Limp (band)
Encyclopedia
Limp were an American
pop punk
band formed in 1994, with strong influences in both rock and ska
, hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area
. Limp released three studio albums on Honest Don's, a subsidiary label of Fat Wreck Chords
, as well as an EP
released on Fueled by Ramen
, before their 2002 breakup.
member Scott Goodell to be the bands first drummer. They recorded a demo that was given to Marty Gregori of Bracket
, which was later passed along to Michael Burkett
at Fat Wreck Chords
. The demo caught the labels interest and initially, a 7" record was planned for release. After recording "Clear Color" and "Bug Dance", a full-length album was instead offered on the labels recently launched subsidiary, Honest Don's. The outcome would be Limp's debut Pop & Disorderly released in 1997. The album was recorded as a four piece featuring Ensor, Verkhovsky, second guitarist Billy Bouchard and new drummer Johnny Cruz. Overall, the album showcased a strong pop punk
influence, with major focus on vocal harmonies, two traits the band would continue to exercise throughout their career. Although Ensor provided lead vocals for almost the entire album, Bouchard would supply them on "Eighteen", as well as "Holiday Road
", a cover of the Lindsey Buckingham
song from the 1983 film National Lampoon's Vacation
.
Following two tours with Less Than Jake
, drummer Vinnie Fiorello
presented Limp with the opportunity to issue a release on his label, Fueled by Ramen
. This would result in the Fine Girl EP
released in 1998, which gathered leftover songs from Pop & Disorderly and included new songs that would see later release on the bands second album. This would also mark the debut of guitarist Douglas Sangalang, formerly of Screw 32
, who had recently replaced Bouchard, although due to the songs chosen, both guitarists would make an appearance on the EP. That same year, Limp released a four song 7" of older material on Coldfront Records, that Ensor and Verkhovsky recorded with original drummer Hammon, as a three-piece in August 1996 at Westbeach Recorders
with producer Greg Hetson
.
In February 1999, Limp released Guitarded
, their second album for Honest Don's, recorded the previous year over the course of seven months, between a slew of tours. The album, which featured a slightly more mature sound, was a modest success on college radio and earned more airplay than any previous Honest Don's release. Perhaps done sarcastically, Limp thanked Limp Bizkit
in the liner notes
, a band they were increasingly becoming more confused with, however the two bands did play together in 1997, before either attained much notoriety. Around the time Guitarded was released, Limp were being courted by MCA Records
following the suggestion of Blink-182
, an acquaintance of the band who were also on the label at the time. Shortly after, interest dissolved following major label consolidation and many existing labels cutting their rosters. Citing fatigue from constant touring, the band decided to take some time off.
Limp returned in 2002, with their third and most ambitious album for Honest Don's, the self-titled Limp. Like the bands previous releases, the album was produced by Ryan Greene at Motor Studios in San Francisco, California
. Limp demonstrated a more straightforward rock sound, as compared to the pop punk approach of previous albums. Sangalang departed prior to the albums recording, marking the return of Bouchard, who had not appeared on a Limp album since the bands 1997 debut, Pop & Disorderly. Bouchard's return was not intended to be permanent however, as made evident in the liner notes, which listed him separately from the other band members. The album also featured an appearance from Karina Deniké of Dance Hall Crashers on "Get Away". Limp would be the bands final album before breaking up later that year.
Former members
{| class="wikitable" border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|-
!Date of release
!Title
!Label
!Format
|-
|June 24, 1997
|Pop & Disorderly
|Honest Don's
|CD/LP
|-
|-
|February 23, 1999
|Guitarded
|Honest Don's
|CD/LP
|-
|-
|February 19, 2002
|Limp
|Honest Don's
|CD/LP
|-
|-
|}
EPs
Compilation appearances
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pop punk
Pop punk
Pop punk is a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music, to varying degrees. Allmusic describes the genre as a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars...
band formed in 1994, with strong influences in both rock and ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
, hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
. Limp released three studio albums on Honest Don's, a subsidiary label of Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
, as well as an 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...
released on Fueled by Ramen
Fueled by Ramen
Fueled by Ramen is an American record label which operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records. The label, founded in Gainesville, Florida, is based in New York City...
, before their 2002 breakup.
