The Frisk
Encyclopedia
The Frisk was a punk rock
band from Berkeley, California
, formed by Jesse Luscious, Mike Sexxx and Zach Attack, all former members of The Criminals
, along with AFI
member Hunter Burgan
, following The Criminals 2000 breakup. The Frisk issued two releases on Adeline Records
before playing their final show in 2005.
caused vocalist Jesse Luscious, bassist Mike Sexxx and guitarist Zach Attack to pursue drummer Hunter Burgan
. For the former members of The Criminals, The Frisk proved to be a quick transition from their previous band together, while for Burgan the band would become an outlet in addition to his role as bassist for AFI
, with whom he had been a member since 1997. Following the bands first show, Zach Attack departed, with Zac Hunter of The Nerve Agents
, taking his place on guitar.
In February 2001, The Frisk entered Nu-Tone Studios in Pittsburg, California
to record what would become Rank Restraint, the bands' debut for Adeline Records
, who had previously issued releases by both AFI and The Criminals. The primary song writers were Luscious and Burgan, although "Leech" was co-written with Jesse Michaels
. The recording would feature "Know Your Rights
", a song originally performed by The Clash
. Following release, Mike Sexxx left The Frisk and was later replaced by bassist Hardcore Dan that fall. The bands show scheduling became more sporadic as Burgans time was further occupied with AFI, supporting The Art of Drowning with several world tours. This caused The Frisk to acquire an additional drummer, Luke Swarm of Envain, for shows and touring when Burgan was unavailable.
However, in the spring of 2003 The Frisk recorded their follow up, Audio Ransom Note, and released it later that year on Adeline Records. Like the bands previous release, most song writing credits would go to Luscious and Burgan. The album featured "East Coast Funeral", a song written by Mike Sexxx, originally released on The Criminals posthumous EP Extinct in 2001. Audio Ransom Note was supported by shows that included appearances with the Dwarves
, followed by several shows supporting Rancid
, with Tiger Army
and Nekromantix
. In November, The Frisk embarked on a month long US tour that featured numerous dates with Naked Aggression
. In early 2004 the band completed a West Coast tour with Subhumans. Following the tour, Hardcore Dan was replaced with bassist Matt.
According to a March 15, 2004 post on the bands official website, The Frisk started work on a new album, although due to the band members other commitments, this was put on hold. Luscious ran for office under his given name Jesse Townley for Berkeley City Council, while during the campaign his band mates stayed busy with their other projects. Burgan was once again touring with AFI, who released their major label breakthrough album
Sing the Sorrow
the previous year. Zac Hunter was focusing his attention on his new band Shadowboxer.
These scheduling conflicts would eventually culminate in the breakup of The Frisk, yet the band managed to book two final shows in late 2005, when original bassist Mike Sexxx returned to resurrect the lineup from Rank Restraint. On November 25, 2005 The Frisk made their final Berkeley performance, appearing with Propagandhi
at 924 Gilman Street
, followed by their last show ever on December 2, 2005 at Burnt Ramen in Richmond, California
with Thought Riot
.
Former members
Touring members
Compilation appearances
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band from Berkeley, California
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
, formed by Jesse Luscious, Mike Sexxx and Zach Attack, all former members of The Criminals
The Criminals
The Criminals were a punk rock band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1994. The lineup consisted of lead vocalist Jesse Luscious and bassist Mike Sexxx throughout the bands' existence...
, along with AFI
AFI (band)
AFI is an American alternative rock band from Ukiah, California that formed in 1991. They have consisted of the same lineup since 1998: lead vocalist Davey Havok, drummer and backup vocalist Adam Carson, with bassist Hunter Burgan and guitarist Jade Puget, who both play keyboard and contribute...
member Hunter Burgan
Hunter Burgan
Hunter Lawrence Burgan is an American multi-instrumentalist. He is the third and current bass guitarist of AFI.-Biography:Burgan grew up in Grass Valley, California. He is vegan.-Career:...
, following The Criminals 2000 breakup. The Frisk issued two releases on Adeline Records
Adeline Records
Adeline Records is a record label which was formed in Oakland, California in late 1997. It is co-owned by Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer of Green Day, his wife Adrienne Armstrong, and Jim Thiebaud, professional skateboarder...
before playing their final show in 2005.
