Fred Schneider
Encyclopedia
Frederick William "Fred" Schneider III (born July 1, 1951) is an American
rock singer, best known as the frontman of the rock band The B-52's
, of which he is a founding member. Schneider is well-known for his sprechgesang
which he developed from reciting poetry over guitars.
. He has stated that his musical influences included "Halloween
songs and nutty Christmas
songs" along with "Motown".
In college, he wrote a book of poetry for his final project. After college he held down jobs as a janitor as well as a meals-on-wheels driver.
(on "Dance This Mess Around") and glockenspiel
er (on "Give Me Back My Man
") of The B-52's
, Fred Schneider has released two solo albums. He is currently working on a side project called The Superions
, they released a self-titled EP
and the album Destination... Christmas!
in 2010 and in February 2011 began working on a proper full-length album.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock singer, best known as the frontman of the rock band The B-52's
The B-52's
The B-52's are an American rock band, formed in Athens, Georgia in 1976. The original line-up consisted of Fred Schneider , Kate Pierson , Cindy Wilson , Ricky Wilson , and Keith Strickland . Following Ricky Wilson's death in 1985 Strickland switched to guitar...
, of which he is a founding member. Schneider is well-known for his sprechgesang
Sprechgesang
Sprechgesang and Sprechstimme are musical terms used to refer to an expressionist vocal technique between singing and speaking. Though sometimes used interchangeably, sprechgesang is a term directly related to the operatic recitative manner of singing , whereas sprechstimme is...
which he developed from reciting poetry over guitars.
Early life
Schneider was born in Newark, New JerseyNewark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
. He has stated that his musical influences included "Halloween
Halloween
Hallowe'en , also known as Halloween or All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly holiday observed around the world on October 31, the night before All Saints' Day...
songs and nutty Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
songs" along with "Motown".
In college, he wrote a book of poetry for his final project. After college he held down jobs as a janitor as well as a meals-on-wheels driver.
Other music ventures
Aside from duties as the frontman, cowbell player, toy pianistToy piano
The toy piano, also known as the kinderklavier , is a small piano-like musical instrument. The present form of the toy piano was invented in Philadelphia by a 17-year-old German immigrant named Albert Schoenhut. He worked as a repairman at Wanamaker's department store, repairing broken glass...
(on "Dance This Mess Around") and glockenspiel
Glockenspiel
A glockenspiel is a percussion instrument composed of a set of tuned keys arranged in the fashion of the keyboard of a piano. In this way, it is similar to the xylophone; however, the xylophone's bars are made of wood, while the glockenspiel's are metal plates or tubes, and making it a metallophone...
er (on "Give Me Back My Man
Give Me Back My Man
"Give Me Back My Man" is a song written and recorded by the American rock band The B-52's. It was released as the second single from their 1980 album Wild Planet...
") of The B-52's
The B-52's
The B-52's are an American rock band, formed in Athens, Georgia in 1976. The original line-up consisted of Fred Schneider , Kate Pierson , Cindy Wilson , Ricky Wilson , and Keith Strickland . Following Ricky Wilson's death in 1985 Strickland switched to guitar...
, Fred Schneider has released two solo albums. He is currently working on a side project called The Superions
The Superions
The Superions are an American comedy synthpop band formed in Orlando, Florida in 2006 as a side project of The B-52s frontman Fred Schneider with Noah Brodie and Dan Marshall.- Formation and early years :...
, they released a self-titled EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
and the album Destination... Christmas!
Destination... Christmas!
Destination... Christmas! is the first full-length studio album by comedy synthpop band The Superions, a side project of Fred Schneider of The B-52s. The album was released October 25, 2010 on New York-based record label Fanatic Records distributed by EMI/Caroline Distribution on CD, LP and as a...
in 2010 and in February 2011 began working on a proper full-length album.
- Fred Schneider & the Shake SocietyFred Schneider & the Shake SocietyFred Schneider and the Shake Society is an album by Fred Schneider. It was the first of two solo albums, and was re-released in 1991 as Fred Schneider ....
(1984 and 1991) - Just FredJust FredJust Fred is an album by Fred Schneider, released in 1996. It was the second of his two solo albums.-Track listing:All lyrics by Fred Schneider, music written as noted, excepting "Coconut" which is written by Harry Nilsson# "Whip"...
