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The Gruesomes

{{short description|Canadian garage punk band}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2017}}

{{Infobox musical artist

| name = The Gruesomes

| image =

| caption =

| image_size =

| background = group_or_band

| origin = Montreal, Quebec, Canada

| genre = Garage punk

| years_active = 1985–1990, 1999–present

| label = Primitive, OG, Ricochet Sound, Tyrant

| associated_acts =

| website = [http://www.myspace.com/thegruesomes The Gruesomes myspace site]

| current_members = Bobby Beaton
Gerry Alvarez
John Davis
John Knoll
Eric Davis

}}

The Gruesomes are a Canadian garage punk band from Montreal, Quebec, Canada, that formed in 1985.

The band gained recognition following the 1986 release of their debut album, Tyrants of Teen Trash (Og Music), which led to an "underground" following in Europe, the United States (US) and Canada. Subsequent releases increased their fan base and, after periods of touring, the band established itself within the global garage music scene.{{cite web|title=The Gruesomes - Bio|url=http://www.myspace.com/thegruesomes|work=myspace|publisher=Myspace LLC|accessdate=May 7, 2012|author=The Gruesomes|year=2011}}

History

With no previous musical experience, Bobby Beaton (guitar and vocals), Gerry Alvarez (guitar and vocals), John Davis (bass) and Davis' brother, Eric Davis (drums), were all between the ages of 16 and 19 when they began playing music together. The four teenagers were primarily inspired by long nights spent in their parents' basement watching TV and listening to obscure mid-60s records. Taking their name from the scary neighbours on TV's The Flintstones, the Gruesomes developed an image of matching black turtlenecks, Beatle boots and bowl haircuts, combining it with a "snotty" punk musical style. Early live shows relied more on the group's energy and humour than actual musical ability; however, the Gruesomes proceeded to become a popular club act, despite their inexperience.{{cite web|title=Day 236: The Gruesomes|url=http://www.365bandsin365days.com/2011/08/day-236-gruesomes.html|work=discovering the sound... 365 Bands in 365 Days|publisher=Google|accessdate=May 7, 2012|author=Adelle the Great|date=August 24, 2011}}

=Og records=

Within a year of forming, the Gruesomes recorded their debut LP for Og Records, an independent music label based in Montreal. In 1986, Tyrants of Teen Trash, a collection of primitive teen anthems, was released and fared well in the European and North American markets. In their home country of Canada, the album was often in the number one position on alternative playlists. The band's follow-up releases, also on Og, 1987's Gruesomania and 1988's Hey!, were also well-received and established the band as one of Canada's biggest selling underground acts.

=Live shows=

Famous for their wild stage presence, the Gruesomes toured Canada and the US accompanied by a reputation for legendary live shows.{{cite web|title=The Gruesomes|url=http://www.aural-innovations.com/issues/issue36/gruesomes.htm|work=Aural Innovations|accessdate=May 7, 2012|author=Jeff Fitzgerald|date=May 2007}} Always taking an irreverent approach to music, the Gruesomes were known for their humor and goofy stage antics. Their famous Halloween shows were schlock tributes to horror themes, incorporating camp props such as coffins and Dracula capes.{{cite book |last1=Barclay |first1=Michael |last2=Jack |first2=Ian A. D. |last3=Schneider |first3=Jason |title=Have Not Been The Same: The CanRock Renaissance |date=2001 |publisher=ECW Press |location=Toronto |isbn=1-55022-475-1 |page=[https://archive.org/details/havenotbeensamec0000barc/page/138 138] |url=https://archive.org/details/havenotbeensamec0000barc/page/138 }} In 1987, following the release of Gruesomania, Ottawa's John Knoll replaced Eric Davis on drums and the band subsequently developed a harder, more polished Garage Punk sound.{{Cite web|url=https://exclaim.ca/music/article/gruesomes-back_from_grave|title=The Gruesomes Back from the Grave|website=Exclaim.ca|accessdate=September 12, 2020}}

=Music videos=

The Gruesomes released two music videos: 1987's "Way Down Below" and 1988's Monkees-inspired, "Hey!". Both clips received heavy rotation on Canada's video station MuchMusic.

=Dissolution=

The Gruesomes ceased operation as a band in 1990 and it is reported that the members believed that they had achieved the highest level of success that was possible for an underground musical act.

Reformation

In late 1999, the Gruesomes reformed to coincide with the release of a new album, Cave-In!. A 14-track CD was released in Canada, whilst the album was sold as a 12" vinyl record in Germany. The tour to support Cave-In! was primarily driven by popular demand and resulted in the band playing shows in Germany, Italy, Switzerland and Belgium.{{cite news|title=Archeological, dig? A trip back in "tyme" with teen-trash troglodytes the Gruesomes|url=http://www.montrealmirror.com/2005/102005/watn22.html|accessdate=May 7, 2012|newspaper=Montreal Mirror|date=October 20–26, 2005|author=RUPERT BOTTENBERG}}

The Gruesomes have since played many shows including Cavestomp in New York City (2000),{{Cite web|url=https://www.shakesomeaction.nyc/blog/tag/the-gruesomes/|title=The Gruesomes – ShakeBlog|website=Shakesomeaction.nyc|accessdate=September 12, 2020}} The Funtastic Dracula Carnival in Benidorm, Spain(2017), Wild O'Fest in Mexico City (2018), and the Spider Monkey Festival in San José, Costa Rica in 2019. The Gruesomes are still active performing around the world{{Cite web |url=http://cjnews.concordia.ca/2019/04/09/the-gruesomes-ongoing-legacy/ |title=The Gruesomes – CJNews |access-date=August 10, 2019 |archive-date=August 10, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190810131513/http://cjnews.concordia.ca/2019/04/09/the-gruesomes-ongoing-legacy/ |url-status=dead }}

Discography

=Singles and EPs=

  • "Jack The Ripper" (1986) (Primitive Records)
  • reissued in 2009 by (Fuzz Overdose Records)
  • "Unchained!" (1987) (Primitive Records)
  • "Someone Told A Lie/Make Up Your Mind" (2020) (Calico Wally)
  • "Not A Chance/Girl In Time" (2024) (Calico Wally)

=Albums=

=Compilations/Gruesomes solo projects=

  • Gruesomology 1985-89 (2003) (Sundazed Records)
  • Fuad and The Feztones - In the Valley of the Kings (7"/EP)(2002) (Ricochet Sound)
  • Gerry Alvarez Odyssey - Candy Prankster (2006) (Ricochet Sound)
  • Fuad & the Feztones - Beeramid (2008) (Ricochet Sound)
  • Gerry Alvarez Odyssey - Omega Tea Time (2010) (Ricochet Sound)

=Music videos=

  • Way Down Below
  • Hey!

See also

{{Portal|Music|Canada}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

  • [http://www.montrealmirror.com/2005/102005/watn22.html Where Are They Now?] October 2005 Montreal Mirror interview.
  • [http://www.myspace.com/thegruesomes The Gruesomes | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos] The Gruesomes Myspace website.
  • [http://www.rabble.ca/podcasts/shows/ruckus/episode-10-catching-gruesomes "The Ruckus" audio interview with John Davis, Bobby Beaton and Gerry Alvarez from February, 2009]

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Category:Musical groups established in 1985

Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1990

Category:Musical groups reestablished in 1999

Category:Canadian indie rock groups

Category:Canadian punk rock groups

Category:Canadian garage punk groups

Category:Canadian garage rock groups

Category:Musical groups from Montreal

Category:English-language musical groups from Quebec

Category:1985 establishments in Canada