SNFU

SNFU
SNFU vocalist Ken Chinn at the Starlite Room, Edmonton, Alberta
SNFU vocalist Ken Chinn at the Starlite Room, Edmonton, Alberta
Background information
Also known as
  • Society's No Fucking Use
  • Society's NFU
  • asSNFU
OriginEdmonton, Alberta, Canada
Genres
Years active
  • 1981 (1981)–1989 (1989)
  • 1991 (1991)–2005 (2005)
  • 2007 (2007)–2018 (2018)
Labels
Past members

SNFU was a Canadian hardcore punk band formed in Edmonton in 1981, relocated to Vancouver in 1992, and disbanded in 2018. They released eight albums, two live records, and one compilation amid many lineup changes and several temporary breakups. Vocalist Ken Chinn (credited as Mr. Chi Pig) led the group, which included twin-brother guitarists Brent and Marc Belke for much of its career.

With founding drummer Evan C. Jones and early bassist Jimmy Schmitz, SNFU built an international audience through dynamic melodic hardcore punk as evident on their debut, ...And No One Else Wanted to Play (1985).[1] They grew in popularity following the experimental If You Swear, You'll Catch No Fish (1986) with bassist Dave Bacon and drummer Jon Card, and the aggressive Better Than a Stick in the Eye (1988) with bassist Curtis Creager and drummer Ted Simm. They disbanded in 1989, however, due to internal tensions.

SNFU reformed in 1991, beginning with a reunion tour intended as a one-off. Drummer Dave Rees and bassist Rob Johnson ultimately completed their most lasting lineup. They signed with indie label Epitaph Records, releasing Something Green and Leafy This Way Comes (1993), The One Voted Most Likely to Succeed (1995), and FYULABA (1996). These achieved six-digit record sales as the band toured in support of Green Day and Bad Religion.[2]

After leaving Epitaph, the band lost Brent Belke and Rees in 1998 and Johnson in 2001. Following a two-year hiatus, they self-released the critically praised In the Meantime and In Between Time (2004) with bassist Matt Warhurst and guest drummer Trevor MacGregor. They again disbanded in 2005, with Marc Belke permanently departing.

Chinn and former member Ken Fleming reformed SNFU in 2007. With a lineup including Card, guitarist Sean Colig, and bassist Kerry Cyr, they released Never Trouble Trouble Until Trouble Troubles You (2013). Beginning in 2014, the band included Chinn, Bacon, guitarists Randy Steffes and Kurt Robertson, and several drummers. They went on hiatus in March 2018,[3] and Chinn died on July 16, 2020.[4]

The band became a formative influence on the skate punk subgenre. Rankings of the best Canadian music have included their work.[5][6][7]

  1. ^ Open Your Mouth and Say...Mr. Chi Pig, [1] Film, Dir: Sean Patrick Shaul, 2010.
  2. ^ Walter, Chris. Under the Kilt: The Real McKenzies Exposed. Vancouver: GFY Press, 2015, pg. 107
  3. ^ "TSOL to replace 7 Seconds at PRB club show, SNFU out of the line up". PunkNews.org. March 30, 2018. Retrieved July 9, 2018.
  4. ^ Garner, Ryan (July 17, 2020). "Edmonton-born SNFU frontman Ken Chinn (aka Mr. Chi Pig) dead at 57". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
  5. ^ "Chart Magazine Top 100 Greatest Canadian Albums of All Time". Rate Your Music. Retrieved March 10, 2012.
  6. ^ "Here are your 20 favourite Canadian songs". CBC Music. June 30, 2017. Retrieved September 16, 2017.
  7. ^ Calum Slingerland, "SNFU, Four the Moment Receive 2022 Polaris Heritage Prize". Exclaim!, October 21, 2022.