There aren't many bands who can boast having a career in excess of fifteen years and still be at the top of their game, let alone still be willing to play. But Canadian punkers "SNFU" can say that and more. They're not likely to boast about it though. Being away from the commercial limelight and remaining loyal to their local following built through the early 80's punk and skateboard scene is clearly enough for them. Having recently trimmed down to four members, led by vocalist and instigator Chi Pig, and continuing on down the hard road of inconsideration with fortitude.
They're not just a punk band. Yes, they've been on the punk label du jour (
The point here is that SNFU have been making top-quality punk-rock for years, and they're going to keep on doing it, and you should damn well appreciate them for it, because otherwise when the smoke clears we'll be left with nothing but Green Day and Rancid.
In 1981, on the eve of the great Edmonton Oilers hockey dynasty, three young skaters vowed to paint their names on the punk rock wall of fame. Fusing the aggression of skateboarding with the raw energy of punk music, twin brothers Marc and Brent Belke, and their pal Mr.Chi Pig, formed SNFU- and pioneered the "skate punk" genre. Three years later, the band released their groundbreaking first album, "...And No One Else Wanted To Play" (BYO, 1984). This record, which remains one of punk rock's most influential, allowed SNFU to tour continuously over the next four years, stunning crowds across North America and Europe with their dynamic live performances. Between 1985 and 1989, SNFU took only two breaks from their rigorous tour schedule, recording "If You Swear, You'll Catch No Fish" in 1986 and "Better Than A Stick In The Eye" in 1988. After relocating from Edmonton to Vancouver, the band released "The Last Of The Big Time Suspenders" in 1991. Two years later, SNFU cemented their current line-up, adding the tag-team rhythmic assault of Dave Rees (drums) and Rob Johnson (bass). They released three albums on Epitaph Records, "Something Green And Leafy This Way Comes"(1993), "The One Voted Most Likely To Succeed"(1995), and "FYULABA"(1996); the first two sold a combined total of over 100,000 copies. With upwards of one thousand live performances under their belts, SNFU draws fans from 12 to 40 years of age; in over twenty countries, they have packed venues ranging from 200 to 10,000 capacity. Alternative Tentacles are proud to release their latest offering to date : "The Ping-Pong EP" (5 crushing tunes available on either snazzy 10" vinyl or CD/EP), featuring the driving production of Dave Ogilvie (Skinny Puppy, Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson). A charged package of shredding guitars, thundering drums, snarling bass lines, and, of course, Mr.Chi Pig's signature, off-the-wall lyrics. SNFU again demonstrates their prowess by flexing those punk rock muscles.
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Epitaph
