View source for A Primitive Evolution

{{Short description|Rock band from Toronto, Ontario}}
{{use mdy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name            = A Primitive Evolution
| image           = APE 2014 Promo.jpg
| origin          = [[Toronto]], [[Ontario]], Canada
| years_active    = 2007–present
| genre           = [[Alternative rock]], [[Death Rock]]
| associated_acts = [[The Birthday Massacre]], Lye, Aphasia
| label           = None
| website         = [http://www.aprimitiveevolution.com/ www.aprimitiveevolution.com]
| current_members = Brett Carruthers<br>Steph Misayo Seki<br>Stu Dead
| past_members    = Scott Carruthers<br>Dimitri Anastasakis<br>[[Rhim]]
}}
'''A Primitive Evolution''' (often identified using the abbreviation '''A.P.E.''') is an [[alternative rock]] band based in [[Toronto|Toronto, Ontario]], Canada.
==History==
===Formation===
Formed in the Fall of 2007 out of band Lye (and before that Aphasia), vocalist Brett Carruthers and bassist Stephany Seki began jamming with drummer Stu Dead, founder of Playdead Cult, a clothing brand and creative lifestyle house located in Toronto. Playdead's involvement in horror culture led to inviting the owner of Darkside horror shop's Dimitri Anastasakis to jam along on guitar. With this line up, they first publicly performed for Toronto's Queen Street Fire fundraiser alongside [[Billy Talent]] and [[The Creepshow]].<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20110629140138/http://jam.canoe.ca/Music/Lowdown/2008/03/13/4992346-ca.html Canoe.ca article "Billy Talent, Alexis aid fire victims"]}}.</ref><ref>[http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/21474--billy-talent-to-headline-fundraiser-for-queen-west-fire-victims CityTV article "Billy Talent To Headline Fundraiser For Queen West Fire Victims"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629154250/http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/news/local/article/21474--billy-talent-to-headline-fundraiser-for-queen-west-fire-victims |date=June 29, 2011 }}.</ref>
In 2007, the band self-produced the video for "Death on Wheels" <ref>{{cite web|title=Death On Wheels by A Primitive Evolution Official Music Video|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJtAkjAOIv0 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/rJtAkjAOIv0 |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|publisher=A Primitive Evolution|accessdate=August 11, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> alongside Frankenstein cheerleaders as part of the 2007 [[L'Oréal]] Fashion Week,<ref>{{cite web|title=L'Oreal Fashion Week|url=http://www.lgfashionweek.ca/|publisher=L'Oreal|accessdate=August 11, 2011| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20110716031801/http://lgfashionweek.ca/| archivedate= July 16, 2011 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status=live}}</ref> which was voiced by [[Martin Streek]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Death on Wheels- A Primitive Evolution – With Voice-Over by Martin Streek|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h2SokjUDSnc |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/h2SokjUDSnc |archive-date=2021-12-21 |url-status=live|publisher=A Primitive Evolution|accessdate=August 11, 2011}}{{cbignore}}</ref> "Death on Wheels" would initiate, The Death Girls, cheerleaders and super-fans that dance and sing at A.P.E events, sometimes by joining the band on stage. Notable Death Girls include models from the adult website [[Suicide Girls]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web|title=A Primitive Evolution Biography|url=http://www.aprimitiveevolution.com/fr_home.cfm|publisher=APrimitiveEvolution.com|accessdate=August 11, 2011}}</ref> A Primitive Evolution would later appear on the adult news channel, [[Naked News]].<ref>{{cite web|title=A Primitive Evolution on Naked News (censored)|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OL-PCYydpk|publisher=Naked News|accessdate=August 11, 2011}}</ref> "Death on Wheels" was also featured on [[Alan Cross]]'s "Five Songs You Gotta Hear Today".<ref>{{cite web|title=Five Songs You Gotta Hear for March 25, 2010|url=http://exploremusic.com/show/five-songs-you-gotta-hear-for-march-25-2010/|publisher=Exploremusic.com|accessdate=August 11, 2011}}</ref>
