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Moist is a Canadian rock band that originally formed in 1992. It consists of David Usher as lead vocalist, Mark Makoway on lead guitars, Jonathan Gallivan on guitars, Kevin Young on keyboards, Francis Fillion on drums, and Louis Lalancette on bass.^[4] Drummer Paul Wilcox left the band just before its hiatus in 2000, and original bassist Jeff Pearce departed shortly after its reestablishment in early 2014.^[4][5]

After releasing an independent demo cassette in 1993, Moist was signed by EMI Music and released three studio albums throughout the 1990s, becoming a staple of Canadian music culture. Shortly after releasing a compilation album in 2001, the band underwent an unplanned hiatus for over a decade, and then became officially reestablished in June 2013.^[6] Shortly after reuniting, the band began work on their fourth studio album, entitled Glory Under Dangerous Skies, which was released on October 7, 2014.

History

1992–2001

Mark Makoway and Jeff Pearce met while at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and then moved to Vancouver where they formed an early incarnation of the group. Kevin Young and David Usher had also moved from Kingston to Vancouver to go to school. The first version of Moist, which included drummer Jamie Kaufmann, had begun writing songs in November 1992 and played their first gig two months later. Drummer Paul Wilcox replaced Kaufmann in early 1993. In 1993, the band recorded a 9-song demo tape at the 8th Avenue Sound Studio with engineer Kevin Hamilton. Their sound was influenced by contemporary Seattle acts such as Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, Nirvana, Alice in Chains, and Mudhoney.^[1] The two-day recording session cost $500 Canadian dollars. The band had 500 copies of the untitled cassette pressed. The band found support from the staff at the flagship Sam the Record Man store in Vancouver. The cassette reached No. 1 on Sam The Record Man's local independent chart. The release was distributed to other stores in the national chain and entered the top 10 on Sam The Record Man's national independent chart. In 1993, Moist signed to EMI Music Publishing Canada. Moist spent much of 1993 touring Canada and writing material for an expanded release. In January 1994, they completed their first full-length album, which cost $3,000 Canadian dollars. The album was titled Silver and released independently on February 8, 1994. After MuchMusic began playing the music video for Moist's lead single "Push" in medium rotation, the album sold almost 6,000 records within six weeks. By March 1994, the band signed with EMI Music Canada.^[7] The Silver album went on to sell 400,000 copies in Canada on the strength of the singles "Push", "Silver", and "Believe Me". The band was also successful internationally in the United Kingdom, Germany, and Thailand.^[8] That year the band continued to tour around Canada.^[9]

Frontman David Usher performing in 2012

In late 1996, Moist released their second album, Creature, to favourable reviews and sales in excess of 300,000 units. The album included the hits "Leave It Alone", "Resurrection", "Tangerine", and "Gasoline", all of which were placed on high rotation on MuchMusic. In addition to these, a remixed version of "Tangerine" became a hit on radio and MuchMusic.

Following the band's second record, David Usher released his first solo album, Little Songs.

In early 1999, the band regrouped to record their third full-length album, the melancholic and soft-toned Mercedes 5 and Dime. The album was released in the summer of 1999 in Canada and later in 2000 in the United States. Singles included "Breathe", "Underground", and "Comes and Goes". While touring in support of the album, drummer Paul Wilcox injured his back, causing him to miss the band's final performances. In December 2000, it was revealed that Wilcox had decided to take a "potential permanent leave from the band." Wilcox never returned to the band and retired from music. The band released a compilation album and DVD in 2001, titled Machine Punch Through,^[10] and thereafter unofficially entered a hiatus period that would last 12 years.

2001–2013

David Usher continued to record solo, releasing Morning Orbit in 2001, Hallucinations in 2003, If God Had Curves in 2005, Strange Birds in 2007, Wake Up and Say Goodbye in 2008, The Mile End Sessions in 2010, and Songs from the Last Day on Earth in 2012. Mark Makoway published a guide to the music industry, called The Indie Band Bible, and continued to produce and mix records. Jeff Pearce formed the band RYE, and released the album "Wolves" through Maple Nationwide in 2004. Kevin Young toured with David and worked as a freelance writer.

2013–present

In June, 2013, the band got back together, with Francis Fillion on drums. The first new Moist recording in 13 years, a cover of Greg Lake's "I Believe in Father Christmas", was released through CBC Music in December 2013. Moist toured around Canada in November and December that year, calling their tour "Moist - The Resurrection", a reference to their 1996 single "Resurrection".^[6] The tour began in London, Ontario and ended in Calgary, Alberta.^[11]

In January 2014 the band, now including Jonathan Gallivan, who had accompanied Moist as a second guitarist on the 2013 tour, reconvened in Montréal to continue work on material for a new album. Although he would still be featured on some of the new record, bassist Jeff Pearce left to focus on being a father. Recording of the new songs began in January, 2014. The band signed a new deal with Universal Music Canada, and released a single, "Mechanical", to radio on May 23 and to iTunes on May 27. The band's fourth full-length album, Glory Under Dangerous Skies, was released on October 7, 2014. The band has not released any new music since, but they continue to perform occasional shows.

Discography

Studio albums

Independent albums

Compilation albums

Singles

• Note: The Rock/Alternative chart was dormant from 1973 to 1995, hence no ranking for Silver's singles.

Music videos

Band members

Current members

• 
  David Usher – lead vocals (1992–2001, 2013–present)


• Mark Makoway – guitars (1992–2001, 2013–present) (born September 12, 1966)


• Kevin Young – keyboards, backing vocals (1992–2001, 2013–present) (born September 18, 1966)


• 
  Jonathan Gallivan - guitars, backing vocals (2014–present)


• Francis Fillion – drums (2013–present)


• Louis Lalancette - bass (2014–present)

Former members

• Jamie Kaufmann – drums (1992-1993)


• Jeff Pearce – bass, mandolin, backing vocals (1992–2001, 2013–2014) (born April 25, 1967)


• Paul Wilcox – drums (1993–2000) (born February 13, 1970)

Timeline

Awards and recognition

• Won Juno for Best New Group at the 1995 Juno Awards.


• Won Juno for best video (Gasoline) at the 1997 Juno Awards.


• Won "Q107 Canada's Rock Award" for best album (Silver) in 1995.


• Won "Q107 Canada's Rock Award" for best group in 1995.


• David Usher won "Q107 Canada's Rock Award" for best singer in 1995.


• Kevin Young won "Q107 Canada's Rock Award" for best keyboard player in 1995.


• Won an MMVA (MuchMusic Video Award) for Favorite Canadian Group in 1995.


• The video for the song Tangerine won Best Video, and Best Director at the (MuchMusic Video Awards) in 1997.^{[citation needed]}
  

References

External links

• 
  Moist entry at JAM! Canadian Pop Encyclopedia