Skin Yard

In 1985, the music scene in Seattle, Washington, USA was in the early stages of what eventually became known internationally as 'Grunge'. The first recorded evidence of this emerging sound was the 'Malfunkshun… and Skin Yard.

Skin Yard was formed in Seattle during January 1985 by Daniel House (bass), and Jack Endino (guitar). They were ed by Matthew Cameron (drums), who had previously played with House in an instrumental power trio called The Presidents Of The United States Of America) ed the band, but left after only eight months for an extended stay in Europe.

In May 1987, Skin Yard found drummer Scott McCullum (aka Norman Scott) who ironically had once been all but hired for the Soundgarden drum position until Cameron had approached them to offer his services. Skin Yard's second record, 'Hallowed Ground', was released in early 1988. Scott left Skin Yard in May of 1989 after a particularly unpleasant U.S. tour, aptly ed as "the tour from hell", but not before playing on the band's third album 'Fist Sized Chunks' (which was not released until 1990).

Between McCullum leaving the band and the release of 'Fist Sized Chunks', Skin Yard effectively ceased to exist for over a year, and at the time didn’t expect to reform. They also never expected drummer Barrett Martin. Barrett was a powerhouse, and as it turned out, was with Skin Yard until the end. In early 1991, '1000 Smiling Knuckles' was released — widely regarded as Skin Yard’s finest effort. The band embarked on their third national tour in of the record, with House leaving that March to devote more time to fatherhood. He was replaced by Pat Pedersen with whom the band recorded the posthumously released final album, 'Inside the Eye'.

Prior to House’s departure, Skin Yard had already begun winding down. Ben McMillan had started Titãs, and (of course) Skin Yard. Daniel House continued to run C/Z Records from 1986 through 2001 when the Skin Yard rarities collection, 'Start at the Top', was released. In 2003, House moved from Seattle to Los Angeles. Ben McMillan died on January 28th 2008, aged 46.