Skunk Anansie
Encyclopedia
Skunk Anansie is an English
rock
band whose members include Skin (born Deborah Dyer, 3 August 1967, Brixton
), Cass (born Richard Keith Lewis, 1 September 1960, London
), Ace (born Martin Ivor Kent, 30 March 1967, Cheltenham
) and Mark Richardson
(born 28 May 1970, Leeds
).
Skunk Anansie formed in March 1994, disbanded in 2001 and reformed in 2009. The name "Skunk Anansie" is taken from the West Africa
n folk tales of Anansi
the spider-man, with “Skunk
” added to "make the name nastier". They are often grouped as part of a Britrock movement, running alongside Britpop
. The band, in 2004, was named as one of the most successful UK chart acts between 1952 and 2003 by the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums, with a total of 141 weeks on both the singles and album charts ranking them at #491. When the book first published this annual top 500 list in 2000, it only involved weeks spent on the singles chart until 2004's 17th edition, meaning the band's highest ranking has not been notified in any of the past editions. Their longest running release is 1996's Stoosh album with 55 weeks and a peak of #9. The band released their fifth studio album Wonderlustre
(their first studio album after their reformation) internationally on 13 September 2010, preceded in August by its first single "My Ugly Boy".
's Splash club in March 1994 (now known as Monto Water Rats Theatre). In 1995 they were voted Best New British Band by the readers of Kerrang!
magazine. At the award ceremony that year drummer Mark Richardson met the band who were looking for a permanent replacement for Robbie France so an audition was set up and the band was reformed. Soon after that, two of their songs, "Feed" and "Selling Jesus", appeared on the soundtrack of the film Strange Days
in 1995. "Selling Jesus" became Skunk Anansie's controversial second song to receive radio play, following their first radio release "Little Baby Swastikkka". After hearing this song, radio personality Howard Stern
claimed that the band would become a huge hit. Success continued for the band and they were also voted Kerrang!
.
Their first two albums, Paranoid and Sunburnt
and Stoosh
, were released under One Little Indian Records
in 1995 and 1996 respectively. After switching to the Virgin
label in 1998, their third and final album, Post Orgasmic Chill
, was released in 1999.
Skin has described Skunk Anansie as a "clit
-rock" group, which Allmusic clarifies as "an amalgam of heavy metal
and black feminist
rage". Members Skin and Ace have mentioned the Sex Pistols
, Blondie
, dub
, reggae
, electronica
, hip-hop and world music
as significant influences.
Throughout the 1990s, the group toured globally with such bands as U2
, Aerosmith
, Feeder
, Lenny Kravitz
, Bad Religion
, Rollins Band
, Therapy?
, Rammstein
, Killing Joke
, Soulfly
, Sevendust
, Oomph!
, Muse
, Staind
, Powerman 5000
, Veruca Salt
, Marion
and A Perfect Circle
.
After their split in 2001, Skin embarked on a solo career. Her debut solo album Fleshwounds
, was released in September 2003 and Fake Chemical State
was released in March 2006. She has also provided vocals for a number of other acts' songs.
Ace released a low-key album, Still Hungry under the name Ace Sounds, which featured many collaborations including Shingai Shoniwa from Noisettes
and Skye from Morcheeba
. He later joined a band called "Inner Mantra". Ace is also a tutor at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music
In 2002 Cass recorded the album Scars
with Gary Moore
, and played bass and performed backing vocals. Cass also played various instruments on Skin's first solo album. When not recording it is thought that he concentrates on photography.
Mark recorded sessions for various artists including Skin before joining Feeder
after the death of their original drummer, Jon Lee. Mark has also been tutoring at the Brighton Institute with bandmate Ace.
In an interview with UK radio station XFM
, Skin announced that their 1997 single "Brazen" will be featured in the upcoming video game Rock Band 2
.
.
Skin said about the reformation: "Basicially we have never done a greatest hits album. We have been bugged to do it for ages and ages from various places but only now does everyone have time and want to do it. It will have new songs on it and you will start to hear some amazing remixes from rock and rave to dubstep, all very exciting."
On 2 and 3 April 2009, two shows took place at the Monto Water Rats (the former venue of the Splash Club) in London, under the alias SCAM (Skin, Cass, Ace, Mark) and sold out in 20 minutes.
