The Super Friendz
| Company type | Indie rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Halifax, Nova Scotia , Canada |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
The Super Friendz are an indie rock group originating from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada. Their initial period of activity spanned from 1994 until 1997, followed by a reunion in 2002, with intermittent engagements thereafter.
As peers of Sloan, their early releases were issued under Sloan's label, Murderecords.
Career
The band was established in 1994 by students at King's College: Charles Austin (vocals, bass), Matt Murphy (vocals, guitar), and Drew Yamada (vocals, guitar). The group did not have a fixed drummer until 1996, relying on several musicians including Chris Murphy from Sloan, Cliff Gibb of Thrush Hermit, and Dave Marsh before Lonnie James joined as a permanent member.
In their founding year, they independently issued the cassette Sticktoitiveness alongside the single "By Request" through Murderecords and embarked on a Canadian tour supporting Sloan.
Their first full-length album, Mock Up, Scale Down, was released on Murderecords in July 1995. It featured singles such as "10 lbs.", "Karate Man," and "Rescue Us from Boredom," and received a nomination for the 1996 Juno Award for Alternative Album of the Year.
In 1996, they contributed the track "Blue Tattoo" to the compilation A Tribute to Hard Core Logo and followed with the more experimental EP Play the Game, Not Games, also on Murderecords.
Their sophomore album, Slide Show, appeared in February 1997 to positive critical reception, though some reviewers noted that creative differences within the band were evident through its varied musical direction.
A U.S. compilation titled Sticktoitiveness was issued by March Records in May 1997, combining remixed selections from Mock Up, Scale Down with tracks from Play the Game, Not Games.
The Super Friendz disbanded by August 1997.
Post-breakup
Following the split, Matt Murphy went on to establish The Flashing Lights and contributed to City Field and Cookie Duster. He also starred in the film The Life and Hard Times of Guy Terrifico. In 2015, he co-founded TUNS alongside Chris Murphy and Mike O'Neill.
Austin and Yamada collaborated with Joel Plaskett of Thrush Hermit to form Neuseiland. Austin transitioned into a career as a recording engineer and producer based in Halifax, working on projects for artists such as Buck 65, Matt Mays, Joel Plaskett, and Garrett Mason. Yamada toured with O'Neill before leaving the music industry to pursue academic studies. Lonnie James released two well-received solo albums via Teenage USA and toured as a drummer with Royal City.
Reunion (2002-present)
The Super Friendz came together again in December 2002 for a holiday performance. They subsequently released the album Love Energy on June 30, 2003 through Outside Music and conducted a brief tour in September. Since reuniting, Dave Marsh has served as the band's drummer.
In early 2006, they self-recorded an unreleased fourth album provisionally titled Mick Mojo McKinzey Skunk, which included songs like "Altamont," "Every Year," and "Majesty of Rock."
Between 2012 and 2014, the group appeared at prominent festivals such as the 2012 Halifax Pop Explosion, North by Northeast in 2013, and the Hillside Music Festival.
The original cassette Sticktoitiveness was remastered and reissued on CD in March 2006. Additionally, Mock Up, Scale Down was re-released as a double LP vinyl edition by Murderecords in 2013.
Discography
- Sticktoitiveness (1994)
- Mock Up, Scale Down (1995)
- Play the Game not Games E.P. (1996)
- Slide Show (1997)
- LoveEnergy (2003)