Royal Tusk

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Band Timeline

2011

Formation of Royal Tusk in Edmonton

Royal Tusk was formed in 2011 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, by members Daniel Carriere and Sandy MacKinnon, following their previous band Ten Second Epic. This marked the beginning of their new musical direction exploring a heavier rock sound. Shortly after formation, they began writing songs that would later be part of their debut EP.

2014

Release of Debut EP "Mountain"

In 2014, Royal Tusk recorded and released their debut EP titled Mountain under the Canadian independent label Hidden Pony Records. The EP gained regional attention, especially with the single "Shadow of Love," which received airplay on local radio stations. This initial success helped the band establish their presence in the Canadian rock scene and laid the groundwork for future projects.

2016

Release of First Full-length Album "DealBreaker"

Royal Tusk released their first full-length album, DealBreaker, on May 26, 2016. The album featured notable singles like "Fever" and "Curse the Weather." "Fever" was promoted with a music video that contributed to increasing the band's visibility. This release marked an important step in Royal Tusk's career as they moved forward from their EP to a complete album, expanding their artistic output and audience.

2018

Sophomore Album "Tusk II" and Chart Success

On October 25, 2018, Royal Tusk released their second album, Tusk II, through Entertainment One Music. The lead single, "Aftermath," released earlier in the month, achieved commercial success by peaking at number 36 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Charts. The album's promotion included music videos for singles such as "Aftermath" and "Die Knowing," which helped the band gain wider recognition and solidify their place in the rock genre.

2021

Tour Cancellations Due to Health Issues

In August 2021, Royal Tusk announced the cancellation of their upcoming tour due to health reasons. It was later revealed that the lead vocalist Daniel Carriere was suffering from severe Long COVID symptoms, significantly impacting the band's ability to perform and tour. This period marked a challenging time for the band as they navigated health setbacks while maintaining their music career.

2023

Return with New Singles and Continued Activity

After a hiatus due to health challenges, Royal Tusk returned in 2023 with new singles "All My Life" released in July and "Head Up" in August. The music video for "Head Up," directed by Travis Nesbitt, accompanied the single's release. These new works indicated the band's ongoing commitment to their music and their resilience in overcoming previous difficulties, signaling a new chapter in their career.

2024

Release of Album "Altruistic" and Juno Award Recognition

In 2024, Royal Tusk released their album Altruistic, which gained critical acclaim including recognition for its album artwork. Stony Plain-based artist Keenan Gregory won a Juno Award in 2025 for his design for the album. This milestone reflected the band's continued evolution and impact within the Canadian music scene, highlighting both their artistic and visual presentation achievements.

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Story of Royal Tusk

Royal Tusk, the Edmonton, Alberta-based rock trio, exploded onto the scene fueled by the raw energy of vocalist Daniel Carriere, guitarist Quinn Cyrankiewicz, and bassist Sandy MacKinnon. Their journey began in 2011, emerging from the ashes of Carriere and MacKinnon's previous project, Ten Second Epic.

The band honed their sound, culminating in their 2014 debut EP, Mountain, released by Hidden Pony Records. The single "Shadow of Love" garnered local radio airplay, laying the groundwork for their ascent.

Following minimal touring behind Mountain, Royal Tusk dove into their full-length debut, DealBreaker, which dropped on May 26, 2016. The album yielded two singles: "Fever," which received a music video, and "Curse the Weather."

A significant leap came in 2018 with the release of their sophomore album, Tusk II, via Entertainment One Music (eOne). This marked a breakthrough for the band, catapulting them to wider recognition. The album's impact solidified Royal Tusk's position as a force to be reckoned with in the Canadian rock scene.

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Royal Tusk

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Band Timeline

Formation of Royal Tusk in Edmonton

Release of Debut EP "Mountain"

Release of First Full-length Album "DealBreaker"

Sophomore Album "Tusk II" and Chart Success

Tour Cancellations Due to Health Issues

Return with New Singles and Continued Activity

Release of Album "Altruistic" and Juno Award Recognition

Albums

Members

Current

Sandy Mackinnon

Story of Royal Tusk

Learn more about Royal Tusk

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Members

Current

Sandy Mackinnon

Learn more about Royal Tusk

Band Timeline

Formation of Royal Tusk in Edmonton

Release of Debut EP "Mountain"

Release of First Full-length Album "DealBreaker"

Sophomore Album "Tusk II" and Chart Success

Tour Cancellations Due to Health Issues

Return with New Singles and Continued Activity

Release of Album "Altruistic" and Juno Award Recognition