The band began their "Greatest Hits" tour on Friday, 9 October 2009 at the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels
, with other dates across Europe. It was their first actual tour in eight years.
A "greatest hits" album, Smashes and Trashes
, was released 2 November 2009. It is a 15-track career-embracing album and includes three brand new tracks: "Because of You", "Tear the Place Up" and "Squander". A best-of remixes companion album was also released digitally.
On 3 July 2009, the music video for "Tear the Place Up" was presented exclusively on MySpace, before on 10 August 2009, a new video for "Because of You" was presented exclusively on Kerrang.com. It was released 14 September 2009 in the UK and was the first single to be released from Smashes and Trashes. The single was a top 10 hit in Italy, before its follow-up "Squander" was a top 20 success in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium.
was released internationally on 13 September 2010, preceded by the first single "My Ugly Boy", which was released in the UK on 16 August 2010 and in Europe July/August. The video for "My Ugly Boy" was presented exclusively on Kerrang.com on 23 July 2010. Wonderlustre reached number one on the Italian albums chart on 1 October 2010 and placed in the top 10 in charts all over Europe including in Germany, Holland and France.
The second single from Wonderlustre, "Over the Love" was released internationally in November 2010.
In November 2010 the band played on Ídolos
, a Portuguese equivalent to the UK's Pop Idol.
was released internationally in March 2011. The band also covered The Stooges
' song "Search and Destroy" specifically for the soundtrack of Zack Snyder
's film Sucker Punch
, released on March 25, 2011
. The soundtrack also includes a Skunk Anansie remix of the song "Army of Me
" by Björk
.
On June 12, 2011 the band performed at an open air 'Rock over Volga' at Samara, Russia. The performance was exceptionally well accepted.
The band also appeared on Friday 12 August at Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary playing a mixed set of hits and newer material. This was their first appearance at Sziget. Sizget's own website reporting "nobody had any doubts who the Queen of this year's Sziget turned out to be".
Skunk Anansie was on stage when the tragedy occurred at Pukkelpop
in Belgium on 18 august 2011.
1 "Little Baby Swastikkka" was released as a limited edition vinyl record.
2 "You'll Follow Me Down" was ineligible to chart due to the length and number of songs on the single. Official chart rules limit single releases to 4 tracks totalling no more than 25 minutes if more than 1 song and its remixes are included. See Criteria for inclusion in the UK single's chart
3 "Tear the Place Up" was ineligible to chart as it was released as a free download to the band's mailing list.
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band whose members include Skin (born Deborah Dyer, 3 August 1967, Brixton
Brixton
Brixton is a district in the London Borough of Lambeth in south London, England. It is south south-east of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
), Cass (born Richard Keith Lewis, 1 September 1960, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
), Ace (born Martin Ivor Kent, 30 March 1967, Cheltenham
Cheltenham
Cheltenham , also known as Cheltenham Spa, is a large spa town and borough in Gloucestershire, on the edge of the Cotswolds in the South-West region of England. It is the home of the flagship race of British steeplechase horse racing, the Gold Cup, the main event of the Cheltenham Festival held...
) and Mark Richardson
Mark Richardson (musician)
Mark Richardson is an English drummer, of the UK rock band Skunk Anansie and formerly of Little Angels and Feeder.-Personal life:...
(born 28 May 1970, Leeds
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
).
Skunk Anansie formed in March 1994, disbanded in 2001 and reformed in 2009. The name "Skunk Anansie" is taken from the West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
n folk tales of Anansi
Anansi
Anansi the trickster is a spider, and is one of the most important characters of West African and Caribbean folklore.He is also known as Ananse, Kwaku Ananse, and Anancy; and in the Southern United States he has evolved into Aunt Nancy. He is a spider, but often acts and appears as a man...
the spider-man, with “Skunk
Cannabis (drug)
Cannabis, also known as marijuana among many other names, refers to any number of preparations of the Cannabis plant intended for use as a psychoactive drug or for medicinal purposes. The English term marijuana comes from the Mexican Spanish word marihuana...
