Fang (band)
Encyclopedia
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.
. 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. 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. 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. Shortly thereafter, guitarist Tom Flynn created "Boner Records
" and released their debut LP and EP Landshark and "Where the Wild Things Are." Tim Stiletto drummed on the latter. These two releases are now considered classic east bay punk.
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?"
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.
. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
scene in Berkeley, California
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
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.
History
Fang's first record under the name 'Fang' was actually more of an experimental record, according to the band; 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 EyeGlass Eye (band)
Glass Eye were an influential art rock group based in Austin, Texas, and were primarily active from 1983 to 1993. Popular in Austin, and on the college radio and tour circuit, the band's unusual and unique musical style, blending melodic hooks with dissonance and occasional tendencies for the...
. 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. 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. 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. Shortly thereafter, guitarist Tom Flynn created "Boner Records
Boner Records
Boner Records is a Berkeley, California based independent record label, run by Tom Flynn. They have released recordings by Fang , Verbal Abuse, MDC, Boneless Ones, Duh, Steel Pole Bath Tub, The Melvins, The Warlock Pinchers, Hell's Kitchen, and Superconductor, among others.-The Melvins:*Bullhead...
" and released their debut LP and EP Landshark and "Where the Wild Things Are." Tim Stiletto drummed on the latter. These two releases are now considered classic east bay punk.
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?"
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.
Reformation
After a long break, Fang regrouped in 1996 and put out the "Electric Chair" single on Man's Ruin RecordsMan's Ruin Records
Man's Ruin Records was an independent record label, owned and founded by Bay Area artist Frank Kozik. After the 1994 release of Man's Ruin's first record, entitled Experimental Audio Research : Delta 6, Kozik worked with artists who he wanted to release; he also designed all of the sleeve art for...
. 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.
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.
In 1999, Jim Martin (from Faith No More
Faith No More
Faith No More is an American rock band from San Francisco, California, formed originally as Faith No Man in 1981 by bassist Billy Gould, keyboardist Wade Worthington, vocalist Michael Morris and drummer Mike Bordin. A year later when Worthington was replaced by keyboardist Roddy Bottum, and Mike...
) 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
Dr. Know (band)
Dr. Know is a punk band which began as a Nardcore band and now has roots in Los Angeles, CA.They are one of the founding figures of the "Nardcore" punk movement from Oxnard, CA. The band was started by Kyle Toucher, Ismael Hernandez, and Robin Cartwright in early 1981, and after auditioning a few...
, and Hellions.
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.
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
Crucifix (band)
Crucifix was an American hardcore punk band from Berkeley, California, active from 1980 to 1984. They were among the most popular acts of the San Francisco hardcore scene of the early 1980s...
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
Dr. Strange Records
Dr. Strange Records is a record label and record store located in Alta Loma, California. It started out as an apartment-based distro in 1988 and became a record label in 1989, run out of the "Doc's" apartment until 1997 when the store was first opened....
in 2007 and featured bands including JFA
JFA (band)
JFA is a hardcore punk band formed in 1981, with roots in Arizona and in Southern California skateboard culture. The original members include Brian Brannon , Don "dred" Pendleton , Michael Cornelius , and Mike "Bam-Bam" Sversvold . Alan Bishop of Sun City Girls also played bass for a while...
, McRad, DI
DI
DI, the two-letter abbreviation, has a number of meanings:Natural Sciences* Band 3, a protein* Deionized water , a type of water deprived of the dissolved impurities of ionic nature...
, Ill Repute
Ill Repute
Ill Repute is an American hardcore punk band from Oxnard, California, formed in 1981. They are noted for popularizing the "Nardcore" sound in the mid-1980s hardcore punk scene, and recorded for Mystic Records....
, Dr. Know
Dr. Know
Dr. Know may refer to :*Dr. Know , a punk band from Oxnard, California*Dr. Know , stage name of guitar player Gary Miller from the band Bad Brains*Dr. Know , a TV program on the Discovery Health Channel...
, Verbal Abuse
Verbal Abuse
Verbal Abuse is a hardcore punk band, originally from Houston, Texas, but which became successful after moving to San Francisco.Verbal Abuse was started in Houston, Texas in 1981 after singer and songwriter Nicki Sicki quit the band Sick Pleasure and moved to Virginia, then back to Texas when he...
