Together with Green River, the 80s Seattle band Malfunkshun is often credited as the founding father of the Northwest grunge phenomenon. Unlike many future Seattle stars, the guys were aiming for an arena-sized rock star. The same goal was pursued by the charismatic frontman Andrew Wood. Their sound had a profound effect on many of the future grunge superstars of the early 90s.
Detstvo
Brothers Andrew and Kevin Wood were born in England, 5 years apart. But they grew up already in America, in the homeland of their parents. Very strange, but the leader in their relationship was the younger brother, Andrew. The ringleader in all children's games and tricks, since childhood he dreamed of becoming a rock star. And at the age of 14 he made his own group Malfunkshun.
Love Rock Malfunkshun
Andrew Wood and his brother Kevin founded Malfunkshun in 1980, and in 1981 they found an excellent drummer in Regan Hagar. The trio created stage characters. Andrew became Landrew's "love child", Kevin became Kevinstein, and Regan became Tandarr.
Andrew was the one who definitely caught the attention of the local scene. His stage persona was similar to the then thundering Kiss. In a long raincoat, with white make-up on his face, and with a crazy drive on stage - this is how Malfunkshun fans remember Andrew Wood.
Andrew's antics, bordering on insanity, his unique voice drove the audience crazy. The group toured and gathered full houses, although, we note, they did not particularly promote their performances.
Malfunkshun has captured and combined various influences such as glam rock, heavy metal and punk. But proclaimed itself "Group 33" or Anti-666 Group. It was a response to the fake satanic movement in metal. What is most amusing is the combination of lyrics preaching love in a "hippie" style. Well, the music, which by all means refuted it. Thus, the members of Malfunkshun themselves defined their style as "love rock".
At the peak of fame Malfunkshun
Drugs have killed more than one rock musician. This trouble did not pass and the founder of the group, whimsical Andrew. He planned to take everything from life and even more. By the mid-80s, Andrew was heavily reliant on drugs.
Thus, the guy fed the image of a rock star he created himself and compensated for his innate shyness. At the age of 18, he first tried heroin, almost immediately caught hepatitis, and at the age of 19 he turned to the clinic for help.
In 1985, Andrew Wood decided to go to rehab because of his heroin addiction. A year later, when drug addiction was defeated, the group was among the few who presented several songs for the classic album "Deep Six".
A year later, Malfunkshun was one of six bands featured on a C/Z Records compilation titled "Deep Six". Two of the band's tracks, "With Yo Heart (Not Yo Hands)" and "Stars-n-You", appeared on this album. Together with the efforts of other Northwest grunge pioneers - Green River, Melvins, Soundgarden, U-Men, etc. This collection is considered to be the first grunge document.
Crazy popularity in Seattle, unfortunately, did not go far beyond the city. They continued to play until the end of 1987 when Kevin Wood decided to leave the band.
Other projects by Andrew
Andrew Wood formed Mother Love Bone in 1988. It was another Seattle band that played glam rock and grunge. At the end of 88, they signed a contract with the PolyGram recording studio. Three months later, their debut mini-compilation "Shine" is released. The album was favorably received by critics and fans, the group goes on tour.
In October of the same year, a full-fledged album "Apple" was released. At the height of his fame, Andrew starts having drug problems again. Another course in the clinic does not bring results. The crowd favorite died of a heroin overdose in 1990. The group has ceased to exist.
Kevin
Kevin Wood has formed several bands with his third brother, Brian. Brian was always in the shadow of his star relatives, but just like them, he was a musician. The brothers played garage rock and psychedelia on projects such as Fire Ants and Devilhead.
Another member of the band, Regan Hagar, played in several projects. Later he founded a record label with Stone Gossard, which released the only album "Malfunkshun".
Return to Olympus
For all the time of its existence, the group never released a full-fledged album. "Return to Olympus", a compilation of Malfunkshun's studio demos. It was released by former bandmate Stone Gossard on his Loosegroove label in 1995.
Ten years later, a documentary called "Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story" was released. A film about the fate of the sex symbol of Seattle, a talented vocalist and songwriter Andrew Wood. The film debuted at the Seattle International Film Festival.
In 2002, Kevin Wood decided to revive the Malfunkshun project. Together with Greg Gilmour, the studio album "Her Eyes" was recorded. Four years later, in 2006, Kevin and Regan Hagar decided to record an album using songs written by Andrew Wood before his death in 90.
Prior to recording, Wood contacted singer Sean Smith to see if he would be interested in joining the band. According to Kevin, Smith recently had a dream about Andy Wood, which was a sure sign. And the next day, Sean was already in the studio.
Bassist Cory Kane was added to the group and as a result the album "Monument to Malfunkshun" appeared. In addition to new, unknown songs, it includes vintage tracks "Love Child" and "My Love", a modernized track "Man of Golden Words" by Mother Love Bone.
