Minneapolis metal band the Coup de Grace got more publicity from having their eponymous 1990 debut album produced by Soul Asylum's Dave Pirner than for the rather mundane limp-wristed thrash music it contained. Featuring vocalist Jimmy Coup (aka James Mecherle), guitarist Steve Wresh, bassist Kurt Gillispie, and drummer Chris Westling, the band persisted in frustrating anonymity for five more years, finally issuing a sophomore album in 1995 entitled The Art of Survival (introducing the new rhythm section of bass player Kyle Lund and drummer Brett Degendorfer) before vanishing from sight for good.