Editing Skinny Puppy (section)

==Style==
===Sound===
{{Listen|filename=Skinny Puppy-Morter (1996).ogg|title="Morter"|description="Morter", from ''[[The Process (Skinny Puppy album)|The Process]]'', demonstrates the band's departure from the style of previous albums.}}

Inspired by the music of [[Suicide (band)|Suicide]], [[SPK (band)|SPK]], [[Kraftwerk]],<ref name="Rideout" /> [[Yellow Magic Orchestra]],<ref name="Rideout" /> [[Cabaret Voltaire (band)|Cabaret Voltaire]], [[Chrome (band)|Chrome]], [[Throbbing Gristle]],<ref name="AllBio">{{cite web|last1=Ankeny|first1=Jason|title=Skinny Puppy: Biography|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/skinny-puppy-mn0000750970/biography|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=5 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312231137/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/skinny-puppy-mn0000750970/biography|archive-date=12 March 2016}}</ref> [[Bauhaus (band)|Bauhaus]],<ref name="Cross">{{cite book |title=Skinny Puppy: The Secret History |year=2012 |publisher=HarperCollins |isbn=9781927002124 |last=Cross |first=Alan |quote=Having discovered the industrial-grade thumping and noise terrorism of UK bands such as Throbbing Gristle and Cabaret Voltaire, and the moodiness of Bauhaus, Joy Division, early New Order and Depeche Mode, Key and Ogre set about creating their own brand of electronic attack.}}</ref> [[Joy Division]],<ref name="Cross" /> [[New Order (band)|New Order]],<ref name="Cross" /> [[Depeche Mode]],<ref name="Cross" /> [[Fad Gadget]],<ref name="Rideout">{{cite book |author1=Ernie Rideout |title=Keyboard Presents the Evolution of Electronic Dance Music |date=2011 |publisher=Backbeat |isbn=9781617134470 |quote=Interviewer: "Each of you brings a unique approach to sound design and composition within the EBM/industrial scene. Who are your biggest influences, musical or otherwise?" cEvin key: "Kraftwerk, Y.M.O., Human League, Fad Gadget, and Joy Division."}}</ref> [[Nocturnal Emissions]], [[Portion Control (band)|Portion Control]], and [[The Legendary Pink Dots]],<ref name="Official discography">{{cite web|url=http://www.prongs.org/godsend/brap-sp.html|title=Brap... The Skinny Puppy and Download Discography|publisher=Godsend Online|author=Todd Zachritz|access-date=14 May 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927213034/http://www.prongs.org/godsend/brap-sp.html|archive-date=27 September 2007}}</ref> music which had been accessible to the band primarily via [[cassette culture|tape exchange]],<ref name="Guitar World 1995">Alan Di Perna. "Industrial Revolution: Jackhammer of the Gods". [[Guitar World]], June 1995.</ref> Skinny Puppy experimented with analog and digital recording techniques, composing multi-layered music with synthesizers, [[drum machine]]s, acoustic percussion, tape loops, samplers, and conventional rock music instruments to create what they called "audio sculpture".<ref name="SEE Magazine"/><ref name="Picnic">{{cite journal |last1=Carey |first1=Jean |title='Park' Outing is no Picnic |journal=[[Tampa Bay Times]] |date=9 November 1990 |page=17}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Caligari|first1=GreySun|title=Interview with cEvin Key of Skinny Puppy (2012)|url=https://circuitbreakerclub.org/links-and-goodies/interview-with-cevin-key-of-skinny-puppy/|website=Circuit Breaker Club|date=27 April 2013|publisher=Circuitbreakerclub.org|access-date=5 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811201853/https://circuitbreakerclub.org/links-and-goodies/interview-with-cevin-key-of-skinny-puppy/|archive-date=11 August 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Tywoniak|first1=Edward|title=Skinny Puppy|magazine=[[Mondo 2000]]|year=1991|issue=4|page=110|url=http://litany.net/interviews/mondo2000.html|access-date=5 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506020748/http://www.litany.net/interviews/mondo2000.html|archive-date=6 May 2015}}</ref> Their extensive use of sampling from horror films and radio broadcasts served to "clarify or obscure" song meanings,<ref name="Vivireview">{{cite web|last1=Torreano|first1=Bradley|title=Skinny Puppy – VIVIsectVI|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/vivisectvi-mw0000202094|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=10 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180512112142/https://www.allmusic.com/album/vivisectvi-mw0000202094|archive-date=12 May 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and they applied liberal amounts of distortion and other effects to Ogre's vocals,<ref name="Aintreview">{{cite web|last1=Raggett|first1=Ned|title=Skinny Puppy: 'Ain't It Dead Yet?' Review|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/aint-it-dead-yet-mw0000671802|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=5 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529102231/http://www.allmusic.com/album/aint-it-dead-yet-mw0000671802|archive-date=29 May 2016}}</ref> which are often delivered as a [[stream of consciousness writing|stream of consciousness]].