| Fang | |
|---|---|
A picture of Fang in concert in the 1980s |
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Berkeley, California, USA |
| Genres | Hardcore Punk Punk rock |
| Years active |
1981–1989 1995–Present |
| Labels | Boner Records |
| Website | Fang's Official MySpace |
| Members | |
| Sam 'Sammytown' McBride Tom Flynn Joel Fox Chris "C. W." Wilson |
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| Past members | |
| Bill Collins Joe Miller Tim Stiletto Tom Flynn Brian Beattie Mike Branum Josh Levine |
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Fang is a punk rock band that originated in 1980. Fang was originally part of the punk rock scene in Berkeley, California in the 1980s. The band broke up in 1989 when key member Sam McBride was sent to prison for killing his girlfriend, Dixie Lee Carney. Upon his release, in 1995, McBride changed his name to Sammytown and reformed Fang.
Contents |
Fang's first record under the name 'Fang' was actually more of an experimental record, according to the band;[1] the "Yukon Fang" single. Fang guitarist Tom Flynn and bass player Brian Beattie, his former bandmate from the bands "Tapeworm" and "Safety Patrol", put out "Yukon Fang" as a duo and thus Fang was born. The original version of Fang toured the country once, only to break up shortly thereafter with Beattie moving on to Texas where he later formed the band Glass Eye. In the early fall of 1981 Flynn began playing with drummer Chris Ritter. They soon added bass player Chris Wilson and began playing shows in the SF Bay area as a three piece, with Flynn on vocals.[2] While this was happening, Sam McBride, the band's soon-to-be vocalist, was singing with future Fang drummer Greg Langston in the band "Shut up". In early 1982 Ritter was replaced with drummer Joel Fox, and at Fox's audition he brought along his friend McBride, who volunteered to be the band's singer.[3] The lineup thus solidified as McBride (vocals), Chris Wilson (bass), Tom Flynn (guitar), and Joel Fox (drums). Together they contributed the song "Fun with Acid" on the Not so Quiet on the Western Front compilation LP.[4] Shortly thereafter, guitarist Tom Flynn created "Boner Records" and released their debut LP and EP Landshark and "Where the Wild Things Are."[5] Tim Stiletto drummed on the latter. These two releases are now considered classic east bay punk.[4]
In January 1986, the "Spun Helga" LP was recorded in West Germany with McBride singing vocals, and two Germans named Joe (Guitar) and Ollie (Drums) playing instruments. We Bite Records in Germany released the LP, but in the U.S. it was handled by National Trust Records. Fang next released was 1987's "A Mi Ga Sfafas?" (The title literally means "Give Me Head?"). The lineup during this era was McBride, Bill Collins (guitar), Joe Miller (bass), and Steve Chinn (drums). Drummer Mike Branum replaced Chinn and Fang recorded the album "Pissed-Off Buddah", which remained unreleased until 2008, when it was released with Fang's other albums "Spun Helga" and "A Mi Ga Sfafas?"[1]
In 1989, during a heroin binge, Sam McBride strangled his girlfriend, Dixie Lee Carney, to death and was sentenced to six years in prison for voluntary manslaughter.[6]
After a long break, Fang regrouped in 1996 and put out the "Electric Chair" single on Man's Ruin Records.[5] The lineup at this time included Sam McBride (vocals) (Sam had recently legally changed his name to "Sammytown"), Greg Langston (Drums), Bill Burnett (Guitar) and Josh Levine (Bass). This incarnation of the Band recorded the "American Nightmare" LP on Wingnut Records.[1]
In 1989, Boner Records released Fang's first compilation album, Landshark/Where the Wild Thing Are. The album included Fang's debut album and debut EP.[4]
In 1999, Jim Martin (from Faith No More) joined on guitar, and recorded four songs for the Hello Records CD Fish and Vegetables, which was released as a split LP by fellow punk rock groups Dr. Know, and Hellions.[4]
In May 2000, Sammytown and Jim Martin, along with Casey Orr (Gwar, Rigor Mortis) on bass, and Dallas drummer Clint Phillips did two shows in Texas. One at Trees in Dallas, and a sold out show at Emo's in Austin.
By 2001, the band was composed of Sammytown, Brian Schopflin (bass), Jonny Manak (guitar), Alby Wasted (guitar),and Ike Eichensehr (drums). Sammytown, Brian, Jonny, Alby and Ike also started The Resistoleros, a Oakland-based rock 'n' roll band. Steel Cage Records released the Resistoleros CD Rock 'N Roll Napalm in 2003.[1]
In 2004, the Live cheap CD came out on Malt Soda recordings with Sammytown (vocals), Brian Schopflin (bass), Ike Eichensehr (drums), Alby Wasted (guitar) and Jimmy Crucifix (guitarist for 1980s hardcore band Crucifix and hard rock band Proudflesh) also on guitar. This is the only Fang recording with two guitarists.
In 2004, the band toured the United States. Sammytown, Jimmy Crucifix (guitar), Brian Schopflin (bass)/Bubba Dennis (bass) and Ike Eichensehr (drums) toured as Fang in the Spring of 2004 and as the Resistoleros and Fang in November 2004 with Sam, Jimmy, Brian, Ike and Greg Elliott (rhythm guitar).
In January 2005, Sammy, Jimmy, Brian and Ike recorded a cover of Agression's (1980s hardcore–Narcore band) song "Salty Leather" for a tribute to Agression members Mark Hickey and Henry Knowles, who had died. Dave Haro and JellyRoll came up with the idea for the tribute. The CD, Taking Out A Little Agression, was released on Dr. Strange Records in 2007 and featured bands including JFA, McRad, DI, Ill Repute, Dr. Know, Verbal Abuse, MDC, Oppressed Logic, Shattered Faith and Dave Haro–JellyRoll's band KatKiller.
From 2005–2008, Fang has been playing steadily with Sammytown, Jimmy Crucifix, Brian Schopflin and Greg Langsten (returning to the drums).
In 2008, the band released their second compilation CD, Spun Helga/A Mi Ga Sfafas?/Pissed Off Buddha, which included three of their albums, including the previously unreleased album Pissed Off Buddha.