Biography

Slik Toxik was formed from several different members of Toronto's hard rock/glam metal scene in the late 1980s. Glam metal band Virgin Angel was made up of singer/guitarist Nick Walsh, guitarist Rob Bruce, rhythm guitarist Kevin Gale, bassist Frank Currell, and drummer Alex Munro. Hard rock band Cardinal Sin contained singer/guitarist/keyboardist Dave Ferguson, bassist Pat Howarth, drummer Steve Ferguson, and a cast of rotating guitarists.

In 1986 the Canadian rock journalist Drew Masters convinced Virgin Angel to change their name and they became Portrait. Over time, bassist Frank Currell left the band and was replaced by Dave Mercel. The band agreed to change their name again and Slik Toxik was born. Pat Howarth soon replaced Frank Currell on bass and Neal Busby replaced alex Munro on drums, forming the classic Slik Toxik lineup.

Slik Toxik was brought to the attention of Drew Masters and the band took to the southern Ontario

Southern Ontario

Southern Ontario is a region of the province of Ontario, Canada that lies south of the French River and Algonquin Park. Depending on the inclusion of the Parry Sound and Muskoka districts, its surface area would cover between 14 to 15% of the province. It is the southernmost region of...

 hard rock touring circuit. Manager John Boyes saw the band performing at The Siboney Club in Toronto

Toronto

Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...

 and signed Slik Toxik to a management deal. A demo tape was recorded and produced by Bob Potter (Scorpions

Scorpions (band)

Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...

) and shopped to major labels. Capitol Records

Capitol Records

Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...

 (EMI

EMI

The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...

) signed the band in 1991 and issued an EP, 'Smooth And Deadly'. This was followed in 1992 by the full album Doin' the Nasty

Doin' the Nasty

Doin' the Nasty is the debut album by the Canadian hard rock band Slik Toxik. The album was released in 1992. The album reached #61 in Canada and was certificated gold by the CRIA....

. Slik Toxik toured Canada from coast to coast and released four singles which helped the album reach gold

Music recording sales certification

Music recording sales certification is a system of certifying that a music recording has shipped or sold a certain number of copies, where the threshold quantity varies by type and by nation or territory .Almost all countries follow variations of the RIAA certification categories,...

 status in Canada and placed #61 on the Canadian music charts. They won the 1993 Juno Award

Juno Awards of 1993

The Juno Awards of 1993, representing Canadian music industry achievements of the previous year, were awarded on 21 March 1993 in Toronto at a ceremony in the O'Keefe Centre. Celine Dion was the host for the ceremonies, which were broadcast on CBC Television at 8 pm Toronto time...

 for Best Rock Album of the Year. The "Helluvatime" video won the People's Choice Award for 'Best Video Of The Year' as well as 'Best Metal Video Award' at the 1992 MuchMusic

MuchMusic

MuchMusic is a Canadian English language Category A specialty channel owned by Bell Media. MuchMusic is dedicated to music-related programs, pop and youth culture.-History:...

 Video Awards.

Slik Toxik kept in close touch with their fans through mail-outs and contests, which earned the band an enthusiastic grassroots following. As an indicator of their openness toward their fans, they were invited to be the last act to play Toronto's popular Rock And Roll Bar, The Gas Works, before it shut down.

In 1992 they opened the Canada Day

Canada Day

Canada Day , formerly Dominion Day , is the national day of Canada, a federal statutory holiday celebrating the anniversary of the July 1, 1867, enactment of the British North America Act , which united three British colonies into a single country, called Canada, within the British Empire...

 festival with Spinal Tap

Spinal Tap (band)

Spinal Tap is a parody heavy metal band that first appeared on a failed 1979 ABC TV sketch comedy pilot called "The T.V. Show", starring Rob Reiner...

 and 54-40

54-40

54•40 is a Canadian alternative rock group from Tsawwassen, British Columbia.The band takes their name from the slogan "Fifty-Four Forty or Fight!", coined to express the expansionist agenda of James K...

 at Molson Park in Barrie, Ontario

Barrie, Ontario

Barrie is a city in Southern Ontario, Canada, located on the western shore of Lake Simcoe, approximately 90 km north of Toronto. Although located in Simcoe County, the city is politically independent...

, and they toured North America as opening acts for Kim Mitchell

Kim Mitchell

Joseph Kim Mitchell is a Canadian guitarist. He was the lead singer and guitarist for the band Max Webster before going on to lead a solo career. He is currently a radio show host for CILQ-FM in Toronto....

, Faster Pussycat

Faster Pussycat

Faster Pussycat is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1986. The group was most successful during the late 1980s with their self-titled debut album, their 1989 gold album Wake Me When It's Over and the 80,000 selling Whipped! in 1992.-The roots of Faster Pussycat...

