Fang (band)

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Fang
A picture of Fang in concert in the 1980's
A picture of Fang in concert in the 1980's
Background information
Origin Berkeley, California, USA
Genre(s) Punk rock
Street punk
Years active 1981-1989

1995-Present
Label(s) Boner Records
Website Fang's Official MySpace
Members
Sam McBride (musician)
Tom Flynn
Joel Fox
Chris "C. W." Wilson
Former members
Bill Collins
Joe Miller
Tim Stiletto
Tom Flynn
Brian Beattie

Fang is the name of the hardcore punk originating from California in the early '80's.

Fang was originally part of the punk rock scene at 924 Gilman Street in Berkeley, California in the early 1980's. The band broke up in 1989 when key member Sam McBride was sent to prison. Upon his release, in 1995, McBride changed his name to Sammytown and reformed Fang.

Contents

[edit] History

Fang's first record under the name 'Fang' was actually more of an experimental record, according to the band[1]; the "Yukon Fang" single. Fang guitarist Tom Flynn and bass-player Brian Beattie, his former bandmate from the bands "Tapeworm" and "Safety Patrol", put out "Yukon Fang" as a duo and thus Fang was born. The original version of Fang toured the country once, only to break up shortly thereafter with Beattie moving on to Texas where he later formed the band "Glass Eye". While this was happening, Sam McBride, the bands vocalist, was singing with future Fang Drummer Greg Langston in the band "Shut up". Eventually, "Fang" won out, and the bands line-up included McBride, Chris Wilson (Bass), Tom Flynn (Guitar), and Joel Fox (Drums). Together they contributed the song "Fun with Acid" on the "Not so Quiet on the Western Front" compilation LP[2]. Shortly thereafter, guitarist Tom Flynn created "Boner Records" and released their debut LP and EP "Landshark" and "Where the Wild Things Are." Tim Stiletto drummed on the latter. These two releases are now considered classic east bay punk.[2]

In January 1986 the "Spun Helga" LP was recorded in West Germany with McBride singing vocals, and two germans named Joe (Guitar) and Ollie (Drums) playing instruments. We Bite Records in Germany released the LP, but in the US it was handeled by National Trust Records. Fangs next released was 1987's "A Mi Ga Sfafas?" (The title literally means "Give Me Head?" in Yugoslavian). The lineup during this era was McBride, Bill Collins (guitar), Joe Miller (bass), and Steve Chinn (drums). Around this time, Fang recorded an album that, up until 2008 remained unreleased. It was entitled "Pissed-Off Buddah." Luckily for Fang fans, this album was released with Fangs other albums "Spun Helga" and "A Mi Ga Sfafas?" in 2008.[1]

In 1989 Sam McBride was sentanced to six years in prison.

During Fang's inevitable break, punk rock group Green Day recorded a cover of their song "I Want to Be on TV" and released it on the B-Side of their hit single "Geek Stink Breath." The song was later re-released on the groups B-Side compilation album entitled "Shenanigans."

After a Long break Fang regrouped in 1995 and put out the "Electric Chair" single on Man's Ruin Records. The at this time included Sam McBride (Vocals: Sam had recently legally changed his name to "Sammytown"), Greg Langston (Drums), Bill Burnett (Guitar) and Josh Levine (Bass). This incarnation of the Band recorded the "American Nightmare" LP on Wingnut Records.[1]

In 1997 Boner Records released Fang's first compilation album, entitled "Landshark/Where the Wild Thing Are." The album included Fang's debut album and debut EP.[2]

In 1999 Jim Martin (from Faith No More), joined on guitar, and recorded four songs for the Hello Records CD "Fish and Vegetables," which was released as a split LP by fellow punk rock groups Dr. Know, and Hellions.[2]

By 2001 the band was composed of Sammytown, Brian Schopflin (Bass), Jonny Manck (Guitar), Alby Wasted (Guitar),and Ike (Drums).[1]

In 2008 the band released their second compilation CD entitled "Spun Helga/A Mi Ga Sfafas?/Pissed Off Buddha" which included three of their albums, including the previously unreleased album "Pissed Off Buddha.

[edit] Discography

[edit] LP's

  • "Landshark" - Released in 1982 on Boner Records
  • "Spun Helga" - Released in 1985 on National Trust Records
  • "A Mi Ga Sfafas?" - Released in 1986 on Boner Records
  • "Pissed Off Buddha" - Considered the "Lost Fang Album"; was finally released in 2008 (See Below)
  • "Landshark/Where the Wild Thing Are" - Released in 1997 on Boner Records
  • "American Nightmare" - Released in 1998 on Wingnut Records
  • "Fish and Vegetables" - Released in 2000 by Fang, Dr. Know, and Hellions on Hello Records
  • "Spun Helga/A Mi Ga Sfafas?/Pissed Off Buddha - Released in 2008 on Hello Records

[edit] EP's

  • "Where the Wild Things Are" - Released in 1983 on Boner Records
  • "Skinheads Smoke Dope with a Cheap Beer Hangover" - Released in 1999 by Fang and Oppressed Logic on Beer City Records

[edit] Singles and 45's

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Fang's MySpace at [1];retrieved on May 7, 2008
  2. ^ a b c d Fang's Discography Short-Form at [2];retrieved on May 7, 2008

[edit] External Links