Stabilo (band)

{{Short description|Canadian musical group}} {{Redirect|Stabilo Boss|the pen manufacturer|Stabilo (pens)}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Stabilo | background = group_or_band | years_active = 1999–2011 (hiatus) | origin = Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada | genre = Rock Acoustic rock | label = EMI Canada | current_members = Jesse Dryfhout (vocals, guitars, keys) Christopher John (vocals, guitars, keys) Nathan Wylie (drums) Karl Williaume (bass)<ref>{{Citation |title=Official Stabilo Myspace Page |url=http://www.myspace.com/stabilo|access-date=4 Jun 2024 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060423023036/http://myspace.com/stabilo |archive-date=23 Apr 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | past_members = * Shaun Bennett (bass) }} '''Stabilo''' (originally '''Stabilo Boss''') was a Canadian rock band from Maple Ridge, British Columbia. They formed in 1999 and are best known for the songs "Everybody", "One More Pill", "Don't Look in Their Eyes", "Flawed Design", and "Kidding Ourselves".

==History==

===Formation=== Members Jesse Dryfhout and Christopher John (then Chris Moerman) were high school classmates who played in a band called Molly<ref name=":0" /> along with Shaun Bennett and McKenzie Dougall. Molly released their only EP, ''Ghosts of Yesterday,'' in 1997. Originally, Dryfhout was the band's drummer but began working with John on songwriting and vocals<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |last=Fitzgerald |first=Nicole |date=2006-04-14 |title=A dichotomous adventure in vocals |url=https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/local-arts/a-dichotomous-adventure-in-vocals-2472605 |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=Pique Newsmagazine |language=en}}</ref> after writing the song "Everybody".<ref name=":0" />

Molly's final performance was at a barn in Maple Ridge and was also Stabilo Boss's first performance as a band. Stabilo Boss featured 3 members from Molly: John, Dryfhout, and Bennett. The band also included new member Nathan Wylie, a former classmate of John and Dryfhout.<ref name=":0" />

In 1999, the band recorded ''Kitchen Sessions'', an independent recording made in a kitchen. The band and their friends created and distributed the album CDs. Around this time, Stabilo Boss gained more local recognition, especially among their university classmates.

===2000–2002: Self-titled debut album=== In the summer of 2000, the band recorded their self-titled debut with Recording Producer/Engineer Matthew J Doughty at Praiz Sound Studio in Northern California.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-06-04 |title=A Blinding Light Artist Profile {{!}} Biography And Discography {{!}} NewReleaseToday |url=https://www.newreleasetoday.com/artistdetail.php?artist_id=3548 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604050232/https://www.newreleasetoday.com/artistdetail.php?artist_id=3548 |archive-date=2024-06-04 |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=NewReleaseToday}}</ref> This recording marked the first appearance of bassist Karl Williaume. Released independently in early 2001, the album quickly sold out of its first pressing as Stabilo Boss gained more popularity in the local Vancouver music scene.

About a year later, a DJ at Vancouver's XFM radio station decided to play "Everybody" on their music competition show, Chaos. "Everybody" proved to be more popular than songs from more well-established artists and remained in the station's Top 7@7 charts for nearly a month.<ref>In the interview with Rick Goetz cited in the References section, John Wozniak mentioned Stabilo winning a local radio contest on 99.3 CFOX. It's unclear if that contest is different from the XFM contest or if Wozniak misspoke.</ref> Due to the increased exposure, the band sold 5000 copies of their album and reached the notice of major labels.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=27 Sep 2006 |title=Stabilo, The Suits XL, Tomi Swick |url=https://livevictoria.com/show/93476/view |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604052008/https://livevictoria.com/show/93476/view |archive-date=4 June 2024 |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=livevictoria.com}}</ref>

Around this time, the band released ''The Beautiful Madness EP'' which they sold only at their live shows. The EP was recorded live off of the soundboard and featured a grand piano on all 4 tracks. It quickly sold out.

===2003–2005: Name change and ''Cupid?''=== While considering contract offers from major labels, the band recorded a new album at Mushroom Studios in Vancouver, owned by John Wozniak (Marcy Playground).<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=GOETZ |first=RICK |date=2009-11-25 |title=Music, Radio and Touring with John Wozniak Pt. 2 |url=https://musicconsultant.com/music-career/radio-and-touring-wozniak-2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921195943/https://musicconsultant.com/music-career/radio-and-touring-wozniak-2/ |archive-date=21 Sep 2023 |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=Music Consultant |language=en}}</ref> According to John, Wozniak liked the band so much that he "basically just gave us free time there". By 2003, the band had completed the album, produced by Wozniak and local musician/producer Jon Anderson (Radiogram/Jonathan Inc).