<ref name="Milwaukee">{{cite web|last1=Nichols|first1=Kathy|title=Skinny Puppy bring politicized industrial, over-the-top theatrics to The Rave (Nov 17, 2015)|url=http://milwaukeerecord.com/music/skinny-puppy-bring-politicized-industrial-over-the-top-theatrics-to-the-rave/|website=Milwaukee Record|date=17 November 2015|access-date=5 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505011908/http://milwaukeerecord.com/music/skinny-puppy-bring-politicized-industrial-over-the-top-theatrics-to-the-rave/|archive-date=5 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Vorst|first1=Chelsey|title=Skinny Puppy 'Hands Over' another Great Album (Oct 10, 2011)|url=http://sacramentopress.com/2011/10/10/skinny-puppy-hands-over-another-great-album/|website=Sacramento Press|date=10 October 2011|access-date=5 June 2016}}</ref> Lyrics commonly reference social and political subjects including [[animal rights]], [[environmental degradation]],<ref name="HarshReality">{{cite news|last1=Luhrssen|first1=Dave|title=Skinny Puppy make the most Harsh Reality|newspaper=Milwaukee Journal|date=26 October 1990|url=http://litany.net/interviews/milw102690.html|access-date=9 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130509210812/http://litany.net/interviews/milw102690.html|archive-date=9 May 2013}}</ref> [[drug addiction]],<ref name="Potent" /> suicide,<ref name="DogDay">{{cite magazine|title=Dog Day Afternoon|magazine=[[Melody Maker]]|date=21 May 1988|url=http://litany.net/interviews/mm88.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005200550/http://litany.net/interviews/mm88.html|archive-date=5 October 2016}}</ref> war,<ref name="Bulky" /> [[privacy]],<ref name="regen interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.regenmag.com/Interviews-184-Skinny-Puppy.html |title=Skinny Puppy – Control Through Mythology |author=Yücel, Ilker |work=ReGen Magazine |date=25 June 2007 |access-date=1 April 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071024093129/http://www.regenmag.com/Interviews-184-Skinny-Puppy.html |archive-date=24 October 2007 }}</ref> and [[Self-determination theory|self-determination]].<ref name=Apocalyptic>{{cite journal |last1=Kot |first1=Greg |title=Technology Expands Skinny Puppy's Apocalyptic Sound |journal=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=21 May 1992 |page=8}}</ref> They have also used their music to draw attention to events such as the [[Tiananmen Square protests of 1989]],<ref name="Milwaukee" /> the [[AIDS epidemic]],<ref name="Bulky">{{cite magazine|last1=Shurtluff|first1=Kevin|title=Bulky and Surrealistic: Skinny Puppy|magazine=[[Alternative Press (magazine)|Alternative Press]]|date=December 1988|volume=3|issue=14|url=http://litany.net/interviews/shurt88.html|access-date=5 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006021627/http://litany.net/interviews/shurt88.html|archive-date=6 October 2016}}</ref> and the 2011 [[Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster]].<ref name="regen1">{{cite web|last1=Yücel|first1=Ilker|title=Skinny Puppy: Wielding New Weapons|url=http://regenmag.com/interviews/skinny-puppy-wielding-new-weapons/|work=Regen Magazine|date=15 May 2013|access-date=3 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104073041/http://regenmag.com/interviews/skinny-puppy-wielding-new-weapons/|archive-date=4 January 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Skinny Puppy's often informal, improvisational approach to musical composition is indicated by use of the term "brap", coined by them and defined as a verb meaning "to get together, hook up electronic instruments, get high, and record".<ref>Horn et al. (2017): p. 409</ref>

