Fig Dish
Encyclopedia
Fig Dish was a 1990s Rock
band based in Chicago
. The band signed to PolyGram
Records in 1995 and released two full-length albums before becoming inactive in 1998. They were part of the mid-90s Chicago rock scene that included The Smashing Pumpkins
, Veruca Salt
, and Local H
. They were closely associated and often shared bills with other Chicago acts such as Tripl3FastAction, Veruca Salt, Local H, Smoking Popes, and Hushdrops.
and The Replacements, with Cheap Trick
's tendencies towards big hooks and catchy melodies thrown in. Fig Dish participated in the first and many subsequent Halloween shows at Chicago's Double Door
. The band caused some controversy by releasing an adult-rated video for their song "When Shirts Get Tight" in 1998.
in 1999 and more recently joined forces with Local H
frontman Scott Lucas
in the electronica project The Prairie Cartel
.
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
band based in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
. The band signed to PolyGram
PolyGram
PolyGram was the name of the major label recording company started by Philips from as a holding company for its music interests in 1945. In 1999 it was sold to Seagram and merged into Universal Music Group.-Hollandsche Decca Distributie , 1929-1950:...
Records in 1995 and released two full-length albums before becoming inactive in 1998. They were part of the mid-90s Chicago rock scene that included The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins
The Smashing Pumpkins are an American alternative rock band that formed in Chicago, Illinois in 1988. Formed by Billy Corgan frontman and James Iha , the band has included Jimmy Chamberlin , D'arcy Wretzky , and currently includes Jeff Schroeder Mike Byrne , and Nicole Fiorentino The Smashing...
, Veruca Salt
Veruca Salt (band)
Veruca Salt is an alternative rock band founded in 1993 in Chicago, Illinois. Since its inception, the band's line-up has included vocalist-guitarist Louise Post. Guitarist Stephen Fitzpatrick has been with the band since 1999 and drummer Kellii Scott has worked with the group on and off since 1999...
, and Local H
Local H
Local H is an American rock duo, formed by Joe Daniels and Scott Lucas in Zion, Illinois in 1987. Local H's 1996 album, As Good as Dead, includes the top 10 hit "Bound for the Floor" Author, rock critic and Rolling Stone contributor Greg Kot and the Chicago Tribune named the band its 2008 Chicago...
. They were closely associated and often shared bills with other Chicago acts such as Tripl3FastAction, Veruca Salt, Local H, Smoking Popes, and Hushdrops.
Description
Their Chicago live shows became popular with a small devoted fan base due to the mix of great songs, goofy banter, audience interaction, and their embracing of the drunken rock club party atmosphere. Their live shows often included an encore of classic rock numbers that showcased the vocal skills of "The Bunny"-- Tripl3FastAction's Wes Kidd, apparently intoxicated, dressed up in a pink bunny suit. Their sound was influenced by 80s college rock and indie bands such as Dinosaur JrDinosaur Jr
Dinosaur Jr. is an American alternative rock band formed in Amherst, Massachusetts in 1984. Originally called Dinosaur, prior to legal issues that forced the group to change their name, the band disbanded in 1997 until reuniting in 2005...
and The Replacements, with Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick is an American rock band from Rockford, Illinois, formed in 1973. The band consists of members Robin Zander , Rick Nielsen , Tom Petersson , and Bun E...
's tendencies towards big hooks and catchy melodies thrown in. Fig Dish participated in the first and many subsequent Halloween shows at Chicago's Double Door
Double Door
Double Door is a concert hall and nightclub located at 1572 N. Milwaukee Avenue, in Chicago's Wicker Park neighborhood. The venue was first opened on June 12, 1994, and is co-owned by Andy Barrett, Sean Mulroney and Joe Shanahan...
. The band caused some controversy by releasing an adult-rated video for their song "When Shirts Get Tight" in 1998.
Members
- Blake Smith - Guitars and vocals
- Rick Ness - Guitars and vocals
- Mike Willison - Bass and vocals
- Andy Hamilton - Drums (That's What Love Songs Often Do, 1995)
- Bill Swartz - Drums (When Push Goes Back To Shove, 1997)
- Brian Nolan - Drums
- Gustavo Lovato - Bass and vocals (pre-Polygram)
Discography
- "Rollover, Please / Miss California" 7-inch single (1993)
- That's What Love Songs Often Do (1995)
- When Push Goes Back To Shove (1997)
After Fig Dish
Several members of Fig Dish have gone on to form or work with other bands. Blake Smith and Mike Willison formed CaviarCaviar (band)
Caviar is a pop rock band from Chicago, Illinois. The band was created around 1999 by singer Blake Smith and bassist Mike Willison after the breakup of their previous band Fig Dish. Guitarist Dave Suh and drummer Jason Batchko were added to complete the lineup...
in 1999 and more recently joined forces with Local H
Local H
Local H is an American rock duo, formed by Joe Daniels and Scott Lucas in Zion, Illinois in 1987. Local H's 1996 album, As Good as Dead, includes the top 10 hit "Bound for the Floor" Author, rock critic and Rolling Stone contributor Greg Kot and the Chicago Tribune named the band its 2008 Chicago...
frontman Scott Lucas
Scott Lucas (musician)
David Scott Lucas, born May 10, 1970, is best known for being the singer and guitar/bass player, as well as the only remaining original member, of the post-grunge band Local H....
in the electronica project The Prairie Cartel
The Prairie Cartel
The Prairie Cartel is an American Rock Music band from Chicago, Illinois whose music and name is featured in a radio station in Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars and a song in Grand Theft Auto IV The band consists of former members of Fig Dish and Caviar as well as Scott Lucas of Local H...
.