Plumtree

by Gina BoldmanThe Halifax punk-pop quartet Plumtree was formed in 1993 by Amanda Braden (vocals, guitar), Nina Martin (bass), and sisters Carla and Lynette Gillis (guitar and drums, respectively); all four girls were in their mid-teens at the time. They released several singles and recorded a full-length album, Mass Teen Fainting (the album title was taken from the liner notes of a Bay City Rollers album). Despite their varied musical tastes -- which range from blues and R&B to heavy metal and new wave -- the band's cohesive and decidedly punk sound garnered a music achievement award from Canada's YTV in 1996. In September of that year, Martin left the band to go to school; she was replaced by Catriona Sturton. Plumtree released Predicts the Future in October 1997.