SKYJUMPER formed in early 2001 in Toronto, Canada - ironically as a three-piece power trio with founding members Shane Horizon (formerly of HOUSEHOLD SAINTS - householdsaints.com) on guitar/vocals, J.R. Russell on bass with Dave Grimm on drums. The trio spent the most of the next year and a half playing the Toronto live circuit including the El Mocambo, Cameron House, Rancho Relaxo and the like, the live show strengthened and the fanbase exploded.

Flavoured by BERKLEE training, Shane suggested a horn - possibly sax - Shane's Pop is a veteran horn player hailing from the British Isles. A manhunt for horns came to a climactic end in July 2001 when Arthur Towle fell into rehearsal. The combination of three-piece power rock doused with horns seemed unique for its time - and the boys ran with it.

The group took a turn in members when Dave left for family expansion, and was greatly missed. A drummer was in order - and a jazz beatmaster Doug Lea (DUGILLEGAL).

The guys continued on - and looking for something else. "Keys and a girl was thought to be a good injection into this band of rock Rastas" Shane reminisces, continuing "if we brought a girl into the mix, the rule was 'Keep 'er hands off her!'

Michelle Dussard (aka LIQUID VELVET) joined in early 2002 - sending the three-piece - well, now five - into a "wall of sound".

Arthur started messing around with guitar effects on his horn - wah, phase shifter and in turn texturing the live shows.

Talks started for a recording. Independent, the band locked themselves away for preparations, and in the spring of 2002, tracking began, with local producer, John Holohan at the healm. The plans were for a ten-track album, with no-holds-barred. John had spent time with the group - getting the sound and feel which is widely shown on the album. The recording took approximately 4 weeks - with dubs and vocals - and the album was then sent to the mastering stage. And, in early December 2002, SKYJUMPER released the album "THE SKYJUMPERS" - with a CD release party in Toronto, with 150 guests. The response was positive and "overwhelming". After the wave of excitement, the band was informed they were losing their keys and girl. Michelle was heading into her project full-time. A sad loss.

The five-piece, now four - continued venturing throughout the Toronto live circuit - and were occasionally seen live in other cities and towns spanning Southern Ontario.

"There was a show we did, in Dunneville, Ontario," Shane looks back. "It was the hometown of one of the guys, and we got a gig at the MUDCAT FESTIVAL. We played three sets and in between sets the DJ played Britney and Christina. We are not Britney or Christina. The end of the night began again at a lake party where we all went. That's all I remember.... oh, wait, I had ice cream."

The year following was a hectic year, with hosting a jam at Toronto's COZY CORNER, and other live venues, there was also a change in members. Frank Peluso took over drums, as well as rich harmonies. Around the same time, Arthur made his departure, returning the band's format to its inception.

With concerts at YONGE/DUNDAS Square (May 30,2004), the Revival, and other stages, the new ideas once again returned to the studio. This time, Alex Spencer, head producer and owner of HOCKEYBAG STUDIOS INC. located in Toronto, was put to the task of taking the music into the recording process. "We started recording ten tunes," recalls Shane Horizon. "I was hoping for more tunes on the new one than the last record ( being eight - the group's first full-length album, self-titled SKYJUMPERS, which is available online). The following album, "CHUTE THE BREEZE (which is available online NOW), the singer says "...five more were written in the shower and subway, and we kept the strongest twelve. It was fun!"

Getting over the holidays at the end of 2005 brought about a new surge for the live setting. After a few jam settings, the live band restarted with a curious avengence. "Starting after the new year, the guys would come over and blast out the set list until the kitchen nearly burned down," singer/guitarist Shane says. "But in the end, we all feel really good and ready for the next string of shows." With Joe A. Rider on bass, Alex Spencer on rhythm guitar, and Spike Love on drums, with Shane Horizon on vocals/lead guitar. The boys then moved to their new digs - a band office and rehearsal space in downtown Toronto. "Couches and a desk were in order," recalls Shane Horizon. The boys rocked out the Toronto venues, including The Drake and Kathedral in a mild December weather. During this time, both Shane and Alex were involved in recording and rearranging a fresh and new original version of The Wedding March for a television show called I Now Pronounce You, an alternative-couple wedding reality show based in Toronto.
The New Year 2007 started with the departure of Joe A. Ryder on bass.
Singer/guitarist Shane Horizon remembers, "We've had good ties with Joey. It's sad to see him go." After a meeting and a string of rehearsals at their Soho office in downtown Toronto, the boys then decided to go as a power three-piece, moving Alex Spencer to the bass duties. The boys were able to release their latest album "CHUTE THE BREEZE and is now available online.

The following '08 year brought a new look and feel to the band. They became a tight live musical trio, and regained more steam. They also decided, working with local band manager, Ty D'Angelo, to think about another album, with the newly written songs in the mix. Hockeybag Studio also had quite a buildup of original music dating back a few years. "I was told there were over eighty tunes in the files," recalls Shane Horizon. "Almost all of the songs had been near completion to begin with, and the new tunes hadn't been recorded yet. It's always great to be finishing a project and releasing it into the public. It's cathartic, when we're rockin'."
The boys seemed to take the early part of '09 off, to write, arrange and sort out past tunes as well as new ones. In August singer/guitarist Shane Horizon, with help of his sister, and "great friends", decided it was time to search for help and headed for a Canadian Detox clinic. "It was very humbling to ask for help when I thought I had everything under control. In reality, I wasn't living in reality and I'd spent the last few years in a self-prescribed blur. After cleaning up and seeing the truth, there was no way in hell I could have kept those antics up without ending up 'six feet under'. The amazing part of the journey was finding out I wasn't alone. There are many superb and intelligent people in this world living the same way I was - and seeking help too. So with great councilling and better living habits, we all helped each other through these trying times."

The boys and their album "CHUTE THE BREEZE" is available for your listening pleasure at CDBABY.com under Skyjumper. You can also become one of their 'friends' on MYSPACE.com - just login and search Skyjumper under Music.
Yes, a power three-piece is on the menu for 2010 and will sure be something to look forward to. The boys are also planning an upcoming tour in the summer throughout Southern Ontario and Quebec. We'll keep you posted or check Concert Listings for shows near you!

The promo of the new recording "CHUTE THE BREEZE" will also be available soon in its entirety - and of course, the official CD release party is imminent. We will keep you all posted.
For any "FREE" music from SKYJUMPER, please check Discography.

Shootin' for the Stars,

SKYJUMPER

xoxo