Frankie and the Witch Fingers

Last updated
Frankie and the Witch Fingers
Origin Bloomington, Indiana
Genres Indie rock, Garage rock, Post punk, Psychedelic rock
Years active2013 (2013)- present
LabelsGreenway Records, Permanent Records
Members
  • Dylan Sizemore - Lead vocals, rhythm guitar
  • Josh Menashe - Lead guitar, backing vocals, synthesizer, sax, flute, engineering, etc.
  • Nicole "Nikki Pickle" Smith - Bass
  • Nick Aguilar - Drums
Past members
  • Glenn Brigman - Drums, organ, engineering, etc.
  • Alex Bulli - Bass, Shaughnessy Starr - Drums
  • Josh Morrow - Drums
Website frankieandthewitchfingers.com

Frankie and the Witch Fingers is an American rock band formed in Bloomington, Indiana, in 2013 [1] and based in Los Angeles. [2] The band is composed of founding members Dylan Sizemore (vocals and rhythm guitar) and Josh Menashe (vocals, lead guitar, synthesizer), as well as Nikki Pickle (bass) as of 2020, and Nick Aguilar (drums) as of 2022. [3] They are currently signed to Greenway Records from Brooklyn. [4]

Contents

History

Bloomington Years and Formation (2013-2018)

The band was started by Sizemore who initially formed the project as a solo outlet to perform in basement shows, singing, playing the electric guitar, and a kick drum. In the Bloomington basement show scene he met founding members, Glenn Brigman and Josh Menashe. Brigman invited Sizemore to record at the home recording studio that he shared with Menashe, where they recorded their band Triptides. Sizemore would later go on to play bass for Triptides on and off. [5] [6]

Sidewalk (2013)

During the first recording, Brigman offered to play drums on the tracks and quickly recruited two of the other founding members of the band including Menashe, and Josh Morrow (second drummer) to join the recording effort. This album would become the first Frankie and the Witch Fingers release on a cassette titled Sidewalk (2013), [7] released by Nice Legs Records.

Sidewalk was recorded to a Tascam 488 by Brigman. [8] Sidewalk primarily blended garage rock, and surf music.

Alex Bulli (bass), who played in Prince Moondog with Menashe and Brigman was recruited to fill out the 5-piece lineup for live shows. [9] The band played a handful of live shows together as a 5-piece, until Morrow exited the band later that year, which then performed and recorded as a 4-piece group from 2013 to 2018 producing four full-length albums and two 7-inch records together.

4 Way Split/Self-titled (2014-2015)

The band's second release was a song included on a 4 way split 7-inch with Triptides, The See See, and The Young Sinclairs featuring the unreleased track "Revival" in 2014 on Stroll On Records. [10] Permanent Records (Chicago and Los Angeles) heard the track "Revival" from the split and contacted the band about a partnership to release their newest recordings. Permanent released the band's subsequent eponymously titled album, Frankie and the Witch Fingers (2015), [11] their first release on vinyl.

Moving to Los Angeles/Merry go round 7″/Heavy Roller

Brigman, Menashe, and Bulli moved to Los Angeles in 2014. Sizemore flew out to Los Angeles for the band's first tour in March 2015. Sizemore moved to Los Angeles later that year. After arriving in Los Angeles they met Stu Pope at a show at Permanent Records shop in Highland Park. On April 1, 2016, they released the first single from their next album that included tracks "Merry-Go-Round" and "Mystical Rapture" on the Merry-Go-Round 7″ through Hypnotic Bridge Records (Sierra Madre, Calif.) as the first release for Stu Pope's new label. [12] Permanent Records then released the full-length Heavy Roller LP (July 29, 2016). [13]

Heavy Roller saw the band venture into new territory with songs that ranged from psych pop to stretched out acid rock jams.

Brain Telephone (2017)

After the release of Heavy Roller, the band set about recording a new album in Los Angeles, in the recording studio that they shared with Levitation Room, on a 388 tape machine borrowed from a friend. [8]

Released on September 15 by Permanent Records, [14] Brain Telephone continued expanding upon the band's psychedelic sound by blending rhythm and blues style rock n' roll and emphasizing some of their southern rock influences into the mix.