(1996), which was produced by Steve AlbiniSteve AlbiniSteven Frank Albini is an American singer, songwriter, guitarist, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman, and Flour, and is currently a member of Shellac...
. - The SuperionsThe Superions (EP)- Track listing :-Formats:* CD US Edition - containing the 7-track EP.* 12" US Limited Edition - containing the 7-track EP, first pressing of 300 on clear/smoke vinyl, 200 black vinyl, silkscreened sleeve with mp3 download code....
(2010) - Destination... Christmas!Destination... Christmas!Destination... Christmas! is the first full-length studio album by comedy synthpop band The Superions, a side project of Fred Schneider of The B-52s. The album was released October 25, 2010 on New York-based record label Fanatic Records distributed by EMI/Caroline Distribution on CD, LP and as a...
(2010) - BatbabyBatbaby"Batbaby" is the sixth single by comedy band The Superions, a side project of Fred Schneider of The B-52s. The single was released on September 13, 2011 as a digital download on the Batbaby EP....
(2011)
Collaborations
- He sang with Sleater-KinneySleater-KinneySleater-Kinney was an alternative rock band from Portland, Oregon that formed in 1994. Originally formed in Olympia, Washington, the group's name is derived from Sleater-Kinney Road, Interstate 5 off ramp #108 in Lacey, Washington, the location of one of their early practice spaces. They were a...
in a Hedwig and the Angry InchHedwig and the Angry Inch (musical)Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a rock musical about a fictional rock and roll band fronted by an East German transgender singer. The text is by John Cameron Mitchell, and the music and lyrics are by Stephen Trask. The musical premiered in 1998 and has been performed throughout the world in hundreds...
tribute cover of "Angry Inch" on the album Wig in a BoxWig in a BoxWig In A Box: Songs from & Inspired by Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a charity tribute album featuring versions of songs from the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch...
. - He sang with Richard BaroneRichard BaroneRichard Barone is a rock musician born in Tampa, Florida who gained attention as frontman for The Bongos. He works as a songwriter, arranger, author, director, and producer, releases albums as a solo artist, tours, and has created major concert events at Carnegie Hall, Hollywood Bowl and New York's...
on Barone’s 1990 album, Primal Dream, the track "Mr. Used-To-Be" (MCA). Richard also co-wrote two songs and arranged on Just FredJust FredJust Fred is an album by Fred Schneider, released in 1996. It was the second of his two solo albums.-Track listing:All lyrics by Fred Schneider, music written as noted, excepting "Coconut" which is written by Harry Nilsson# "Whip"...
, and produced Fred's version of Harry NilssonHarry NilssonHarry Edward Nilsson III was an American singer-songwriter who achieved the peak of his commercial success in the early 1970s. On all but his earliest recordings he is credited as Nilsson...
's "CoconutCoconut (song)"Coconut" is a song written and first recorded by Harry Nilsson.-Original version:The third single from his 1971 album, Nilsson Schmilsson, it reached #8 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, and it features three distinct characters , all sung in different voices by Nilsson...
", released as a single from the Nilsson tribute album For the Love of Harry. - He worked with Sophie Ellis-BextorSophie Ellis-BextorSophie Michelle Ellis-Bextor is an English singer, songwriter, model and occasional DJ. She first came to prominence in the late 1990s, as the lead singer of the indie rock band Theaudience. After the group disbanded, Ellis-Bextor went solo, achieving widespread success in the early 2000s...
on some songs for her album Trip the Light Fantastic. A song which he worked on and provided vocals for called "Supersonic" appeared on the UK and Australian version of her album. - He was a guest vocalist on the song "The Power of Pussy", on BongwaterBongwater (band)Bongwater was a psych rock band formed in 1985 and dissolved in 1992. The group was founded by Ann Magnuson and Mark Kramer , who had worked together previously in Pulsallama. The group also featured drummer Dave Licht and guitarists [Dave Rick] and later Randolph A. Hudson III...
's 1990 album of the same name. - He worked with Captain Planet on the "Eco Rap," an updated theme song used for The New Adventures of Captain Planet.
- Fred Schneider is featured on "Stinky Dinky", Track 9 of RuPaulRuPaulRuPaul Andre Charles , best known as simply RuPaul, is an American actor, drag queen, model, author, and singer-songwriter, who first became widely known in the 1990s when he appeared in a wide variety of television programs, films, and musical albums. Previously, he was a fixture on the Atlanta...