Initially a dark [[synth-pop]] group, Skinny Puppy took on a more [[Industrial music|industrial]] sound following the inclusion of Dwayne Goettel in 1986,<ref name="AllMusic Goettel bio">{{cite web |last1=Harper |first1=Jim |title=R Dwayne Goettel Biography |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/r-dwayne-goettel-mn0001644451 |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=18 February 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610042511/http://www.allmusic.com/artist/r-dwayne-goettel-mn0001644451 |archive-date=10 June 2012 }}</ref> and later came to be recognized as pioneers of the [[electro-industrial]] genre.<ref name="louderthanwarrev">{{cite web | url=http://louderthanwar.com/skinny-puppy-weapon-album-review/ | title=Skinny Puppy 'Weapon' – album review | publisher=[[John Robb (musician)#Journalism and books|Louder Than War]] | last=Deadhead | date=11 September 2013 | access-date=6 June 2016 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807070310/http://louderthanwar.com/skinny-puppy-weapon-album-review/ | archive-date=7 August 2016 }}</ref><ref name="Bark Back" /> Their music has been described as encompassing a range styles including [[ambient music]],<ref name="AllBio"/> [[avant-funk]],<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Reynolds|first1=Simon|author-link=Simon Reynolds|title=End of the Track|magazine=[[New Statesman]]|date=13 February 1987}}</ref> [[noise rock]]<ref name="Vivireview" /> and [[industrial metal]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Spencer|first1=Trey|title=Skinny Puppy: 'Rabies' review|url=https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/15258/Skinny-Puppy-Rabies/|website=Sputnikmusic|access-date=6 June 2016}}</ref> The music that followed Goettel's death has been likened to genres such as [[Glitch (music)|glitch]]<ref name="popmattersrev">{{cite web | url=http://www.popmatters.com/review/173062-skinny-puppy-weapon/ | title=Skinny Puppy: Weapon | website=[[PopMatters]] | last=Houle | first=Zachary | date=25 July 2013 | access-date=6 June 2016 | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808124641/http://www.popmatters.com/review/173062-skinny-puppy-weapon/ | archive-date=8 August 2016 }}</ref> and [[intelligent dance music]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Skinny Puppy: 'Mythmaker' Review|url=http://www.metalreviews.com/reviews/album/5797|website=Metal Reviews|access-date=7 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161002203006/http://www.metalreviews.com/reviews/album/5797|archive-date=2 October 2016}}</ref> ''[[The Village Voice]]'' described Skinny Puppy's early work as "dark [[Electropop|electro-pop]]",<ref name=vv>{{cite web|title=Skinny Puppy|url=http://www.villagevoice.com/event/skinny-puppy-7491741|website=[[The Village Voice]]|access-date=7 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928191840/http://www.villagevoice.com/event/skinny-puppy-7491741|archive-date=28 September 2015}}</ref> while ''[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]'''s Bill Coleman thought of them as a "moody techno-outfit" with an "aggravating" musical delivery.<ref name=DanceTrax>{{cite magazine|last1=Coleman|first1=Bill|title=Dance Trax: Kante's Int'l Hit uses Tribal Chants and Bellows|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=1 October 1988|volume=100|issue=40|pages=33|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/80s/1988/BB-1988-10-01-OCR-Page-0031.pdf#search=%22skinny%20puppy%20censor%22|access-date=6 June 2016}}</ref> ''[[People (magazine)|People]]'' magazine called Ogre's vocals "incomprehensible", and likened the group's use of sampling to noises heard on "a TV set in an adjoining hotel room".<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Picks and Pans Review: In No Sense? Nonsense!|magazine=[[People (magazine)|People]]|date=7 December 1987|volume=28|issue=23|url=http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20097754,00.html|access-date=6 June 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822131133/http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20097754,00.html|archive-date=22 August 2016}}</ref> [[AllMusic]] referred to Skinny Puppy's music as "primal" and "[[Kraftwerk]] gone netherworld", going on to say that unlike the bands that followed in their wake, "Ogre and Key knew how to craft tunes and marry them to the most ingenious of sound patterns".<ref name="AllMusicRemissReview">{{cite web|title=Skinny Puppy: 'Remission' review|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/remission-mw0000235047|publisher=[[AllMusic]]|access-date=6 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160524014342/http://www.allmusic.com/album/remission-mw0000235047|archive-date=24 May 2016}}</ref> Ogre told the ''[[Windsor Star]]'' in 1986 that "in some sense our music, or the feeling expressed by our music, is felt by a lot more people" than had been anticipated.<ref name="Whelps">{{cite journal |last1=Shaw |first1=Ted |title=Weird Whelps Howl a Message of Modern Mayhem |journal=[[Windsor Star]] |date=24 September 1986 |page=A16}}</ref>

