Skin Yard
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | January 1985 |
| Founder | Daniel House, Jack Endino |
| Defunct | 1992 |
| Headquarters | Seattle, Washington , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Skin Yard was a grunge group originating from Seattle, Washington, active between 1985 and 1992. Despite not reaching widespread commercial success, they played a significant role in shaping the sound of fellow bands like Soundgarden, Screaming Trees, and Green River.
History
The band was established in January 1985 by Daniel House and Jack Endino, soon joined by Ben McMillan and Matt Cameron. Their inaugural live performance took place on June 7, 1985, where they opened for the U-Men. They contributed two tracks to the seminal Deep Six compilation, which showcased early grunge acts including Malfunkshun, Melvins, and Soundgarden. In 1987, Skin Yard debuted their self-titled album alongside their first single, "Gelatin Babies."
Following this period, drummer Matt Cameron departed to become part of Soundgarden. The band experienced a rapid turnover of drummers—first Steve Wied, then Greg Gilmore—each appearing for only two shows. Jason Finn joined in autumn but exited after eight months. Scott McCullum took over in May 1987 and remained for two years during which the second album, Hallowed Ground (1988), was produced. McCullum’s exit triggered a fourteen-month break after a challenging U.S. tour.
In 1990, Skin Yard made a comeback with their third release, Fist Sized Chunks, featuring new drummer Barrett Martin. The following year, amidst grunge’s rise to mainstream prominence, they released their fourth album, 1000 Smiling Knuckles. Original bassist Daniel House departed to prioritize family commitments; Pat Pedersen stepped in for the final record, Inside the Eye, which included the single "Undertow." Shortly after finishing this album, the band dissolved.
Post-breakup
Prior to Skin Yard’s disbandment, Ben McMillan and Scott McCullum initiated Gruntruck as a side endeavor that continued after Skin Yard ended. Gruntruck released two albums and an EP before ceasing activity. Ben McMillan passed away from diabetes in 2008 at age 46.
Pat Pedersen and Barrett Martin collaborated with Jack Endino on his solo project Endino's Earthworm. Endino also released albums titled Angle of Attack and Permanent Fatal Error, gradually shifting his focus from performing to producing. He has produced records for grunge bands such as Soundgarden (featuring former Skin Yard drummer Matt Cameron) and Mudhoney, and later worked with artists including Hot Hot Heat and ZEKE.
Daniel House, who leads C/Z Records, continued issuing music until 2001 when he released the Skin Yard compilation of rare tracks titled Start at the Top.
Barrett Martin joined Screaming Trees as their drummer on Sweet Oblivion and Dust. After Screaming Trees went on hiatus and eventually disbanded in 2000, Martin toured with R.E.M.. In the late 1990s, he formed the grunge supergroup Mad Season alongside Alice in Chains vocalist Layne Staley, Pearl Jam guitarist Mike McCready, and bassist John Baker Saunders. Mad Season released one album before disbanding in 1999.
Jason Finn, who preceded McCullum as Skin Yard’s drummer, played with Love Battery until 1995 and later with The Presidents of the United States of America until their breakup in 1998.
Legacy
In 2017, Metal Injection placed Skin Yard at number 8 in their compilation of the "10 Heaviest Grunge Bands".
Band members
Founding lineup
- Ben McMillan – lead vocals (1985–1992, deceased 2008)
- Jack Endino – guitarist (1985–1992)
- Daniel House – bassist (1985–1991)
- Matt Cameron – drummer (1985–1986)
Subsequent members
- Steve Wied – drums (1986)
- Greg Gilmore – drums (1986)
- Jason Finn – drums (1986–1987)
- Scott McCullum – drums (1987–1989)
- Barrett Martin – drums (1990–1992)
- Pat Pedersen – bass guitar (1991–1992)
Studio albums
| Title | Release Year | Record Label |
|---|---|---|
| Skin Yard | 1987 | C/Z Records |
| Hallowed Ground | 1988 | Toxic Shock Records |
| Fist Sized Chunks | 1990 | Cruz Records |
| 1000 Smiling Knuckles | 1991 | Cruz Records |
| Inside the Eye | 1993 | Cruz Records |
| Start at the Top | 2001 | C/Z Records |
Singles and EPs
| Year | Title | From Album | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | "Bleed" | Skin Yard | C/Z Records |
| 1988 | "Stranger" | Hallowed Ground | Toxic Shock Records |
| 1989 | "Start at the Top" | Start at the Top | Sub Pop |
| 1991 | "1000 Smiling Knuckles" | 1000 Smiling Knuckles | Cruz Records |
| 1991 | "Psychoriflepowerhypnotized" | 1000 Smiling Knuckles | Rave Records |
| 1993 | "Undertow" | Inside the Eye | Cruz Records |
Contributions to compilations
- 1985 – Tracks "Throb" and "The Birds" featured on Deep Six
- 1988 – "American Nightmare" included in Secretions
- 1990 – "Snowblind" appeared on Hard to Believe: Kiss Covers Compilation
- 1991 – "Machine Gun Etiquette" featured on Another Damned Seattle Compilation