H2O (American band)
Encyclopedia
Prologue
Prior to the formation of H2O, in the early-mid-1980s, Todd Morse and Rusty Pistachio were part of the speed punk band "Roadside Petz". This band featured Wayne Williams on drums. Outcrowd and Images were bands that followed Roadside Petz before H2O.Formation and the Epitaph years (1995–2000)
While touring as a roadie for Sick of It AllSick of It All
Sick of It All is an American hardcore punk band from Queens, New York. Formed in 1986, the band consisted of brothers Lou Koller on vocals and Pete Koller on lead guitar, Rich Cipriano on bass, and Armand Majidi on drums. There have been only two member changes since their inception, with Max...
, Toby Morse would sometimes sing with the band during encores. In 1995 Morse decided to start his own band and formed H2O in the Lower East Side of Manhattan . The band toured relentlessly through most of 1995 and 1996, opening up for almost every hardcore band that hit the east coast, including an opening slot on a Rancid
Rancid (band)
Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991. Founded by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, both of whom previously played in the ska punk band Operation Ivy, Rancid is credited—along with Green Day and The Offspring—for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the...
bill, at the Roseland Ballroom
Roseland Ballroom
The Roseland Ballroom is a multi-purpose hall, in a converted ice skating rink, with a colorful ballroom dancing pedigree, in New York City's theatre district, on West 52nd Street....
. Another huge show was when the band opened for No Doubt
No Doubt
No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact...
at Tramps (NYC) on Easter in 1996. In January 1996 they would record their self titled CD at Brielle Studios-NYC and would release it in May. The CD was basically all the songs they had and would play out at the time. They would tour that whole summer with Shelter
Shelter (band)
Shelter is a Hare Krishna hardcore punk band formed by Ray Cappo.-Brief recent history:In 2001, the band released the album The Purpose, The Passion...
and Murphys Law
Murphy's Law (band)
Murphy's Law is an American hardcore band from New York City, New York, formed in 1982. While vocalist Jimmy Gestapo remains the only founding member of the band, the line-up has consisted of former members of bands such as Skinnerbox, Danzig, The Bouncing Souls, Mucky Pup, Dog Eat Dog, Hanoi...
. H2O performed at CBGB's in October of that year and recorded a video for "Family Tree". They also toured with Social Distortion
Social Distortion
Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness , Jonny Wickersham , Brent Harding and David Hidalgo, Jr...
in October '96.
In June 1997 H2O quickly recorded and released "Thicker Than Water" in October. They toured all over the world until the end of the year and through 1998. In the year 1997 they would open for Misfits, Pennywise
Pennywise (band)
Pennywise is a Californian punk rock band from Hermosa Beach, California, formed in 1988. The name is derived from the monster, It, from the Stephen King novel of the same title....
, Sick of It All
Sick of It All
Sick of It All is an American hardcore punk band from Queens, New York. Formed in 1986, the band consisted of brothers Lou Koller on vocals and Pete Koller on lead guitar, Rich Cipriano on bass, and Armand Majidi on drums. There have been only two member changes since their inception, with Max...
, CIV and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are an American ska punk band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1983. Since the band's inception, lead vocalist Dicky Barrett, bassist Joe Gittleman, tenor saxophonist Tim "Johnny Vegas" Burton and dancer Ben Carr have remained constant members...
, and Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
98 and 99. They would tour Japan for the 1st time in 1997 & return in 1998. They received MTV play with "Everready".
In 1999, they recorded and released F.T.T.W. in May and made a video for "One Life One Chance" and again toured year around (in Europe, Japan & U.S.) and into 2000. They also toured on the 1999 Warped Tour (sharing a bus with 7 Seconds!). In 1999 and 2000 they would tour with NOFX
NOFX
NOFX is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California .The band was formed in 1983 by vocalist/bassist Fat Mike and guitarist Eric Melvin. Drummer Erik Sandin joined NOFX shortly after. In 1991 El Hefe joined to play lead guitar and trumpet, rounding out the current line-up...
, The Bouncing Souls
The Bouncing Souls
The Bouncing Souls are a punk rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, formed in 1987. By the time of their acknowledgment by the national punk rock scene, they had reignited a "pogo" element to New Jersey punk rock by playing fast light-hearted songs, a model followed by various other local...
, 7 Seconds and Saves the Day
Saves the Day
Saves the Day is an American rock band from Princeton, New Jersey, formed in 1994. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Chris Conley, guitarist Arun Bali, bassist Rodrigo Palma, and drummer Claudio Rivera....