In 2008, A Primitive Evolution played a [[Canadian Music Week]] showcase at [[Bovine Sex Club|The Bovine Sex Club]].<ref>{{cite web|title=CMW Preview: A Primitive Evolution|url=http://www.torontomusicscene.ca/interviews/cmw-preview-a-primitive-evolution.html|publisher=torontomusicscene.ca|accessdate=11 August 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111001230427/http://www.torontomusicscene.ca/interviews/cmw-preview-a-primitive-evolution.html|archive-date=October 1, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref> In 2008 the band continued writing and recording their debut album and worked on another music video for the song "Beyond True". In May they posted a demo for the song "Empty Holes", which would later also have a corresponding music video. Brett said in a 2010 interview that during these early years the band worked "just writing and figuring each other out".<ref>{{cite video| people= Katherine Curtis, Brett Carruthers, Dimitri Anastasakis, Stephany Seki, Stu Dead| date= Jan 12, 2010| title= A Primitive Evolution on Naked News (censored) | url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OL-PCYydpk| medium= Video| publisher= Naked News | time= 0:50}}</ref>
In the spring of 2009 the group founded the music festival VIVA LOS MUERTOS (2009 line-up featuring [[The Birthday Massacre]], for whom Brett had performed live keyboards for during their Fall 2004 tour).<ref>{{cite web|title=Terrorverlag.de Interview with Chibi and Rainbow – 2004|url=http://www.musik.terrorverlag.de/interviews.php?id=176}}</ref> The festival included "Major merch sales, dancing Playdead [[mascots]] and an eclectic long-weekend crowd that collectively offered plenty for the live eye".<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/entertainment/music/article/10792--in-photos-viva-los-muertos-at-the-mod-club |title=CityTV article "In Photos: Viva Los Muertos! At The Mod Club" |access-date=October 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629154303/http://www.citytv.com/toronto/citynews/entertainment/music/article/10792--in-photos-viva-los-muertos-at-the-mod-club |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> The festival had an "overwhelmingly good response", according to the band, hoping to further secure the creation and maintenance of a dynamic "[[Death Rock]]" scene in Toronto. Playdead Cult's "Moop", would continue to be the band's mascot and can be seen dancing on stage during the band's live performances.
Later on in 2009, the band's self-produced debut video for "Death on Wheels", voiced by veteran Toronto radio DJ Martin Streek,<ref>[https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/toronto-dj-martin-streek-dead-at-45-1.860888 CBC article "Toronto DJ Martin Streek dead at 45"].</ref> caught the attention of the production crew for the vampire musical movie [[Suck (film)|Suck]].<ref>[https://archive.today/20120909050048/http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/14844/94438 Rolling Stone article "Moby Sucks It Up Alongside Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper in Vampire Flick"].</ref> This film debuted at the 2009 [[Toronto International Film Festival]] featured the likes of [[Iggy Pop]], [[Alice Cooper]] and [[Henry Rollins]] The film consequently utilized the band's rehearsal space<ref>[http://www.suckthemovie.com/photos.html Suck the Movie photo gallery] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129201016/http://suckthemovie.com/photos.html |date=November 29, 2010 }}.</ref> as a set for several scenes in the film. Finally at the end of 2009 the band would release their self-titled debut album.