History
The Frisk arose in early 2000, when the dissolution of The CriminalsThe Criminals
The Criminals were a punk rock band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1994. The lineup consisted of lead vocalist Jesse Luscious and bassist Mike Sexxx throughout the bands' existence...
caused vocalist Jesse Luscious, bassist Mike Sexxx and guitarist Zach Attack to pursue drummer Hunter Burgan
Hunter Burgan
Hunter Lawrence Burgan is an American multi-instrumentalist. He is the third and current bass guitarist of AFI.-Biography:Burgan grew up in Grass Valley, California. He is vegan.-Career:...
. For the former members of The Criminals, The Frisk proved to be a quick transition from their previous band together, while for Burgan the band would become an outlet in addition to his role as bassist for AFI
AFI (band)
AFI is an American alternative rock band from Ukiah, California that formed in 1991. They have consisted of the same lineup since 1998: lead vocalist Davey Havok, drummer and backup vocalist Adam Carson, with bassist Hunter Burgan and guitarist Jade Puget, who both play keyboard and contribute...
, with whom he had been a member since 1997. Following the bands first show, Zach Attack departed, with Zac Hunter of The Nerve Agents
The Nerve Agents
The Nerve Agents were an American hardcore punk band formed by Andy Outbreak and Eric Ozenne .Their angry brand of music juxtaposed yelled, sometimes ranting vocals with distorted and often chorus laden chords, complex bass lines and fast-paced percussion...
, taking his place on guitar.
In February 2001, The Frisk entered Nu-Tone Studios in Pittsburg, California
Pittsburg, California
Pittsburg is a city located in eastern Contra Costa County, California, the outer portion of the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area. The population was 63,264 at the 2010 census....
to record what would become Rank Restraint, the bands' debut for Adeline Records
Adeline Records
Adeline Records is a record label which was formed in Oakland, California in late 1997. It is co-owned by Billie Joe Armstrong, lead singer of Green Day, his wife Adrienne Armstrong, and Jim Thiebaud, professional skateboarder...
, who had previously issued releases by both AFI and The Criminals. The primary song writers were Luscious and Burgan, although "Leech" was co-written with Jesse Michaels
Jesse Michaels
Jesse Michaels is a songwriter, vocalist, guitarist and artist from Berkeley, California. He is the son of the deceased author Leonard Michaels. His lyrics deal with politics, racism, and general social issues.-Musical overview:...
. The recording would feature "Know Your Rights
Know Your Rights
"Know Your Rights" is a song by The Clash. It was released as a single prior to the release of the album, Combat Rock, on which it appears. The song was the first single from the album....
", a song originally performed by The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
. Following release, Mike Sexxx left The Frisk and was later replaced by bassist Hardcore Dan that fall. The bands show scheduling became more sporadic as Burgans time was further occupied with AFI, supporting The Art of Drowning with several world tours. This caused The Frisk to acquire an additional drummer, Luke Swarm of Envain, for shows and touring when Burgan was unavailable.
However, in the spring of 2003 The Frisk recorded their follow up, Audio Ransom Note, and released it later that year on Adeline Records. Like the bands previous release, most song writing credits would go to Luscious and Burgan. The album featured "East Coast Funeral", a song written by Mike Sexxx, originally released on The Criminals posthumous EP Extinct in 2001. Audio Ransom Note was supported by shows that included appearances with the Dwarves
Dwarves (band)
Dwarves is an American punk band formed in Chicago, Illinois, as The Suburban Nightmare, in the mid-1980s. They are currently based in San Francisco, California. Formed as a garage punk band, their career subsequently saw them move in a hardcore direction before settling into an eclectic punk rock...
, followed by several shows supporting 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...
, with Tiger Army
Tiger Army
Tiger Army is an American psychobilly band that was formed in 1995 in Berkeley, California. Its constant member and lead song writer is Nick 13. The band have released a total of four studio albums.-History:...
and Nekromantix
Nekromantix
The Nekromantix are a Danish-American psychobilly band formed in 1989 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Their music is generally structured around monster and horror themes. A central icon of the band's image is founder and frontman Kim Nekroman's "coffinbass", a custom-built double bass with a body in the...
