Fitz of Depression

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Fitz of Depression
Origin Tumwater, Washington, United States
Genres Punk rock
Years active 1987 (1987)–1997 (1997), 2000, 2002-present
Labels Mumble Something, Meat, Negative Feedback, K, Kill Rock Stars
Past members Mikey Dees
Craig Becker
Jim Koontz
Ryan von Bargen
Justin Warren
Brian Sparhawk
Jerry Zeigler
Vern Rumsey
Tony Slug

Fitz of Depression is an American punk rock band from Tumwater, Washington, formed in 1987. The band released three albums before splitting up in 1997. There were brief reunion tours in 2000 and 2002. The band continues to play, particularly in the Northwest, with occasional west coast tours. They are currently (2012) looking for a label to release a 28 track CD of all the old "vinyl only" E.P. and 7" tracks, as well as an album of new recordings.

History

Formed in Tumwater in 1987, the band's original lineup consisted of Mike Dees (Mikey Dees AKA Mikey Nelson-vocals, guitar), Jim Koontz (bass guitar), and Craig Becker (drums).[1][2] They began playing local venues in the Olympia area.[2] This lineup recorded an eight track EP, released in November 1989 on the Mumble Something label.[1] Koontz left the band, to be replaced by Ryan von Bargen.[1] The band's next release was "The Awakening", a single on the Meat label released in January 1991. A benefit concert was held in April 1991 to help Dees pay fines for traffic violations and avoid jail, with the band joined on stage by Bikini Kill and Nirvana and the concert filmed for the documentary film Hype!.[3] Von Bargen was replaced by Justin Warren.[1] A self-titled debut album, which had been recorded in 1991, was the band's last release on Meat, subsequently signing with K Records, for whom they debuted with the July 1994 album Let's Give It a Twist (released in the UK the following year on Fire Records).[1] Warren (who later joined Quitters, Inc.) had himself been replaced by Brian Sparhawk in 1993.[4] In April 1995, while touring the UK, the band recorded a session for John Peel's BBC Radio 1 show, at the Maida Vale BBC studios in London.[5] Third and final album Swing was released in April 1996.[1] The band signed to Warner Bros. but split up in 1997 before any releases for the company.[1][6]

The band reunited briefly in 2000 to tour with Bad Brains (at the time going by the name Soul Brains due to issues with their record label), but they split again before the tour was completed.[1] They reunited again in 2002 for some live shows.[6]

Sparhawk joined Two Ton Boa,[7] and then joined the Resident Kings in 2011.[8]

Musical style

The band's sound has been characterized as hardcore punk, 'metal-punk', or 'power punk'.[9][6]

Discography

Albums

  • Fitz of Depression (1993), Meat - 10-inch LP
  • Let's Give It a Twist (1995), K
  • Swing (1996), K

EPs

  • Fitz of Depression (1989), Mumble Something - 7-inch EP
  • Pigs are People Too (1995), Negative Feedback
  • Peel Sessions - BBC Radio One (2003), Very Necessary

Singles

  • "The Awakening" (1991), Meat
  • "Pissbutt" (1992), Blatant
  • "Take It Away"/"Jenny/867-5309" (1993), Negative Feedback
  • "Lie" (1994), K
  • Spawning Monsters: "See Me, Hear Me"/"Miracle Man" (1995), Fire
  • "Young and Free" (1995), Fire
  • "I'm the Man" (1995), Yo Yo
  • "Seemingly Vague" (1996), Kill Rock Stars

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Strong, Martin C. (2003) The Great Indie Discography, Canongate, ISBN 1-84195-335-0, p. 739
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Staple, Arthur (1994) "Punk Without Pretensions", The Record (Bergen County), 11 November 1994, retrieved 2012-06-29  – via HighBeam (subscription required)
  3. ↑ True, Everett (2006) Nirvana: The True Story, Omnibus Press, ISBN 978-1844496402
  4. ↑ Hage, Erik "Fitz of Depression Biography", Allmusic, retrieved 2012-06-29
  5. ↑ "23/04/1995 - Fitz Of Depression", Keeping It Peel, BBC, retrieved 2012-06-29
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Ehtbar, Joe (2002) "ROAM THE CLUBS FOR A LITTLE HOLIDAY ESCAPISM. (What's Happening) (Review)", Seattle Post-Intelligencer, 13 December 2002, retrieved 2012-06-29  – via HighBeam (subscription required)
  7. ↑ Jacks, Kelso (2000) "Two Ton Boa - Two Ton Boa EP", CMJ New Music Monthly, 3 April 2000, p. 28, retrieved 2012-06-29
  8. ↑ Talotta, Nikki (2011) "Straight dope: Jimmi Davies introduces us to Resident Kings", Weekly Volcano, 6 July 2011, retrieved 2012-06-29
  9. ↑ Sprague, David "Fitz of Depression", Trouser Press, retrieved 2012-06-29

External links

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