. That summer of 2000, H2O would record a cover of the Ice Cube
Ice Cube
O'Shea Jackson , better known by his stage name Ice Cube, is an American rapper and actor. He began his career as a member of the hip-hop group C.I.A. and later joined the rap group N.W.A. After leaving N.W.A in December 1989, he built a successful solo career in music, and also as a writer,...
song It Was a Good Day
It Was a Good Day
"It Was a Good Day" is a 1993 hit single by American gangsta rapper Ice Cube from his third solo album, The Predator. It is the second single from the album and it peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It was also a hit in the UK Charts, peaking at number 27...
and shoot a video around New York City in the middle of the night.
Go (2001–2003)
In November and December 2000 they recorded their first major label CD on MCA RecordsMCA Records
MCA Records was an American-based record company owned by MCA Inc., which later gave way to the larger MCA Music Entertainment Group , of which MCA Records was still part. MCA Records was absorbed by Geffen Records in 2003...
titled Go
Go (H2O album)
Go is the title of the fourth album released by H2O. It was released on May 15, 2001. This and the All We Want EP are the only releases the band made with the major label, MCA Records....
. They recorded Go at Rumbo Studios, owned at the time by 1970s pop stars Captain and Tennille!, in Canoga Park, California.
Go was released in May 2001 and produced by Matt Wallace
Matt Wallace
Matt Wallace is an American record producer. He is a graduate of the University of California at Berkeley, and has been producing professionally since the early 1980s. Among his credits are the highly acclaimed album Angel Dust by Faith No More and the multiplatinum Songs About Jane by Maroon...
(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...
, Replacements, Maroon 5
Maroon 5
Maroon 5 is an American pop rock band from Los Angeles, California. While they were in high school, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adam Levine, keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, bass guitarist Mickey Madden, and drummer Ryan Dusick formed a garage band called Kara's Flowers and released one album...
) and toured extensively (over 150 to 200 shows in a year) H2O made a video for "Role Model" and performed "Memory Lane" on the Conan O'Brien
Conan O'Brien
Conan Christopher O'Brien is an American television host, comedian, writer, producer and performer. Since November 2010 he has hosted Conan, a late-night talk show that airs on the American cable television station TBS....
show in May of that year. They toured Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
with Blink-182
Blink-182
Blink-182 is an American rock band consisting of vocalist and bass guitarist Mark Hoppus, vocalist and guitarist Tom DeLonge, and drummer Travis Barker. They have sold over 27 million albums worldwide since forming in Poway, California in 1992...
, Good Charlotte
Good Charlotte
Good Charlotte is an American rock band from Waldorf, Maryland that formed in 1996. Since 1998, the band's constant members have been lead vocalist Joel Madden, lead guitarist and back-up vocalist Benji Madden, bass guitarist Paul Thomas and rhythm guitarist and keyboardist Billy Martin...
, New Found Glory
New Found Glory
New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
and Face to Face
Face to Face (punk band)
Face to Face is an American pop punk band from Victorville, California formed in 1991 by frontman Trever Keith. Originally known as "Zero Tolerance", Keith had been the only constant member of the band during their years of touring and recording albums. The group was initially signed by Dr. Strange...
and a full Canada tour in 2001. In 2002 H2O recorded & released the EP All We Want
All We Want
All We Want is the title of an EP released by H2O. It was released on October 29, 2002. It includes three previously unreleased tracks, two live versions of songs from the album Go and the music video for the song "Role Model".-Track listing:...
, 3 new songs with 2 live tracks and the "Role Model" video. They also toured in Japan, Europe and U.S. extensively. They would later tour U.S. & Canada with Sum 41
Sum 41
Sum 41 is a Canadian rock band from Ajax, Ontario. The band was formed in 1996 and currently consists of members Deryck Whibley , Tom Thacker , Jason McCaslin and Steve Jocz .In 1999, the band signed an international record deal with Island Records...
and Box Car Racer
Box Car Racer
Box Car Racer was a short-lived American post-hardcore band from San Diego, California, formed in 2002. The band was a side-project of guitarist/vocalist Tom DeLonge and drummer Travis Barker of Blink-182, along with lead guitarist David Kennedy of Hazen Street, and touring bassist Anthony Celestino...
.
2004 to 2007
In 2005, H2O toured Europe with MadballMadball
Madball is a New York-based hardcore band that originated in the late 1980s, as a side-project of Agnostic Front .- History :Madball was founded in 1988 and featured most of Agnostic Front's members...
and toured the U.S. with The Used
The Used
The Used is an American rock band from Orem, Utah. The band was founded in 2001 and signed to Reprise Records the same year. They rose to fame in June 2002 after releasing their self-titled debut album. They followed up with their second album, In Love and Death, in September 2004 and their third...
, Pennywise
Pennywise (band)
Pennywise is a Californian punk rock band from Hermosa Beach, California, formed in 1988. The name is derived from the monster, It, from the Stephen King novel of the same title....
and Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St....
