Back when they were still struggling to gum down their baby formula and shitting in their diapers, they were planning their attack on the world through headphones, speakers, and amplifyers alike. To rip shit up in audio form can be a dream which is difficult to accomplish. In THE FLATLINERS' case, it took them 16 years to accomplish anything at all. Despite past efforts that crumbled before their eyes, the four came together to fuck shit up, Skunk Rawk style. There could be many sitting at home right now reading this, asking themselves out loud: "What the fuck is Skunk Rawk?!
SkunkRawk n. pl. SkunksRawkssssx or SkunkRawkcannotbe plura*lized
- The combination of two-tone ska and brain hemorrhaging punk rock.
- A lethal dose of "fuck you up" music.
- The way in which you will be killed. ie. "Skunk Rawk actually killed me... How can music do that?!"
Get it now, fuckers? The spring/summer/fall of 2002 witnessed the not-so-formal beginning of THE FLATLINERS after their demo was written (spring), recorded (summer), and released (fall). Upon hitting the stage at their first show, graciously provided by Mr. Eddy Earwigg, they were met by an onslaught of 30 kids at the very front singing along, who were being pushed forward by the crowd behind. THE FLATLINERS' first show was a great success, moreso than the band themselves even imagined. After a few more attempts at proving themselves in their hometown area, the word began to spread... slowly, but motherfucking surely. In October of 2002 THE FLATLINERS dropped their demo off on a few radio stations' desks, and were pleasently surprised when tuning in one night the month following and hearing themselves on the radio. That's one demo that made it out of the garbage can! They were contacted two months later by the oh-so-debonaire George Strombolopolous, who invited them down for a short radio interview on Edge 102's "Punk-O-Rama" and a longer television interview on "The Punk Show," presented by Much Music. The episode of "The Punk Show" featuring THE FLATLINERS aired on February 8, 2003. The interview and live footage ensured the word would continue to spread. National coverage can be an amazing thing. The word spread... quicker.
THE FLATLINERS continued to fuck shit up on stage for months, and began thinking of fucking shit up in the studio, once again. After their first recordings for their 2nd release essentially fled to Europe with their money, hard work, and ideas intact, THE FLATLINERS, being the persistant little piss-ants they are known to be, began recording songs (again) for their next release, which became 'WHO SAID SKA'S DEAD?'; The 4-way split between THE FLATLINERS, Grand Skam, Suzy Jacuzzi and the Hottubs (RIP), and The Makeshift Heroes, showcasing Toronto ska/punk at some of it's finest. Inevitably, some more fucking up of shit occurred in the months after the late 2003 release of 'WSSD?'
With their debut full-length 'DESTROY TO CREATE' just being unleashed and having had the pleasure of sharing the stage with such bands as The Suicide Machines, Against All Authority, The Planet Smashers, Big D and the Kids Table, Murphy's Law, The Code, and Streetlight Manifesto, among others, the four plates of THE FLATLINERS' have been collectively full (and dirty...) for quite some time now. I hope they don't get sick. An eating disorder would be bad too... Aside from their own releases, they have been featured on Stomp Records' 'All Skanadian Club: Volume IV' compilation, showcasing the best of Canadian ska, 'Punk vs. Ska: Volume II', and Toronto based Go! Go! Go! Records' 'Fuck The Cool Kids' compilation (among other compilations). Fuck those cool kids...
THE FLATLINERS have only begun their assault on the world. Get ready for hell 'cause they're carrying on the torch of ska/punk with full force, only they call it Skunk Rawk. Watch your back and keep your eyes wide open because THE FLATLINERS are coming to fuckin' town.
"So many lessons have been learned, so many bridges have been burned."