Save Ferris

Last updated
Save Ferris
Save Ferris (group photo).jpg
Save Ferris in the 1990s
Background information
Origin Orange County, California, United States
Genres Ska punk
Years active1995–2003, 2013–present
LabelsStarpool, Epic, Withyn, Columbia
Spinoffs Starpool
Members
  • Monique Powell
  • Brandon Dickert
  • Adam Bones
  • Alex Csillag
  • Max O'Leary
  • Nate Light
Past members
  • Adrienne Nolff
  • Bill Uechi
  • Eric Zamora
  • Brian Mashburn
  • Jesse Tunnell
  • T-Bone Willy
  • José Castellaños
  • Oliver Zavala
  • Steve White
  • Steve Cordero
  • Marc Harismendy
  • Evan Kilbourne
  • Denny Weston Jr.
  • Joe Berry
  • Gordon Bash
  • Patrick Ferguson
  • Erik Hughes
  • Adam Plost
  • Alex Burke
  • Scott Jones
  • Connor McElwain
  • Richard Velzen
  • Jonathan Levi Shanes
  • Alexander Mathias
  • Jesse Stern
Website saveferris.com

Save Ferris is an American ska punk band formed circa 1995 in Orange County, California, United States. [1] Their name is a reference to the 1986 film Ferris Bueller's Day Off . In 1995, the band began to perform underground venues in Southern California. In 1996, the band won a Grammy showcase award for best unsigned band and a contract with Epic Records. Their album It Means Everything from 1997 was their first full-length album. By 1999, the band moved from ska-pop into pop-punk. After a hiatus, in 2017, Save Ferris released the Checkered Past EP.

Contents

The band is best remembered for their 1997 cover of "Come On Eileen", originally by the British new wave band Dexys Midnight Runners.

History

1995–1996: Early years and Introducing Save Ferris EP

The band came together after the dissolution of a number of Orange County, California bands. [2] With the band working together under their own “Starpool” label, they began to book shows around Southern California to a great underground response. [3]

The band released their debut EP Introducing Save Ferris on their own label, Starpool Records in 1996, and ended up selling close to 20,000 copies of their EP “out of the trunks of their cars.” That year, Monique Powell provided vocals on the Reel Big Fish song "She Has A Girlfriend Now" from their album Turn the Radio Off (Mojo), which is considered one of RBF’s most requested songs to date.

Riding a wave of support from fans all over Southern California, Save Ferris became favorites of KROQ radio’s legendary “Rodney on the Rock”, which resulted in regular airplay on LA’s world-famous KROQ radio station, possibly being the first unsigned band to do this in LA alternative radio history. Later that year, the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences gave the band a Grammy showcase award for best-unsigned band, earning them a recording contract with Epic Records (SONY). [4]

1997: It Means Everything and mainstream success

The band released their debut full-length album, It Means Everything , for Epic in 1997. The album featured several re-recorded tracks from the EP, some new songs, and a cover of Dexys Midnight Runners' "Come On Eileen", [5] which became the band’s most successful single to date. It Means Everything also featured the single "The World is New," which was featured in the film The Big Hit starring Mark Wahlberg, and was later featured in the trailers for Senseless and Thomas and the Magic Railroad , as well as an episode of the TV series 7th Heaven . [6]

Monique Powell, lead singer of Save Ferris, performs at a Save Ferris show at the Starland Ballroom in New Jersey on August 19, 2023. Save Ferris2 8-19-2023.jpg
Monique Powell, lead singer of Save Ferris, performs at a Save Ferris show at the Starland Ballroom in New Jersey on August 19, 2023.

Save Ferris toured extensively in support of It Means Everything, opening for bands such as Sugar Ray, The Offspring, Goldfinger, and Reel Big Fish and two mainstage spots on the Vans Warped Tour in 1998 and 2000. In April 1998, they made their television debut on HBO's music series Reverb and made an on-screen appearance in the teen film 10 Things I Hate About You . The album sold over 400,000 copies, and spawned three Top Ten hits in both Japan and Mexico. With two singles in the Billboard top 100 and full rotation on alternative radio all over the world, It Means Everything was able to go Platinum internationally. [7]

1998–1999: Modified era

After the departure of the band’s first drummer, Marc Harismendy, [8] in 1998, Save Ferris regrouped and released their appropriately titled sophomore album for Epic records, Modified , in October 1999. The album saw the band moving away from their ska-pop roots and into pop-punk territory. The album also spawned three Top Ten hits in both Japan and Mexico. [9] The song "The Only Way to Be" was used in 2000 film Scary Movie.

Save Ferris supported Modified on tour throughout the next several years including a trek with Lit [10] in the U.S. and a headlining tour of the UK.

2000–2003: Hiatus, and For the Fans tour

The band performed at the 2002 Winter Olympics between the qualifiers and the finals of the Men's Halfpipe at the competition venue in Park City.

