Sandbox (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1992 in New Glasgow, Canada |
| Founder | Mike Smith |
| Headquarters | New Glasgow , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Sandbox was a Canadian alternative rock ensemble active throughout the 1990s, comprising Paul Murray (lead vocals), Mike Smith and Jason Archibald (guitars), Scott MacFarlane (bass), and Troy Shanks (drums).
Formation
Established in 1992 in New Glasgow by Mike Smith initially as a cover group called Sandbox Legacy, the band eventually shifted focus to original compositions. The lead vocalist, Paul Murray, is related as the nephew of singer Anne Murray. Their first release came in 1993 with the indie EP titled Maskman.
Canadian chart success
Sandbox's first full-length album, Bionic (1995), featured prominent singles such as "Curious" and "Collide." The track "Curious" climbed to No. 34 on Canada's RPM Singles chart and reached No. 8 on the Alternative chart, while "Collide" attained a peak position of No. 57 on the RPM100. Both songs received considerable rotation on MuchMusic. The band earned a nomination for Best New Group at the Juno Awards of 1996.
Their second album, A Murder in the Glee Club (1997), produced by Don Fleming, was a thematic concept record centered around the consequences following a murder. The lead single "Carry" reached No. 38 on the RPM100 in January 1998. Despite favorable critical reception, record label demands pushed Sandbox toward a more mainstream alternative rock sound, diverging from their original Haligonian power pop roots, which ultimately led to their departure from Nettwerk after this release.
Breakup
Following the group's disbandment, Mike Smith embarked on an acting career, most notably portraying Bubbles in the Canadian cult television series Trailer Park Boys. Bassist Scott MacFarlane continued performing with Crush and collaborated with Gordie Sampson. Guitarist Jason Archibald pursued a medical career, earning his degree from Dalhousie University in 2001.
Studio albums
- 1995 - Bionic
- 1997 - A Murder in the Glee Club
Extended plays
- 1993 - Maskman
Singles
| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAN |
CAN Rock | |||
| "Curious" | 1995 | 34 | 8 | Bionic |
| "Collide" | 57 | — | ||
| "Here and There" | 1996 | — | — | |
| "Carry" | 1997 | 38 | — | A Murder in the Glee Club |