Ogre said in an interview with ''Auxiliary Magazine'' in June 2013, "there is a very military side to Industrial music, and we are far more in the psychedelic side."<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Skinny Puppy |journal=Auxiliary Magazine |interviewer=Hangedman |date=6 June 2013 |page=20}}</ref>

===Music videos===
Due to their {{clarify|date=November 2022|text=graphic nature,|reason="Graphic" has multiple meanings and is vague; please add specifically "offensive", "obscene" or whatever}} the majority of Skinny Puppy's videos received limited commercial airplay, or were outright banned from broadcast.<ref name=Gilmore>{{cite news|last1=Gilmore|first1=Steven|title=The Peril's of Puppy|url=http://litany.net/interviews/ipso89.htm|work=Ipso Facto Magazine|issue=7|year=1989|access-date=7 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009115925/http://litany.net/interviews/ipso89.htm|archive-date=9 October 2016}}</ref><ref name="Bside">{{cite magazine|last1=Garcia|first1=Sandra A.|title=Skinny Puppy: Wild at Art|magazine=B Side|date=February 1991|volume=4|issue=6|url=http://litany.net/interviews/bside90.html|access-date=7 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161011062839/http://litany.net/interviews/bside90.html|archive-date=11 October 2016}}</ref> The music video for "[[Stairs and Flowers]]" was banned by the Canadian Censorship Bureau because of scenes depicting "an excrement-covered woman being beaten by soldiers"; the woman in question was Ogre soaked in mud.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Reynolds|first1=Simon|title=Dog Day Afternoon|magazine=[[Melody Maker]]|date=21 May 1988|url=http://litany.net/interviews/mm88.html|access-date=8 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161005200550/http://litany.net/interviews/mm88.html|archive-date=5 October 2016}}</ref> The [[Letterboxing (filming)|letterbox]] effect used in the video for "[[Dig It (Skinny Puppy song)|Dig It]]", which portrayed [[stock market]] footage, was accused by both the bureau and [[MuchMusic]] to instead be showing pornography.<ref name="westword">{{cite web|last1=Murphy|first1=Tom|title=Skinny Puppy's Ogre on Weapon and Learning About the Use of the Band's Music for Torture|url=http://www.westword.com/music/skinny-puppys-ogre-on-weapon-and-learning-about-the-use-of-the-bands-music-for-torture-5699881|website=[[Westword]]|access-date=9 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160630234329/http://www.westword.com/music/skinny-puppys-ogre-on-weapon-and-learning-about-the-use-of-the-bands-music-for-torture-5699881|archive-date=30 June 2016}}</ref> Also banned was the video for "[[Testure]]", an action resulting from a viewer poll held by [[CityTV]],<ref name=Gilmore /> as was the video for the song "[[Worlock]]", which was banned from [[MTV]].<ref name=Gilmore /><ref>{{cite news|title=Banned from MTV: 10 Videos that got the Axe|url=http://www.citypages.com/music/banned-from-mtv-10-videos-that-got-the-axe-6651239|work=[[City Pages]]|date=July 2011|ref=Banned from MTV: 10 Videos that got the Axe|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160828212746/http://www.citypages.com/music/banned-from-mtv-10-videos-that-got-the-axe-6651239|archive-date=28 August 2016}}</ref> Ogre, a self-described horror fan,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Barkan|first1=Jonathan|title=Exclusive Top 10: Ogre Gives Us His Favorite Horror Flicks Plus More! (April 28, 2011)|url=http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/120253/exclusive-top-10-ogre-gives-us-his-favorite-horror-flicks-plus-more/|website=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|date=29 April 2011|access-date=8 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624171733/http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/120253/exclusive-top-10-ogre-gives-us-his-favorite-horror-flicks-plus-more/|archive-date=24 June 2016}}</ref> defended the "Worlock" video by saying "I knew there was no way they'd play 'Worlock' there [the United States]. But I went out to make that video so no one would play it!";<ref name="Bside" /> he affirmed that the video was meant to draw attention to censorship in horror films.