” added to "make the name nastier". They are often grouped as part of a Britrock movement, running alongside Britpop
Britpop
Britpop is a subgenre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom. Britpop emerged from the British independent music scene of the early 1990s and was characterised by bands influenced by British guitar pop music of the 1960s and 1970s...
. The band, in 2004, was named as one of the most successful UK chart acts between 1952 and 2003 by the Guinness Book of British Hit Singles & Albums, with a total of 141 weeks on both the singles and album charts ranking them at #491. When the book first published this annual top 500 list in 2000, it only involved weeks spent on the singles chart until 2004's 17th edition, meaning the band's highest ranking has not been notified in any of the past editions. Their longest running release is 1996's Stoosh album with 55 weeks and a peak of #9. The band released their fifth studio album Wonderlustre
Wonderlustre
Wonderlustre is the fourth studio album by British rock band Skunk Anansie. It is the band's first full studio album since 1999's Post Orgasmic Chill. It was released on 13 September 2010 in Europe and was preceded by the single "My Ugly Boy", which was released on 16 August 2010...
(their first studio album after their reformation) internationally on 13 September 2010, preceded in August by its first single "My Ugly Boy".
1994–2001
The group played its first gig at LondonLondon
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
's Splash club in March 1994 (now known as Monto Water Rats Theatre). In 1995 they were voted Best New British Band by the readers of Kerrang!
Kerrang!
Kerrang! is a UK-based magazine devoted to rock music published by Bauer Media Group. It was first published on June 6, 1981 as a one-off supplement in the Sounds newspaper...
magazine. At the award ceremony that year drummer Mark Richardson met the band who were looking for a permanent replacement for Robbie France so an audition was set up and the band was reformed. Soon after that, two of their songs, "Feed" and "Selling Jesus", appeared on the soundtrack of the film Strange Days
Strange Days (film)
Strange Days is a 1995 cyberpunk science fiction film directed by Kathryn Bigelow and produced and co-written by James Cameron and Jay Cocks, starring Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett, Juliette Lewis, Tom Sizemore, Michael Wincott and Vincent D'Onofrio. Despite positive reviews, the film was a...
in 1995. "Selling Jesus" became Skunk Anansie's controversial second song to receive radio play, following their first radio release "Little Baby Swastikkka". After hearing this song, radio personality Howard Stern
Howard Stern
Howard Allan Stern is an American radio personality, television host, author, and actor best known for his radio show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He gained wide recognition in the 1990s where he was labeled a "shock jock" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial style...
claimed that the band would become a huge hit. Success continued for the band and they were also voted Kerrang!
MTV Europe Music Awards
The MTV Europe Music Awards were established in 1994 by MTV Networks Europe to celebrate the most popular music videos in Europe. Originally beginning as an alternative to the American MTV Video Music Awards, the MTV Europe Music Awards is today a popular celebration of what MTV viewers consider...
.
Their first two albums, Paranoid and Sunburnt
Paranoid and Sunburnt
Paranoid and Sunburnt is the first studio album by British rock band Skunk Anansie, first released in 1995 via One Little Indian Records. It was re-released in 2005 with a DVD featuring the videos to the singles. This album was recorded with the band's original drummer, Robbie France but he is not...
and Stoosh
Stoosh
Stoosh is the second studio album by British rock band Skunk Anansie, first released in 1996.-Track listing:Tracks written by Dyer [Skin], Kent [Ace], Lewis [Cass], except as noted.#"Yes It's Fucking Political"#"All I Want"...
, were released under One Little Indian Records
One Little Indian Records
One Little Indian Records is a London-based independent record label that rose from the ashes of punk record company Spiderleg Records. It was set up in 1985 by members of various anarchist punk bands, and managed by ex-Flux of Pink Indians Derek Birkett. The first success came with A.R. Kane and...
in 1995 and 1996 respectively. After switching to the Virgin
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
label in 1998, their third and final album, Post Orgasmic Chill
Post Orgasmic Chill
Post Orgasmic Chill is the third studio album by British rock band Skunk Anansie, first released in 1999. Two album covers exist: the European version with the band lounging in an oceanside apartment, and the American version with the band standing on the Atlantic City boardwalk.-Track listing:...
, was released in 1999.