, Yngwie Malmsteen, and Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath

Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...

 before doing their own headlining tours with Sven Gali

Sven Gali

Sven Gali is a hard rock/glam metal band which originally started as a cover band in 1987 in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Their original lineup consisted of Dave Wanless , Dee Cernile , Andy Frank , Shawn T.T. Mahar , and Steve Macgregor .-Early days and Sven Gali: 1987-1993:Sven Gali played covers...

 and Big House

Big House (band)

Big House is an American country music band based in Bakersfield, California. Grounded in the Bakersfield Sound, originally, the band consisted of Monty Byrom , David Neuhauser , Chuck Seaton , Tanner Byrom , Sonny California , and Ron Mitchell...

 as their opening bands.

Hard rock had undergone profound changes in the period between Slik Toxik's formation in 1989 and 1994 when they reconvened to create their second album. In the confusion of the time, many successful and promising hard rock and glam metal bands were abandoned in favour of the newer hard rock trends. Bands such as Alice In Chains

Alice in Chains

Alice in Chains is an American rock band formed in Seattle, Washington, in 1987 by guitarist and songwriter Jerry Cantrell and original lead vocalist Layne Staley. The initial lineup was rounded out by drummer Sean Kinney, and bassist Mike Starr...

, Pantera

Pantera

Pantera was an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas. Formed by the Abbott brothers, Vinnie Paul and Dimebag Darrell in 1981, bassist Rex Brown would join in late 1981 with vocalist Terry Glaze. Looking for a new and heavier sound, Pantera had Terry replaced in 1987 with Phil Anselmo as...

, and Skid Row had successfully added crunch from the thrash metal

Thrash metal

Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...

 scene to their music without compromising their hard rock and glam metal roots. Slik Toxik brought in various producers to add a similar heaviness to their own sound in order to stay true to themselves and their music. GGGarth Richardson (Rage Against The Machine

Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...

, Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers

Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...

, Mudvayne

Mudvayne

Mudvayne is an American heavy metal band. Their work is marked by the use of sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate visual appearance, which has included face and body paint, masks and uniforms...

, L7, Ugly Kid Joe

Ugly Kid Joe

Ugly Kid Joe is an American hard rock band from Isla Vista, California. The band's name spoofs that of another band, Pretty Boy Floyd. Ugly Kid Joe's sound includes a range of styles, including rock, glam metal, hard rock and heavy metal....

, Sick Of It All

Sick of It All

Sick of It All is an American hardcore punk band from Queens, New York. Formed in 1986, the band consisted of brothers Lou Koller on vocals and Pete Koller on lead guitar, Rich Cipriano on bass, and Armand Majidi on drums. There have been only two member changes since their inception, with Max...

) was hired for the job, but that didn't work out for various reasons and the band contracted Glenn Robinson (The Tea Party

The Tea Party

The Tea Party is a Canadian rock band with blues, progressive rock, Indian and Middle Eastern influences, dubbed "Moroccan roll" by the media. Active throughout the 1990s up until 2005 when the band broke up, The Tea Party released eight albums on EMI Music Canada, selling 1.6 million records...

, Kyuss

Kyuss

Kyuss is a rock band, originally from Palm Desert, California. After forming in the late 1980s and releasing an EP under the name Sons of Kyuss in 1990, the band shortened its name to Kyuss. Over the next five years the band released four full-length albums, and one last split EP in 1997 with...

) as a replacement. Gggarth went on to produce the debut album by Rage Against The Machine

Rage Against the Machine

Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...

.

There were also changes from within the band. An intoxicated Pat Howarth stole and smashed a limousine at the 1994 post-Juno Awards party, which led EMI

EMI

The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...

 to question the stability of the band as well as their viability in the changing hard rock climate. Howarth was fired (or quit, depending on who tells the story) and replaced by new bassist Adam Headland. EMI also suggested that Slik Toxik be moved to one of their subsidiary record labels, but remaining band members decided to release their album on the fledgling Strawberry label instead.

Irrelevant

Irrelevant (album)

Irrelevant is the second album by the Canadian hard rock band Slik Toxik. The album was released in 1994. "Twenty Something" and "Dive" were released as singles.-Track listing:#"Twenty Something"#"Kill the Pain"#"Voodoo"#"Drained"#"I Wanna Gun"...

was released in 1994 and distributed by A&M Records

A&M Records

A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...

. Despite the best efforts of all involved, the album was not well-received by the press or the grunge-obsessed general public. With their fanbase and industry support gone, the remaining members of Slik realized that their days were numbered and they split up after performing a few farewell shows.

Subsequent activity

After the breakup of the band, individual members went their separate ways, joining new bands and releasing hard rock records in a wide variety of styles.