’s 1993 debut album, Supermodel of the WorldSupermodel of the WorldSupermodel of the World is the debut studio album by American drag queen RuPaul, released on June 8, 1993 by Tommy Boy Records.-Album information:...
. - The 1994-produced track "Do The Funky Something" by Godchildren Of Soul features Fred Schneider and could be found on the GOS album Anyone Can Join and on the Rufus ThomasRufus ThomasRufus Thomas, Jr. was an American rhythm and blues, funk and soul singer and comedian fromMemphis, Tennessee, who recorded on Sun Records in the...
compilation Do The Funky Somethin. - The 1994 compilation Elvira Presents Monster Hits features the track "Here Comes The Bride (The Bride Of Frankenstein)" sung by Elvira. Fred sings guest vocals and co-wrote the song.
- Possum DixonPossum DixonPossum Dixon was an American alternative rock band. Fronted by singer/songwriter/bassist Rob Zabrecky, the group's neo-new wave pop and post punk style first appeared among a string of early independently released 7 inch singles and on their self-titled debut on Interscope Records in 1993...
's 1998 album New Sheets has the song "Firecraker" written by Fred. - The soundtrack for The Rugrats MovieThe Rugrats MovieThe Rugrats Movie is a 1998 American animated film, produced by Klasky Csupo and Nickelodeon Movies. The film was distributed by Paramount Pictures and first released in theaters in the United States on November 20, 1998....
, released in 1998 contains the track "The World Is Something New To Me" and features, Kate, Fred and Cindy along with other artists. - He was a guest vocalist on the song National Anthem of Love, on Joe McIntyre’s album Meet Joe Mac (2001).
- "We Are Family", a single released to collect money for the victims of 9/11 features Kate and Fred in the chorus and on the DVD documentation.
- BoscoBoscoBosco was an Irish children's television programme produced during the late 1970s and early 1980s. It was produced by the Lambert Puppet Theatre. Designed by Jan Mitchell, Bosco was voiced by Miriam Lambert initially; in later years Paula Lambert took over the character...
released their album Action in 2002. The song "Nonstop Nonsense" has Fred on guest vocals. - He provided the vocals for the Foo FightersFoo FightersFoo Fighters is an American alternative rock band originally formed in 1994 by Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl as a one-man project following the dissolution of his previous band. The band got its name from the UFOs and various aerial phenomena that were reported by Allied aircraft pilots in World War...
cover of "Planet ClairePlanet Claire"Planet Claire" is the second single released by The B-52's from their self-titled debut album The B-52's. The single was their second single to chart anywhere, at #43 in Australia and #24 on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play chart, along with album tracks "Rock Lobster" and "Dance This Mess Around"...
", released as a bonus track on the FF's single "Thimes Like These" (2003). - The compilation album Wig In A Box - The Songs From Hedwig And The Angry Inch released in 2003 features the collaboration of Sleater-KinneySleater-KinneySleater-Kinney was an alternative rock band from Portland, Oregon that formed in 1994. Originally formed in Olympia, Washington, the group's name is derived from Sleater-Kinney Road, Interstate 5 off ramp #108 in Lacey, Washington, the location of one of their early practice spaces. They were a...
and Fred on the title "Angry Inch" - The 2004 release of the compilation album Trekkies 2Trekkies 2Trekkies 2 is the sequel to the 1997 documentary film Trekkies.In 2003, a sequel to Trekkies was launched, titled Trekkies 2. This documentary film travels throughout the world, mainly in Europe, to show fans of Star Trek, commonly known as Trekkies, who do not live in the United States...
features his collaboration with B-52's part-time keyboarder Pat Irwin "Beam Me Up" - Tiny Masters of TodayTiny Masters of TodayTiny Masters of Today are an American indie punk rock band, consisting of siblings Ivan and Ada and their friend Jackson all members are from Brooklyn, New York.- The Early Years :...
released the album Bang Bang Boom Cake in 2007 and Fred is featured on the kid's song "Disco Bomb". - Fred Schneider appears on the Ursula 1000Ursula 1000Alex Gimeno is a DJ best known for Ursula 1000, a wide-ranging musical project including lounge, breakbeat, glam and cha cha.Gimeno was born in Brooklyn, New York. During his childhood, he and his family moved to Miami Beach where his father, a member of the Spanish orchestra, Los Chavales De...
song "Hey You!" from the album Mondo Beyondo.
