Skunk Anansie in Concert
Skunk Anansie were formed in London during 1994, taking their name from the traditional folk tales about Anansie the Ghanaian spider. The band decided to add the Skunk to their name to give it a nastier edge. Armed with a killer name, the band quickly gained public and critical acclaim, winning the Best New British Band award from the readers of Kerrang! magazine in 1995. First album, Paranoid and Sunburnt, was recorded in a mere six weeks, with two of the songs featured on the film Strange Days' soundtrack. The tracks, “Selling Jesus” and “Feed” opened the band up to a wider fanbase.
1996's fifth and final single from the album, “Weak,” received wide radio play, showing off the light and shade dynamics that the band would use as their signature sound. More success at the Kerrang! awards was to follow as Skunk Anansie were named Best British Live act in 1996. October of the same year saw the release of second album, Stoosh, which was certified platinum in the UK, and gold in many European countries. Featuring the singles “Twisted,” “All I Want,” “Weep” and “Hedonism,” the album provided the band with far greater radio play than they previously experienced, raising their profile to the extent that they were nominated Best Newcomer at the BRIT Awards in 1997, where they also performed a cover of The Undertones classic single “Teenage Kicks.” 1997 also saw Skunk Anansie nominated for two awards at the MTV Europe Music Awards.
The album Post Orgasmic Chill was released in 1999, and showcased a new sound. In contrast to the alternative rock sound of the first two albums, the band opted for a far heavier sound edging towards alternative metal and hard rock. First single from the album, “Charlie Big Potato,” made the Top 20 in the UK charts, as did follow up track “Secretly.” The album was the last released by the band before they split, with members of the group embarking on a range of solo and side projects.
2009 saw the group reform to tour in support of their greatest hits album, entitled Smashes and Trashes. The reunion was seen as such as success that the band went back into the studio to record brand new album Wonderlustre, which attracted critical acclaim. Wonderlustre was followed up by 2012's Black Traffic.
