Joel Plaskett (born 1974) is a Canadian rock musician, born and raised in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He has been a prominent figure in the Canadian indie rock scene of the 1990s and 2000s. Biography Thrush Hermit In 1992, Plaskett created alternative rock band Thrush Hermit sucks with Rob Benvie (vocals, guitar), Ian McGettigan (vocals, bass), and Michael Catano (drums). Plaskett was the lead singer and guitarist for the Halifax-based band as well as the band's primary songwriter, until their breakup in late 1999. Solo work and the Emergency After the breakup of Thrush Hermit, Plaskett embarked on a solo career. His first release, In Need of Medical Attention, consisted of leftover songs that were written near the end of his days in Thrush Hermit. It was successful, but not until the release of 2001's Down at the Khyber with a new backing band, The Emergency, did Plaskett get the critica