<ref name="Bside" /> Some of the band's videos have received airplay, such as those for the promotional songs "Killing Game"<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Billboard: The Clip List|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=13 June 1992|volume=104|issue=24|page=39|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/90s/1992/Billboard-1992-06-13-OCR-Page-0035.pdf#search=%22skinny%20puppy%20killing%20game%22|access-date=9 June 2016}}</ref> and "Pro-test";<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Programming|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=11 September 2004|volume=116|issue=37|page=42|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Billboard/00s/2004/BB-2004-09-11.pdf|access-date=9 June 2016}}</ref> "Dig It" was also regularly played on MTV.<ref name="Taboos">{{cite journal |last1=Lanham |first1=Tom |title=Shock-Rockers Take Taboos to Their Heart |journal=[[San Francisco Examiner]] |date=12 April 1987 |page=41}}</ref><ref name=timeline /> A 30-second [[TV spot|television promo]] was produced for the band by [[Capitol Records]] in 1987, featuring a mix of scenes from the "Stairs and Flowers" and "Dig It" videos.<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Bessman|first1=Jim|title=Capitol Finances Promo TV Spot Produced by Denver-based teletunes|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|date=2 May 1987|volume=99|issue=18|page=46|url=http://www.americanradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Music/Archive-Billboard-IDX/IDX/80s/1987/Billboard-1987-05-02-OCR-Page-0042.pdf#search=%22skinny%20puppy%20dig%20it%22|access-date=9 June 2016}}</ref>

In a 1990 radio interview, Goettel explained the group's outlook on music videos, stating that "it's great to do videos when you have the money to do them, but for Skinny Puppy's part it's less of a promotional tool". He said that touring and word of mouth were their preferred avenues of promotion. "When a video gets made its not like 'OK we're going to spend $50,000 and it's going to sell this many more records'... it doesn't sell any more records".<ref name="Milwaukee1990">{{cite web|last1=Day|first1=Peter|title=Dwayne Goettel Interview: WMXM 88.9 Milwaukee, October 1990|url=http://litany.net/interviews/103190.html|publisher=Litany|access-date=7 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305090117/http://www.litany.net/interviews/103190.html|archive-date=5 March 2016}}</ref>

===Live performances===
Skinny Puppy was noted for theatrical and controversial live performances which blend performance art with music.<ref name=Emusician>{{Cite web|url=http://www.emusician.com/gear/1332/skinny-puppy/37723|title=Skinny Puppy gets respect |access-date=24 May 2007 |publisher=[[Electronic Musician]] |date=1 April 2017 |last1=Kleinfeld |first1=Justin |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170323143336/http://www.emusician.com/gear/1332/skinny-puppy/37723 |archive-date=23 March 2017 }}</ref> Ogre has been critical of the band's early performances, telling ''[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]'' magazine in 1992 that "I would do things on stage that would blow – they just wouldn't work".<ref name="DelusionSpin">{{cite magazine|last1=Bonner|first1=Staci|title=Use Your Delusion: Skinny Puppy-When there's Something Strange in Your Neighborhood, Who You gonna Call?|magazine=[[Spin (magazine)|Spin]]|date=June 1992|volume=8|issue=3|page=14|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kYhJL9bSu1YC&q=skinny+puppy&pg=PT15|access-date=9 June 2016}}</ref> Live performances involved periods of [[musical improvisation]], film projections, and elaborate stage props and machines, many of which are designed and built by Ogre himself.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Alexander|first1=Chris|title=Report: Skinny Puppy, Live in Toronto|url=http://www.fangoria.com/new/report-skinny-puppy-live-in-toronto/|website=[[Fangoria]]|access-date=9 June 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160520014300/http://www.fangoria.com/new/report-skinny-puppy-live-in-toronto/|archive-date=20 May 2016}}</ref> While discussing Skinny Puppy's performances, Ogre remarked that "our shows combine images with theater. It works better than just coming out and doing a horror magic routine".<ref name="DelusionSpin" /> He explained to the ''[[Vancouver Sun]]'' in 1988 that he wanted his act to have "that grey area where anything could happen – where I can cut my head off by accident and people will go, 'wow, that's great'".<ref name="Mackie">{{cite journal |last1=Mackie |first1=John |title=Welcome to the Weird World of One Rock's Most Bizzare Bands |journal=[[The Vancouver Sun]] |date=1 October 1988 |page=H13}}</ref>