Skin has described Skunk Anansie as a "clit
Clitoris
The clitoris is a sexual organ that is present only in female mammals. In humans, the visible button-like portion is located near the anterior junction of the labia minora, above the opening of the urethra and vagina. Unlike the penis, which is homologous to the clitoris, the clitoris does not...
-rock" group, which Allmusic clarifies as "an amalgam of heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
and black feminist
Feminism
Feminism is a collection of movements aimed at defining, establishing, and defending equal political, economic, and social rights and equal opportunities for women. Its concepts overlap with those of women's rights...
rage". Members Skin and Ace have mentioned the Sex Pistols
Sex Pistols
The Sex Pistols were an English punk rock band that formed in London in 1975. They were responsible for initiating the punk movement in the United Kingdom and inspiring many later punk and alternative rock musicians...
, Blondie
Blondie (band)
Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
, dub
Dub music
Dub is a genre of music which grew out of reggae music in the 1960s, and is commonly considered a subgenre, though it has developed to extend beyond the scope of reggae...
, reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
, electronica
Electronica
Electronica includes a wide range of contemporary electronic music designed for a wide range of uses, including foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and background music for other activities; however, unlike electronic dance music, it is not specifically made for dancing...
, hip-hop and world music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
as significant influences.
Throughout the 1990s, the group toured globally with such bands as U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
, Aerosmith
Aerosmith
Aerosmith is an American rock band, sometimes referred to as "The Bad Boys from Boston" and "America's Greatest Rock and Roll Band". Their style, which is rooted in blues-based hard rock, has come to also incorporate elements of pop, heavy metal, and rhythm and blues, and has inspired many...
, Feeder
Feeder
-Technology:* Feeder , any of several devices used in apiculture to supplement or replace natural food sources* Feeder , another name for a riser, a reservoir built into a metal casting mold to prevent cavities due to shrinkage...
, Lenny Kravitz
Lenny Kravitz
Leonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger, whose "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, soul, R&B, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads...
, Bad Religion
Bad Religion
Bad Religion is a punk rock band that formed in Los Angeles in 1979. Their current line-up consists of Greg Graffin , Brett Gurewitz , Jay Bentley , Greg Hetson , Brian Baker and Brooks Wackerman . Gurewitz is also the founder of the label Epitaph Records, which has released almost all of the...
, Rollins Band
Rollins Band
Rollins Band was an American rock band led by singer and songwriter Henry Rollins.They are best known for the songs "Low Self Opinion" and "Liar", which both earned heavy airplay on MTV in the early 1990s...
, Therapy?
Therapy?
Therapy? is an alternative metal band from Northern Ireland. The band was formed in 1989 by guitarist–vocalist Andy Cairns from Ballyclare and drummer-vocalist Fyfe Ewing from Larne, Northern Ireland. The band initially recorded their first demo with Cairns filling in on bass guitar...
, Rammstein
Rammstein
Rammstein is a German Neue Deutsche Härte band from Berlin, formed in 1994. The band consists of members Till Lindemann , Richard Z. Kruspe , Paul H. Landers , Oliver "Ollie" Riedel , Christoph "Doom" Schneider and Christian "Flake" Lorenz...
, Killing Joke
Killing Joke
Killing Joke are an English post-punk band formed in October 1978 in Notting Hill, London, England; other sources report the band formed in early 1979.Related news articles: Founding members Jaz Coleman and Geordie Walker have been the only constant members.A key influence on industrial rock,...
, Soulfly
Soulfly
Soulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
, Sevendust
Sevendust
Sevendust is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 1994 by bassist Vince Hornsby, drummer Morgan Rose and guitarist John Connolly. After their first demo, lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon and guitarist Clint Lowery joined the group...
, Oomph!
Oomph!
Oomph! is a German rock band that was formed in Wolfsburg, Germany in 1989. The band is considered to be the original Neue Deutsche Härte musical group. In the 22-year history of the band, there have been no line-up changes.-Early years :...
, Muse
Muse (band)
Muse are an English alternative rock band from Teignmouth, Devon, formed in 1994. The band consists of school friends Matthew Bellamy , Christopher Wolstenholme and Dominic Howard...
