Biography
The Canadian ensemble originally performed under the name Blue Meanies, only to change it after learning the designation already belonged to a Chicago ska act and countless other groups worldwide. They swapped the opening word for “new,” officially becoming the New Meanies while cutting their debut album in California. Launched in 1993, the blues-rock outfit—tilted more heavily toward rock—centered on Sky Onosson on bass, Jeff Hondubura on guitar, Jason Kane on drums, and Damon Mitchell on vocals and guitar. Although never a household name, the band still shared stages with Deep Purple, the Dave Matthews Band, and Alice Cooper.
Experience Is Lost appeared on an independent release, while Three Seeds arrived after the group signed with Virgin Records. Unhappy with major-label operations and surroundings, the musicians parted company with Virgin, their manager, and their booking agent in 1999. Free of corporate support, they issued their next record, Highways, on their own imprint, MeanMusic. Onosson stepped away for a year to teach English in South Korea, prompting Paul Wright to take over on bass. Highways was promoted through regional shows in Winnipeg, Canada, and across the United States.
Experience Is Lost appeared on an independent release, while Three Seeds arrived after the group signed with Virgin Records. Unhappy with major-label operations and surroundings, the musicians parted company with Virgin, their manager, and their booking agent in 1999. Free of corporate support, they issued their next record, Highways, on their own imprint, MeanMusic. Onosson stepped away for a year to teach English in South Korea, prompting Paul Wright to take over on bass. Highways was promoted through regional shows in Winnipeg, Canada, and across the United States.
Albums
