The band formed in 1993 when
Louise Reny and
Leslie Howe, formerly of the pop group
One to One, joined with guitarist Michael Goyette, bassist Tim Dupont and drummer Andrew Lamarche. Initially taking the name Sal's Birdland ('Sal' was Reny's stage name), the group released its debut album,
So Very Happy, in 1994. In 1995, the group signed an international deal with
Discovery Records, which re-worked
So Very Happy with production assistance from
Michael James and released the album
Nude Photos Inside. The label rejected their planned follow-up, and the band signed to
Interscope Records, Goyette, Dupont and Lamarche had previously used the name Artificial Joy Club for a short-lived side project with Ottawa singer Doug Wilson. In 1997, they released the album
Melt, and the maxi-single
Sick And Beautiful. The song "Sick and Beautiful" was a No. 17
Billboard Modern Rock Tracks hit; it also climbed to No. 11 on the
Radio and Records Alternative chart. It hit #35 in Canada on the RPM Top 100. It was also featured on the soundtrack for the 1998 film
Homegrown. The band then went on a full North American festival tour. It included opening the mainstage at
Buzzfest '97, and appearing on the second stage bill at
Lollapalooza. In 1998, Artificial Joy Club released the three-track EP
Spaceman, which was three versions of their song of the same name. They also released a video. The band broke up in 1999. ==Discography==