Pilfers
Encyclopedia
Pilfers are an American
ska
band formed in 1997
, when former Toasters
vocalist, Coolie Ranx
, at the urging of Pietaster's vocalist Steve Jackson, joined with former Bim Skala Bim
trombonist, Vinny Nobile. To complete the lineup, they recruited the Skinnerbox
rhythm section of Anna Milat-Meyer on bass and James Blanck on drums, as well as guitar player, Nick Bacon of The Erratics.
The band released one demo tape and played many New York
area shows, before self releasing their debut, self-titled album, in 1998. Response was positive enough, that the band was signed to Mojo Records
, and they released Chawalaleng
, one year later.
Soon after their major label debut, Anna Milat-Meyer and James Blanck, left the group. Anna Milat-Meyer took a position, playing bass, in Latin Jazz band, Los Mas Valientes. Carl Barc, of the band Ever Since Day One, took over on bass and Dave Karcich, formerly of Spring Heeled Jack USA, took over on drums. The band continued to tour, and build a strong fanbase. The band recorded a live show at CBGB's, intending for it to be released on CD. The album would never see release though, since the band split up on July 13, 2001.
Soon after the breakup Coolie Ranx started a solo career, recording and playing shows around the world with back up band Fear Nuttin' Band. Nick Bacon joined Lost City Angels
, who were looking for a second guitarist. Nobile, Barc and Karcich, joined with Spring Heeled Jack USA guitarist, Mike Pellegrino to perform as Cenzo, for a World Trade Center
benefit show in 2001. Karcich also took the drum position in Avoid One Thing
, a band fronted by former Mighty Mighty Bosstones bass player, Joe Gittleman
.
Karcich suffered a sudden brain aneurysm and died on April 5, 2002. Eight months later, a tribute show was held at Toad's Place
, in honor of Karcich. During a performance by Cenzo, Nobile and Barc welcomed Coolie Ranx and Nick Bacon onstage for a brief reunion of Pilfers.
On November 4, 2005, the original five members of Pilfers, reunited at the Knitting Factory
, in New York
for a sold-out show. Two more reunion shows took place at the same location on May 6, 2007 and January 25, 2008.
Coolie Ranx continued with his solo career as Vinny Nobile continued with Cenzo who promoted their album "Maybe Now". Along with Pilfers, Nick Bacon has continued to pursue other musical projects in New York City
. He made his film debut in the 2007 Drew Barrymore
and Hugh Grant
film, Music and Lyrics
. In 2009, he appeared on Rescue Me
as a member of Mike Lombardi
's band, Apache Stone.
In 2008, the Pilfers performed nine shows outside of NYC, including six shows in November with Sonic Boom Six.
According to the Ska is Dead official website, the Pilfers performed two shows on the 2nd leg of the Ska is Dead 4 tour. They played in November 14, 2009 at the Showcase Live in Foxboro, MA, and November 15, 2009 at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ.
According to Songkick, the Pilfers performed for a Haiti benefit concert at the Knitting Factory on April 23, 2010 with Karen Gibson Roc, Tsunami Rising, and Across The Aisle.
According to Reverbnation Coolie Ranx promoted three new songs. One of them named "Somebodies Gotta Leave" clearly had Vinny Nobile providing vocals on. This was also posted on the Pilfers Facebook page.
In November of 2011, Connecticut's Asbestos Records
and Chicago, IL's Underground Communiqué Records launched a fundraiser together on Kickstarter
to release The Pilfer's self-titled album on vinyl, among other third-wave ska classics from The Pietasters
, Edna's Goldfish
, and Suburban Legends
. If the funding goal is met by January 18, 2012, the records should be out Spring 2012.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
band formed in 1997
1997 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1997.-January:*January 9 – David Bowie performs his 50th Birthday Bash concert at Madison Square Garden, New York City, USA with guests Frank Black, The Foo Fighters, Sonic Youth, Robert Smith of The Cure, Lou Reed, and Billy...
, when former Toasters
The Toasters
The Toasters was one of the first American bands in the third wave of ska, and is one of the longest active third wave ska bands.They have released nine studio albums, most of them on Moon Ska Records. The Toasters experienced a small degree of commercial success in the late 1990s due to the...
vocalist, Coolie Ranx
Coolie Ranx
Coolie Ranx is a New York City based musician best known for his membership in the third wave ska bands The Toasters and Pilfers....
