Hammerbox

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  • Years Active: 1990s, 2000s
  • Group Members: Carrie Akre

Albums

Biography All Music Guide Wikipedia

Group Members: Carrie Akre

All Music Guide:

Hammerbox was one of the few Seattle grunge bands fronted by a woman in the early '90s. Led by fiery vocalist Carrie Akre, Hammerbox equaled the untrammeled rage of their Emerald City peers but also inserted new wave energy in their typical Seattle blend of heavy metal and punk. Akre's voice combined Pat Benatar's shatterproof toughness with Kristen Hersh's ominous roar. Also featuring guitarist Harris Thurmond, bassist James Atkin, and drummer Dave Bosch, Hammerbox recorded its self-titled debut LP for indie label C/Z Records in 1991. Eventually signed to A&M Records, Hammerbox had the sound and songs to capitalize on the success of Nirvana and Pearl Jam. In 1993, the group released Numb. The band also performed at Endfest in Bremerton, WA, in front of more than 14,000 fans to help promote the album; however, A&M Records didn't provide Numb with the support it needed, and it bombed. Hammerbox was then dropped by the label. When negative feelings between bandmembers started to corrode the group's working environment; Akre quit and formed Goodness in 1994. After recording two commercially unsuccessful Goodness albums for large record companies, Akre founded her own label, Good-Ink Records. Akre released her solo debut, Home, in 2000. Thurmond joined former That Petrol Emotion lead singer Steve Mack in Marfa Lights, originally called Anodyne.

Wikipedia:

Hammerbox was an American grunge band from Seattle, Washington. The band formed around 1990 and disbanded in 1994 when lead singer Carrie Akre left the band to form Goodness.

History

Hammerbox formed around 1989 in Seattle and released their first LP, Hammerbox on independent label C/Z Records. This album earned them the opportunity to sign to a major label, A&M Records, with whom they released their second album. However, despite the band's appearance at rock festival Endfest in Bremerton, Washington to support their album, it did not sell well and the band was dropped by the label. James Atkins left the band in early 1994, and the rest of the members followed suit shortly thereafter. Carrie Akre formed Goodness, while Harris Thurmond went on to form Anodyne (later renamed Marfa Lights) with That Petrol Emotion singer Steve Mack. Thurmond formed Orbiter in 2000, and later Kingsley in 2003. Live EMP Skychurch, Seattle, WA, an album containing live material from the band's reunion show, was released in 2005.

Members

Carrie Akre - vocalsHarris Thurmond - guitarJames Atkins - bassDave Bosch - drums