History
Limp formed in 1994 with founding members Phil Ensor (vocals, guitar) and Serge Verkhovsky (bass), and would later borrow Dance Hall CrashersDance Hall Crashers
Dance Hall Crashers is an American ska punk band formed in 1989 in Berkeley, California.-Early years:The original incarnation of the Dance Hall Crashers was formed in 1989 by Matt Freeman and Tim Armstrong, formerly of the seminal Bay Area ska-punk band Operation Ivy, after both musicians...
member Scott Goodell to be the bands first drummer. They recorded a demo that was given to Marty Gregori of Bracket
Bracket (band)
Bracket is an American punk rock band from Forestville, California, formed in 1992. The band has consisted of lead vocalist and guitarist Marty Gregori, bassist Zack Charlos and drummer Ray Castro since its inception, with guitarist Angelo Celli replacing founding member Larry Tinney in 1999...
, which was later passed along to Michael Burkett
Michael Burkett
Michael Burkett is the name of:*F. Michael Burkett , American attorney and politician from Idaho*Mike Burkett, popularly known as Fat Mike, punk musician...
at Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
. The demo caught the labels interest and initially, a 7" record was planned for release. After recording "Clear Color" and "Bug Dance", a full-length album was instead offered on the labels recently launched subsidiary, Honest Don's. The outcome would be Limp's debut Pop & Disorderly released in 1997. The album was recorded as a four piece featuring Ensor, Verkhovsky, second guitarist Billy Bouchard and new drummer Johnny Cruz. Overall, the album showcased a strong pop punk
Pop punk
Pop punk is a fusion music genre that combines elements of punk rock with pop music, to varying degrees. Allmusic describes the genre as a strand of alternative rock, which typically merges pop melodies with speedy punk tempos, chord changes and loud guitars...
influence, with major focus on vocal harmonies, two traits the band would continue to exercise throughout their career. Although Ensor provided lead vocals for almost the entire album, Bouchard would supply them on "Eighteen", as well as "Holiday Road
Holiday Road
"Holiday Road" is a 1983 single written and recorded by Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham. The song was featured in the 1983 film National Lampoon's Vacation and was played during the opening titles. The song was also used in the sequels National Lampoon's European Vacation and Vegas...
", a cover of the Lindsey Buckingham
Lindsey Buckingham
Lindsey Adams Buckingham is an American guitarist, singer, composer and producer, most notable for being the guitarist and male lead singer of the musical group Fleetwood Mac. Aside from his tenure with Fleetwood Mac, Buckingham has also released six solo albums and a live album...
song from the 1983 film National Lampoon's Vacation
National Lampoon's Vacation
Vacation, sometimes referred as National Lampoon's Vacation, is a 1983 comedy film directed by Harold Ramis and starring Chevy Chase, Beverly D'Angelo, Randy Quaid, Dana Barron and Anthony Michael Hall...
.
Following two tours with Less Than Jake
Less Than Jake
Less Than Jake is an American ska punk band from Gainesville, Florida. Originally formed in 1992 as a power pop trio, the band evolved into a hybrid of ska punk. Less Than Jake have also been cited as showing influences from a wide variety of genres including post-grunge, heavy metal, alternative...
, drummer Vinnie Fiorello
Vinnie Fiorello
Vinnie Fiorello is an American drummer, lyricist and founding member of the ska punk band Less Than Jake. As a child, Vinnie's family owned a dog named Jake who was "treated like a king" according to the band's website FAQ page. As a result, everything in the house became "Less Than Jake",...
presented Limp with the opportunity to issue a release on his label, Fueled by Ramen
Fueled by Ramen
Fueled by Ramen is an American record label which operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records. The label, founded in Gainesville, Florida, is based in New York City...
. This would result in the Fine Girl 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...
released in 1998, which gathered leftover songs from Pop & Disorderly and included new songs that would see later release on the bands second album. This would also mark the debut of guitarist Douglas Sangalang, formerly of Screw 32
Screw 32
Screw 32 was a Berkeley/East Bay area US punk rock band.Their name has many supposed origins, the most popular states that it is derived from an anti-skateboarding measure on the ballots in Concord, California. They were noted for self-publicity. For example, they ordered stickers by the thousands...
