1980s: Andrew Wood era Bainbridge Island, Washington brothers
Andrew and
Kevin Wood, decided to skip an Easter dinner at their grandmother's house and stayed at home instead - and recorded their first demo, titled "Malfunkshun". A bit later they found drummer David Hunt (1964–2009) and bassist Dave Rees, and became a four-piece. Hunt and Rees played with Malfunkshun for only one show; after they left, Andrew took over bass and drummer
Regan Hagar was recruited from the band Maggot Brains, establishing the band's definitive
power trio lineup. During performances, each band member had an
alter ego. Andrew's was L'Andrew the Love Child, Kevin was Kevinstein and Regan became Thundarr. Kevin's stage persona wasn't as carved-in-stone as Andrew's or Regan's, referred to sometimes as "the Axe-Handler" and even an early Malfunkshun poster hand-drawn by Andrew names him "
Led Springsteen". Using makeup and flashy
glam-style clothing in a nod to
Kiss, and other favorite bands, Malfunkshun was known for their dynamic live shows. Andrew was unpredictable and would wander the crowd during shows with his wireless bass, and even stop shows to eat cereal, and throw the rest out to the crowd. Andrew became increasingly involved with drugs and in 1985 he checked into drug rehab, during which time Malfunkshun was put on hold. When Andrew returned from rehab, the band started up again and contributed "With Yo' Heart (Not Yo' Hands)" and "Stars-n-You" to the
Deep Six compilation by
C/Z Records. Notwithstanding their densely
distorted sound,
Sub Pop never took much interest in the band. Although they were beginning to gain popularity they rarely headlined their own shows. Dissolving, but never formally disbanding, Malfunkshun took a back seat to the jam sessions Andrew and Hagar had begun with
Green River members
Stone Gossard and
Jeff Ament. These sessions were the beginnings of Lords of the Wasteland, which would become
Mother Love Bone after the addition of
Greg Gilmore and
Bruce Fairweather. Kevin formed Fire Ants in 1992 with his brother Brian, bassist Dan McDonald, and former
Nirvana drummer
Chad Channing. Later Brian joined
Ben Shepherd of
Soundgarden, to form
Hater. The brothers later formed
Devilhead. Hagar moved on, playing in
Satchel, with
Shawn Smith, and in
Brad, also with Shawn Smith and with
Stone Gossard. A grouping of Malfunkshun demos and recordings from 1986 to 1987 were released on
Stone Gossard and
Regan Hagar's
Loosegroove label in 1995, as
Return to Olympus, which was the largest major label release of the band's material.
2005–present: Documentary and reformation In 2005, a documentary entitled
Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story, debuted at the
Seattle International Film Festival. The documentary is available on DVD in a boxed set with the reissued CD entitled
Return to Olympus and the never before released Andrew Wood CD entitled
Melodies and Dreams. This boxed set is a digipak set of 3 discs (1 DVD/2 CD's) entitled
Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story released on July 19, 2011, by Universal Music Enterprises. On October 24, 2006, surviving members Kevin Wood and Regan Hagar, with vocalist
Shawn Smith and bassist Cory Kane, began writing new music using lyrics written by Andrew before his death, for the release of a new album, after which they planned to go on tour. The band had originally intended to use the name Malfunkshun, soon changing it to Subfunkshun or the Subfunkshun Project, and eventually settling on From the North (Von Nord). On February 19, 2011, Malfunkshun announced on their website that Jeff Loftis would be taking over vocals for both Malfunkshun and From the North. On March 14, 2011, Kevin and Jeff recorded the song "Jezebel Woman" and on March 19, 2011, recorded "Until the Ocean". They have posted both songs on YouTube under the name "Malfunkshun 2011". On May 15, 2011, Malfunkshun posted on their website, that Regan officially stepped down as the drummer, and on May 24, 2011, Malfunkshun posted on their website naming Mike Stone as Regan's replacement on drums, however Miles Freeborn substituted for Stone in March 2012 and has remained the band's drummer ever since. On May 9, 2012, Malfunkshun announced on their website that Rob Day had joined the band in place of Guy McIntosh, who had briefly replaced Cory Kane on bass for the band's autumn/winter tour dates. == Members ==