[[File:Skinny Puppy @ The Vic, Chicago 2-21-2014(2).jpg|thumb|left|alt=A photo of Nivek Ogre and cEvin Key performing live in 2014.|Nivek Ogre and cEvin Key performing live in 2014]]

On-stage theatrics included Ogre being suspended from racks and cables,<ref name="24hours" /> play with a [[hangman's noose]],<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Sullivan |first1=Jim |title=The Thrashing and Gnashing Staturation Point |journal=[[Boston Globe]] |date=26 May 1987 |page=39}}</ref> use of an [[angle grinder]],<ref name="Chillingworth">{{cite web |last1=Chillingworth |first1=Alec |title=How Skinny Puppy Changed Metal (November 9, 2016) |url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/how-skinny-puppy-changed-metal |website=[[Metal Hammer]] |date=9 November 2016 |access-date=17 March 2019 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708074537/https://www.loudersound.com/features/how-skinny-puppy-changed-metal |archive-date=8 July 2018 }}</ref> and [[mock execution]]s of Ogre and [[George W. Bush]].<ref name="The BG News">{{cite web|url=http://media.www.bgnews.com/media/storage/paper883/news/2004/12/12/LocalNews/Conservatives.Ban.College.Radio.Stations-1293680.shtml|title=Conservatives Ban College Radio Stations|publisher=The BG News|date=12 December 2004|author=Angela Gorter|access-date=14 May 2007|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928025322/http://media.www.bgnews.com/media/storage/paper883/news/2004/12/12/LocalNews/Conservatives.Ban.College.Radio.Stations-1293680.shtml|archive-date=28 September 2007}}</ref> Following the [[2004 United States presidential election]], promoters began to ask the band to refrain from using fake blood during their performances. This reaction was prompted by the performance of a mock execution on stage, during which Ogre was "decapitated" by actors dressed as then U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] and Vice President [[Dick Cheney]].<ref name="westword" /> The band was also asked by [[Samsung]] (who had been asked by Ogre to sponsor the band with a large [[flat screen]]) to "not insult the president" while performing on stage.<ref name="westword" /> In a 1987 television interview with [[Kim Clarke Champniss]], Key explained that while Ogre follows a "rough guideline" during a live performance, a majority of his on-stage theatrics are conceived spontaneously. Key told Champniss that Ogre's demeanor on stage could "range from just a sort of laid back kind of lurking to a rampant psycho".<ref>{{cite episode |title=cEvin Key Interview |series=Rockflash |network=[[Muchmusic]] |year=1987 |last=Champniss |first=Kim Clarke}}</ref> Ogre once remarked that touring was, for himself, like  "dating [[hydrogen peroxide]]", referencing the numerous injuries which he would acquire over the course of touring.<ref name="Bside" />

Though Ogre and Key were the only constant members of Skinny Puppy's live act since Goettel's death, the pair hired various other musicians to assist them onstage. They included drummer [[Justin Bennett]],<ref>{{cite web|last1=Goldberg|first1=Corey|title=Interview: Justin Bennett|url=http://www.litany.net/interviews/jb.sp|website=Litany|publisher=litany.net|access-date=12 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304023317/http://www.litany.net/interviews/jb.sp|archive-date=4 March 2016}}</ref> guitarist [[William Morrison (director)|William Morrison]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Brief Eternity by William Morrison|url=http://www.brooklynfilmfestival.org/films/detail.asp?fid=686|website=[[Brooklyn Film Festival]]|access-date=12 June 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160616215453/http://www.brooklynfilmfestival.org/films/detail.asp?fid=686|archive-date=16 June 2016}}</ref> and guitarist [[Matthew Setzer]].<ref>{{cite web|last1=Goldberg|first1=Corey|title=Skinny Puppy/Youth Code US Tour|url=http://www.litany.net/posts/2015/08/12/skinny-puppy--youth-code-us-tour|website=Litany|publisher=litany.net|access-date=12 June 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807161942/http://www.litany.net/posts/2015/08/12/skinny-puppy--youth-code-us-tour|archive-date=7 August 2016}}</ref>