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Malfunkshun

From Alfawiki
Malfunkshun
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded1980
FounderAndrew Wood, Kevin Wood
Headquarters
Bainbridge Island, Washington
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums, live performances

Malfunkshun is a rock group from the United States, established in 1980 by siblings Andrew and Kevin Wood. Combining elements of glam rock with heavy distortion, they stand as one of the pioneering acts within the grunge movement, alongside bands such as the U-Men and Melvins. The primary lineup consisted of the Wood brothers and drummer Regan Hagar. Following their involvement with the contemporaneous grunge band Green River, Andrew assumed lead vocals for the subsequent project Mother Love Bone. Although Malfunkshun disbanded without issuing a full album, they contributed demo tracks to the seminal grunge compilation Deep Six.

Andrew Wood faced significant challenges with drug dependence, ultimately succumbing to a fatal heroin overdose in 1990. His passing precipitated the end of Mother Love Bone and indirectly led to the creation of Pearl Jam. Later, Malfunkshun's demo recordings were assembled into the album Return to Olympus, released through Loosegroove Records, a label co-founded by Hagar and Stone Gossard of Mother Love Bone. The band reunited in 2005 and has since resumed touring and producing new music.

1980s: The Andrew Wood Period

Brothers Andrew and Kevin Wood from Bainbridge Island produced their initial demo titled "Malfunkshun" after opting out of an Easter dinner. Shortly thereafter, they brought on drummer David Hunt and bassist Dave Rees; however, Hunt and Rees only performed in a single show before departing. Subsequently, Andrew switched to bass duties and enlisted Regan Hagar, formerly of Maggot Brains, on drums, establishing what would become the band's classic power trio formation.

Each member adopted a stage persona: Andrew performed as L'Andrew the Love Child, Kevin took on names like Kevinstein or "the Axe-Handler," while Regan was known as Thundarr. Their stage presence featured glam-rock-inspired makeup and flamboyant attire influenced by acts such as KISS, enhancing their energetic live performances. Andrew was particularly noted for his spontaneous behavior onstage, including roaming through audiences with a wireless bass guitar and pausing shows to eat cereal. Due to escalating drug problems, Andrew entered rehabilitation in 1985, which temporarily halted Malfunkshun's progress.

Following his recovery, the band contributed two songs—"With Yo' Heart (Not Yo' Hands)" and "Stars-n-You"—to C/Z Records’ Deep Six compilation. Despite their heavily distorted sound characteristic of grunge, Sub Pop showed minimal interest in signing them, and Malfunkshun seldom headlined concerts during this period.

While never officially breaking up, Malfunkshun became secondary as Andrew and Hagar engaged in jam sessions with Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament from Green River. These collaborations eventually formed Lords of the Wasteland, which evolved into Mother Love Bone with additions Greg Gilmore and Bruce Fairweather. In 1992, Kevin initiated Fire Ants alongside his brother Brian, bassist Dan McDonald, and former Nirvana drummer Chad Channing; Brian later collaborated with Ben Shepherd of Soundgarden in the band Hater. The Wood siblings also created Devilhead. Meanwhile, Hagar progressed to play in Satchel and Brad with Shawn Smith and Stone Gossard.

A compilation of Malfunkshun’s 1986–1987 demo recordings was issued by Loosegroove Records—run by Stone Gossard and Regan Hagar—in 1995 under the title Return to Olympus. This release represents the band’s most substantial appearance on a major label.

2005–present: Documentary Release and Band Reunion

In 2005, the documentary Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival. Subsequently, on July 19, 2011, Universal Music Enterprises issued a 3-disc collection (1 DVD and 2 CDs), which featured the re-released CD Return to Olympus alongside the previously unheard Andrew Wood album Melodies and Dreams.

On October 24, 2006, original members Kevin Wood and Regan Hagar reunited with vocalist Shawn Smith and bassist Cory Kane to compose new songs using Andrew Wood’s lyrics, with plans to produce an album and embark on a tour. Initially, the group explored names such as Malfunkshun, Subfunkshun, and the Subfunkshun Project before ultimately choosing From the North (Von Nord).

Malfunkshun introduced Jeff Loftis as their new frontman for both Malfunkshun and From the North on February 19, 2011. In March of that year, Kevin Wood and Loftis recorded "Jezebel Woman" and "Until the Ocean," which were shared on YouTube under the title "Malfunkshun 2011." Regan Hagar left his position as drummer in May 2011 and was succeeded by Mike Stone; however, by March 2012, Miles Freeborn had taken over drumming duties and remains in that role. On May 9, 2012, Rob Day joined as bassist, replacing Guy McIntosh who had briefly filled in for Cory Kane during touring.

Members

Current lineup
  • Kevin Wood – guitar (1980–1988, 2006–present)
  • Jeff Stark – lead vocals (2015–present)
  • Bradley BT Leach – drums (2015–present)
  • Paul Lamb – bass guitar, keyboards (2016–present)
Past members
  • Andrew Wood – lead vocals, bass guitar (1980–1988; died 1990)
  • Dave Rees – bass guitar (1980–1981)
  • David Hunt – drums (1980–1981; died 2009)
  • Regan Hagar – drums (1980–1988, 2006–2011)
  • Thorsten Rock – guitar (2006–2008)
  • Cory Kane – bass guitar (2006–2011)
  • Shawn Smith – lead vocals (2006–2011; died 2019)
  • Mike Stone – drums (2011–2012)
  • Guy McIntosh – bass guitar (2011–2012)
  • Jeff Loftis – lead vocals (2011–2013; died 2025)
  • Rob Day – bass guitar (2012–2016)
  • Miles Freeborn – drums (2012–2015)
  • Tony West – lead vocals (2014–2015)

Studio albums

Extended plays

  • Glow (Wammybox Records, 2021)

Compilation albums

  • Olympus Awaits (Southern Lord, 2024)

Contributions to compilations

  • "With Yo' Heart (Not Yo' Hands)" and "Stars-N-You" featured on Deep Six (C/Z Records, 1986)
  • "My Only Fan" and "Shotgun Wedding" included in Another Pyrrhic Victory (C/Z Records, 1989)

External links

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