.
In 2006, H2O toured South America (Brazil, Argentina, Chile and Columbia) for the first time. They toured U.S. with Rancid
Rancid (band)
Rancid is an American punk rock band formed in Berkeley, California in 1991. Founded by Tim Armstrong and Matt Freeman, both of whom previously played in the ska punk band Operation Ivy, Rancid is credited—along with Green Day and The Offspring—for reviving mainstream interest in punk rock in the...
. H2O also toured Japan in May/June 2007.
Nothing to Prove - 2008 to Present
H2O returned to the studio in January 2008 to begin working on their fifth studio album and had posted new songs on their MySpace page. On January 14, 2008, the band announced they signed to Bridge 9 Records, and the new album was released on May 27, 2008. Titled Nothing to ProveNothing to Prove (H2O album)
Nothing to Prove is the fifth studio album by punk rock band H2O. It was released on May 27, 2008, through Bridge 9 Records. It is the band's first album since 2001's Go, and the first new material since their 2002 EP All We Want....
, it was their first album of new material in seven years. The band proceeded to support the album's release by opening for Rancid on a series of U.S. tour dates at various House of Blues venues. The band would go on to tour Europe extensively that summer.
In March 2008, it was announced H2O would play at the Reading and Leeds Festivals in The United Kingdom.
H2O recently released a DVD titled One Life One Chance. The band also opened for the Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St....
during their St. Paddy's Day Tour in winter of 2009.
H2O shot videos for "What Happened" and "Nothing to Prove" from the 'Nothing to Prove' cd.
They celebrated their 15th Anniversary with tour dates in U.S., Europe, South America, Japan and all over the world in 2010.
In August 2010, H2O played on a boat around Manhattan.
During 2010 South American Tour (Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Colombia and Venezuela) Mitts (Madball
Madball
Madball is a New York-based hardcore band that originated in the late 1980s, as a side-project of Agnostic Front .- History :Madball was founded in 1988 and featured most of Agnostic Front's members...
guitar player) filled in for Todd Morse because he was on tour with The Offspring
The Offspring
The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1984. Known as Manic Subsidal until 1986, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Greg K. and drummer Pete Parada...
.
In February through May 2011, they returned to the studio to begin recording a covers CD of some of their favorite punk bands. They also toured Australia on the Soundwave 2011 tour in late February/March and Europe in April and May 2011. In August 2011 they will be touring the UK, and will be playing in Wales, Northern Ireland and Ireland for the first time.
Albums
- H2O (1996)
- Thicker Than WaterThicker Than Water (album)Thicker than Water is the title of the second album released by H2O. It was released on October 7, 1997. It was their first of two albums to be released on Epitaph Records."Friend" is a cover of a song by Marginal Man, a Washington D.C...
(1997) - F.T.T.W.F.T.T.W.F.T.T.W. is the title of the third album released by H2O. It was released on May 18, 1999. It is their second of two albums to be released on Epitaph Records before they moved to MCA Records....
(1999) - GoGo (H2O album)Go is the title of the fourth album released by H2O. It was released on May 15, 2001. This and the All We Want EP are the only releases the band made with the major label, MCA Records....
(2001) - Nothing to ProveNothing to Prove (H2O album)Nothing to Prove is the fifth studio album by punk rock band H2O. It was released on May 27, 2008, through Bridge 9 Records. It is the band's first album since 2001's Go, and the first new material since their 2002 EP All We Want....
(2008) - Don't Forget Your Roots (2011)
EPs
- This Is The East Coast...! Not LA ! (split with Dropkick MurphysDropkick MurphysDropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St....
) (2000) - Live EP (H2O) (2000)
- All We WantAll We WantAll We Want is the title of an EP released by H2O. It was released on October 29, 2002. It includes three previously unreleased tracks, two live versions of songs from the album Go and the music video for the song "Role Model".-Track listing:...
(2002) - CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
(2011) - New York CityNew York CityNew York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
(2011)
7"
- 94-95 Four Song Demo (1994)
- Seveninch (1995)
- Can't Get Off The PhoneCan't Get Off The PhoneCan't Get off the Phone EP is the title of the Ophaned Records EP released by H2O.-Personnel:* Toby Morse – vocals* Todd Morse – guitar* Rusty Pistachio – guitar* Eric Rice – bass* Todd Friend – drums* Mastered by Vicor Luke...
(1996) - Everready (1998)
- H2O/CHH split (double 7") (1998)
- Old School Recess (1999)
- It Was A Good Day/I Want More (2001)
- Still The Same Fellas (2008)
Compilation tracks
- The World Still Won't Listen (1996) "Heaven Knows I Am Miserable Now"
- Show & Tell (A Stormy Remembrance of TV Themes) (1997) "Cops (TV Show Theme)"
- Anti Racist Action Benefit CD (1997) "Nazi Punks #### Off!"