, MDC
MDC (band)
MDC is an American hardcore punk band formed in Austin, Texas in 1979. The band were subsequently based in San Francisco, California, and are currently based in Portland, Oregon. MDC originally formed as The Stains before changing their name...
, 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.
LPs
- "Landshark" - Released in 1982 on Boner RecordsBoner RecordsBoner Records is a Berkeley, California based independent record label, run by Tom Flynn. They have released recordings by Fang , Verbal Abuse, MDC, Boneless Ones, Duh, Steel Pole Bath Tub, The Melvins, The Warlock Pinchers, Hell's Kitchen, and Superconductor, among others.-The Melvins:*Bullhead...
- "Where The Wild Things Are" - Released in 1983 on Boner Records
- "Spun Helga" - Released in 1985 on National Trust Records
- "A Mi Ga Sfafas?" - Released in 1986 on Boner Records
- "Pissed Off Buddha" - Considered the "Lost Fang Album" TBA
- "Landshark/Where the Wild Thing Are" - Released in 1989 on Boner Records
- "American Nightmare" - Released in 1998 on Wingnut Records
- "Fish and Vegetables" - Released in 2000 by Fang, Dr. KnowDr. KnowDr. Know may refer to :*Dr. Know , a punk band from Oxnard, California*Dr. Know , stage name of guitar player Gary Miller from the band Bad Brains*Dr. Know , a TV program on the Discovery Health Channel...
, and Hellion on Hello Records - "Live Cheap CD" - Released in 2004 on Malt Soda Recordings
- "Spun Helga/A Mi Ga Sfafas?/Pissed Off Buddha]] - Released 2008
EPs, Singles, 45s and Compilation
- "Yukon Fang - Released in 1981
- Not So Quiet On The Western FrontNot So Quiet on the Western FrontNot So Quiet on the Western Front is a classic hardcore compilation released in 1982 by Alternative Tentacles. It documented the northern California and Nevada punk scene...
- compilation - (Fang Song) - "Fun With Acid" Released in 1982 on Alternative TentaclesAlternative TentaclesAlternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
virus 14 - Rat Music For Rat People, Vol.2 (CD Presents, 1984)
- "Rat Music For Rat People Vol.2" - compilation - (Fang song) - "They Sent Me To Hell C.O.D" Released in 1984 on FlipsideFlipsideFlipside, flip side, or flipsyde may refer to:* The B-side of a gramophone record.* An opposite, reverse, or sharply contrasted side or aspect of something or someone.-Print:...
#43 - "Them Boners be Poppin'" - comp. - Fang Songs "Johnny Puke" and "Better Of Dead" - Released in 1985 on Boner Records
- "Electric Chair - Released in 1995 on Boner Records
- "Hair of the Dog - Released in 1998 on Man's Ruin RecordsMan's Ruin RecordsMan's Ruin Records was an independent record label, owned and founded by Bay Area artist Frank Kozik. After the 1994 release of Man's Ruin's first record, entitled Experimental Audio Research : Delta 6, Kozik worked with artists who he wanted to release; he also designed all of the sleeve art for...
- "Backlash" - The ClashThe ClashThe Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
tribute compilation - (The Clash cover song) "Police on My Back" Released in 1999 on DwellDwellDwell means to live in a place, a dwelling. It may also refer to:*In gun accurizing, bullet dwell time, time between cartridge ignition, and the time the bullet leaves the barrel.* Dwell, a leading UK furniture and accessories company... - "Skinheads Smoke Dope with a Cheap Beer Hangover" Fang / Oppressed logic split 7" (Fang song) "Skinheads Smoke Dope" '99 version Released in 1999 on Beer City records
- "Taking Out A Little Agression" - Agression tribute compilation - (Agression cover song) "Salty Leather" - Released in 2007 on Dr. Strange RecordsDr. Strange RecordsDr. Strange Records is a record label and record store located in Alta Loma, California. It started out as an apartment-based distro in 1988 and became a record label in 1989, run out of the "Doc's" apartment until 1997 when the store was first opened....