The Pink Spiders are an American Pop rock band from Nashville, Tennessee, that formed in 2003. The band initially consisted of Matt Friction (guitar and vocals), Jon Decious (bass), and Bob Ferrari (drums).
During live sets they employ extra members to fill out their sound with vocals, keyboards, percussion and guitar. Past members include Jon Decious, Bob Ferrari, Dave Paulson and currently Joe Reilly (guitar and vocals) and Raf Cevallos (keyboards, vocals, and percussion).
History
The Pink Spiders are Taking Over!
By January of 2004, the band recorded an EP, The Pink Spiders Are Taking Over![1], which contained seven songs, and was released through SPAT! Records. The Pink Spiders were later signed with CI Records[2]. Matt Friction's record label, Mean Buzz Records, has announced that they plan to re-release The Pink Spiders Are Taking Over! in Summer 2008.[3]
Hot Pink
Their debut album, Hot Pink, was released by CI Records on January 4, 2005[4]. The album contained 11 original songs which according to reviewers showed heavy 50's rock influence. Several of the songs on this album were eventually re-recorded and included in their second studio album.
The band toured nonstop on the record, battling the chaos offered by life on the road; one show included their trailer catching on fire in Buffalo[5], and the band slept in New York City subways when they had nowhere to sleep[6]. The band even donated plasma to fund their tour[7].
Teenage Graffiti
The Pink Spiders released their major label debut, Teenage Graffiti, on August 1, 2006 on Geffen Records. Five of the songs from Hot Pink were re-recorded and included along with new songs. Little Razorblade was released as the first single off the album, along with a video. A video for Modern Swinger was also released in 2007. The Pink Spiders have since been named one of Alternative Press' "100 Bands you need to know in 2006."[8]
The Pink Spiders toured with many popular bands such as 30 Seconds to Mars, Good Charlotte, Yellowcard,Meg & Dia,All Time Low, Sugarcult, Damone, Kill Hannah and Fall Out Boy in support of this album, and also played on the Vans Warped Tour 2006.
On February 6, 2007, SPAT! Records released The Pink Spiders single The Chase. The song was released on digital music services such as the iTunes Music Store.
Mainstream Transition
After being signed to major label Geffen, The Pink Spiders' first single, "Little Razorblade", debuted on MTV's Total Request Live on April 11, 2006. The video eventually peaked at #12. The song was featured on the hit MTV show "The Hills"[9] and was often played in the popular clothing store Hollister.
The Pink Spiders were also in competition with Angels & Airwaves, Blue October, Ima Robot and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus to appear for their first possible television performance at Fashion Rocks '06, but 30 Seconds to Mars garnered the votes necessary to win.
Sweat It Out
Beginning in late 2007/early 2008, the Pink Spiders announced that Sweat It Out would be released soon. Initially, it was expected to be released in Spring 2008, according to their official MySpace.[10] However, after long waiting, the release date was finally moved to September 23, 2008. The album will now be released on the independent label, Mean Buzz, in partnership with Adrenaline Music.[11] The first single off the album, Gimme Chemicals, was released on August 2008.
In March 2008, the Pink Spiders announced that on March 13, 2008, somewhere between Nashville and Atlanta, the school bus they had just bought for the tour burned to the ground along with everything they carried along. They lost everything from, "clothes, laptops, passports, id's, ipods, cameras, receipts, cash, song lyrics, everything" [12]. The Pink Spiders welcomed any donations[13]. Furthermore, they also missed the shows at Atlanta and New Orleans, but announced they would finish the rest of the tour [14].
The Pink Spiders continued to perform, and in Summer 2008, the band apparently went through a line-up change, after Jon Decious and Bob Ferrari left the band due to not receiving money from royalties. The Pink Spiders continued with Matt Friction and new members. Sweat It Out, however, was recorded when the band still had its original members.
Subterranean EP
On their Summer 2008 Tapped Kegs, Spread Legs & Fertilized Eggs tour, The Pink Spiders released the tour-only exclusive Subterranean EP, which included previously unreleased versions of "Teenage Graffiti" and "Knock Knock", "Gimmie Chemicals", and "Sleeping On the Floor" from Sweat It Out, as well as the b-sides "Typical Danger" and "We Do It All The Time."
Influences
The Pink Spiders' music is heavily influenced by many rock and roll, punk-pop, and power-pop bands/artists. Musically, The Pink Spiders claim to be influenced by: The Beatles, The Stones, The Beach Boys, The Clash, Buddy Holly, Otis Redding, The Ramones, The Cars, The Who, Dead Boys, Marvin Gaye, David Bowie, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Cheap Trick, The Bay City Rollers, Television, Blondie, The Buzzcocks, and Rockpile[15]. The Exploding Hearts, The Boss Martians, Michael Jackson and Weezer have been noted as influences.
T.V. Appearances
In May 2008, the Pink Spiders played for a Sweet 16 party featured in Episode 6 of the Fourth Season of Hell's Kitchen.
Discography
Albums
EPs
Singles
- 2006: Little Razorblade
- 2007: The Chase
- 2008: Gimme Chemicals
References
External links
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