Tinker (band)
Encyclopedia
Tinker was a Canadian
alternative rock band, formed in Montréal
in 1993 by Melissa Auf der Maur
and Steve Durand
. The band reached limited success, before Auf der Maur left and became bassist for Hole
. Durand and Zadorozny joined Auf der Maur's solo band in 2002 and worked on both of Auf der Maur's studio albums, Auf der Maur
and Out Of Our Minds.
, she worked as a DJ at a bar on Montréal's Boulevard Saint-Laurent. The bar was a spot for many local musicians, and after the bar closed at night, musicians would often go to a rehearsal space and jam
. During this time, Melissa met guitarist Steve Durand, a fellow student at Concordia. Melissa, Steve, and drummer Jordon Zadorozny
formed Tinker in 1993.
As the band were gaining reputation in the local music scene, The Smashing Pumpkins
returned to Montréal in 1993 for one date. The band initially planned on having an American band open for their shows, but Auf der Maur decided to ask frontman Billy Corgan
whether Tinker could open for them in one of her letters. Corgan agreed and Tinker performed their largest show, to an audience of 2500, at Metropolis on November 30, 1993. The band released two singles, "Real a Lie
" and "Green Machine" during their career. "Real a Lie" would later be reworked and released in 2004 under Auf der Maur's solo project.
On June 16, 1994, Seattle-based group Hole
's bass player, Kristen Pfaff
, died after a drug overdose. Frontwoman Courtney Love
was organizing auditions for a bass player, when during a phone conversation, Billy Corgan recommended Auf der Maur. Love invited Auf der Maur to Seattle for an audition, however Auf der Maur initially refused the offer. She reconsidered after a conversation with her father, Nick Auf der Maur
, and joined Hole, thus leading to the dissolution of Tinker.
left, disbanded. Auf der Maur recruited her former Tinker bandmates to join her solo band and toured throughout 2002-03 before hitting the studio. The end result was Melissa's first solo album, the epopynmous Auf der Maur
. Though he did not perform on the album, Zadorozny produced the album, as well as her second album, Out Of Our Minds on which Durand wrote one track.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
alternative rock band, formed in Montréal
Montreal
Montreal is a city in Canada. It is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest city in Canada and the seventh largest in North America...
in 1993 by Melissa Auf der Maur
Melissa Auf der Maur
Melissa Auf der Maur is a Canadian rock musician from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Her career has included 5 years as bassist with the band Hole and she later toured with The Smashing Pumpkins for their 2000 tour. Her second solo album, Out of Our Minds, was released on March 30, 2010. She is also a...
and Steve Durand
Steve Durand
Stephen "Steve" Durand is a Canadian rock musician, most notable for his work with Tinker and his involvement with Melissa Auf der Maur.-Early musical career:...
. The band reached limited success, before Auf der Maur left and became bassist for Hole
Hole (band)
Hole is an American alternative rock band that originally formed in Los Angeles in 1989. The band is fronted by vocalist/songwriter and rhythm guitarist Courtney Love, who co-founded Hole with former songwriter/lead guitarist Eric Erlandson...
. Durand and Zadorozny joined Auf der Maur's solo band in 2002 and worked on both of Auf der Maur's studio albums, Auf der Maur
Auf der Maur (album)
Auf der Maur is the debut album from former Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf der Maur.Formed following her successful stints as bassist for both Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins, Melissa Auf der Maur's solo project Auf der Maur released their self-titled debut album after Melissa's...
and Out Of Our Minds.
Formation, local reputation, and break-up (1993-1994)
While Auf der Maur was majoring in photography at Concordia UniversityConcordia University
Concordia University is a comprehensive Canadian public university located in Montreal, Quebec, one of the two universities in the city where English is the primary language of instruction...
, she worked as a DJ at a bar on Montréal's Boulevard Saint-Laurent. The bar was a spot for many local musicians, and after the bar closed at night, musicians would often go to a rehearsal space and jam
Jam session
Jam sessions are often used by musicians to develop new material, find suitable arrangements, or simply as a social gathering and communal practice session. Jam sessions may be based upon existing songs or forms, may be loosely based on an agreed chord progression or chart suggested by one...
. During this time, Melissa met guitarist Steve Durand, a fellow student at Concordia. Melissa, Steve, and drummer Jordon Zadorozny
Jordon Zadorozny
-External links:...
formed Tinker in 1993.
