In the beginning there was a catastrophic boom… and, without the use of an epidural, Skookum was born. Out of the depths of a deep forested bush lumbered this enormous behemoth of rawk! It had a thunderous bottom end and the animals would gather round to hear its driving beats and infectious rhythms. This indescribable beast could only be known as Skookum! 　　 　　Skookum was formed by CoryVan & Audie who met while studying various forms of art at the renowned Emily Carr Institute of Art in Vancouver, BC. They shared and differed in various influences from over several decades of great rock, pop, metal and alternative music. Their common interest in art was soon eclipsed by their mutual passion for chunky guitar driven rawk. Together they drew up the Skookumanifesto: No pretenses. Big sounds. Good Times. Rock & Roll! 　　 　　Of course, making great music is serious business for the passionate band which includes “Shiny” Wilson on guitar and Python on drums, both solid players who pad the Skookum sound with impressive musicianship, creativity and solid laughs all around. Skookum simply doesn’t feel it has to write sullen and gloomy material for it to rock. They point to the success of Queens of the Stone Age, Red Hot Chili Peppers and even Faith No More as examples of fresh and original heavy rock that doesn’t always dwell on the negative. 　　 　　The name Skookum comes from a Pacific Northwest Chinook term for big, strong, powerful and swift. Most may know it as slang for “big n’ tough” or impressive. Audie and Vanman felt this best described the songs they were writing, riffin’ & rockin’. “Skookum” just rolls off the tongue right and fit their sense of humour which is evident in their lyrical styling. Their sound? Powerful guitar riffs, big grooves with a walloping vocal punch! They sound Skookum! 　　 　　They’ve recently released their debut album, Big Phat Sounds, at Cheers nightclub in Delta which includes the release of the bands own comic book: an autobiographical cross between Spinal Tap & KISS with some fantasy thrown in for good measure. Skookum's song “El Stinko” is featured in a Vancouver-shot indie film titled Revenge Inc. which is currently being shopped to festivals and in limited release. A rock video was shot to support the film and will be premiered in January of 2008. 　　 　　Skookum’s highlights to date have been playing UBC’s Thunderbird Stadium and Richards on Richards as well as sharing the stage with popular local acts Moka Only, Sweatshop Union, the Black Halo’s & Todd Kerns. 　　 　　2008 should be exciting for Skookum as they look to gain momentum with their debut album and will release a 2nd album of material with newcomers Shiny and Python. Recording is complete and the band will mix and master over the next few months and hope to release by summertime. Skookum, currently in an age of renaissance with their evolutionary line up of groove-mongers are relentless in their attempts to herd the thunder of rawk. So if you’re having a problem with an itchy ‘Squatch… scratch it with Skookum rawk!