Thrush Hermit

Thrush Hermit
Thrush Hermit, 1997
Background information
Origin	Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Genres	Alternative rock
Years active	1992–1999, 2010
Labels	Murderecords, Elektra, Sonic Unyon
Associated acts	Camouflage Nights
Past members	Joel Plaskett Rob Benvie Ian McGettigan Michael Catano Cliff Gibb Benn Ross

Thrush Hermit was a Canadian alternative rock band active in the 1990s.

Thrush Hermit was formed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1992 by Joel Plaskett (vocals, guitar), Rob Benvie (vocals, guitar), Ian McGettigan (vocals, bass), and Michael Catano (drums). Catano was replaced by Cliff Gibb in 1994; Gibb in turn left the band in 1999 and was replaced by Benn Ross.

They signed with Murderecords, the label of fellow Haligonians Sloan, in 1994 in time to release their Smart Bomb EP (which featured songs such as Benvie's "French Inhale" and Plaskett's "Hated It"). The former would get some rotation on MuchMusic, which then held a reputation for more alternative programming, while the latter would end up in the Kevin Smith film Mallrats.

Following the release of the band's second EP, The Great Pacific Ocean, the group signed in 1996 with Elektra Entertainment which released their first full-length album, Sweet Homewrecker, in 1997. The Memphis-recorded album features tracks showcasing the songwriting of Plaskett, Benvie and McGettigan. The album proved a disappointment from Elektra's standpoint however, and Thrush Hermit was bought out of their contract.

After their foray into the United States market, Thrush Hermit returned north to release their final album, Clayton Park, on Sonic Unyon in 1999. Despite the critical success of the record, Thrush Hermit announced their split on September 21, 1999, following Benvie's growing disillusionment with his declining front man presence and the direction of the band, which he perceived to be "boring, old-fashioned". However, they would do one more tour before permanently breaking up, the triple-headliner "Front Man War Tour" alongside The Flashing Lights and Local Rabbits. Shortly before the tour, however, Thrush Hermit had to back out due to Plaskett's health. Once back to normal, the band embarked on their own farewell tour of Canada, in December 1999. Plaskett's medical problems inspired his first solo album In Need of Medical Attention, though the album was recorded prior to Clayton Park and these final tours.