Ben McMillan
| Gruntruck | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Genres | Alternative metal, grunge, heavy metal |
| Years active | 1989–1993, 1996–2002, 2017–present |
| Labels | Roadrunner, eMpTy, Betty, Found Recordings |
| Associated acts | Skin Yard, The Accüsed |
| Website | www |
| Members | Ben McMillan (deceased) Tom Niemeyer Tim Paul Norman Scott Alex Sibbald Josh Sinder |
Gruntruck is an American rock band formed in 1989 in Seattle, Washington by vocalist Ben McMillan and drummer Norman Scott, both previously from early Grunge pioneers Skin Yard. While in Skin Yard, Norman also briefly joined Soundgarden, and collaborated with Chris Cornell on a lesser-known band, the low frequency power trio Bass Truck. Lead guitarist Tommy Niemeyer from metal thrashers The Accüsed and bassist Tim Paul, previously of PDX hardcore punks Final Warning, rounded out the initial, classic line-up. Their sound is described as Grunge, and the band focuses more on the metal side of the genre.
While on tour with Skin Yard, Ben and Norman wrote a song in Tucson, Arizona, which had a vibe that Ben felt was worthy of forming a new band around. Before long Ben, Norman, and Tom began to collaborate on blending Bass Truck's sound with this new material, and brought in Tim Paul on bass to fill out the sound later that year. After several attempts at titling the new lineup, the name Gruntruck came to Ben while out record shopping (like Bass Truck, but more grunty.)
The band soon recorded a full-length album for Seattle label Empty Records, with Skin Yard alum/legendary producer Jack Endino (Nirvana, Soundgarden) producing with Gary King. Inside Yours was released in 1990, and was released simultaneously in Germany on the Musical Tragedies label. Gruntruck made a video for the song Not a Lot to Save, with Henry Shepherd (brother of Soundgarden bassist Ben) directing, which soon found its way onto MTV.
In 1991, Gruntruck gained further exposure after opening for Pearl Jam on the night they recorded the music video for the song Even Flow, and during the frenzy of media and record label attention that had descended on Seattle, they signed a multi-album deal with Roadrunner Records. Roadrunner re-released Inside Yours later that same year.
In 1992, the band recorded their second album, Push, with Endino and King again in charge of production. Roadrunner released it that same year, and also licensed Inside Yours for release in Japan on the Appolon Records label. The track Tribe was made into a music video, earning an enthusiastic reception on MTV and rotation on the show Headbanger’s Ball.
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