As the band were gaining reputation in the local music scene, The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan frontman and James Iha , the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin , D'arcy Wretzky , and currently includes Jeff Schroeder Mike Byrne , and Nicole Fiorentino The Smashing...
returned to Montréal in 1993 for one date. The band initially planned on having an American band open for their shows, but Auf der Maur decided to ask frontman Billy Corgan
Billy Corgan
William Patrick "Billy" Corgan, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist and occasional poet best known as the frontman and sole permanent member of The Smashing Pumpkins. Formed by Corgan and guitarist James Iha in Chicago, Illinois in 1987, the band quickly gained steam with the...
whether Tinker could open for them in one of her letters. Corgan agreed and Tinker performed their largest show, to an audience of 2500, at Metropolis on November 30, 1993. The band released two singles, "Real a Lie
Real a Lie
"Real a Lie" is the second single from Auf der Maur's self-titled solo debut. The song failed to chart in the United States, however, due to a successful tour of the United Kingdom, it fared slightly better than "Followed the Waves" there, peaking at #33.-Background and production:"Real a Lie" was...
" and "Green Machine" during their career. "Real a Lie" would later be reworked and released in 2004 under Auf der Maur's solo project.
On June 16, 1994, Seattle-based group Hole
Hole (band)
Hole is an American alternative rock band that originally formed in Los Angeles in 1989. The band is fronted by vocalist/songwriter and rhythm guitarist Courtney Love, who co-founded Hole with former songwriter/lead guitarist Eric Erlandson...
's bass player, Kristen Pfaff
Kristen Pfaff
Kristen Marie Pfaff was an American bass guitarist, best known for her work with Hole.-Early life and career:Pfaff was born and raised in Buffalo, New York, attending Buffalo Academy of the Sacred Heart. She spent a short time in Europe and briefly attended Boston College before ultimately...
, died after a drug overdose. Frontwoman Courtney Love
Courtney Love
Courtney Michelle Love is an American rock musician. Love is the lead vocalist, lyricist, and rhythm guitarist for alternative rock band Hole, which she formed in 1989, and is an actress who has moved from bit parts in Alex Cox films to significant and acclaimed roles in The People vs...
was organizing auditions for a bass player, when during a phone conversation, Billy Corgan recommended Auf der Maur. Love invited Auf der Maur to Seattle for an audition, however Auf der Maur initially refused the offer. She reconsidered after a conversation with her father, Nick Auf der Maur
Nick Auf der Maur
Nick Auf der Maur was a journalist, politician and "man about town" boulevardier in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He was also the father of rock musician Melissa Auf der Maur, through his marriage to Linda Gaboriau....
, and joined Hole, thus leading to the dissolution of Tinker.
Hole breakup and involvement in Auf der Maur (2002-present)
Melissa Auf der Maur left Hole on October 20, 1999 and three years later the group, with only the two original members Love and Eric ErlandsonEric Erlandson
Eric Erlandson is an American musician known as the co-founder, former songwriter and lead guitarist of alternative rock band Hole.-Early life and career:...
left, disbanded. Auf der Maur recruited her former Tinker bandmates to join her solo band and toured throughout 2002-03 before hitting the studio. The end result was Melissa's first solo album, the epopynmous Auf der Maur
Auf der Maur (album)
Auf der Maur is the debut album from former Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins bassist Melissa Auf der Maur.Formed following her successful stints as bassist for both Hole and The Smashing Pumpkins, Melissa Auf der Maur's solo project Auf der Maur released their self-titled debut album after Melissa's...
. Though he did not perform on the album, Zadorozny produced the album, as well as her second album, Out Of Our Minds on which Durand wrote one track.
Members
- Melissa Auf der MaurMelissa Auf der MaurMelissa Auf der Maur is a Canadian rock musician from Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Her career has included 5 years as bassist with the band Hole and she later toured with The Smashing Pumpkins for their 2000 tour. Her second solo album, Out of Our Minds, was released on March 30, 2010. She is also a...
- lead vocals, bass guitar - Steve DurandSteve DurandStephen "Steve" Durand is a Canadian rock musician, most notable for his work with Tinker and his involvement with Melissa Auf der Maur.-Early musical career:...
- lead guitar - Jordan Zadorozny - drums