Filmography
Films in which Fred Schneider has appeared include:- Trekkies 2Trekkies 2Trekkies 2 is the sequel to the 1997 documentary film Trekkies.In 2003, a sequel to Trekkies was launched, titled Trekkies 2. This documentary film travels throughout the world, mainly in Europe, to show fans of Star Trek, commonly known as Trekkies, who do not live in the United States...
(2004) - Each Time I KillEach Time I KillEach Time I Kill is the final film that was written and directed by Doris Wishman. It was shot in 2002 shortly before Wishman's death from lymphoma, and post-production on the teen horror thriller was completed in October 2006...
(2002) - Godass (2000)
- Desert BlueDesert BlueDesert Blue is a 1998 American comedy/drama film directed by Morgan J. Freeman and starring Brendan Sexton III, Kate Hudson, Christina Ricci, Casey Affleck, Sara Gilbert, and John Heard....
(1998, voice only) - The Rugrats MovieThe Rugrats MovieThe Rugrats Movie is a 1998 American animated film, produced by Klasky Csupo and Nickelodeon Movies. The film was distributed by Paramount Pictures and first released in theaters in the United States on November 20, 1998....
(1998, voice only) - The FlintstonesThe Flintstones (film)The Flintstones is a 1994 American live-action comedy film based on the Hanna-Barbera cartoon television series of the same name about a Stone-Age man, his family and his best friend. The film was directed by Brian Levant, written by Tom S. Parker, Jim Jennewein and Steven E...
(1994) - Hangfire (1991)
- A Matter of Degrees (1990)
- Funny (1989)
- Athens, GA: Inside/OutAthens, GA: Inside OutAthens, GA: Inside/Out is a documentary film about the mid-1980s music scene in Athens, Georgia, USA.The film features interviews and concert footage of local bands who were a part of the scene at the time of the documentation as well as local legends R.E.M., Pylon, and The B-52's. It also features...
(1987) - One Trick Pony (1980)
- Jack Off In the Box (1980)
- He is credited alongside Kate PiersonKate PiersonCatherine Elizabeth "Kate" Pierson is an American vocalist and one of the lead singers and founding members of The B-52's. One of the multi-instrumentalists in the band, Pierson played guitar, bass and various keyboard instruments...
on the NickelodeonNickelodeon (TV channel)Nickelodeon, often simply called Nick and originally named Pinwheel, is an American children's channel owned by MTV Networks, a subsidiary of Viacom International. The channel is primarily aimed at children ages 7–17, with the exception of their weekday morning program block aimed at preschoolers...
cartoon Rocko's Modern LifeRocko's Modern LifeRocko's Modern Life is an animated series created by Joe Murray. The show aired for four seasons between 1993 and 1996 on Nickelodeon. Rocko's Modern Life is based around the surreal, parodic adventures of an anthropomorphic wallaby named Rocko, and his life in the city of O-Town...
for the theme song vocals. - He was a guest on an episode of Space Ghost Coast to CoastSpace Ghost Coast to CoastSpace Ghost Coast to Coast is an American animated parody talk show hosted by the 60s Hanna-Barbera cartoon character Space Ghost. The show premiered on April 15, 1994 on Cartoon Network...
. - He guest starred on an episode of Lil' BushLil' BushLil' Bush is a satirical, politically-themed animated television series which premiered on June 13, 2007 on Comedy Central. The series features childlike, caricatures of members of the George W. Bush administration, and other American and international political leaders. Donick Cary created the...
in 2008. - He appeared on an episode of The Daily ShowThe Daily ShowThe Daily Show , is an American late night satirical television program airing each Monday through Thursday on Comedy Central. The half-hour long show premiered on July 21, 1996, and was hosted by Craig Kilborn until December 1998...
on June 2, 2008.
Radio
- Until late 2008 Schneider hosted a show called Party Out Of Bounds that aired Friday nights, 9pm to 12am (ET) on Sirius 22 First WaveFirst Wave (Sirius)1st Wave is a 1970s/1980s Alternative rock / new wave radio station on Sirius Satellite Radio channel 33 , XM Satellite Radio channel 33 and Dish Network channel 6022. Until February 9, 2010, it was on Direct TV channel 839. It also played 1990s alternative music up until Lithium's launch in 2007...
. On the show, Schneider played a mix of new wave-era dance, remixes and rarities, interspersed with Schneider’s own humorous bits and anecdotes.