Their only publicly released album is now available via digital download. Relive these 9 specially selected tracks during those moments you are pining for some serious old school late 90's Vancouver Ska. Unless you want to see Lawrence and Scott still skanking away with their latest project Brehdren.
Find the new digital release here at bandcamp!
Scott E. Moil | Frontman/Singer |
Frank | Percussion, guitars, vox & mastermind. |
Marc "Uncle Giuseppe" Helsen | Guitar |
Mike J. | Bass Guitar |
Libby | Drums |
Lawrence Chew | Saxaphone |
Jason DaSilva | Keys |
Braude | 303, guitar, vox |
Nick | Trombone |
Yoff | Trumpet |
Jay H. | Trumpet |
Mark G. | Trumpet |
Chris Ball | Trombone, bass |
Erik O. | Trombone |
Mark F. | Tenor Sax |
Pete | Skankin' Roadie |
Davey | The Lazy Merch Guy |
Label: spawnerrecords.com
A paradox of modern music: a ska-punk band for the art-school types; a neo-culture for the cultureless.
Each time I listen to it, the bright lights come flashing back and the swirling melodies seduce me once again. Looking back on the fall of 1985, when 8 young Malchiks first picked up their instruments and changed their last names, who would have guessed, that they would soon move our of the projects and be the leaders of the New Wave? Eleven years later, still at the forefront of the scene they created, it seems all the more unlikely. Yet, bolstered by the harmonic overtones of Malchik #9, and by the relentless proto-noise drumming of the ever-mysterious tenth Malchik, the band surpassed the realm of experimentation and into the dizzying, sordid world of stardom.
It all sounds so innocent. Listening to their first record, who could have foreseen the legacy of drugs and debts that marked the band's transition from underground post-punk deconstruction to arena-show success. But beneath the checkers, the leather pants, and the shaved heads, it was always the music that came first. Yes, the music. "Ska," they called it back then. Kind of a glam-punk-reggae with a healthy dose of B-movie camp thrown it, seemingly at random. Who could forget the twisting, winding horn lines, the jazz-like improvisation, the Santa Cruz guitar; and the operatic tremolo.
The beginning of an era, yes, but also much more. A new beginning each time I listened to it. A tight wave of musical sensibility and inner-city reality. Of "high-art" cover art and accessible poetry that lured us all in. The simplicity of ten songs and the complexity of ten Malchiks. A paradox of modern poetry.
- Wilhelm Muller, music historian and social commentator.
1 | Sleep Over At Libby's |
2 | Jerry |
3 | Smugglers |
4 | Dr. Skank N. Stein |
5 | My Feet Told Me |
6 | Spanish Song |
7 | Fuck James Bond |
8 | Mario |
9 | Lover Boy |
10 | They Stole My Suit |
11 | Skankouver, B.C. |
12 | Drunk At The Carnival |
13 | Frog Song |
14 | Got So Drunk That I Peed Myself |
15 | Mr. Electic Pants/ Funkytown |
After touring their first album from Vancouver to Montreal and back, the Malchiks began working on new releases and new songs. The efforts also included a photoshoot, album cover & CD designs and special recording sessions with Adam B. and "Q" (Independence and King of Rawk) as well as other sessions at Spawner Records Secret Recording Studio with Frank engineering (King Lear and many others including a studio version of Yo-Yo).
This album was never released and is generally considered lost. It's release would have included the songs below and possibly classics like Yo-Yo, Lonely Rudy.
1 | It's all legal |
2 | Get Over Me |
3 | King of Rawk |
4 | Independence |
5 | King Lear King Lear + Secret Bonus Track Yo-Yo |
7. Lonely Rudy
Thank you Zoe! You're a great sister and the most endearing fan!
Malchiks on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheMalchiks
Malchiks on MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/themalchiks/music
Drop D Magazine: http://dropd.com/issue/47/ChangeOfHeart/
Drop D Magazine: http://dropd.com/issue/48/Pluto/
Drop D Magazine: http://dropd.com/issue/65/WarpedTour/index.html
Drop D Magazine: http://dropd.com/issue/35/Shindig/index.html
Definition on Everything 2: http://everything2.com/title/The+Malchiks
Definition on Urban Dictionary: http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=malchicks
Review of Band/Label: http://www.reocities.com/SunsetStrip/Diner/3185/links.html