, Staind
Staind
Staind is an American rock band that was formed in 1995 in Springfield, Massachusetts. For 16 years, the band consisted of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Aaron Lewis, lead guitarist Mike Mushok, bassist Johnny April, and drummer Jon Wysocki...
, Powerman 5000
Powerman 5000
Powerman 5000 is an American Metal band formed in 1991. Through the span of over two decades, the group has released several albums and gained their highest commercial success with 1999's science fiction themed Tonight the Stars Revolt!...
, Veruca Salt
Veruca Salt (band)
Veruca Salt is an alternative rock band founded in 1993 in Chicago, Illinois. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included vocalist-guitarist Louise Post. Guitarist Stephen Fitzpatrick has been with the band since 1999 and drummer Kellii Scott has worked with the group on and off since 1999...
, Marion
Marion (band)
Marion are an English rock band, originally formed in 1993, in Macclesfield, Cheshire. They became synonymous with the Britpop music scene, appearing on the Britpop Now BBC television special...
and A Perfect Circle
A Perfect Circle
A Perfect Circle is an American rock supergroup formed in 1999 by guitarist Billy Howerdel and Tool vocalist Maynard James Keenan. The original incarnation of the band also included Paz Lenchantin on bass, Troy Van Leeuwen on guitar, and Tim Alexander on drums...
.
After their split in 2001, Skin embarked on a solo career. Her debut solo album Fleshwounds
Fleshwounds
Fleshwounds is the debut album from Skunk Anansie lead singer Skin. The album was re-released with an art work and slight track change.Not entirely satisfied with the album, Skin re-released it with new album artwork and a slightly different track listing. "As Long As That True" was replaced with...
, was released in September 2003 and Fake Chemical State
Fake Chemical State
Fake Chemical State is the second solo album by Skunk Anansie lead vocalist Skin. Released on 20 March 2006, the album was produced by Gordon Raphael and Skin herself, except for the first single "Alone in My Room" which Skin produced with former Mansun lead vocalist Paul Draper...
was released in March 2006. She has also provided vocals for a number of other acts' songs.
Ace released a low-key album, Still Hungry under the name Ace Sounds, which featured many collaborations including Shingai Shoniwa from Noisettes
Noisettes
Noisettes are an English indie rock band from London, comprising singer and bassist Shingai Shoniwa, guitarist Dan Smith, and drummer Jamie Morrison...
and Skye from Morcheeba
Morcheeba
Morcheeba are a British band, mixing influences from trip hop, rock, R&B, and pop.They have produced 7 albums since 1995, two of which reached the UK top ten.-Biography:...
. He later joined a band called "Inner Mantra". Ace is also a tutor at the Brighton Institute of Modern Music
Brighton Institute of Modern Music
BIMM Brighton & Bristol Institutes of Modern Music in England is an independent college of popular music based in the cities of Brighton & Hove and Bristol...
In 2002 Cass recorded the album Scars
Scars (Scars album)
Scars is a 2002 album by the Gary Moore-led blues-rock group called Scars .-Track listing:#"When the Sun Goes Down" – 4:19...
with Gary Moore
Gary Moore
Robert William Gary Moore , better known simply as Gary Moore, was a Northern Irish musician from Belfast, best recognised as a blues rock guitarist and singer....
, and played bass and performed backing vocals. Cass also played various instruments on Skin's first solo album. When not recording it is thought that he concentrates on photography.
Mark recorded sessions for various artists including Skin before joining Feeder
Feeder
-Technology:* Feeder , any of several devices used in apiculture to supplement or replace natural food sources* Feeder , another name for a riser, a reservoir built into a metal casting mold to prevent cavities due to shrinkage...
after the death of their original drummer, Jon Lee. Mark has also been tutoring at the Brighton Institute with bandmate Ace.
In an interview with UK radio station XFM
Xfm
Xfm is a brand of two commercial radio stations focused on alternative music, primarily indie pop, and owned by Global Radio.-History:Xfm was created in London in 1992 by Sammy Jacob, who later co-founded NME Radio in 2008. Xfm subsequently expanded to a network of four stations; there are...