Through the years, Save Ferris went through a number of changes in their lineup, most notably the departure of Brian Mashburn, the band’s main songwriter, who quit Save Ferris in 2002. Soon to follow Mashburn were Eric Zamora and Bill Uechi, departing to start a new band. Save Ferris announced their break up in October 2002. [11]

Soon after the departure of Mashburn, Powell self-financed what she called the "For the Fans" Save Ferris US tour in 2003, which included a mainstage performance at Ska Summit in Las Vegas for over 10,000 fans. [12]

2004–2012: Post-breakup

From 2004 to 2008, Powell appeared on albums by The Used, Lostprophets, Hilary Duff, Goldfinger and others. [13] She also started a now defunct band called The Mojo Wire in 2008, and toured in the LA area. [14]

In 2003, Bill Uechi, Brian Mashburn, T-Bone Willy, Eric Zamora, and Oliver Zavala started the band Starpool with Alan Meade original member of No Doubt on vocals and Phil Hanson on drums. [15]

2013–present: Revival

Save Ferris, now led by Powell, went on indefinite hiatus from 2003 until the spring of 2013, in which Powell once again regrouped and headlined the Pacific Amphitheatre in Orange County, CA to a sold out audience of over 7,000 fans, and another sold out show at the El Rey theater in Los Angeles. [16]

The Pacific Amphitheatre performance resulted in a lawsuit being filed by the former members over of the band's name. The lawsuit stated that Powell never contacted or invited her former bandmates to perform at the show, although she stated this wasn't the case. Powell responded with her own countersuit in 2015. Ultimately, Powell won the rights to the band’s name, brand and social-media pages. Powell was also awarded writing credits on several songs she had previously not been credited on. [17] In October 2015, a message indicating that the lawsuits between the members has been amicably resolved was posted to the band's official website although the message has since been removed. [18]

Also in 2015, ASCAP songwriting records were updated to represent Powell as co-writer on a number of Save Ferris songs not previously represented in the liner notes of the albums. [19]

In 2016, Save Ferris ran a successful Pledge Music campaign to raise money for what would be the first new album in over 15 years. Their financial goal was hit in only a couple of weeks, fully funded by their fans. They co-headlined Mexico City Ska Fest 2016 with the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. [20]

Save Ferris performs at the Starland Ballroom in New Jersey on August 19, 2023. Save Ferris-8-19-2023.jpg
Save Ferris performs at the Starland Ballroom in New Jersey on August 19, 2023.

On February 10, 2017, Save Ferris released the Checkered Past EP, their first release in 18 years. [21] The EP was produced by Oingo Boingo bassist John Avila and features a guest appearance by Neville Staple of The Specials on the EP's first single, "New Sound". The band toured the album in 2017, and took part in the US Warped Tour during the summer of 2017. [22]

Lineup

Current [23]
Past

Timeline

Save Ferris

Discography

Albums

YearAlbum detailsPeak chart positions
US
[24] [25]
1997 It Means Everything [26]
  • Released: September 9, 1997
  • Label: Epic
  • Format: CD
75
1999 Modified [27]
  • Released: October 19, 1999
  • Label: Epic
  • Format: CD
136

EPs

YearAlbum details
1996 Introducing Save Ferris [28]
  • Released: 1996
  • Label: Starpool
  • Format: CD
2017 Checkered Past [29]
  • Released: February 10, 2017
  • Label: Withyn
  • Format: CD, vinyl, digital download

Singles

YearSinglePeak chart positionsAlbum
US
Alternative Songs
[25] [30]
1997"Come On Eileen"26 It Means Everything
1998"Goodbye"32

Other appearances

The following Save Ferris songs were released on compilation albums and soundtracks. This is not an exhaustive list; songs that were first released on the band's albums and EPs are not included.

YearRelease detailsTrack
1997Punk vs. Ska, Round I [31]
  • Released: February 17, 1997
  • Label: Skratch Vegas
  • Format: CD
The Ska Parade: Runnin' Naked Thru the Cornfield [32]
  • Released: October 14, 1997
  • Label: A to Y
  • Format: CD
  • "S.Y.L.S.B." ("Support Your Local Ska Band")
1998Santa's Swingin' Sack
  • Released: December 1998
  • Label: KROQ
  • Format: CD
1999 10 Things I Hate About You soundtrack [33]
  • Released: April 6, 1999
  • Label: Hollywood
  • Format: CD
  • "I Know"
2000The Real Slim Santa
  • Released: December 2000
  • Label: KROQ
  • Format: CD

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reel Big Fish</span> American ska punk band

Reel Big Fish is an American ska punk band from Huntington Beach, California. The band gained mainstream recognition in the mid-to-late 1990s during the third wave of ska with the release of the gold-certified album Turn the Radio Off. Soon after, the band lost mainstream recognition but gained an underground cult following. As of 2006, the band was no longer signed to a major record label and has since been independent. After numerous line-up changes, frontman Aaron Barrett is the last remaining founding member still performing in the band.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Toasters</span> American ska band