February 16, 2010, the band released their debut album digitally for worldwide distribution. In the summer of 2010, Adm Shedden, formerly of The Birthday Massacre and currently of Hunter Eves, joined to perform on live violin for acoustic shows. In 2010, the band continued playing shows in Toronto, [[Hamilton, Ontario|Hamilton]], [[Niagara Falls, Ontario|Niagara Falls]], [[Kitchener, Ontario|Kitchener]] and [[Barrie, Ontario|Barrie]].<ref>{{cite web|title=A Primitive Evolution – Past tour dates|url=http://www.aprimitiveevolution.com/fr_tour.cfm|publisher=aprimitiveevolution.com|accessdate=August 11, 2011}}</ref>
On February 15, 2011, the band posted on their [[Facebook]] profile that Scott Carruthers (Brett's cousin), would replace Dimitri Anastasakis on guitar. Dimitri had announced in the fall of 2010 also on their [[Facebook]] profile that he would be leaving the band due to pursue other goals important to his life. In 2011, the band recorded a new acoustic album, co-produced by [[Marcy Playground|John Wozniak]], and welcomed back their friend, Adm Shedden for violin. The band encouraged fans to participate in its development by listening to rough mixes.<ref>{{cite web|title=A Primitive Evolution: The Acoustic Album : Updates|url=http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/aprimitiveevolution/updates/5841|publisher=Pledgemusic|accessdate=August 11, 2011}}</ref> The band documented the recording process with video, [[MP3]]'s and photo updates on their official website and also announced that 20% of the proceeds would be donated to [[ShelterBox]].<ref>{{cite web|title=A Primitive Evolution: The Acoustic Album|url=http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/aprimitiveevolution|publisher=Pledgemusic|accessdate=August 11, 2011}}</ref> In July, the band performed at Trash Fest USA, in [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Trash Fest USA|url=http://www.mamatrash.com/trashfestus.htm|publisher=Trash Fest USA|accessdate=August 11, 2011}}</ref> A Primitive Evolution was recommended by [[George Stroumboulopoulos]] for Canadian Music Week 2011 in his Top 3 Buzz Bands out of the 800 that performed.<ref>{{cite web|title=Canadian Music Week|url=http://www.cbc.ca/strombo/show-music/canadian-music-week.html|publisher=CBC|accessdate=August 13, 2011}}</ref>
In 2018 the band signed a record deal with [[Metropolis Records]] to release their album ''Becoming''. Now acting as a three piece with Brett Carruthers, Stephany Seki and Stu Dead, this would be the band's debut release under an official label.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rue-morgue.com/exclusive-new-video-from-a-primitive-evolutions-forthcoming-album-becoming/|title=EXCLUSIVE: New video from a Primitive Evolution's Forthcoming Album, "Becoming"|date=September 27, 2018}}</ref>
2019 would mark the band's first major North American Tour opening for labelmates [[Pig (musical project)|PIG]]. On this tour, they supported their 2018 release ''Becoming'' and added new live members to the band, Owen Mackinder from [[The Birthday Massacre]] and drummer Jake Hamilton.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://musicexistence.com/blog/2019/10/10/gallery-live-review-a-primitive-evolution-at-st-vitus-bar-brooklyn-ny-for-stimulate-nyc-on-09-27-19/|title = Gallery + Live Review: A Primitive Evolution at St. Vitus Bar Brooklyn, NY for Stimulate NYC on 09/27/19|date = October 10, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.zrock.com/primitive-evolution-releases-becoming-official-music-video-album/|title=A PRIMITIVE EVOLUTION Releases 'Becoming' Official Music Video and Album|date=September 11, 2019}}</ref>
==Discography==
===''A.P.E.'' (2009)===
The band's debut album ''A.P.E.'', released in early December 2009,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://bringbacktheboombox.com/main/interviews/fuck-everything-that-anyone-has-ever-told-you-to-do-a-p-e-interview/ |title=Bring Back the Boom Box interview |access-date=October 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100301061552/http://bringbacktheboombox.com/main/interviews/fuck-everything-that-anyone-has-ever-told-you-to-do-a-p-e-interview/ |archive-date=March 1, 2010 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref> was produced by [[Alpha Galates|Matthew Von Wagner]], ([[Crystal Castles (band)|Crystal Castles]], [[Ubiquitous Synergy Seeker]], [[Alpha Galates]]) and Brett Carruthers. Wagner has worked alongside the likes of [[Joe Barresi]] and [[Bob Ludwig]]. ''A.P.E.'', according to the band, is grounded on a few common themes: the single "Death on Wheels" draws inspiration from classic [[exploitation film|exploitation]] horror films, while others like "Dead End" are thinly veiled love songs. "War B." explores political undertones and the Western view of war. Other songs on the album like "Beyond True" explore the [[romanticism]] of human interaction.