Drip Tea (2018)

In 2018 they met the band Twin Temple and went into their home studio to record their next release with Twin Temple's Zachary James, a 7″ featuring tracks "Drip" and "Tea" released on May 18 by Let's Pretend Records (Bloomington, Indiana) [15] [16]

Shaughnessy Starr joins the band/Pleasure 7″/ZAM/(2018-2019)

In July 2018 following a long stint of tours, Brigman exited to focus his efforts on his band Triptides, and drummer Shaugnessy Starr (ex. Psychic Ju-Jitsu, Hooveriii, Triptides) joined the group in his place. [17]

Shaughnessy Starr immediately began working with the band to write their next record. In September 2018, touring the US with Stonefield from Australia, their set consisted almost entirely of unreleased material that would be recorded for ZAM later that month. [17]

Recorded at Zachary James' home studio called Studio 666 [17] and engineered by James and Kevin Mills, [18] ZAM was their first full length album completely recorded by a non–band member. For ZAM, the band adopted a more rhythmically driven sound and drew on new influences of Krautrock, Jazz, and Funk. [19]

From ZAM (2019), [20] a double album, a 7" single was released, "Pleasure"/"Realization (acoustic demo)". [21] "Cavehead"/"Mind's Eye" [22] followed in 2020 from Monsters Eating People Eating Monsters…, [23] a concept album in which all the songs transition continuously from one to the next without any breaks between tracks.

At the end of 2019, Alex Bulli exited the band and bassist Nikki "Pickle" Smith (ex-Death Valley Girls) joined the group playing one show with the band in Chicago before the shut-down of the COVID-19 pandemic. [24] During the height of the lockdown phase of 2020, the group was able to meet up and record a few live sessions, one of which was streamed live and released on vinyl and video through Levitation (Reverberation Appreciation Society) and Greenway Records as Levitation Sessions: Frankie and the Witch Fingers (2020). [25] The next 7-inch single on Greenway Records, "Cookin'"/"Tracksuit", came out in 2021. [26]

With Starr's exit near the middle of 2021, drummer Jon Modaff filled in for the band's first post-pandemic tour [27] before Nick Aguilar (Slaughterhouse, Mike Watt, etc.) became the new current full-time drummer. [28] The new lineup played their first show together on April 30, 2022, [29] and recorded a full-length album set for release in 2023.

Notable performances

Frankie and the Witch Fingers performed as an opening act for ZZ Top and Cheap Trick on a handful of those bands' 2019 US tour dates. [30] They have also opened for Osees at the Bataclan Theatre [31] in Paris, Ty Segall at Troxy Theater in London, and Porno for Pyros [32] in June 2022.

Discography

Full-length LPs

7-inch records

Related Research Articles

<i>Moving Pictures</i> (Rush album) 1981 studio album by Rush

Moving Pictures is the eighth studio album by Canadian rock band Rush, released on February 12, 1981, by Anthem Records. After touring to support their previous album, Permanent Waves (1980), the band started to write and record new material in August 1980 with longtime co-producer Terry Brown. They continued to write songs with a more radio-friendly sound, featuring tighter and shorter song structures compared to their earlier albums.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sparks (band)</span> American rock and pop band

Sparks is an American pop and rock duo formed by brothers Ron (keyboards) and Russell Mael (vocals) in Los Angeles. The duo is noted for their quirky approach to songwriting; their music is often accompanied by sophisticated and acerbic lyrics—often about women, and sometimes containing literary or cinematic references—and an idiosyncratic, theatrical stage presence, typified by the contrast between Russell's animated, hyperactive frontman antics and Ron's deadpan scowling. Russell Mael has a distinctive wide-ranging voice, while Ron Mael plays keyboards in an intricate and rhythmic style. Their frequently changing styles and visual presentations have kept the band at the forefront of modern, artful pop music.

<i>Groovie Goolies</i> Television series

Groovie Goolies is an American animated television show that had its original run Saturday mornings on CBS between 1970 and 1972. It was rebroadcast the following season on Sunday mornings. Set at a decrepit castle, the show focused on its monstrous but good-natured and mostly friendly inhabitants. Created by Filmation, Groovie Goolies was an original creation of the studio; its characters would cross over with Filmation's Archie Comics adaptations including Sabrina the Teenage Witch and The Archie Show, as well as with the Looney Tunes cast.

<i>The Lion and the Witch</i> 2002 live EP by Weezer

The Lion and the Witch is a live EP by American rock band Weezer. Recorded in Japan in the spring of 2002 while promoting Maladroit, released on September 24, 2002, exactly six years after the release of Pinkerton. It was distributed as a limited edition release in independently owned music stores with only 25,000 copies having been made. The album was then rereleased and remastered on vinyl in 2015, with only 3,000 copies made.

<i>Rock n Roll</i> (Motörhead album) 1987 studio album by Motörhead

Rock 'n' Roll is the eighth studio album by English rock band Motörhead, released in August 1987. It is their last album with the GWR label, as more legal issues embroiled the band with yet another label. Reaching only No. 34 in the UK Albums Chart, Rock 'n' Roll was, in that respect, the worst performing of all of Motörhead's top 40 chart hits.