. In November, The Frisk embarked on a month long US tour that featured numerous dates with Naked Aggression
Naked Aggression
Naked Aggression is a punk rock band which was formed in Madison, Wisconsin in late 1990. Naked Aggression appeared in the documentary The Decline of Western Civilization III. Their lyrics often cover sociopolitical issues from a libertarian socialist perspective, and the band has held benefit...
. In early 2004 the band completed a West Coast tour with Subhumans. Following the tour, Hardcore Dan was replaced with bassist Matt.
According to a March 15, 2004 post on the bands official website, The Frisk started work on a new album, although due to the band members other commitments, this was put on hold. Luscious ran for office under his given name Jesse Townley for Berkeley City Council, while during the campaign his band mates stayed busy with their other projects. Burgan was once again touring with AFI, who released their major label breakthrough album
Breakthrough album
A breakthrough album is an LP or CD by a band or musician previously only known in the underground or indie scene of its given genre, which propels the group to mainstream attention and widespread fame and popularity...
Sing the Sorrow
Sing the Sorrow
Sing the Sorrow is the sixth studio album by American rock band AFI. It was released on March 11, 2003 through DreamWorks Records. It debuted at #5 on the Billboard 200. It was certified Platinum in December 2004 by the RIAA. The album was supported by three singles, "Girl's Not Grey", "The Leaving...
the previous year. Zac Hunter was focusing his attention on his new band Shadowboxer.
These scheduling conflicts would eventually culminate in the breakup of The Frisk, yet the band managed to book two final shows in late 2005, when original bassist Mike Sexxx returned to resurrect the lineup from Rank Restraint. On November 25, 2005 The Frisk made their final Berkeley performance, appearing with Propagandhi
Propagandhi
Propagandhi is a Canadian punk band formed in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba in 1986 by Chris Hannah and Jord Samolesky. The band is currently located in Winnipeg, Manitoba....
at 924 Gilman Street
924 Gilman Street
924 Gilman Street is an all-ages, not for profit, collectively organized music club usually referred to by its fans simply as "The Gilman." It is located in the West Berkeley area of Berkeley, California about a mile and a half west of the North Berkeley BART station and a quarter-mile west of San...
, followed by their last show ever on December 2, 2005 at Burnt Ramen in Richmond, California
Richmond, California
Richmond is a city in western Contra Costa County, California, United States. The city was incorporated on August 7, 1905. It is located in the East Bay, part of the San Francisco Bay Area. It is a residential inner suburb of San Francisco, as well as the site of heavy industry, which has been...
with Thought Riot
Thought Riot
Thought Riot was an American hardcore punk band from California's Central Valley. The band was composed of kids pushing progressive political ideas through their lyrics...
.
Members
- Jesse Luscious – lead vocals
- Zac Hunter – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Mike Sexxx – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Hunter BurganHunter BurganHunter Lawrence Burgan is an American multi-instrumentalist. He is the third and current bass guitarist of AFI.-Biography:Burgan grew up in Grass Valley, California. He is vegan.-Career:...
– drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Former members
- "Zach Attack" Brewer – guitar
- "Hardcore Dan" Kelly – bass
- Matt – bass
Touring members
- Luke Swarm – drums
Discography
- Rank Restraint (2001)
- Audio Ransom Note (2003)
Compilation appearances
- Every Dog Will Have It's Day (2001)
- Dropping Food on Their Heads Is Not EnoughDropping Food on Their Heads Is Not Enough: Benefit for RAWAGeykido Comet Records benefit CD for Afghan Women released in 2002 was in response to the atrocities done to Afghan women by the Taliban. Featuring local unknowns as well as groups like Anti-Flag, Youth Brigade, Chumbawamba, Fleshies, The Frisk and Jello Biafra as well as setting aside 100% of all...
(2002) - Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1Rock Against Bush, Vol. 1 is a Rock Against Bush compilation album released on the Fat Wreck Chords record label. It contains a collection of songs, both released and unreleased, by various punk rock artists and includes a bonus DVD with political facts, commentary regarding the U.S...
(2004) - This Just In... Benefit for Indy MediaThis Just In... Benefit for Indy MediaThis Just In... Benefit for Indy Media is a benefit CD released by Geykido Comet Records in 2005 for grassroots non-profit news outlet Indymedia, more specifically the Los Angeles chapter...
(2005)
External links
- Biography and Lyrics
- The Frisk Official Homepage: http://www.thefrisk.com
- Audio interview with Jesse Luscious