Goldfinger (band)

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Goldfinger
Background information
Origin U.S. flag Los Angeles, California, United States
Genre(s) Ska punk, Pop punk, Alternative rock
Years active 1994–present
Label(s) Universal, Mojo, Jive, Maverick
Website http://www.goldfingermusic.com/
Members
John Feldmann
Kelly LeMieux
Darrin Pfeiffer
Charlie Paulson
Former members
Simon Williams
Brian Arthur

Goldfinger is a ska punk band that formed in 1994. It is largely believed that the band is named after the James Bond film, Goldfinger, but this is factually incorrect[citation needed]. They were founded by John Feldmann on vocals and guitar, Simon Williams on bass, Darrin Pfeiffer on drums, and Charlie Paulson on guitar. Their full length debut, Goldfinger, was released in 1996 and was a hit on college radio. Their biggest single was "Here in Your Bedroom". Though their second album, Hang-Ups, was less successful, the band still maintained a devoted fanbase in the hardcore community. Their third studio LP was Stomping Ground, which sold poorly in the US but was a modest hit in some European Countries, thanks to a cover of 99 Red Balloons, sung partly in German. 2002's Open Your Eyes was the first for their new record label, Jive/Zomba.

Frontman John Feldmann has produced records for Mest, The Used (whose vocalist Bert McCracken sang some guest vocals on 'Open Your Eyes' and 'Ocean Size') and Story of the Year. He also produced Good Charlotte's single "The Anthem", which was originally named "Oracle of Elcaro". Since the band began, Feldmann has become a vegan and animal rights supporter, as can be seen briefly in the music video for "Open Your Eyes". In early 2005, they released their first album for their new label, Maverick Records, titled "Disconnection Notice". It featured the single "Wasted". The cd was less well received compared to former Goldfinger albums. Former band members include founding bassist Simon Williams, who left the band following Hang-Ups, and Brian Arthur, who left the band following Disconnection Notice.

"99 Red Balloons" also featured in Not Another Teen Movie along with Eurotrip, and their cover of The Spiral Starecase's "More Today Than Yesterday" plays during the ending credits of The Waterboy. "Superman" was also featured in the comedy Kingpin

Goldfinger's song "I want" from their album Disconnection Notice is featured in Burnout Revenge on the Playstation 2, Xbox, and Xbox 360, and the song "My Everything" is also on the same album but is instead from EA Games "SSX On Tour"

After Brian Arthur left the band in 2006, Charlie Paulson returned to Goldfinger. Fans wonder if his return will bring the group back from what they consider a fairly poppy brand of punk to its ska revival sound of the mid 1990s. Goldfinger, now including Paulson, are currently in the studio writing and recording new songs, in the "old Goldfinger style", for their new album to be released in early 2007.

2006 saw Alternative Press Magazine list the self titled Goldfinger CD as one "10 albums that shaped 1996" along side No Doubt, Weezer and others.

Contents

[edit] Video Game Appearances

Song Game Platform(s)
Superman Tony Hawk's Pro Skater Sony Playstation, Nintendo 64, Sega Dreamcast
99 Red Balloons Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec Playstation 2
I'm Down Andy McDonald's Skateboarding Sony Playstation
Spokesman Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 Sony Playstation, Nintendo Gamecube, Microsoft Xbox, Windows PC, Mac
I Want Burnout Revenge Playstation 2, Microsoft Xbox, Microsoft Xbox 360
I Want Burnout Legends PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS
My Everything SSX On Tour Microsoft Xbox,Playstation 2, Nintendo Gamecube, Playstation Portable

[edit] Discography

Live

Year Title Label Info
1996 Goldfinger Universal Records
1997 Hang-Ups Universal Records
1999 Darrin's Coconut Ass: Live from Omaha Universal Records EP, Cover songs
2000 Stomping Ground Mojo Records
2001 Foot in Mouth: Live Mojo Records
2002 Open Your Eyes Mojo Records/Jive Records
2004 Live at the House of Blues Kung Fu Records Live
2005 Disconnection Notice Maverick Records/Warner Bros.
2005 Best of Universal Records

[edit] Samples

[edit] External links