Econoline Crush

Early years, Purge and Affliction

Econoline Crush was formed in 1992 when singer Trevor Hurst moved to Vancouver and answered an ad for a new band in a local newspaper. In 1993, the band signed a record deal with EMI Music Canada, after playing only 26 shows.

In 1994, the band released their first EP called Purge, with producer Dale Penner (Nickelback) at the helm, and the band started building a steady following. The album garnered them a nomination for a Juno Award in Canada. One year later, they followed it with the full-length album, Affliction. This album was produced by Rhys Fulber, and they followed it with an extensive Canadian tour. They also toured Europe three times, with the Young Gods, Die Krupps, and Waltari, culminating in an appearance at the POP KOMM Festival in Köln, Germany with Filter.

The Devil You Know and mainstream success

In 1996, the band signed with the management group Bruce Allen Talent, and started recording at Sound City with producer Sylvia Massy, who had worked with Prince, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Tool. A year later, they released The Devil You Know. They embarked on a tour with KISS, Foo Fighters, Green Day, The Tea Party and other bands. The album was released in the US in 1998 on Restless Records, and they went again on tour with KISS, Stabbing Westward, God Lives Underwater, among others.

Some of band's songs appeared on television shows, including Melrose Place, Psi Factor, and ESPN, among others. The band received their second Juno nomination for their latest album, and was asked to perform live at the televised Juno ceremony. The album also received gold and platinum awards.

The 1999 Sony PlayStation game Sled Storm featured mix versions of the songs "Sparkle and Shine", "Nowhere Now", and "Surefire".

Brand New History and hiatus

The band went to California to work on their next album with producers John Travis, Bob Rock and DJ Swamp, which included collaborations with Chris Vrenna (formerly from Nine Inch Nails) and Paul Raven (Killing Joke, Prong, Ministry). In 1999, the band's song "You Don't Know What It's Like" was released as a single and was included on Muchmusic's Big Shiny Tunes 4. In 2001, the band released Brand New History to mixed reviews, despite some moderate commercial success. The album contained the singles "You Don't Know What It's Like" and "Make It Right". The reception of their last album caused the band to disband, and each of the members dedicated time to other projects. During this time, frontman Trevor Hurst started working on a band of his own, called Hurst.

Reunion and Ignite

In 2007, Hurst announced on his MySpace page that he was working on a new Econoline Crush record, while the band started touring with Hinder. The new lineup of the band was Brent Fitz, Scott Whalen, Kai Markus, and Hurst. Hurst and Markus (who had worked with Noise Therapy and Methods of Mayhem) co-wrote the songs for the new album, which was recorded at Radiostar Studios in California. The album, Ignite, was released on January 15, 2008. Shortly after, the band went on tour with Three Days Grace and Seether. In August 2008, they went on another tour with 3 Doors Down, Staind, and Hinder, followed by a tour with Alice Cooper in September and October 2008. In 2009 the band played at festivals across Canada, including the Halifax Rocks Festival, with KISS, on July 18.

Recent years

In April 2010 it was announced that Robert Morfitt was back playing guitar. The band embarked on a summer tour in 2010, joined by drummer Greg Williamson and bassist Steve Vincent from Alberta's Tupelo Honey. EMI then released Surefire: The Best of Econoline Crush on September 14, 2010. The band released their latest EP The People Have Spoken Vol. 1 on April 8, 2011.

Current members

Former members