LOST GRUNGE ALBUM
RECORDED IN THE 90'S BY SEATTLE GRUNGE PIONEERS
Seattle’s Gruntruck flickered into life in 1989, born from seasoned veterans of the Northwest music scene including vocalist Ben McMillan and drummer Norman Scott of early Grunge pioneers Skin Yard, lead guitarist Tom Niemeyer of metal thrashers The Accüsed, and bassist Tim Paul of PDX hardcore punks Final Warning. While in Skin Yard, Norman also briefly joined Soundgarden, and collaborated with Chris Cornell on a lesser-known band, the low frequency power trio Bass Truck.
While on tour with Skin Yard, Ben and Norman wrote a song in Tucson, Arizona, which had a vibe that Ben felt was worthy of forming a new band around, and Gruntruck was born. The band soon recorded a full-length album for Seattle label, with Skin Yard alum/legendary producer Jack Endino (Nirvana, Soundgarden) producing with Gary King.
In 1991, Gruntruck gained further exposure after opening for Pearl Jam on the night they recorded the music video for the song Even Flow, and during the frenzy of media and record label attention that had descended on Seattle, they signed a multi-album deal with Roadrunner Records.
In 1992, the band recorded their second album, Push, with Endino and King again in charge of production. Roadrunner released it that same year, and also licensed Inside Yours for release in Japan on the Appolon Records label. The track Tribe was made into a music video, earning an enthusiastic reception on MTV and rotation on the show Headbanger’s Ball.
1992 also saw the band out on tour for the first time. They joined Alice in Chains and Screaming Trees in support of Alice's Dirt across the U.S. and Canada. Early in 1993, they joined Pantera for a European tour. Tim left the band shortly after their return to Seattle, and was replaced by Alex Sibbald of The Accüsed.
Shortly thereafter, a video was made for Crazy Love, which garnered generous airplay on MTV and a rare snark-free mention on the show Beavis and Butthead, where a stunned Butthead mused, “I must be hallucinating now. I can’t believe they’re playing something cool. These guys rock!”
Even though the band was at the height of their popularity, they were struggling to make ends meet while fulfilling contractual obligations to Roadrunner Records. Major record label Polygram offered to buy out Gruntruck’s contract for $1 million, but Roadrunner refused. Subsequently, on the advice of their attorney, Gruntruck filed for bankruptcy in an attempt to break free of their contract. The label sued to block the bankruptcy petition, resulting in a precedent-setting case that has been cited in subsequent cases, written up in legal journals, and eventually inspiring major congressional legislation. The court ultimately ruled in Gruntruck's favor, but the litigation would exact a severe financial and emotional toll on the band.
In 1997, the original lineup was reunited after Norman and Tim rejoined to play extensively in local venues, and the band began working on new material together. These new songs were the foundation of what was envisioned as their breakthrough third album, and the original lineup began a two-year journey recording in five different studios in and around Seattle with both Jack Endino and Martin Feveyear (Queens of the Stone Age, Mudhoney, Screaming Trees) producing.
Once the self-titled third album was complete, the band ramped up their live performances around Seattle in preparation for the album's release. Then in 2003, the band took what was envisioned to be a brief hiatus to give Ben time to recover from his recent health issues. Tragically, Ben died in 2008 after succumbing to complications resulting from diabetes.
The finished third album languished in the vaults until 2016, when Jack Endino mentioned its existence to Found Recordings head, Scott Blum, who enthusiastically embarked on a journey with the band to bring the album to the world. The self-titled third album Gruntruck will finally be released October 13, 2017 by Found Recordings.
FOUND Recordings is proud to announce the lost third album from Seattle grunge pioneers Gruntruck, recorded in the 90’s by the original lineup at the height of their powers. Featuring 11 unreleased tracks recorded and produced by Jack Endino (Nirvana, Soundgarden), and Martin Feveyear (Screaming Trees, Queens of the Stone Age, Mudhoney), this blistering album captures the heady days of the Seattle music scene at its peak. Fans of the genre will be treated to a rare opportunity to relive an important musical era with all-new studio recordings.
Bar Fly / Trip / War Flower / Noise Field / Build A Hole / Situation / It's Alright / Reverse Angel / Spy / Machine II / Flang
Vocals/Guitar: Ben McMillan / Lead Guitar: Tom Niemeyer / Drums: Norman Scott / Bass: Tim Paul
Produced by Jack Endino, Martin Feveyear & Gruntruck / Mastered by Jack Endino / Executive Producer: Scott Blum
Additional Guitar: Carlos Salazar & Additional Bass: Steve Santoki
PRE-ORDER NOW AND DOWNLOAD A SONG BEFORE THE ALBUM IS OUT
The new album from GRUNTRUCK will be released on October 13, 2017. However, if you pre-order the album today, you will receive a song instantly before the album is out! And we'll send you the entire album in your preferred format as soon as it's released.
Click here to pre-order the new GRUNTRUCK album