A few months later, they signed a deal with EMI Canada and shortened their name to Stabilo. In an interview, Dryfhout stated that the band's name came from the Stabilo Boss brand highlighter they used to write down possible band names.<ref name=":0" />

In 2003, Stabilo was the only independent artist to be nominated for Best New Rock Group in the Canadian Radio Music Awards.<ref name=":4" />

After completing a live tour of Canada, Stabilo released the album ''Cupid?'' on May 11, 2004. To the disappointment of some longtime fans, ''Cupid?'' did not include most of the new material recorded at Wozniak's Mushroom Studios. Of the 7 songs on the album, only 3 were previously unreleased. Singles included "Everybody" and "One More Pill", both of which had been previously released on ''Stabilo Boss'' (2001). "Everybody" charted on the Canadian Hot AC Top 30.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />

===2006–2008: ''Happiness and Disaster''=== Stabilo released their second album with EMI Canada on April 4, 2006, called ''Happiness and Disaster''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-03-24 |title=PREVIEW STABILO'S NEW ALBUM 'HAPPINESS & DISASTER' |url=http://www.emission-online.com/issues/2006-03-24/feature2.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060505160951/http://www.emission-online.com/issues/2006-03-24/feature2.asp |archive-date=2006-05-05 |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=EMIssion-online.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Kaj |date=2006-03-27 |title=New Cool Band From Canada - Stabilo With Major Label Debut Out In April |url=http://www.melodic.net/news/new-cool-band-from-canada-stabilo-with-major-label-debut-out-in-april |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240604064154/http://www.melodic.net/news/new-cool-band-from-canada-stabilo-with-major-label-debut-out-in-april |archive-date=2024-06-04 |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=Melodic Net News}}</ref> The first single, "Flawed Design", was co-written with Kevin Kadish.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Kevin Kadish's schedule for ASCAP EXPO |url=https://ascapexpo2015.sched.com/speaker/kevin_kadish.1tgjoy32 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922172317/https://ascapexpo2015.sched.com/speaker/kevin_kadish.1tgjoy32 |archive-date=2021-09-22 |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=ASCAP Expo 2015}}</ref> It was played on radio stations across Canada (and in nearby U.S. areas such as Detroit), rising to Number 1 on the Canadian charts. The music video was aired on MuchMusic, MuchMoreMusic and Most Requested.

In April 2006, Stabilo was interviewed about their unusual choice to feature two lead singers. Dryfhout stated: "Some people really like what we do. They get tired of hearing the same voice over and over again, but some get confused and it throws them right off. If they don't have a guy standing front and centre, they don't know who to worship."<ref name=":4" />

In July 2006, Stabilo released "Kidding Ourselves", their second single and video from the ''Happiness and Disaster'' album.

In September 2006, Stabilo was awarded the SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada) #1 song award for "Flawed Design", which topped the Canadian Music Networks' Hot Adult Contemporary Chart on May 16, 2006.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 Oct 2006 |title=SOCAN honours Stabilo members with No. 1 Song Award |url=http://www.socan.ca/jsp/en/news_events/news_archive2006/Stabilo-No1.jsp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20070514142707/http://www.socan.ca/jsp/en/news_events/news_archive2006/Stabilo-No1.jsp |archive-date=14 May 2007 |website=SOCAN}}</ref><ref name=":1" /> In February 2007, Stabilo was nominated as the Juno Awards New Band of the Year<ref>{{Cite magazine |last= |first= |date=2007-02-06 |title=Nominees Announced For 2007 Juno Awards |url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/nominees-announced-for-2007-juno-awards-1327028/ |access-date=2024-06-04 |magazine=Billboard |language=en-US}}</ref> but lost to Mobile.<ref>{{Cite web |title=PAST NOMINEES + WINNERS |url=https://junoawards.ca/awards/past-winners-nominees/?search_year_val1=2007&search_year_val2=2007&search_category_val=235&search_wins_val=no&tag_search_val=&submit=submit |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240604044028/https://junoawards.ca/awards/past-winners-nominees/?search_year_val1=2007&search_year_val2=2007&search_category_val=235&search_wins_val=no&tag_search_val=&submit=submit |archive-date=4 June 2024 |access-date=4 June 2024 |website=The JUNO Awards}}</ref> In November 2007, Stabilo was awarded a [http://www.socan.ca/jsp/en/about/media_centre/Tor18_AnnualWinList.jsp#s6 SOCAN]{{Dead link|date=June 2024}} award for "Flawed Design" as the pop song that achieved the greatest number of plays on Canadian radio for 2006.<ref name=":1" />

