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CKY

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Band Timeline

1998

Formation of CKY and Early Beginnings

CKY, an American rock band from West Chester, Pennsylvania, was formed in early 1998. The band originally centered around the trio of Deron Miller (guitar and lead vocals), Chad I Ginsburg (lead guitar), and Jess Margera (drums). Before forming CKY, Miller and Margera were involved in previous musical projects including Foreign Objects and Oil. The name CKY stands for 'Camp Kill Yourself,' a title conceived by Miller. Around this time, they enlisted Chad Ginsburg, who was working as an audio engineer, to finalize the band's lineup. CKY began recording their debut album between late 1997 and early 1998, with sessions heavily funded by Miller's father. Initially, many of their tracks gained exposure through early Bam Margera stunt videos, establishing a underground fan base.
1999

Debut Album 'Volume 1' and Early Success

CKY released their debut album 'Volume 1' in February 1999, which included many tracks featured in Bam Margera's CKY video series. The album helped the band gain underground recognition, especially among skateboarding and stunt video enthusiasts. That year, CKY also participated in the Warped Tour, though they were removed after fans protested vending prices. The band signed with Volcom Entertainment and reissued 'Volume 1' twice in early 2000 under different titles. Bassist changes also took place during this period as Ryan Bruni was replaced by Vernon Zaborowski. Their association with Bam Margera's videos, which showcased daring stunts skewed towards a youthful subculture, helped catalyze their early popularity in the rock scene.
2002

Release of 'Infiltrate•Destroy•Rebuild' and Chart Success

CKY released their second album, 'Infiltrate•Destroy•Rebuild,' in 2002 after signing with The Island Def Jam Music Group. This album marked their first major commercial success, reaching number 99 on the US Billboard 200 chart and entering the UK Albums Chart at number 108. The album featured the lead single 'Familiar Realm' which achieved a position in the US Mainstream Rock top 40. The release solidified the band's presence in the broader rock music industry, showing a departure from purely underground acclaim to gaining mainstream recognition. Their sound and exposure were bolstered by major label support and continued association with Bam Margera's media projects.
2005

'An Answer Can Be Found' Continues Commercial Momentum

In 2005, CKY released their third album, 'An Answer Can Be Found,' which further elevated their commercial success by reaching number 35 on the US Billboard 200. The single 'Familiar Realm' from their previous album peaked at number 32 on the Mainstream Rock chart, maintaining the band’s mainstream presence. Around this time, Matt Deis joined as the band's first full-time bassist, solidifying the lineup. This period showed CKY's sustained ability to produce music that resonated with a growing audience, allowing them to tour more extensively and build a broader fanbase. The band maintained their distinctive sound combining heavy rock with alternative and skate rock elements.
2009

Release of 'Carver City' and Label Change

By 2009, CKY had signed with Roadrunner Records and released their fourth studio album, 'Carver City.' This album reached number 46 on the US Billboard 200, number 4 on the Top Hard Rock Albums chart and number 14 on the Top Rock Albums chart. The inclusion of Matt Deis as bassist marked a more stable lineup for the band. 'Carver City' continued to showcase the band's evolution in sound with a mix of heavy riffs and intricate melodies. This period was marked by heavier touring and increased recognition in hard rock circles. Additionally, the band released two career-retrospective albums, 'B-Sides & Rarities' and its volume II in 2011.
2011

Departure of Frontman Deron Miller

In late 2011, after many years of growing tensions with other band members, lead vocalist and guitarist Deron Miller left CKY. His departure marked a significant shift for the band as Miller had been a founding member and central creative force since the band's inception. Following his exit, the band entered a period of sporadic live performances and faced uncertainty about their future direction. The lineup changes also influenced their subsequent choice of vocalists for live shows and recordings, leading to a less stable phase requiring adjustments by remaining members Chad I Ginsburg and Jess Margera.
2012-2015