Singer Nick Walsh and lead guitarist Rob Bruce formed the modern rock/hard rock band Raised On Mars, and together they released a self-titled debut. Walsh went on to form the hard rock band Revolver with Crash Kelly's guitarist Sean Kelly

Sean Kelly (Canadian musician)

Sean Kelly is a Canadian musician, currently playing guitar in the band with Nelly Furtado. He founded the Toronto-based glam rock band Crash Kelly, and is the band's lead singer and guitarist. Kelly was a member of Canadian rock band Helix, playing bass guitar. He stayed with them for most of...

. Revolver have produced two albums, one being a CD/DVD set. In 2011 Revolver changed its name to Famous Underground.

Rhythm guitarist Kevin Gale played in the modern rock/hard rock band Punishment. They have released Beautiful Suffering, a 4-song EP. In 2010, Kevin joined modern rock Toronto band .

Bassist Pat Howarth joined Brave New World, a Thunder Bay

Thunder Bay

-In Canada:Thunder Bay is the name of three places in the province of Ontario, Canada along Lake Superior:*Thunder Bay District, Ontario, a district in Northwestern Ontario*Thunder Bay, a city in Thunder Bay District*Thunder Bay, Unorganized, Ontario...

-based progressive metal band. Brave New World recorded one unreleased independent album before going on indefinite hiatus.

Neal Busby spent time in Toronto death metal

Death metal

Death metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal. It typically employs heavily distorted guitars, tremolo picking, deep growling vocals, blast beat drumming, minor keys or atonality, and complex song structures with multiple tempo changes....

/black metal

Black metal

Black metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music. Common traits include fast tempos, shrieked vocals, highly distorted guitars played with tremolo picking, blast beat drumming, raw recording, and unconventional song structure....

 band Solus, who released three underground metal albums. After Solus split up, Neil toured with classic rockers April Wine

April Wine

April Wine is a Canadian rock band formed in 1969. According to the band, they chose the name 'April Wine' simply because members thought the two words sounded good together...

 in place of the ailing Jerry Mercer. Most recently Neal along with his wife Huguette Arsenault have had much success as a songwriting team known as TWIRL. They have had hundreds of songs placed in film, television and advertising. They also write for other acts such as Ireland's Dance To Tipperary and America's family band, Flourish. Busby teaches drums full time and has released his first instructional drum book entitled The Ultimate Guide To Rock Drums, published by Mayfair Music.

The other ex-members of Slik Toxik have been mostly absent from the music scene.

Final line-up

• Nick Walsh - vocals
• Rob Bruce - guitar
• Kevin Gale - guitar
• Adam Headland - bass
• Neal Busby - drums

Former members

• Pat Howarth - bass (1990–1994)
• Alex Murno - drums (1986–1991)
• Frank Currell - bass (1986–1989)

Albums

• Doin' the Nasty
  Doin' the Nasty
  Doin' the Nasty is the debut album by the Canadian hard rock band Slik Toxik. The album was released in 1992. The album reached #61 in Canada and was certificated gold by the CRIA....
  
  (EMI
  EMI
  The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
  
  , 1992)
• Irrelevant
  Irrelevant (album)
  Irrelevant is the second album by the Canadian hard rock band Slik Toxik. The album was released in 1994. "Twenty Something" and "Dive" were released as singles.-Track listing:#"Twenty Something"#"Kill the Pain"#"Voodoo"#"Drained"#"I Wanna Gun"...
  
  (Strawberry/A&M Records
  A&M Records
  A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that operates under the mantle of its Interscope-Geffen-A&M division.-Beginnings:...
  
  , 1994)

Singles

• "Big Fuckin' Deal" (Capitol Records
  Capitol Records
  Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
  
  , 1991)
• "Helluvatime" (EMI
  EMI
  The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
  
  , 1992)
• "By The Fireside" (EMI, 1992)
• "White Lies, Black Truth" (EMI, 1992)
• "Sweet Asylum" (EMI, 1992)

Videos

• Big Fuckin' Deal (1991)
• Helluvatime (1992)
• White Lies, Black Truth (1992)
• By The Fireside (1992)
• Sweet Asylum (1992)
• Twentysomething (1994)
• Dive (1994)

Related bands and side projects

• Raised On Mars, Raised On Mars (independent, 1996)
• Solus, Our Frosting Hell EP (Skinmask Productions, 1998)
• Solus, Universal Bloodshed (Skinmask Productions, 1999)
• Twirl, We Wuz Here (Itsaboutmusic.com, available on iTunes,2005)
• Revolver, Turbulence (Sony/BMG and Koch; available on iTunes, 2007)
• Revolver, The New Blood Rock Show (2-disc live DVD/CD) (Babylon Music Group, available on iTunes, 2008)
• Punishment Beautiful Suffering EP (independent, 2009)