| Pilfers | |
|---|---|
| Origin | New York City, New York, United States |
| Genres | Ska, Third Wave Ska |
| Years active | 1997–2001, 2008–present |
| Labels | Mojo Records |
| Website | http://www.pilfers.net |
| Members | |
| Coolie Ranx Vinny Nobile Anna Milat-Meyer James Blanck Nick Bacon |
|
| Past members | |
| Dave Karcich Carl Barc |
|
Pilfers are an American ska band formed in 1997, when former Toasters vocalist, Coolie Ranx, at the urging of Pietaster's vocalist Steve Jackson,[1] joined with former Bim Skala Bim trombonist, Vinny Nobile. To complete the lineup, they recruited the Skinnerbox rhythm section of Anna Milat-Meyer on bass and James Blanck on drums, as well as guitar player, Nick Bacon of The Erratics.
The band released one demo tape and played many New York area shows, before self releasing their debut, self-titled album, in 1998. Response was positive enough, that the band was signed to Mojo Records, and they released Chawalaleng, one year later.
Soon after their major label debut, Anna Milat-Meyer and James Blanck, left the group. Anna Milat-Meyer took a position, playing bass, in Latin Jazz band, Los Mas Valientes. Carl Barc, of the band Ever Since Day One, took over on bass and Dave Karcich, formerly of Spring Heeled Jack USA, took over on drums. The band continued to tour, and build a strong fanbase. The band recorded a live show at CBGB's, intending for it to be released on CD. The album would never see release though, since the band split up on July 13, 2001.
Soon after the breakup Coolie Ranx started a solo career, recording and playing shows around the world with back up band Fear Nuttin' Band. Nick Bacon joined Lost City Angels, who were looking for a second guitarist. Nobile, Barc and Karcich, joined with Spring Heeled Jack USA guitarist, Mike Pellegrino to perform as Cenzo, for a World Trade Center benefit show in 2001. Karcich also took the drum position in Avoid One Thing, a band fronted by former Mighty Mighty Bosstones bass player, Joe Gittleman.
Karcich suffered a sudden brain aneurysm and died on April 5, 2002. Eight months later, a tribute show was held at Toad's Place, in honor of Karcich. During a performance by Cenzo, Nobile and Barc welcomed Coolie Ranx and Nick Bacon onstage for a brief reunion of Pilfers.
On November 4, 2005, the original five members of Pilfers, reunited at the Knitting Factory, in New York for a sold-out show. Two more reunion shows took place at the same location on May 6, 2007 and January 25, 2008.
Coolie Ranx continued with his solo career as Vinny Nobile continued with Cenzo who promoted their album "Maybe Now". Along with Pilfers, Nick Bacon has continued to pursue other musical projects in New York City. He made his film debut in the 2007 Drew Barrymore and Hugh Grant film, Music and Lyrics. In 2009, he appeared on Rescue Me as a member of Mike Lombardi's band, Apache Stone.
In 2008, the Pilfers performed nine shows outside of NYC, including six shows in November with Sonic Boom Six.
According to the Ska is Dead official website, the Pilfers performed two shows on the 2nd leg of the Ska is Dead 4 tour. They played in November 14, 2009 at the Showcase Live in Foxboro, MA, and November 15, 2009 at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ.
According to Songkick, the Pilfers performed for a Haiti benefit concert at the Knitting Factory on April 23, 2010 with Karen Gibson Roc, Tsunami Rising, and Across The Aisle.
According to Reverbnation Coolie Ranx promoted three new songs. One of them named "Somebodies Gotta Leave" clearly had Vinny Nobile providing vocals on. This was also posted on the Pilfers Facebook page.
In November of 2011, Connecticut's Asbestos Records and Chicago, IL's Underground Communiqué Records launched a fundraiser together on Kickstarter to release The Pilfer's self-titled album on vinyl, among other third-wave ska classics from The Pietasters, Edna's Goldfish, and Suburban Legends. If the funding goal is met by January 18, 2012, the records should be out Spring 2012.[2]