, Skin announced that their 1997 single "Brazen" will be featured in the upcoming video game Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2
Rock Band 2 is a music video game developed by Harmonix Music Systems. It is the sequel to Rock Band and is the second title in the series. The game allows up to four players to simulate the performance of popular songs by playing with controllers modeled after musical instruments...
.
2009
Mark Richardson confirmed reports that the band was reforming in an interview with Drummer Magazine (November 2008 issue), and said that the band planned to release a "best of" compilation as well as new material. Ace later set up an official page for the band on MySpaceMySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
.
Skin said about the reformation: "Basicially we have never done a greatest hits album. We have been bugged to do it for ages and ages from various places but only now does everyone have time and want to do it. It will have new songs on it and you will start to hear some amazing remixes from rock and rave to dubstep, all very exciting."
On 2 and 3 April 2009, two shows took place at the Monto Water Rats (the former venue of the Splash Club) in London, under the alias SCAM (Skin, Cass, Ace, Mark) and sold out in 20 minutes.
The band began their "Greatest Hits" tour on Friday, 9 October 2009 at the Ancienne Belgique in Brussels
Brussels
Brussels , officially the Brussels Region or Brussels-Capital Region , is the capital of Belgium and the de facto capital of the European Union...
, with other dates across Europe. It was their first actual tour in eight years.
A "greatest hits" album, Smashes and Trashes
Smashes and Trashes
Smashes and Trashes is a greatest hits album by the British rock band Skunk Anansie. It is a 15-track career-embracing album and includes three previously unreleased tracks; "Tear the Place Up", "Because of You" and "Squander". The bonus track edition includes acoustic versions of "Weak" and...
, was released 2 November 2009. It is a 15-track career-embracing album and includes three brand new tracks: "Because of You", "Tear the Place Up" and "Squander". A best-of remixes companion album was also released digitally.
On 3 July 2009, the music video for "Tear the Place Up" was presented exclusively on MySpace, before on 10 August 2009, a new video for "Because of You" was presented exclusively on Kerrang.com. It was released 14 September 2009 in the UK and was the first single to be released from Smashes and Trashes. The single was a top 10 hit in Italy, before its follow-up "Squander" was a top 20 success in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium.
2010
Their fourth studio album WonderlustreWonderlustre
Wonderlustre is the fourth studio album by British rock band Skunk Anansie. It is the band's first full studio album since 1999's Post Orgasmic Chill. It was released on 13 September 2010 in Europe and was preceded by the single "My Ugly Boy", which was released on 16 August 2010...
was released internationally on 13 September 2010, preceded by the first single "My Ugly Boy", which was released in the UK on 16 August 2010 and in Europe July/August. The video for "My Ugly Boy" was presented exclusively on Kerrang.com on 23 July 2010. Wonderlustre reached number one on the Italian albums chart on 1 October 2010 and placed in the top 10 in charts all over Europe including in Germany, Holland and France.
The second single from Wonderlustre, "Over the Love" was released internationally in November 2010.
In November 2010 the band played on Ídolos
Ídolos Portugal
Ídolos is a reality television show based on the popular British show Pop Idol. The show is a contest to determine the best young singer in Portugal. The first two seasons were hosted by Sílvia Alberto and Pedro Granger...
, a Portuguese equivalent to the UK's Pop Idol.
2011–present
"You Saved Me", the third single from WonderlustreWonderlustre
Wonderlustre is the fourth studio album by British rock band Skunk Anansie. It is the band's first full studio album since 1999's Post Orgasmic Chill. It was released on 13 September 2010 in Europe and was preceded by the single "My Ugly Boy", which was released on 16 August 2010...
was released internationally in March 2011. The band also covered The Stooges
The Stooges
The Stooges are an American rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan first active from 1967 to 1974, and later reformed in 2003...
' song "Search and Destroy" specifically for the soundtrack of Zack Snyder
Zack Snyder
Zachary Edward "Zack" Snyder is an American actor, film director, screenwriter, and producer. After making his feature film debut with the 2004 remake Dawn of the Dead, he gained wide recognition with the 2007 box office hit 300, adapted from writer-artist Frank Miller's Dark Horse Comics...