- Creepy Crawl Live (1997) "5 Year Plan (Live) – Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (Live)"
- Punk-O-Rama Vol. 2.1 (1997) "Family Tree"
- Punk-O-Rama Vol. 3 (1998) "Everready"
- Punk-O-Rama Vol. 4, Straight Outta The Pit (1999) "Faster than the world"
- Fight The World, Not Each Other – A Tribute To 7 Seconds (1999) "Not Just Boys Fun"
- Short Music For Short PeopleShort Music for Short PeopleShort Music for Short People is a 1999 compilation album released on the Fat Wreck Chords record label. The title is a parody of the 1980s punk compilation Rat Music for Rat People...
(1999) "Mr. Brett, Please Put Down Your Gun" - A Compilation of Warped Music II by Side One Dummy (1999) "Old Skool Recess"
- Punk-O-Rama Vol. 5 (2000) "Guilty By Association"
- World Warped, Vol.3: Live (2000) "Faster Than The World (Live)"
- Punk Uprisings Vol. 2 (2000) "Universal Language (Live)"
- Rebirth of the Loud (2000) "It Was a Good Day"
- Warped Tour 2001 Tour CompilationWarped Tour 2001 Tour CompilationThe Warped Tour 2001 Tour Compilation is the sixth installment in the annual compilation series accompanying the Warped Tour. It was the last of the series to be a single disc; subsequent installments would all include two CDs of music.- Track listing :...
(2001) "Unwind" - Punk Rock Jukebox (2002) "Friend (alternate take)"
- New Found Glory "Sticks and Stones" Bonus CD (2002) "Static" (later released as "Mitts" on Nothing To Prove (2008))
- Dive into DisneyDive into DisneyDive into Disney is a Japanese album containing rock/ska renditions of various Disney songs, such as Mickey Mouse Club March, Hakuna Matata, and It's a Small World, performed by various artists. All of the songs are recorded in English....
(2002) "It's A Small World" - Live At Continental Best of NYC Vol. 1 (2005) "Liberate (Continental Best of NYC Vol I.)
- Punk Rock is Your Friend: Kung Fu Records Sampler No. 6Punk Rock is Your Friend: Kung Fu Records Sampler No. 6Punk Rock is Your Friend: Kung Fu Records Sampler No. 6 is the sixth compilation album by the Seal Beach, California record label Kung Fu Records, released in 2005. It features artists signed to the label at the time, as well as others who were not signed to the label but had participated in some...
(2005) "Guilty By Association (Live)" - Scream For Help! (2006) "Family Tree"
Current members
- Toby Morse – lead vocals (1995–present)
- Todd Morse – guitar, vocals (1995–present)
- Rusty Pistachio – guitar, vocals (1995–present)
- Adam BlakeAdam Blake (musician)Adam Blake is an English musician and songwriter, best known as founder member, producer and drummer of the electronic music band Zoot Woman. He produces remixes under the alias Paper Faces with Stuart Price...
– bass guitar (1996–present) - Todd Friend – drums, percussion (1995–present)
Former members
- Eric Rice – bass (1995 & 1996)
- Max Capshaw – drums, percussion (1995)
Related bands
- Hazen StreetHazen StreetHazen Street is a supergroup that formed in early 2004.The band features Freddy Cricien and Hoya of New York hardcore band Madball; Toby Morse of hardcore band H2O; David Kennedy of post-hardcore band Box Car Racer, hardcore punk band Over My Dead Body, and later neo-progressive rock band Angels &...
(Toby Morse) - Juliette and the LicksJuliette and the LicksJuliette and the Licks was an American rock band led by actress Juliette Lewis. Other band members included guitarist Craig Fairbaugh and guitarist Emilio Cueto, bassist Jason Womack and drummer Ed Davis. Their popular songs include "You're Speaking My Language" and "Hot Kiss"...
(Todd Morse) - 9 Lives (Rusty Pistachio)
- Images (Rusty Pistachio)
- Alston (Adam Blake)
- ShelterShelter (band)Shelter is a Hare Krishna hardcore punk band formed by Ray Cappo.-Brief recent history:In 2001, the band released the album The Purpose, The Passion...
(Adam Blake) - Outcrowd (Todd Morse & Todd Friend)
- The Operation M.D.The Operation M.D.The Operation M.D. is a Canadian rock band created by Dr. Dynamite and Dr. Rocco as a side project to their other bands. The band's debut album We Have an Emergency was released in February 2007 by Aquarius Records...
(Todd Morse) - And A Pizza Place (Rusty Pistachio)