Big Chief (American band)

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Big Chief was an American funk rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan. [1]

Contents

History

Big Chief was founded in 1989 by several veterans of the Michigan hardcore punk scene, including Barry Henssler, who had been a member of Necros. [1] They began attracting major label attention even before releasing any songs. [2] After the release of their debut seven-inch record, "Brake Torque", Sub Pop offered to put out another seven-inch single. After several more single releases, the group compiled them on Drive It Off, released on Get Hip Recordings in 1991. [1] Later that year, the group released its debut album, Face, [1] in Germany; Sub Pop issued the album for the American market in mid-1992. In 1993, Sub Pop released their sophomore album, Mack Avenue Skullgame, after which the group switched to major label Capitol Records, who released the group's third and final LP, Platinum Jive , in 1994. [1] The group disbanded in 1996, though it kept up a fanzine, called Motorbooty, until the end of the decade; Motorbooty featured illustrations by guitarist Mark Dancey. [2] Bassist Mark O'Brien became a member of Numbers; vocalist Barry Henssler worked in Chicago clubs as DJ Chamberweed; and Phil Durr played with the groups Five Horse Johnson, Giant Brain, Luder, and Variac. [2]

On January 11, 2019, Phill Durr died of a heart attack at age 53 while visiting family in Germany. [3]

Members

Discography

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Colin Larkin, ed. (1999). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock (First ed.). Virgin Books. pp. 57/8. ISBN   0-7535-0257-7.
  2. 1 2 3 Big Chief at AllMusic
  3. Rubin, Mike. "Fans and friends remember guitarist Phil Dürr, dead at 53". Detroit Metro Times. Retrieved 2020-08-15.