's film Sucker Punch
Sucker Punch (film)
Sucker Punch is a 2011 action-fantasy thriller film, directed by Zack Snyder and co-written by him and Steve Shibuya. It is Snyder's first film based on an original script. The film stars Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, Jamie Chung, and Oscar Isaac...
, released on March 25, 2011
2011 in film
The year 2011 is notable for containing the release of the most film sequels in a single year, at 27 sequels. The following tables list films that are in production or have completed production and will be released in the United States and Canada at some point in 2011.- Highest-grossing films :...
. The soundtrack also includes a Skunk Anansie remix of the song "Army of Me
Army of Me
"Army of Me" is a song by Björk, released in 1995 as the first, and leading, single from her second solo album Post. The song also appeared, later in the same year on the soundtrack of Tank Girl as well as in the soundtrack of Sucker Punch in 2011...
" by Björk
Björk
Björk Guðmundsdóttir , known as Björk , is an Icelandic singer-songwriter. Her eclectic musical style has achieved popular acknowledgement and popularity within many musical genres, such as rock, jazz, electronic dance music, classical and folk...
.
On June 12, 2011 the band performed at an open air 'Rock over Volga' at Samara, Russia. The performance was exceptionally well accepted.
The band also appeared on Friday 12 August at Sziget Festival in Budapest, Hungary playing a mixed set of hits and newer material. This was their first appearance at Sziget. Sizget's own website reporting "nobody had any doubts who the Queen of this year's Sziget turned out to be".
Skunk Anansie was on stage when the tragedy occurred at Pukkelpop
Pukkelpop
Pukkelpop is an annual music festival which takes place near the city of Hasselt, Belgium in mid-to-late August. It is held within a large enclosure of fields and woodland—between a dual carriageway called Kempische Steenweg—in the village of Kiewit, approximately 7 km north of Hasselt...
in Belgium on 18 august 2011.
Albums
| Title | Released | Chart Position |
|---|---|---|
| Paranoid and Sunburnt Paranoid and Sunburnt Paranoid and Sunburnt is the first studio album by British rock band Skunk Anansie, first released in 1995 via One Little Indian Records. It was re-released in 2005 with a DVD featuring the videos to the singles. This album was recorded with the band's original drummer, Robbie France but he is not... |
September, 1995 | UK #8 |
| Stoosh Stoosh Stoosh is the second studio album by British rock band Skunk Anansie, first released in 1996.-Track listing:Tracks written by Dyer [Skin], Kent [Ace], Lewis [Cass], except as noted.#"Yes It's Fucking Political"#"All I Want"... |
October, 1996 | UK #9 |
| Post Orgasmic Chill Post Orgasmic Chill Post Orgasmic Chill is the third studio album by British rock band Skunk Anansie, first released in 1999. Two album covers exist: the European version with the band lounging in an oceanside apartment, and the American version with the band standing on the Atlantic City boardwalk.-Track listing:... |
March, 1999 | UK #16 |
| Smashes and Trashes Smashes and Trashes Smashes and Trashes is a greatest hits album by the British rock band Skunk Anansie. It is a 15-track career-embracing album and includes three previously unreleased tracks; "Tear the Place Up", "Because of You" and "Squander". The bonus track edition includes acoustic versions of "Weak" and... |
November, 2009 | UK #74 |
| Wonderlustre Wonderlustre Wonderlustre is the fourth studio album by British rock band Skunk Anansie. It is the band's first full studio album since 1999's Post Orgasmic Chill. It was released on 13 September 2010 in Europe and was preceded by the single "My Ugly Boy", which was released on 16 August 2010... |
September, 2010 | UK #58 |
Singles
| Title | Released | Chart Position |
|---|---|---|
| "Little Baby Swastikkka"1 | 1995 | Limited release |
| "Selling Jesus Selling Jesus (single) "Selling Jesus" is a song by Skunk Anansie, released as their debut single. Although Skunk Anansie previously released "Little Baby Swastikkka" as a limited release, it was not regarded as an actual single. "Selling Jesus" is a song in protest of religion and politics, and in particular Christianity... " |
March, 1995 | UK #46 |