Transition Period and Live Performances with New Frontmen

During this transitional period, CKY made sporadic live appearances but did not release new studio albums. They performed shows with stand-in frontman Daniel Davies in 2012 and 2015, which allowed the band to maintain a connection with their fanbase despite internal changes. These years marked a struggle to re-establish the band's identity without founding vocalist Deron Miller. Nonetheless, the band continued playing live, keeping their music alive in festivals and select concerts. This phase signaled a period of reconfiguration while hinting at future creative directions.
2017

Return with 'The Phoenix' and Lineup Changes

CKY returned to studio recording and released their fifth album, 'The Phoenix,' in 2017 with Chad I Ginsburg taking over lead vocal duties in addition to guitar. This album was the band's first since their debut not to chart on the Billboard 200 but did reach the top 20 of the Independent Albums chart. Matt Deis, who had returned to the band in 2015, left again in 2019. 'The Phoenix' symbolized a rebirth for CKY, reflecting a new era with Ginsburg at the forefront. The album’s title aptly reflected the band's rebirth after years of internal changes, showcasing resilience and a renewed energy that kept their loyal fanbase engaged.
2020-2022

Recent Activities and Work on New Material

Between 2020 and 2022, CKY continued to perform and engage with their fanbase through a mix of live shows and new releases. They put out a limited edition EP, 'Too Precious to Kill,' in 2018 for Record Store Day, and released a livestreamed show titled 'fuCKYou 2020' on vinyl in 2020. The band toured with bassist Ronnie Elvis James, a former member of Ginsburg's solo band as of 2022. CKY has been working on their sixth studio album while maintaining an active touring schedule. Despite lineup flux, the band remains dedicated to producing new music and sustaining their presence in the rock scene nearly 25 years after their formation.

Albums

cky_1st_album
Volume 1
10 tracks
1999
cky_2nd_album
Infiltrate Destroy Rebuild
10 tracks
2002
cky_3rd_album
An Answer Can Be Found
11 tracks
2005
cky_4th_album
Carver City
11 tracks
2009
cky_6th_album
The Early Years 1996-1999
6 tracks
2012
cky_5th_album
The Phoenix
8 tracks
2017
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Members

Current

Name
Begin
Occupation

Matt Deis

2005

Jess Margera

N/A

Chad I. Ginsburg

N/A

History

Name
Begin
End
Occupation

Ryan Bruni

1996
2000

Deron Miller

1998
2011

Vernon Zaborowski

2000
2004

Story of CKY

CKY: A Rock Band With a Story

CKY, an acronym for "Camp Kill Yourself," is an American rock band hailing from West Chester, Pennsylvania. Formed in 1998 by vocalist and guitarist Deron Miller, guitarist Chad I Ginsburg, and drummer Jess Margera, the group currently features Margera, Ginsburg, and bassist Ronnie Elvis James.

CKY initially gained recognition through their contributions to the "CKY Video" series and the popular MTV show "Jackass," both featuring Margera's brother, Bam.

After the release of their debut album "Volume 1" in 1999, CKY signed with Island/Def Jam and released "Infiltrate Destroy Rebuild" in 2002, earning the band their first US chart success. "An Answer Can Be Found" followed in 2005, leading the group to sign with Roadrunner Records and release "Carver City" in 2009.

In 2011, Miller left the band, leaving Ginsburg, Margera, and bassist Matt Deis to release "The Phoenix" on Entertainment One Music in 2017.

CKY has been categorized across various genres, including alternative rock/metal, post-grunge, stoner rock, and hard rock. Their songwriting was typically led by Miller, while Ginsburg handled production, engineering, and mixing. Following Miller's departure, Ginsburg took over as frontman.

Miller later reformed his pre-CKY group Foreign Objects (which originally included Margera) and founded 96 Bitter Beings, a continuation of the style he previously played with CKY.

History

1998-2001: Formation and Early Releases

Deron Miller and Jess Margera met in high school in 1992 and formed the band Foreign Objects, releasing "The Undiscovered Numbers & Colors" in 1995.

The band changed their name to CKY, and their unique blend of humor, heavy riffs, and dark lyrical themes resonated with fans, particularly after their appearances in the "CKY Video" series.

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