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Malfunkshun
Malfunkshun, circa 1980-1988
Background information
Origin	Bainbridge Island, Washington
Years active	1980 - 1988 2006 - present
Label(s)	C/Z Records Loosegroove Records
Associated acts	Mother Love Bone Brad Satchel Pigeonhed Devilhead Fire Ants
Members
Shawn Smith Kevin Wood Corey Kane Regan Hagar
Former members
Andrew Wood Dave Hunt Dave Reese

Malfunkshun is a grunge band formed in 1980 by Andrew Wood and his brother Kevin Wood. Malfunkshun, along with Green River and The Melvins, are considered the "godfathers" of grunge.

Contents 1 History 2 Members 2.1 Lineup 1980 2.2 Lineup 1980-1988 2.3 Lineup 2006-present 3 Discography 3.1 Albums 3.2 Compilation contributions 4 References 5 External links

Bainbridge Island, WA brothers Andrew and Kevin Wood, along with Dave Hunt and Dave Rees formed Malfunkshun, originally as a four-piece and not the power trio they became known as. David Hunt and Dave Rees played with Malfunkshun for only one show, the former on drums and the latter on bass. After Rees and Hunt left Andy took over bass and drummer Regan Hagar was recruited from Maggot Brains.

During Malfunkshun shows each band member had an alter ego. Andrew's was L'Andrew the Love Child, Kevin was Kevinstein and Regan became Thundarr. Kevin's stage persona wasn't as carved-in-stone as Andy's or Regan's, referred to sometimes as "the Axe-Handler" and even an early Malfunkshun poster hand-drawn by Andy Wood names him "Led Springsteen". Using makeup and flashy glam-style clothing in a nod to KISS, and other favorite bands, Malfunkshun was known for their dynamic live shows. As L'andrew, Andy was unpredictable and would wander the crowd during shows with his wireless Steinberger bass, and even stop shows to eat cereal, and throw the rest out to the crowd. Andrew became increasingly involved with drugs and in 1985 he checked into drug rehab. During this time Malfunkshun was put on hold.

When Andy returned from rehab the band started up again and contributed "With Yo' Heart (Not Yo' Hands)" and "Stars-n-You" to the Deep Six compilation by C/Z Records. Despite their densely distorted sound, Sub Pop, the label known as "the" grunge label, never took much of an interest in the band, turning them down for not being Grunge enough. This was fine with the band as they never thought of themselves as grunge to begin with. Although they were beginning to gain popularity they rarely headlined for their own shows.

Dissolving, but never formally disbanding, Malfunkshun took a back seat to jam sessions Andy Wood and Regan Hagar had been having with Green River members Stone Gossard and Jeff Ament. These sessions were the beginnings of Lords Of The Wasteland, who would become Mother Love Bone after the addition of Greg Gilmore and Bruce Fairweather. Kevin formed Fire Ants in 1992 with his brother Brian and Chad Channing, former drummer for Nirvana. Later Kevin and Brian joined Ben Shepherd, previously of Soundgarden to form Devilhead. Hagar moved on to play in Satchel with Shawn Smith and Brad with Shawn Smith and Stone Gossard.

A grouping of Malfunkshun demos and recordings from the early-to-mid 1980's were released on Stone Gossard and Regan Hagar's Loosegroove label in 1995, as Return to Olympus, standing as the largest major label release of the bands material.

In 2005 a documentary about the life and work of Andrew Wood entitled Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story debuted at the Seattle International Film Festival. It is currently in development and awaiting a DVD release.

On October 24, 2006 Malfunkshun announced that it is reforming, 16 years after the death of Andy Wood. The new lineup includes surviving members Kevin Wood and Regan Hagar, plus vocalist Shawn Smith and bassist Cory Kane. The reformed band is searching for a label to release a new album, after which it will go on tour.

• Andrew Wood - vocals
• Kevin Wood - guitar
• Dave Rees - bass
• Dave Hunt - drums

• Andrew Wood - vocals, bass
• Kevin Wood - guitar
• Regan Hagar - drums

at time of dissolution various bass players including 'skillit' and others

• Shawn Smith - vocals
• Kevin Wood - guitar
• Cory Kane - bass
• Regan Hagar - drums

• Return to Olympus (Loosegroove Records, 1995).

• "With Yo' Heart (Not Yo' Hands)" and "Stars-N-You" on Deep Six (C/Z Records, 1986).
• "My Only Fan" and "Shotgun Wedding" on Another Pyrrhic Victory: The Only Compilation Of Dead Seattle God Bands (C/Z Records, 1989).

• Interview with Kevin Wood on http://www.fullinbloommusic.com.
• Additional items from liner notes of "Return To Olympus" CD, transcribed here.
• Interviews from the movie "Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story"

• Official page for the Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood story movie.
• Malfunkshun at AllMusic.com.
• Kevin Wood's Wammybox.com bootleg page.
• Hand-drawn flyer as shown on twofeetthick.com.