known as Kriss Rites). Jason Decay went on to create the heavy metal outfit Goat Horn, which later transformed into Cauldron, achieving considerable acclaim. Anthony Bleed (also known as Useless or Cobra) joined Canadian hard rock band Die Mannequin and currently produces acoustic music under the moniker tonyswar. Jimmy Nova established the rock group Darlings of Chelsea alongside a former member of Black Halos. Jacki Slaughter leads the 1980s metal revival band Skull Fist, which enjoys success across European and Japanese markets.
Discography
- 2000: Demo CD-R
- 2001: Gutter Days (initially released on CD-R; issued as 10" vinyl under Cheerleader 666 in 2003)
- 2004: All Hail (their debut full-length CD via Spinerazor/Corporate Punishment; re-released by Sanctuary in 2006; limited vinyl edition issued by Yeah Right Records in 2015)