Biography
Junkhouse came together as a Canadian outfit in 1989, founded by guitarist and singer Tom Wilson alongside drummer Ray Farrugia, guitarist Dan Achen, and bassist-vocalist Russ Wilson. Keyboardist-guitarist Colin Cripps joined later to enlarge the lineup, while Grant Marshall stepped in on bass to take Russ Wilson’s place. The group issued multiple singles and albums across the 1990s.
Tom Wilson had previously played in the Florida Razors during the late 1980s. Once that band dissolved, he spent time adrift before deciding on his next move. A year afterward he established Junkhouse and also pursued solo material that earned him a Sony Music contract. In 1993 the band itself signed with the label, and its first release, Strays, appeared before the year ended. Several singles emerged from the album, one accompanied by a widely seen video for the track “Out of My Head.” Exposure on MuchMusic broadened the group’s audience, helping Strays achieve gold status. Additional songs on that debut include “The Waiting,” “Big Brown Turtle,” “Jesus Sings the Blues,” “Weight on Me Mama,” and “No Way Out of Love.”
Two years passed before the follow-up Birthday Boy arrived, marking Russ Wilson’s final recording with the band. When Fuzz came out in 1997, Cripps and Marshall had already joined. The group disbanded in 1998 yet returned for occasional reunion performances that again featured Wilson. Russ Wilson passed away on March 12, 2024, at age 62.
Tom Wilson had previously played in the Florida Razors during the late 1980s. Once that band dissolved, he spent time adrift before deciding on his next move. A year afterward he established Junkhouse and also pursued solo material that earned him a Sony Music contract. In 1993 the band itself signed with the label, and its first release, Strays, appeared before the year ended. Several singles emerged from the album, one accompanied by a widely seen video for the track “Out of My Head.” Exposure on MuchMusic broadened the group’s audience, helping Strays achieve gold status. Additional songs on that debut include “The Waiting,” “Big Brown Turtle,” “Jesus Sings the Blues,” “Weight on Me Mama,” and “No Way Out of Love.”
Two years passed before the follow-up Birthday Boy arrived, marking Russ Wilson’s final recording with the band. When Fuzz came out in 1997, Cripps and Marshall had already joined. The group disbanded in 1998 yet returned for occasional reunion performances that again featured Wilson. Russ Wilson passed away on March 12, 2024, at age 62.
Albums
