Seventh Wave

What's that old saying? If you want something done - Do it yourself. That's an especially admirable trait if you can pull it off in the music industry. Grimskunk, having proven themselves in Quebec, Europe and The West Coast of America, bring their ambitious indie-guerilla music industry strategy to the rest of Canada. Their secret - simple economics - Hard work pays off. What you put in comes back tenfold. Planting trees up north one summer, the seed was planted, and Grimskunk sprouted (also proving a dominant force on the latter of the name). The creative team started by founding members Joe and Franz stuck and properly gelled into Grimskunk upon their return to Montreal in the autumn. Determined to offset the more organic, hippy side of their ideology, the band added Grim to their name in order to represent the ying and yang. Grim defined the darker side, more brooding and less appealing commentary on society that crept into the majority of their songs. It stood for 'anti-establishment' and 'against the grain'. For over twelve years now Grimskunk has proven themselves an unstoppable hurricane whirling through Europe and North America, exerting a ferocious blend of punk, metal and world beat to all ears that cross their path. Over the course of time, Grimskunk has self-financed over 20 tours of both Europe and America. They rattle off an impressive list of festivals and noteworthy bands that they've shared the stage with in Europe. Grimskunk also have a remarkable following on the West Coast of America where they have spent time nurturing a solid following. Known best for their live performances, Grimskunk's raw energy and live intensity has been the catalyst of their fame. On the road for 10 straight years, networking with other bands and appreciation for perseverance has resulted in respect from both the industry and their fans. Always maintaining the highest regards for musical integrity, Grimskunk has become one of Canada's most successful and influential rock groups to date. After a run of indie CDs and a relationship with Montreal's infamous Cargo, the band found itself without a distributor and a support system for their touring. Instead of giving up and going 9-5 like many indie bands in Canada during the late 1990s, Grimskunk created it's own label, Indica Records, in 1998. Not only did it fill a noticeable void in the Canadian music landscape, it gave them the ability to sign other domestic indie artists as well European and American bands with whom they'd established touring relationships. Expanding their indie ties further, Grimskunk has hooked up with DKD's Aquarius Records, forming Indica AQ. A mutually beneficial imprint, Indica AQ is a street-smart, marketing saavy label unlike any other in this country. Following the release of Field Trip (1998) and three years of touring abroad, Grimskunk teamed up with West Coast producer Dale Penner (NICKELBACK, ECONOLINE CRUSH, MATHEW GOOD BAND...) to complete the band's seventh release, aptly titled Seventh Wave. With Penner's knack for 'invisibly' guiding a band, the band was astonished at the creative wallop he brought to the process. Feeling focused and refined by Penner's intuitive ear, the band members agree that Seventh Wave is their most cohesive and cathartic recording to date. Symbolic in meaning and spirit, unique and eclectic sound prevails throughout the entire album, with title-track 'Seventh Wave', 'Super Heroes' and 'Comatose' directing the album's overall atmosphere. Discourse ebbs and flows including important topics like concern of the idealized afflicted youth, to respect and freedom within the confines of society.