| "I Can Dream I Can Dream (single) "I Can Dream" is a song by Skunk Anansie, released as their second single in July 1995. The single was taken from their debut album Paranoid and Sunburnt, and reached number 41 on the UK Singles Chart. The CD single features two B-Sides and a live recording of "Little Baby Swastikkka".-CD... " |
July, 1995 | UK #41 |
| "Charity Charity (single) "Charity" is a song by Skunk Anansie, released as their third single in July 1995, and re-released in April 1996. The original release reached #40 in the UK Singles Chart, but the re-release topped that effort reaching #20. When re-released, two new CDs were available... " |
September, 1995 | UK #40 |
| "Weak" | January, 1996 | UK #20 |
| "Charity (Re-release) Charity (single) "Charity" is a song by Skunk Anansie, released as their third single in July 1995, and re-released in April 1996. The original release reached #40 in the UK Singles Chart, but the re-release topped that effort reaching #20. When re-released, two new CDs were available... " |
April, 1996 | UK #20 |
| "All I Want" | September, 1996 | UK #14 |
| "Twisted (Everyday Hurts) Twisted (single) "Twisted " is a song by Skunk Anansie, released as their second single from their second album, Stoosh. It was released in November 1996 and reached #26 in the UK Singles Chart.-CD single - CD1:-CD single - CD2:... " |
November, 1996 | UK #26 |
| "Hedonism (Just Because You Feel Good) Hedonism (single) "Hedonism " is a song by Skunk Anansie, taken from their second album, Stoosh. It was released in February 1997 and reached #14 in the UK singles chart. It also proved to be a top 20 hit in several countries such as France, Sweden and Austria and a top 10 hit in other countries such as Norway and... " |
February, 1997 | UK #13 |
| "Brazen (Weep) Brazen (single) "Brazen " is the fourth and final single from Skunk Anansie's second album, Stoosh. It was released in June 1997 and reached #11 in the UK Singles Chart. Three versions of the single were released. CD2 and CD3 were remix CDs.-CD single - CD1:... " |
June, 1997 | UK #11 |
| "Charlie Big Potato Charlie Big Potato (single) "Charlie Big Potato" was the first single taken from Post Orgasmic Chill by Skunk Anansie. The single came after the band switched record labels moving away from the independent label One Little Indian onto Virgin Records. It was released in March 1999, almost 2 years after their previous single... " |
March, 1999 | UK #17 |
| "Secretly Secretly (single) "Secretly" is a song by Skunk Anansie and the second single from their album Post Orgasmic Chill. It was released in May 1999. CD1 came with an interactive element featuring the video. The song was played during the closing credits to the film Cruel Intentions and is included on the film's... " |
May, 1999 | UK #16 |
| "Lately" | August, 1999 | UK #33 |
| "You'll Follow Me Down You'll Follow Me Down (single) "You'll Follow Me Down" is a song by Skunk Anansie, released as the final single from Post Orgasmic Chill. It was released in October 1999 and was the last release from the band - until their 2009 reunion... "2 |
October, 1999 | N/A |
| "Tear the Place Up Tear the Place Up "Tear The Place Up" is a song by Skunk Anansie. It was the bands first release in almost 10 years, with their last being You'll Follow Me Down in October 1999. The single was released as a download only track in July 2009. It was originally given away for free... "3 |
July, 2009 | |
| "Because of You Because Of You (Skunk Anansie song) "Because Of You" is a song by Skunk Anansie. It was released in September 2009 on CD single, 7" and 12" vinyl and as a digital download. It was the second single to be taken from the band's greatest hits package Smashes and Trashes, released in November 2009.... " |
September 13, 2009 | |
| "Squander" | November 9, 2009 | |
| "My Ugly Boy" | August 15, 2010 | |
| "Over the Love" / "Talk Too Much" | November 8, 2010 | |
| "You Saved Me" | February, 2011 | |
| "God Loves Only You" | May, 2011 | |
1 "Little Baby Swastikkka" was released as a limited edition vinyl record.
2 "You'll Follow Me Down" was ineligible to chart due to the length and number of songs on the single. Official chart rules limit single releases to 4 tracks totalling no more than 25 minutes if more than 1 song and its remixes are included. See Criteria for inclusion in the UK single's chart
3 "Tear the Place Up" was ineligible to chart as it was released as a free download to the band's mailing list.