, at the urging of Pietaster's vocalist Steve Jackson, joined with former Bim Skala Bim
Bim Skala Bim
Bim Skala Bim, formed in Boston, Massachusetts, was a third wave ska band that started in 1983 and remained active until 2002. They were influenced by the bands in England's 2 Tone movement, as well as bands such as the Clash, UB40 and Bob Marley...
trombonist, Vinny Nobile. To complete the lineup, they recruited the Skinnerbox
Skinnerbox
Skinnerbox is a third wave ska band formed in New York City in the early 1990s by King Django.-Full Length:*Instrumental Conditioning 1990)*Now & Then *Tales of the Red...
rhythm section of Anna Milat-Meyer on bass and James Blanck on drums, as well as guitar player, Nick Bacon of The Erratics.
The band released one demo tape and played many New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
area shows, before self releasing their debut, self-titled album, in 1998. Response was positive enough, that the band was signed to Mojo Records
Mojo Records
Mojo Records was a California-based record label founded in 1995 by producer Jay Rifkin. It became a joint venture with Universal Music Group in 1996 and then sold to the Zomba Group in 2001, who placed it under their subsidiary Jive Records...
, and they released Chawalaleng
Chawalaleng
Chawalaleng is the Pilfers second full length album, yet their first on a major label. It was released on September 21, 1999 through Mojo Records....
, one year later.
Soon after their major label debut, Anna Milat-Meyer and James Blanck, left the group. Anna Milat-Meyer took a position, playing bass, in Latin Jazz band, Los Mas Valientes. Carl Barc, of the band Ever Since Day One, took over on bass and Dave Karcich, formerly of Spring Heeled Jack USA, took over on drums. The band continued to tour, and build a strong fanbase. The band recorded a live show at CBGB's, intending for it to be released on CD. The album would never see release though, since the band split up on July 13, 2001.
Soon after the breakup Coolie Ranx started a solo career, recording and playing shows around the world with back up band Fear Nuttin' Band. Nick Bacon joined Lost City Angels
Lost City Angels
Lost City Angels were a punk rock band from Boston, Massachusetts. Their most well known lineup consisted of members, Ron Ragona, Adam Shaw, Chris Duggan, Drew Indingaro, Scott Vierra and Nick Bacon.- History :...
, who were looking for a second guitarist. Nobile, Barc and Karcich, joined with Spring Heeled Jack USA guitarist, Mike Pellegrino to perform as Cenzo, for a World Trade Center
World Trade Center
The original World Trade Center was a complex with seven buildings featuring landmark twin towers in Lower Manhattan, New York City, United States. The complex opened on April 4, 1973, and was destroyed in 2001 during the September 11 attacks. The site is currently being rebuilt with five new...
benefit show in 2001. Karcich also took the drum position in Avoid One Thing
Avoid One Thing
Avoid One Thing was started as a side project by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones' bassist Joe Gittleman. The Boston-based group's first album, titled Avoid One Thing, was released in 2002 on Side One Dummy Records. The album was written and recorded almost solely by Gittleman. Gittleman assembled a...
, a band fronted by former Mighty Mighty Bosstones bass player, Joe Gittleman
Joe Gittleman
Joe Gittleman is an American musician, best known as the bass guitar player for The Mighty Mighty Bosstones...
.
Karcich suffered a sudden brain aneurysm and died on April 5, 2002. Eight months later, a tribute show was held at Toad's Place
Toad's Place
Toad's Place is a concert venue and nightclub in New Haven, Connecticut, with two other short lived locations in Waterbury, CT and Richmond, VA.-History:...
, in honor of Karcich. During a performance by Cenzo, Nobile and Barc welcomed Coolie Ranx and Nick Bacon onstage for a brief reunion of Pilfers.
On November 4, 2005, the original five members of Pilfers, reunited at the Knitting Factory
Knitting Factory
The Knitting Factory is a music venue and concert house with locations in Brooklyn, Boise, Reno, and Spokane. The club originally specialized in jazz and experimental music and has expanded to showcasing all genres of music, performing arts and comedy....
, in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
for a sold-out show. Two more reunion shows took place at the same location on May 6, 2007 and January 25, 2008.
Coolie Ranx continued with his solo career as Vinny Nobile continued with Cenzo who promoted their album "Maybe Now". Along with Pilfers, Nick Bacon has continued to pursue other musical projects in New York City
New York City
New 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...
