Laughing Hyenas
Encyclopedia
Laughing Hyenas was an American rock band that existed from 1985 to 1995. They formed in Ann Arbor
, Michigan
and were initially made up of former members of Negative Approach
(John Brannon, vocals), L-Seven
(not L7
) (Larissa Strickland, guitar), plus Kevin Strickland (bass) and Jim Kimball
(drums). According to Allmusic, "At first, the band specialized in noisy dirges overlaid with the tortuous, throat-shredding vocals of frontman John Brannon. As time passed, their blues
connections became more and more explicit." In 1990, Kevin Strickland and Jim Kimball left the Hyenas and teamed up with P.W. Long (Reelfoot) to form Mule. After the departure of the original rhythm section, former Necros
members Todd Swalla (drums) and Kevin Ries (bass) joined the band. Ries was later replaced by another Necros
bassist Ron Sakowski.
Larissa Strickland (Larissa Stolarchuk) died on October 8, 2006, at the age of 46, from a drug overdose in North Port, Florida
.
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ann Arbor is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and the county seat of Washtenaw County. The 2010 census places the population at 113,934, making it the sixth largest city in Michigan. The Ann Arbor Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 344,791 as of 2010...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
and were initially made up of former members of Negative Approach
Negative Approach
Negative Approach is an American hardcore punk band, formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1981. The band is considered among of the pioneers of hardcore punk, particularly in the Midwest region. Like most hardcore bands, Negative Approach was little known in its day outside of its hometown...
(John Brannon, vocals), L-Seven
L-Seven
L-Seven was a post-punk band from Detroit, Michigan, United States. The band existed during 1980–1983 and released a 7" titled "L-Seven" by Touch and Go Special Forces in 1982. Touch and Go Special Forces was created to issue records that of a different nature than the hardcore records that Touch...
(not L7
L7 (band)
L7 was an American rock band from Los Angeles, that was active from 1985 to 2000. Due to their sound and image, they are often associated with the grunge movement of the late 1980s and early 1990s.-History:...
) (Larissa Strickland, guitar), plus Kevin Strickland (bass) and Jim Kimball
Jim Kimball
Jim Kimball is an American punk drummer. His virtual menagerie of former bands includes Laughing Hyenas, Mule, and The Jesus Lizard, as well as the Denison Kimball Trio . The Laughing Hyenas were a seminal punk/rock/noise outfit. Kimball and Kevin Munro left to form Mule with Wig's P.W...
(drums). According to Allmusic, "At first, the band specialized in noisy dirges overlaid with the tortuous, throat-shredding vocals of frontman John Brannon. As time passed, their blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
connections became more and more explicit." In 1990, Kevin Strickland and Jim Kimball left the Hyenas and teamed up with P.W. Long (Reelfoot) to form Mule. After the departure of the original rhythm section, former Necros
Necros
Necros were an early American hardcore punk band from Maumee, Ohio, although they are usually identified with the Detroit music scene. They are the first band to record for Touch and Go Records.-History:...
members Todd Swalla (drums) and Kevin Ries (bass) joined the band. Ries was later replaced by another Necros
Necros
Necros were an early American hardcore punk band from Maumee, Ohio, although they are usually identified with the Detroit music scene. They are the first band to record for Touch and Go Records.-History:...
bassist Ron Sakowski.
Larissa Strickland (Larissa Stolarchuk) died on October 8, 2006, at the age of 46, from a drug overdose in North Port, Florida
North Port, Florida
North Port is a city in southern Sarasota County, Florida, United States. The population was 22,797 at the 2000 census. As of 2007, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 54,308. It is part of the Bradenton–Sarasota–Venice Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.
Former members
- John Brannon – vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Larissa Strickland (Larissa Stolarchuk) – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(deceased) - Jim KimballJim KimballJim Kimball is an American punk drummer. His virtual menagerie of former bands includes Laughing Hyenas, Mule, and The Jesus Lizard, as well as the Denison Kimball Trio . The Laughing Hyenas were a seminal punk/rock/noise outfit. Kimball and Kevin Munro left to form Mule with Wig's P.W...
– drums - Kevin Strickland (Kevin Munro) – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Todd Swalla – drums
- Kevin Ries – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Ron Sakowski – bass guitarBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Discography
- (1986) Stain [tape] (no label)
- (1987) Come Down to the Merry Go RoundCome Down to the Merry Go Round- Personnel :Laughing Hyenas* John Brannon – vocals, trumpet* Jim Kimball – drums* Kevin Strickland – bass guitar* Larissa Strickland – guitarAdditional musicians and production* Laughing Hyenas – production...
EP (Touch and Go) (Re-issued 1995) - (1989) You Can't Pray a LieYou Can't Pray a Lie-Personnel:Laughing Hyenas*John Brannon – vocals, trumpet*Jim Kimball – drums*Kevin Strickland – bass guitar*Larissa Strickland – guitarAdditional musicians and production*Laughing Hyenas – production...
(Touch and Go) - (1990) Life of CrimeLife of Crime (album)-Personnel:Laughing Hyenas*John Brannon – vocals*Jim Kimball – drums*Kevin Strickland – bass guitar*Larissa Strickland – guitarAdditional musicians and production*Laughing Hyenas – production*Butch Vig – production...
(Touch and Go) - (1992) CrawlCrawl (Laughing Hyenas EP)Crawl is the second EP by the U.S. punk band Laughing Hyenas, released in 1992 through Touch and Go Records.- Recording :After original members Kevin Strickland and Jim Kimball departed from the band to form Mule, they were replaced by Kevin Ries, a fan from Cleveland, and Todd Swalla, former...
(Touch and Go) - (1995) Hard TimesHard Times (album)Hard Times is the third and final studio album by the American band Laughing Hyenas, released in 1995 through Touch and Go Records.-Reception:...
(Touch and Go)
External links
- Band's biography / discography
- [ Allmusic entry on Laughing Hyenas]
- Trouser Press entry on Laughing Hyenas
- Laughing Hyenas Website on Touch and Go Records
- Laughing Hyenas group history and discography via Grunnen Rocks
- Corey Rusk's remembrance of Larissa Strickland
- Official 1988 Tour Diary
- Touchandgorecords.com