Big Chief was an American alternative rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Big Chief was founded in 1989 by several veterans of the Michigan hardcore punk scene, including Barry Henssler, who had been a member of Necros. They began attracting major label attention even before releasing any songs. After the release of their debut seven-inch record, "Brake Torque", Sub Pop offered to put out another seven-inch single. After several more single releases, the group compiled them on Drive It Off, released on Get Hip Recordings in 1991. Later that year, the group released its debut album, Face, in Germany; Sub Pop issued the album for the American market in mid-1992.
In 1993, Sub Pop released their sophomore album, Mack Avenue Skullgame, after which the group switched to major label Capitol Records, who released the group's third and final LP, Platinum Jive, in 1994. The group disbanded in 1996, though it kept up a fanzine, called Motorbooty, until the end of the decade; Motorbooty featured illustrations by guitarist Mark Dancey. Bassist Mark O'Brien became a member of Numbers; vocalist Barry Henssler worked in Chicago clubs as DJ Chamberweed; and Phil Durr played with the groups Five Horse Johnson, Giant Brain, Luder, and Variac.
On January 11, 2019, Phill Durr died of a heart attack at age 53 while visiting family in Germany.
Links to Peel[]
Peel discovered the band in February 1990 when he played their debut single, 'Brake Torque'. Further material from the band were played until 1992 on his radio programmes, including a session they recorded for his show in December 1991.
Sessions[]
Big Chief - Six Pack (Peel Session)
1. Recorded: 1991-10-20. First Broadcast: 14 December 1991. Repeated: 23 February 1992
- Destination Poon / Six Pack / Bong Wrench / Into The Void
Other Shows Played[]
- 1990
- 07 February 1990: 'Brake Torque (7 inch)' (Messiah Complex)
- 26 February 1990: Brake Torque (7" - Brake Torque / Superstupid) Big Kiss Music
- 27 March 1990: Get Down And Double Check (7") Get Hip
- 02 April 1990: Blowout Kit (7" - Chrome Helmet b/w Blowout Kit) Sub Pop
- 04 April 1990: Get Down And Double Check (7") Get Hip
- 25 November 1990: Time, Dirt, Money (7") Pigboy
- 09 December 1990: Time, Dirt, Money (7") Pigboy
- 1991
- 06 January 1991: 'Get Down And Double Check (LP-Drive It Off )' (Repulsion)
- 27 April 1991: Friday Night August The 14th (7") Snakeskin
- 18 May 1991: Friday Night August 14th (7") Snakeskin
- 07 December 1991: Reduced To Tears (LP – Face) Repulsion