<ref name=":1" /> [[Alan Cross]] has referenced the band to sound like [[Radiohead]] and [[Nirvana (band)|Nirvana]] and would go on to call them [[The Offspring]] of [[Grunge]] in his May 21, 2010, ExploreMusic podcast. (searchable on iTunes) <ref>{{cite web|title=Song of the day give away|url=http://exploremusic.com/indie-track/a-primitive-evolution-beyond-true/|publisher=Exploremusic.com|accessdate=August 11, 2011}}</ref>
====Tracks====
# "War B" (4:40)
# "Beyond True" (4:19)
# "Death on Wheels" (4:02)
# "Just Begun" (4:59)
# "Dead End" (3:59)
# "Still Waiting" (4:26)
# "Coming and Going" (3:03)
# "Show Me" (4:41)
# "Train Wreck" (4:45)
# "To Be Lost" (5:17)
# "Empty Holes" (4:27)
===''The Prize'' (2012)===
The band's sophomore album ''The Prize'' was released on September 11, 2012.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://music-news.com/review/UK/8941/Read|title=A Primitive Evolution|website=Music-News.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-02-08}}</ref> ''The Prize'' still includes reworked versions of songs found on APE's debut, but also features three new songs. The album was produced by the band and [[John Wozniak]] of [[Marcy Playground]] at Mushroom studios in Toronto, ON.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://punkglobe.com/aprimitiveevolutionreview0513.php|title=A Primitive Evolution|website=punkglobe.com|language=en|access-date=2018-02-07}}</ref>
====Tracks====
# "Lord Of Reason" (4:05)
# "Show Me" (The Prize Version) (3:52)
# "I Feel It All" (4:52)
# "Won't Let You Down" (4:10)
# "Falling Far Behind" (4:28)
# "Dead End" (The Prize Version) (3:59)
# "The Prize" (4:26)
# "Coming and Going" (The Prize Version) (3:05)
# "Train Wreck" (The Prize Version) (5:36)
# "We Are Lost" (4:31)
===''Becoming'' (2018)===
The band's third album ''Becoming'' was released on October 5, 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rue-morgue.com/exclusive-new-video-from-a-primitive-evolutions-forthcoming-album-becoming|title=EXCLUSIVE: NEW VIDEO FROM A PRIMITIVE EVOLUTION'S FORTHCOMING ALBUM, "BECOMING"|website=rue-morgue.com|date=September 27, 2018|language=en-US|access-date=2018-09-27}}</ref> Recorded at their self-built Desolation Studios in Toronto, ''Becoming'' features many exciting Canadian collaborations including writer/producer [[Ian D’Sa]] from [[Billy Talent]] and audio engineer [[Kenny Luong]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.metropolis-records.com/product/11638/becoming|title=A Primitive Evolution - Becoming|website=metropolis-records.com|language=en|access-date=2018-10-05}}</ref>
====Tracks====
# "I am an Infinite Cycle" (1:16)
# "Who's Your Maker" (4:47)
# "The Beauty" (4:19)
# "Close Your Eyes" (4:11)
# "Ghost" (6:17)
# "Dead Skies" (5:22)
# "We Are The Truth" (4:38)
# "Becoming" (3:56)
# "Skeleton" (4:50)
# "Picturesque Hell" (4:28)
# "Better Off Dead" (5:09)
# "Live Forever" (5:05)
# "Echo" (5:38)
==Members==
*Brett Carruthers &ndash; [[Electric guitar|guitar]]s, [[Singing|vocals]], [[Keyboard instrument|keyboard]]s <small>(2007&ndash;present)</small>
*Steph Misayo Seki &ndash; [[Bass guitar|bass]], keyboards, [[cello]] <small>(2007&ndash;present)</small>
*Stu Dead &ndash; [[Drum kit|drums]] <small>(2007&ndash;present)</small>
===Touring members===
*[[The Birthday Massacre|Owen Mackinder]] &ndash; keyboards <small>(2019&ndash;present)</small>
*Jake Hamilton &ndash; drums <small>(2019)</small>
===Former members===
*Dimitri Anastasakis &ndash; [[lead guitar]] <small>(2007&ndash;2010)</small>
*Scott Carruthers &ndash; lead guitar <small>(2011&ndash;2013)</small>
==References==
{{Reflist|2}}
==External links==
*{{official website|http://www.aprimitiveevolution.com}}
*[http://www.playdeadcult.com Playdead Cult]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110319020047/http://www.thedarksidestore.com/ The Darkside Store]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Primitive Evolution}}
[[Category:Musical groups established in 2007]]
[[Category:Canadian alternative rock groups]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Toronto]]
[[Category:2007 establishments in Ontario]]