Sanford Roy Linzer is an American songwriter, lyricist, and record producer, who is best known for his songwriting collaborations with Denny Randell and Bob Crewe in the 1960s and 1970s. He co-wrote hits including "A Lover's Concerto", "Let's Hang On!", "Working My Way Back to You", "Breakin' Down the Walls of Heartache", "Native New Yorker", and "Use It Up and Wear It Out". He was nominated with Randell for induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) in 2012.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby Goodbye)</span> 1965 song by The Four Seasons

"Bye, Bye, Baby " is a popular song written by Bob Crewe and Bob Gaudio. The Four Seasons' version of the song made it to No. 1 in Canada and No. 12 on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 1965. On the original issue of the single, the title was "Bye Bye Baby". However, on the album, The 4 Seasons Entertain You, and on later issues of the song, the name was changed to the longer, more familiar one. The song is about saying goodbye, not because the person is unloved but rather because the relationship is adulterous.

<i>Reverberation</i> (album) 1990 studio album by Echo & the Bunnymen

Reverberation is the sixth studio album by the English rock band Echo & the Bunnymen. The album was released amidst a line-up change for the group, due to the departure of vocalist Ian McCulloch and the death of drummer Pete de Freitas. The remaining members, guitarist Will Sergeant and bassist Les Pattinson, were joined by ex-St. Vitus Dance singer Noel Burke, keyboard player Jake Brockman and drummer Damon Reece. The album was produced by former Beatles engineer Geoff Emerick at Ridge Farm Studio in Surrey, England, and had a more pronounced psychedelic sound than the group's previous releases.

<i>Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones</i> (soundtrack) 2002 film score by John Williams

The soundtrack to Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones was released by Sony Classical on April 23, 2002. The music was composed and conducted by John Williams, and performed by the London Symphony Orchestra and London Voices in January 2002, with orchestrations provided by Conrad Pope and Eddie Karam. Shawn Murphy recorded and mixed the score. Peter Myles and Kenneth Wannberg served as music editors. Williams himself produced the recording sessions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Man Man</span> American experimental rock band

Man Man is an American experimental rock band from Philadelphia currently based in Los Angeles. Lead singer, songwriter, and lyricist Honus Honus is accompanied by a group of multi-instrumentalist musicians and vocalists.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bic Hayes</span> Musical artist

Christian David "Bic" Hayes is an English rock guitarist, singer and songwriter. Best known as the frontman of Dark Star and guitarist with Levitation, he has also released solo material as Mikrokosmos, which was produced by Tim Smith.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saturday Night (Bay City Rollers song)</span> 1973 single by Bay City Rollers

"Saturday Night" is a song recorded by the Scottish pop rock band Bay City Rollers. It was written and produced by Bill Martin and Phil Coulter. The tune is an upbeat rock number with a memorable hook, in which the word "Saturday" is spelled out in a rhythmic, enthusiastic chant.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ed Mundell</span> American guitarist

Edward Mundell is an American rock guitarist known for his space rock 1970's inspired sound. From 1992 to 2010, he was the lead guitarist for stoner rock band Monster Magnet, contributing to eight albums in total. As of 2024, Mundell contributes to various recordings and soundtracks as a studio musician based in Los Angeles.

<i>Born in the Basement</i> 1994 studio album by the Groovie Ghoulies

Born in the Basement is the second album by the Sacramento, California punk rock band the Groovie Ghoulies, released in 1994 by Green Door Records. It was recorded at Egg Studios in Seattle with producer Conrad Uno and engineer Mark Guenther. The album's artwork is credited to The Poison Pen, with a band photo taken by Curt Doughty.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tytan (band)</span> British rock band

Tytan are a British rock band that lasted about two years during the early 1980s, founded by former Angel Witch bassist Kev Riddles. The album Rough Justice was released after their split. They formed during the New Wave of British Heavy Metal movement and are best known for their strong melodies. The band reformed in 2012 to play at the Keep It True festival in Germany and have been touring ever since. In 2016 the band recorded a second album, Justice Served, with Chris Tsangarides for High Roller Records; it was released in May 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Night Beats</span> American psychedelic/garage rock band

Night Beats are an American psychedelic/garage rock band, formed in 2009 in Seattle, Washington.