, who had recently replaced Bouchard, although due to the songs chosen, both guitarists would make an appearance on the EP. That same year, Limp released a four song 7" of older material on Coldfront Records, that Ensor and Verkhovsky recorded with original drummer Hammon, as a three-piece in August 1996 at Westbeach Recorders
Westbeach Recorders
Westbeach Recorders is a recording studio in Hollywood, California famous for recording punk rock groups, such as Bad Religion, NOFX, Rancid, The Offspring and Pennywise. It was established in 1985 by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz and re-located to Hollywood, California in February 1987 and...
with producer Greg Hetson
Greg Hetson
Greg Hetson is an American guitarist. He was born in Brooklyn, New York and has lived in Los Angeles, California since he was 2 years old...
.
In February 1999, Limp released Guitarded
Guitarded
Guitarded is the second album by the San Francisco Bay Area pop punk band, Limp, released on February 23, 1999. The album was critically described as "by-the-numbers pop-punk" by Andy Hinds. Despite the lack of critical acclaim, the album gained popularity through heavy rotation on college radio,...
, their second album for Honest Don's, recorded the previous year over the course of seven months, between a slew of tours. The album, which featured a slightly more mature sound, was a modest success on college radio and earned more airplay than any previous Honest Don's release. Perhaps done sarcastically, Limp thanked Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit
Limp Bizkit is an American rock band from Jacksonville, Florida. Formed in 1995, the group's lineup consists of Fred Durst , Wes Borland , Sam Rivers , John Otto and DJ Lethal . The band achieved mainstream success with their second studio album Significant Other, released in 1999...
in the liner notes
Liner notes
Liner notes are the writings found in booklets which come inserted into the compact disc jewel case or the equivalent packaging for vinyl records and cassettes.-Origin:...
, a band they were increasingly becoming more confused with, however the two bands did play together in 1997, before either attained much notoriety. Around the time Guitarded was released, Limp were being courted by MCA Records
MCA 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...
following the suggestion of 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...
, an acquaintance of the band who were also on the label at the time. Shortly after, interest dissolved following major label consolidation and many existing labels cutting their rosters. Citing fatigue from constant touring, the band decided to take some time off.
Limp returned in 2002, with their third and most ambitious album for Honest Don's, the self-titled Limp. Like the bands previous releases, the album was produced by Ryan Greene at Motor Studios in San Francisco, California
San Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
. Limp demonstrated a more straightforward rock sound, as compared to the pop punk approach of previous albums. Sangalang departed prior to the albums recording, marking the return of Bouchard, who had not appeared on a Limp album since the bands 1997 debut, Pop & Disorderly. Bouchard's return was not intended to be permanent however, as made evident in the liner notes, which listed him separately from the other band members. The album also featured an appearance from Karina Deniké of Dance Hall Crashers on "Get Away". Limp would be the bands final album before breaking up later that year.
Band members
- Phil Ensor – vocals, guitar
- Serge Verkhovsky – bass
- Johnny Cruz – drums
Former members
- Billy Bouchard – guitar, vocals
- Dan McLintock – guitar, backing vocals
- Douglas Sangalang – guitar, backing vocals
- Gavin Hammon – drums
Discography
Albums{| class="wikitable" border="2" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" style="margin: 1em 1em 1em 0; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%;"
|-
!Date of release
!Title
!Label
!Format
|-
|June 24, 1997
|Pop & Disorderly
|Honest Don's
|CD/LP
|-
|-
|February 23, 1999
|Guitarded
Guitarded
Guitarded is the second album by the San Francisco Bay Area pop punk band, Limp, released on February 23, 1999. The album was critically described as "by-the-numbers pop-punk" by Andy Hinds. Despite the lack of critical acclaim, the album gained popularity through heavy rotation on college radio,...
|Honest Don's
|CD/LP
|-
|-
|February 19, 2002
|Limp
|Honest Don's
|CD/LP
|-
|-
|}
EPs
- Fine Girl (1998) Fueled by RamenFueled by RamenFueled by Ramen is an American record label which operates as a subsidiary of Warner Music Group, and is distributed by Atlantic Records. The label, founded in Gainesville, Florida, is based in New York City...
- Limp (1998) Coldfront Records
Compilation appearances
- Honest Don's Welcome Wagon (1997) Honest Don's
- Expose Yourself (1997) Go-Kart Records/Black Rat Recordings
- The Year of the Rat (1998) Fueled by Ramen
- Honest Don's Greatest Shits (1998) Honest Don's
- 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) Fat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990.... - Music to Listen to Music By (1999) Coldfront Records