Malfunkshun

Malfunshun is a Bainbridge Island, Washington band (near to Seattle), which is mostly known to be the first band of Andrew Wood, the previous one to form Mother Love Bone.

There are two main periods, thus Malfunkshun could be divided from 1980 until 1988, and from 2006 until now.

It is considered one of the most important grunge source ever, as also Melvins or U-Men were. Andrew Wood and Malfunkshun never played a pure garage sound like others, but its direct influence went to main bands like Pearl Jam. Anyway, we have to say that Malfunshun was closer to Glam Rock than Grunge.

The band was formed in 1980 by Andrew Wood (singer) and his brother Kevin Wood (guitarist). Other founders were Dave Hunt (drummer) and Dave Rees (bassist). Both "Daves" just played with the band one performance, after this gig, both formed another band called Skindiver. This band played with Malfunkshun at the same shows.

Dave Rees was friend of Brian Wood, and he joined the band just because he got a bass guitar and knew the Andrew and Kevin's brother, that was how Dave Rees got in.

Kevin Wood stated that his brother (Andrew) after a Cheap Trick and Kiss show decided to be a rock star. Regan Hagar was on the same gig, although he did not know the brothers Wood, he was blown away. Regan started to work in the center of Seattle as security member in the shows, he met Blaine Cook (The Fartz, 10 Minute Warning and The Accüsed) there working on the shows aswell. Duff McKagan (The Fartz, 10 Minute Warning and Guns  N' Roses) and John Bigley (The U-Men) were around too.

Regan Hagar and Andrew Wood met at the Showbox, there Andrew asked Regan to join them, and the answer was  "Sure, let's do it". They started to rehearsal at their parent's houses.


Meanwhile Kevin worked on a restaurant and saw a sign above the dishwasher, "Report Malfunction", it became the name of their band, Malfunkshun.

They needed to add new members and Regan Hagar (drummer) joined Malfunkshun. Hagar came from playing on Maggot Brains. The quartet became a wellknown trio.

The following nicknames were taken by the trio: Love Child or Love God for Andrew, Kevinstein for Kevin and Thundar for Regan.

According to Damon Steward (KISW DJ) Andrew Wood treated the hundred people who had attend to a show, like it was a hundred thousand.

Wood, Hagar, Blaine Cook and some more moved out from the parent's house, they went to West Seattle.

Andrew Wood had problems with drugs, and the band took a break in 1985. He went to drug rehab and they returned to play, and contributed to the Deep Six compilation with two songs "With Yo' Heart (Not Yo' Hands)" and "Stars-n-You", it was released by C/Z Records.

But Sup Pop and Malfunkshun had not a long relantionship. The record label was looking for grunge bands, and Malfunkshun, despite of being in the middle of the grunge hurricane, was not up with that. Malfunkshun was closer to Kiss style.

The band disbanded in 1988.

• Andrew Wood died in 1990 due to drug abuse,  
• Kevin Wood formed Fire Ants in 1992 with another brother named Brian Wood, bassist Dan McDonald and Chad Channing (ex Nirvana drummer).
• Some later, Kevin and Brian Wood formed Hater with Ben Shepherd.
• Some more later, Kevin and Brian Wood formed Devilhead.
• Regan Hagar joined Satchel and Brad. Shawn Smith is also involved in these two bands.

Stone Gossard (Pearl Jam and Brad) and Regan Hagar made possible the album "Return to Olympus", since they compiled the songs. 

The name of the Gossard's label is Loosegroove Records. It was released in 1995.

The producer was Jack Endino and it is the only album of Malfunkshun.

There is a cover included on it, a Ted Nugent's song "Wang Dang Sweet Pootang"

Ten years later a documentary called "Malfunkshun: The Andrew Wood Story" debuted at the Seattle International Film Festival in 2005. 

It was included a Return of Olympus cd and a never before released Melodies and Dream.

At the end, the documentary was released on July 19, 2011 through Universal Music Enterprises

One year later, 2006, Kevin Wood and Regan Hagar started to create new music with vocalist Shawn Smith and bassist Cory Kane. They took the old Andrew Wood lyrics.

Some new names have been taken by them in order to name theirselves, "Subfunkshun"or "From the Nord "

The band announced over the offical website vocalist Jeff Loftis joins them on February 19, 2011. Some song were recorded during March 2011, "Jezebel Woman" and "Until the Ocean". They are posted on YouTube as "Malfunkshun 2011".

Mike Stone was the drummer during one year, but Rob Day replaced him. Regan Hagar left the band.

Former members

• Andrew Wood – lead vocals, bass guitar (1980-1988; died 1990)
• Dave Rees – bass guitar (1980)
• Dave Hunt – drums (1980)
• Regan Hagar – drums (1980-1988, 2006-2011)
• Cory Kane – bass guitar (2006-2011)
• Shawn Smith – lead vocals (2006-2011)
• Mike Stone – drums (2011-2012)
• Thorsten Rock – guitar (2006-2008)
• Guy McIntosh – bass guitar (2011-2012)

Current members

• Kevin Wood – guitar (1980-1988, 2006-present)
• Jeff Loftis – lead vocals (2011-present)
• Miles Freeborn – drums (2012-present)
• Rob Day – bass guitar (2012-present)