Slik Toxik

Slik Toxik

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1988 in Toronto, Canada
Defunct	1994
Headquarters	Toronto , Canada
Products	Music albums, EPs, singles, music videos

Slik Toxik was a hard rock group from Canada that originated in 1988 in Toronto. Their discography includes two studio albums.

Biography

Slik Toxik originated as an evolution of the Toronto-based hard rock ensemble Portrait, which initially consisted of vocalist and guitarist Nick Walsh, drummer Kevin Harrison, guitarist Kevin Gale, and bassist/lyricist Dave Mercel. The final iteration of Portrait featured Walsh alongside guitarists Rob Bruce and Gale, bassist Frank Currell, and drummer Alex Munro, with Mercel continuing as the lyricist.

Pat Howarth joined the band on bass, replacing Currell due to his musical compatibility and existing friendship with the members. At the suggestion of Drew Masters—a national music journalist and manager for Succsexx—the band changed their name to enhance market appeal. After becoming Slik Toxik, they toured as support for Succsexx, during which manager John Boyes discovered them and facilitated a management agreement through Robert Luhtala Management.

The group commenced recording demos under the guidance of producer Bob Potter, known for his work with Scorpions; however, studio pressures led to Neal Busby replacing Munro on drums. When sessions with Potter reached an impasse, Slik Toxik took control by producing their own demos with engineer Andrew St. George and mixers Anthony Vanderburgh and Rick Anderson.

An unexpected encounter with producer Paul Gross at an EMI publishing event resulted in the recording of six tracks that formed part of their debut album Doin' the Nasty. Attracted by their sound, several major labels expressed interest before Slik Toxik signed with Capitol Records (EMI) in 1991. Capitol released the EP Smooth And Deadly followed by the full-length album Doin' the Nasty in 1992; both projects were produced by Gross and co-produced by Vanderburgh at Toronto’s Phase One Studios.

Extensive touring throughout North America followed, accompanied by four singles that contributed to Doin' the Nasty earning gold status in Canada and reaching number 61 on Canadian charts. The band secured the 1993 Juno Award for Hard Rock Album of the Year. Their music videos received recognition at the 1992 MuchMusic Video Awards, winning People's Choice for "White Lies/Black Truth" and Best Metal Video for "Helluvatime."

Slik Toxik cultivated a dedicated fanbase through direct mail campaigns and contests, strengthening grassroots support. They performed significant events including Toronto’s Rock And Roll Bar closing night and 'The Great Canadian Party' on Canada Day alongside bands such as The Tragically Hip and Spinal Tap. Their tours featured opening slots for Kim Mitchell, Faster Pussycat, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Black Sabbath before headlining shows with Sven Gali and Big House as opening acts.

Between 1989 and 1994, the hard rock scene underwent notable changes; many glam metal groups declined as new trends incorporating thrash influences emerged. Attempting to evolve, Slik Toxik collaborated with producers like Glenn Robinson (The Tea Party) to introduce heavier elements while maintaining their signature style. Nonetheless, internal struggles including battles with depression and substance abuse placed significant strain on the group.

In 1994, a problematic incident involving bassist Pat Howarth at a post-Juno party caused EMI to question the band's reliability. Following Howarth’s dismissal, Adam Headland was brought in on bass for recording sessions and tours. EMI proposed transferring Slik Toxik to a subsidiary label featuring less support and increased financial obligations; opting instead to retain independence due to their loyal fan following, the band parted ways with EMI.

Their sophomore album Irrelevant, released in 1994 through A&M Records and once again produced by Paul Gross at Phase One Studios, encountered limited commercial success amid the grunge movement’s dominance despite receiving some critical acclaim. After several months apart, the members briefly reunited for concluding performances to finalize business affairs. The final touring lineup comprised Nick Walsh, Rob Bruce, Neal Busby, Adam Headland, and guitarist Scott 'T-Bone' TeBeau.

Subsequent activity

Following the dissolution of the band, its members embarked on diverse ventures within the hard rock genre.

Vocalist Nick Walsh and guitarist Rob Bruce established the modern/hard rock ensemble Raised On Mars, which debuted with a self-titled release. Walsh subsequently co-founded the hard rock group Revolver alongside Laurie-Anne Green, delivering two albums including a combined CD/DVD package. In 2011, Revolver underwent a rebranding, adopting the name Famous Underground. Additionally, Walsh contributed to the Canadian classic rock outfit MOXY during their 40th anniversary tour and collaborated with Classic Albums Live.

Guitarist Kevin Gale was involved with the modern rock band Punishment, which issued the EP Beautiful Suffering. By 2010, he had joined Toronto-based modern rock band In fact and later became part of CORE by 2012. Punishment later reunited and returned to the studio in October 2015.

Bassist Pat Howarth became a member of Brave New World, a progressive rock band from Thunder Bay that independently released two albums before entering an indefinite hiatus.

Drummer Neal Busby performed with Toronto's death/black metal group Solus, contributing to three underground album releases. After Solus disbanded, Busby toured with classic rock veterans April Wine. More recently, he and his wife Huguette Arsenault formed TWIRL, a prolific songwriting partnership responsible for placing hundreds of tracks in film, television, and advertising campaigns such as Pretty Little Liars and Shameless. Busby also dedicates himself to full-time drum instruction and authored The Ultimate Guide To Rock Drums, published by Mayfair Music.

Several other former members have mostly stepped back from active participation in music.

Final line-up

• Nick Walsh – vocals
• Rob Bruce – guitar
• Kevin Gale – guitar
• Adam Headland – bass
• Neal Busby – drums

Former

• Pat Howarth – bass (1990–1994)
• Alex Murno – drums (1986–1991)

EPs

• Smooth And Deadly (Capitol Records, 1991)

Albums

• Doin' the Nasty (EMI, 1992)
• Irrelevant (Strawberry/A&M Records, 1994)

Singles

• "Big Fuckin' Deal" (Capitol Records, 1991)
• "Helluvatime" (EMI, 1992)
• "By The Fireside" (EMI, 1992)
• "White Lies, Black Truth" (EMI, 1992)
• "Sweet Asylum" (EMI, 1992)

Videos

• Big Fuckin' Deal (1991)
• Helluvatime (1992)
• White Lies, Black Truth (1992)
• By The Fireside (1992)
• Sweet Asylum (1992)
• Twentysomething (1994)
• Dive (1994)

Related bands and side projects

• Raised On Mars, Raised On Mars (independent, 1996)
• Solus, Our Frosting Hell EP (Skinmask Productions, 1998)
• Solus, Universal Bloodshed (Skinmask Productions, 1999)
• Brave New World, The Demo (independent, 1998)
• Brave New World, Our Dystopian Lives (TIB Records, 2000)
• Twirl, We Wuz Here (Itsaboutmusic.com/iTunes, 2005)
• Revolver, Turbulence (Sony/BMG/Koch; iTunes, 2007)
• Revolver, The New Blood Rock Show (live DVD/CD) (Babylon Music Group/iTunes, 2008)
• Punishment Beautiful Suffering EP (independent, 2009)
• Famous Underground (Babylon Music Group/DOTT/Universal/Sony; iTunes/Amazon, 2013)
• Famous Underground In My Reflection (Babylon Music Group, 2021)

External links

• Famous Underground
• Twirl