===2009–present: Hiatus=== In April 2011, the band announced that they were on "permanent hiatus".<ref>{{Cite web |first= |date=26 May 2011 |title=Stabilo Announces 'Permanent Hiatus' |url=http://www.melodic.net/news/stabilo-announces-permanent-hiatus |access-date=2024-06-03 |website=Melodic Net News}}</ref>

In 2012, Marcy Playground released the album ''Lunch, Recess & Detention'', which included the song "Brand New Day", featuring vocals by Jesse Dryfhout.<ref>{{Cite web |last=COKYUCE |first=OZGUR |title=JOHN WOZNIAK |url=https://www.punkglobe.com/johnwozniarinterview1010.html |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=Punk Globe}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Marcy Playground - Lunch, Recess & Detention {{!}} iHeart |date=2012-01-01 |url=https://www.iheart.com/artist/marcy-playground-913/albums/lunch-recess-detention-18293420/ |access-date=2024-06-04 |language=en}}</ref>

Bass player Karl Williaume now plays with Canadian reggae singer Caleb Hart as a member of The Royal Youths.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-09-23 |title=Caleb Hart, Royal Youths to release debut album 'origiNation' |url=https://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/entertainment/20170923/caleb-hart-royal-youths-release-debut-album-origination |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=The Gleaner |language=en}}</ref>

Christopher John has released several solo albums, starting with ''The Missing'' (2009)''.''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-05-20 |title=Stabilo Guitarist Releases Solo Ep |url=http://www.melodic.net/news/stabilo-guitarist-releases-solo-ep |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240604064951/http://www.melodic.net/news/stabilo-guitarist-releases-solo-ep |archive-date=2024-06-04 |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=Melodic Net News}}</ref> His most recent release was ''Resonant'' (2022).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Resonant, by Christopher John |url=https://christopherjohnmusic.bandcamp.com/album/resonant |access-date=2024-06-04 |website=Bandcamp.com |language=en}}</ref>

==Discography==

=== Albums and EPs === * ''Kitchen Sessions'' (1999) * ''Stabilo Boss'' (2001) * ''The Beautiful Madness EP'' (2002) * ''Cupid?'' (2004) * ''Happiness and Disaster'' (2006)

===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- ! rowspan="2"| Year ! rowspan="2" style="width:15em;"| Single ! colspan="2"| Peak chart positions ! rowspan="2"| Album |- style="font-size:smaller;" ! width="45"| CAN Hot AC <ref name=":2">*For "Everybody": {{cite web|title=Radio & Records Magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-09-17.pdf|publisher=Radio & Records|date=September 17, 2004|page=63|access-date=October 6, 2019}} * For "Flawed Design": {{cite web|title=Radio & Records Magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2006/RR-2006-06-16.pdf|publisher=Radio & Records|date=June 16, 2006|page=47|access-date=October 6, 2019}} * For "Kidding Ourselves": {{cite web|title=Radio & Records Magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2006/RR-2006-11-10.pdf|publisher=Radio & Records|date=November 10, 2006|page=54|access-date=October 6, 2019}}</ref> ! width="45"| CAN Rock <ref name=":3">*For "Everybody": {{cite web|title=Radio & Records Magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Archive-RandR/2000s/2004/RR-2004-09-24.pdf|publisher=Radio & Records|date=September 24, 2004|page=80|access-date=October 6, 2019}} * For "Flawed Design": {{cite web|title=Radio & Records Magazine|url=https://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-RandR/2000s/2006/RR-2006-04-28pdf|publisher=Radio & Records|date=April 28, 2006|page=54|accessdate=October 6, 2019}}</ref> |- | rowspan=2| 2001 ! scope="row"| "Everybody" | — | — | align="left" rowspan="2"| ''Stabilo Boss'' |- ! scope="row"| "One More Pill" | — | — |- | rowspan=1| 2004 ! scope="row"| "Everybody" (re-release) | 9 | 18 | align="left" rowspan="1"| ''Cupid?'' |- | rowspan=3| 2006 ! scope="row"| "Flawed Design" | 1 | 18 | align="left" rowspan="4"| ''Happiness and Disaster'' |- ! scope="row"| "Kidding Ourselves" | 21 | — |- ! scope="row"| "Don't Look Into their Eyes" | — | — |- | 2008 ! scope="row"| "Starting Fires" | — | — |- | colspan="5" style="font-size:8pt"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart |- |}

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== * [https://web.archive.org/web/20050406220149/http://www.onemorepill.com/ One More Pill - Official Fansite since 2002] (Archived) * [https://web.archive.org/web/20060423023036/http://myspace.com/stabilo Official Stabilo MySpace Page] (Archived)

{{DEFAULTSORT:Stabilo}}  Category:Canadian rock music groups Category:Musical groups from British Columbia Category:Musical groups established in 1999 Category:1999 establishments in British Columbia