. He made his film debut in the 2007 Drew Barrymore
Drew Barrymore
Drew Blyth Barrymore is an American actress, film director, screenwriter, producer and model. She is a member of the Barrymore family of American actors and granddaughter of John Barrymore. She first appeared in an advertisement when she was 11 months old. Barrymore made her film debut in Altered...
and Hugh Grant
Hugh Grant
Hugh John Mungo Grant is an English actor and film producer. He has received a Golden Globe Award, a BAFTA, and an Honorary César. His films have earned more than $2.4 billion from 25 theatrical releases worldwide. Grant achieved international stardom after appearing in Richard Curtis's...
film, Music and Lyrics
Music and Lyrics
Music and Lyrics is a 2007 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Marc Lawrence. It focuses on the relationship that evolves between a former pop music idol and an aspiring writer as they struggle to compose a song for the reigning pop diva.-Plot:Alex Fletcher enjoyed...
. In 2009, he appeared on Rescue Me
Rescue Me (TV series)
Rescue Me is an American television drama series that premiered on the FX Network on July 21, 2004, and concluded on September 7, 2011. The series focuses on the professional and personal lives of a group of New York City firefighters in the fictitious Ladder 62 / Engine 99 firehouse.The show...
as a member of Mike Lombardi
Mike Lombardi
Mike Lombardi is an American actor. He is best known for his role in the television series Rescue Me, as the firefighter Mike Silletti...
's band, Apache Stone.
In 2008, the Pilfers performed nine shows outside of NYC, including six shows in November with Sonic Boom Six.
According to the Ska is Dead official website, the Pilfers performed two shows on the 2nd leg of the Ska is Dead 4 tour. They played in November 14, 2009 at the Showcase Live in Foxboro, MA, and November 15, 2009 at the Starland Ballroom in Sayreville, NJ.
According to Songkick, the Pilfers performed for a Haiti benefit concert at the Knitting Factory on April 23, 2010 with Karen Gibson Roc, Tsunami Rising, and Across The Aisle.
According to Reverbnation Coolie Ranx promoted three new songs. One of them named "Somebodies Gotta Leave" clearly had Vinny Nobile providing vocals on. This was also posted on the Pilfers Facebook page.
In November of 2011, Connecticut's Asbestos Records
Asbestos Records
Asbestos Records in an independent record label in Stratford, CT founded in 1996 by Matt Flood, and Dave Leone....
and Chicago, IL's Underground Communiqué Records launched a fundraiser together on Kickstarter
Kickstarter
Kickstarter is an online threshold pledge system for funding creative projects. Kickstarter has funded a diverse array of endeavors, ranging from indie film and music to journalism, solar energy technology and food-related projects.-Model:...
to release The Pilfer's self-titled album on vinyl, among other third-wave ska classics from The Pietasters
The Pietasters
The Pietasters are a seven-piece ska/soul band hailing from Washington, D.C., with additional members from Maryland and Virginia.- History :In 1990, a group of friends were attending college at Virginia Tech in the mountains of Virginia...
, Edna's Goldfish
Edna's Goldfish
Edna's Goldfish was a ska punk band from Long Island.Together from 1997 to 2000, their studio albums include Before You Knew Better and "The Elements of Transition" , both released on Moon Ska Records. The video for their song "Veronica Sawyer" received some airplay on the MTV show 120 Minutes...
, and Suburban Legends
Suburban Legends
Suburban Legends are a third wave ska/pop band that formed in Huntington Beach, California, in 1998, and are currently based out of Santa Ana, California.- History :...
. If the funding goal is met by January 18, 2012, the records should be out Spring 2012.
Band members
- Coolie RanxCoolie RanxCoolie Ranx is a New York City based musician best known for his membership in the third wave ska bands The Toasters and Pilfers....
- Lead Vocals - Vinny Nobile - Trombone and Vocals
- Nick Bacon - Guitar and Backing Vocals
- Anna Milat-Meyer - Bass Guitar
- James Blanck - Drums
- Dave Karcich - Drums
- Carl Barc - Bass
Recording History
- Pilfers demo
- released on cassette in 1997
- only available at live shows
- Pilfers
- released 1/1/1998
- 20,000 copies sold
- only available from their website and at live shows
- Limited Vinyl pressing by Asbestos RecordsAsbestos RecordsAsbestos Records in an independent record label in Stratford, CT founded in 1996 by Matt Flood, and Dave Leone....
and Underground Communiqué Records (Spring 2012)
- ChawalalengChawalalengChawalaleng is the Pilfers second full length album, yet their first on a major label. It was released on September 21, 1999 through Mojo Records....
- released 9/21/1999 on Mojo Records