Levitation and Austin Psych Fest are two annual multi-day music festivals developed and produced by The Reverberation Appreciation Society. Starting out under the name Austin Psych Fest as a single-location, three-day festival, the festival was renamed Levitation in its eighth year to celebrate Austin’s psychedelic rock pioneers The 13th Floor Elevators. For many of its earlier iterations, the festival was held at Carson Creek Ranch in Austin, Texas. Under the Levitation moniker, the festival eventually transitioned to a four-day festival spread out across many traditional venues in the city of Austin. Starting in 2024, the organizers now run both festivals every year under their respective monikers, with Austin Psych Fest held in the spring at a single location and Levitation held in the fall as a multi-venue festival.

The Reverberation Appreciation Society is the creator, curator, and producer of annual psychedelic music festivals Levitation Austin, Levitation France, Levitation Chicago, and Levitation Vancouver. The Reverberation Appreciation Society's record label started in 2010, with the release of Christian Bland and the Revelators – The Lost Album. Later releases include albums by Joel Gion of The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Ringo Deathstarr, Wall of Death, Indian Jewelry, Golden Animals, Night Beats, Holy Wave, and The UFO Club, as well as joint releases with Burger Records.

American garage rock band Osees have released twenty-eight studio albums, two live albums, four compilation albums, eight extended plays (EPs), thirteen singles, and thirteen music videos.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kikagaku Moyo</span> Japanese psychedelic band

Kikagaku Moyo were a Japanese psychedelic band founded in Tokyo. The band's name translates to "geometric patterns".

References

  1. ↑ "Frankie and the Witch Fingers". Rough Trade Publishing.
  2. ↑ "Frankie and the Witch Fingers releasing Heavy Roller". Brooklyn Vegan. 28 July 2016.
  3. ↑ "Rising LA psych-punk outfit comes to the Chapel". CBS News. 26 October 2023.
  4. ↑ "Frankie and the Witch Fingers". Greenway Records.
  5. ↑ "Album Review: Frankie and the Witch Fingers – Monsters Eating People Eating Monsters". Mxdwn. 15 September 2022.
  6. ↑ "Frankie & the Witch Fingers Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
  7. ↑ "Frankie and the Witch Fingers Sidewalk". Greenway Records.
  8. 1 2 "Vibing with Frankie and the Witch Fingers". Musician's Friend.
  9. ↑ "Frankie and the Witch Fingers". It's Psychedelic Baby! Magazine . 16 September 2014.
  10. ↑ "Revival (Single)". Bandcamp.
  11. ↑ "PERM-045". Permanent Records.
  12. ↑ "Video Premiere Frankie and the Witch Fingers Merry Go Round". Buzzbands LA. 17 March 2016.
  13. ↑ "Album Premiere: Frankie and the Witch Fingers 'Heavy Roller'". LA Record. Archived from the original on 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  14. ↑ "Frankie and the Witch Fingers: Brain Telephone". LA Record. Archived from the original on 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  15. ↑ "Frankie and the Witch Fingers - Drip Tea". The Fat Angel Sings.
  16. ↑ "Frankie and the Witch Fingers Drip/ Tea". Lets Pretend Records.
  17. 1 2 3 "A catch up with Frankie and the Witch Fingers". Bad Luck. Archived from the original on 2022-11-14. Retrieved 2022-11-14.
  18. ↑ "ZAM". Bandcamp.
  19. ↑ "Frankie & the Witch Fingers: ZAM Review". Paste Magazine.
  20. ↑ "Frankie & the Witch Fingers - Zam Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
  21. ↑ "Frankie and the Witch Fingers - Pleasure". Sly Vinyl.
  22. ↑ "New Frankie and the Witch Fingers 'Cavehead' 7" + Video!". Greenway Records. 10 July 2020.
  23. ↑ "Frankie's monstrous new LP "MEPEM" is out now!". Greenway Records. 2 October 2020.
  24. ↑ "New Music: Frankie & The Witch Fingers new video and album news". Shindig. 7 August 2020.
  25. ↑ "Frankie and the Witch Fingers announce Levitation Sessions Live Film". Greenway Records. 18 December 2020.
  26. ↑ "Frankie and the Witch Fingers Share New Single, Cookin'". Moof Magazine. 16 October 2021.
  27. ↑ "Frankie and the Witch Fingers Bio". Big Hassle Publicity.
  28. ↑ "Frankie And The Witch Fingers Announce 2022 Headline US/Canada Tour Dates". Broadway World.
  29. ↑ "Frankie and The Witch Fingers". Jambase.
  30. ↑ "Oct 06, 2019: ZZ Top / Cheap Trick / Frankie and the Witch Fingers". Concert Archives.
  31. ↑ "[Live Report] Frankie & The Witch Fingers et Clavicule au Supersonic (Paris)". Benzine Magazine. 20 August 2022.
  32. ↑ "The Return of Porno for Pyros". LA Weekly. 6 July 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.