The Super Friendz

Like fellow Murderecords bands Eric's Trip, Jale, and The Inbreds, The Super Friendz broke up before they reached success -- if success means big U.S. sales. The group was well-known and respected on Canada's East Coast, with each member writing and singing his own songs, but their many talents ultimately led to the band's demise.



Formed in 1993 by Matt Murphy (guitar), Charles Austin (bass), and Drew Yamada (guitar), the trio was influenced by Television, The Clash, The Kinks, Neil Young, The Beatles, and The Meat Puppets. They played the burgeoning Halifax rock-pop scene with a myriad of stand-in drummers, including Thrush Hermit's Cliff Gibb and Sloan's Chris Murphy (no relation, though they've influenced each other's music). The Super Friendz released their first EP, By Request, in 1993 on the then-local Murderecords label. The cassette-only Sticktoitiveness was released in 1994, and in late 1994 they recorded their full-length debut, Mock Up/Scale Down, in ten days. The album was produced by Brenndan Mcguire (Jale, Thrush Hermit, Sloan) without a permanent drummer -- local percussionist Dave Marsh filled in. After Mock Up's release in 1995, Lonnie James signed on as the fourth member of The Super Friendz. The refreshingly pop album had solid reviews and sales, and was nominated for a Best Alternative Album Juno in 1996.

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