During the existence of music, people are constantly trying to bring something new. Many tools and directions have been created. When already ordinary methods do not work, then they go to non-standard tricks. This is exactly what the innovation of the American team Caninus can be called.
Hearing their music, there are two kinds of impressions. The line-up of the group seems strange, and the short creative path is expected. Even for the sake of variety, it is worth listening to their music, getting to know the history of the band.
The main composition of Caninus, the prerequisites for the emergence of the group
The guys who later formed the Caninus group began their musical activities in 1992. During this time, experimental music was actively developing. Like-minded people, having gathered in 1993, formed a team called Indecision.
The group included young guitarist Justin Brannan, who later became the founding member of the unusual band Caninus. The second member of this group will be the bass player Rachel Rosen. The girl was also a member of Indecision, but she came there only in 1996. Prior to that, she did a radio show on student channel WNYU. Colin Thundercurrie joined as another member of Caninus as drummer.
Unusual part of the team
In addition to three people, Caninus included 2 dogs. They were female pit bull terriers. Dogs with nicknames Budgie and Basil were adopted from a shelter. The animals were to be euthanized. Members of the future Caninus team saved the dogs from certain death. Ironically, animals have become more than just inspirations or side contributors. Dogs acted as vocalists.
Justin, Rachel and Colin made music, and barking was used instead of the usual verbal accompaniment. The guys decided to give up growling and other similar extreme singing techniques, as well as artificial components. And use powerful and bright real sounds.
Influence on the formation of the Caninus style
Caninus is a deathgrind band that was formed as a side project. The main team of the guys was Most Precious Blood. Participation in another project did not prevent them from further developing a new direction. The idea was influenced by the general enthusiasm for non-standard musical trends.
The guys were inspired by the activities of such bands as Terrorizer, Death of Napalm, Cannibal Corpse, Sorcery. This is a powerful sound, strong sound, unusual format, use of additional sounds and processing. Before the appearance of the group in 2001, each of the guys managed to participate in various musical projects. It was the activities of Caninus that became a complete reflection of their essence.
Views and beliefs of participants
Despite the creation of aggressive music, the guys from Caninus have a positive outlook on life. They are ardent defenders of justice. Every text of Most Precious Blood, their main working line-up, reflects reality without falsehood.
Caninus members are active in protecting animals and are also vegan. They promote a humane attitude towards smaller brothers, urge not to breed them in nurseries, but to take them from shelters. At the same time, an active call does not come from them.
How the songs were recorded
Justin, Rachel, Colin, the human side of the band, wrote and recorded music in a standard way. The vocal parts performed by dogs were subsequently superimposed on the basis of the sound technically.
Recording "singing" was done in a humane way: the animals lived in the usual way. All sounds were created in a natural environment. Most often, the recording was performed during standard training and games. The resulting barking, growling, sniffling acted as solos.
Caninus group activity
The Caninus team did not conduct an active creative activity. The guys did not have a goal to gain commercial interest or gain unheard of popularity. The group attracted attention, became a creative outburst of the majority of the participants.
The first Caninus album was released only in 2004. The guys worked with the War Torn Records label. In 2005, the band released a couple of splits. Caninus first worked with Hatebeak. In the partner group, the vocal parts are performed by Jaco the parrot.
The guys recorded the second split with Cattle Decapitation. The partner group is distinguished by frank texts in defense of animals. This is where the activity of the team ends. The guys did not give live concerts, given the specific repertoire and composition of the group.
Team support
Attitudes towards Caninus are complex and ambiguous. Their work is incomprehensible to many. Some of them are accused of exploiting animals. Others wonder how such a special format of creativity can please.
During the activity, the group gained fans. From the side of famous people, Susan Sarandon, Andrew WK, Richard Christy spoke out in support of the team. The latter even recorded several drum parts for the group.
Termination of activity
The group in 2011 decided to suspend its activities. It happened because of Basil's disease. The dog was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The animal had to be euthanized, protecting it from the inevitable torment.
After that, the musicians spoke out that the team was ready to continue working. According to the band members, an album was planned to be released in memory of the lost dog. Another four-legged artist, Budgie, developed arthritis, which also brought difficulties.
In 2016, it became known that the second dog was also gone. Justin Brannan, the leader of the group, gradually ended his musical career. He became a successful politician, widely known in the United States.