The Toasters are one of the original American second wave of ska bands. Founded in New York City in 1981, the band has released nine studio albums, primarily through Moon Ska Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rx Bandits</span> American band

Rx Bandits are an American four-piece band based in Seal Beach, California, United States. The band formed in 1995 in Orange County, California. They have appeared on the Vans Warped Tour, at the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival, Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival and at The Bamboozle.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The O.C. Supertones</span> American ska band

The Orange County Supertones were a Christian ska band from Orange County, California. The band was signed to Tooth & Nail Records and its imprint, BEC Recordings, before becoming an independent band. The band temporarily disbanded in 2005, though reunited in 2010 to resume touring and recording before permanently disbanding in 2017. The OC Supertones were one of the first widely successful Christian ska bands.

<i>Turn the Radio Off</i> 1996 studio album by Reel Big Fish

Turn the Radio Off is the second full-length album by ska punk band Reel Big Fish. It was released in the U.S. in 1996 on Mojo Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Voodoo Glow Skulls</span> American ska punk band

Voodoo Glow Skulls are an American ska punk band formed in 1988 in Riverside, California, by brothers Frank, Eddie, and Jorge Casillas and their longtime friend Jerry O'Neill. Voodoo Glow Skulls first played at backyard parties and later at Spanky's Café in their hometown of Riverside, where they played shows with the Angry Samoans, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Firehose, Murphy's Law, and The Dickies.

Catch 22 is an American ska punk band from East Brunswick Township, New Jersey. The band was formed in 1996 by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Tomas Kalnoky, who left the band in 1998 and later formed Streetlight Manifesto. Founding members still in the band are vocalist/saxophonist Ryan Eldred, trumpeter Kevin Gunther and drummer Chris Greer.

Mustard Plug is an American ska punk band from Grand Rapids, Michigan, consisting of Dave Kirchgessner (vocals), Brandon Jenison (trumpet), Jim Hofer (trombone), Nate Cohn (drums), Colin Clive (guitar/vocals), Mark Petz and Greg Witulski (bass).

<i>Dont Know How to Party</i> 1993 studio album by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Don't Know How to Party is the third full-length album by the American ska punk band The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, which was released in 1993. Don't Know How to Party was The Mighty Mighty Bosstones' major label debut on Mercury Records, their first venture away from their original label Taang! Records. The album reached #187 on the Billboard 200, and spawned several singles, including the Bosstones fan favorite—"Someday I Suppose". Lead singer Dicky Barret would later state that, "When we made `Don't Know How to Party', no one knew where [we] [were] coming from". Bassist Joe Gittleman stated that the album was "slower than [our] other records."

<i>It Means Everything</i> 1997 studio album by Save Ferris

It Means Everything is the debut studio album by American rock band Save Ferris, released on September 9, 1997 through Epic and Starpool Records. After its members appeared in various other bands, Save Ferris formed in 1995. Vocalist Monique Powell became their manager because of her connections throughout the Orange County, California music scene. Following the release of their debut EP Introducing Save Ferris (1996), they received airplay from KROQ-FM and it sold 12,000 copies. They band performed at Grammy Awards showcase, which eventually saw them signing to Epic Records. Their debut album was mostly recorded at NRG and The Hook studios, in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California between April and June 1997. It Means Everything is a ska album that features influences from swing music, and has been compared to the works of No Doubt.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Suburban Legends</span> American ska punk band

Suburban Legends are an American ska punk band that formed in Huntington Beach, California, in 1998 and later based themselves in nearby Santa Ana. After building a fanbase in the Orange County ska scene through their numerous regular performances at the Disneyland Resort, a series of lineup changes in 2005 introduced elements of funk and disco into the group's style.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big D and the Kids Table</span> American ska punk band

Big D and the Kids Table is a ska punk band formed in October 1995 in Boston, Massachusetts when its members converged in college. Their first release was on their own Fork in Hand Records label, but have since teamed with Springman Records and SideOneDummy. The band has been noted for its strict DIY work ethic, such as engineering, producing, and releasing their own albums and videos and self-promotion of their own shows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lightyear (band)</span> British ska punk band

Lightyear is a seven-piece British ska punk band formed in Derby, England, in 1997. They were part of a UK music scene that mixed ska punk with other genres including funk, indie-rock and hip-hop. The band signed to Household Name Records in 2001, and released two full-length albums before splitting in 2003. Since 2006 the band have had a number of reunions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mad Caddies</span> American ska punk band

The Mad Caddies is an American ska punk band from Solvang, California. The band formed in 1995 and has released seven full-length albums, one live album, and two EPs. To date, Mad Caddies have sold over 500,000 albums worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Home Grown</span> American pop punk band

Home Grown was a North American ska punk/pop punk band formed in 1994 in Orange County, California. They released three full-length albums and several EPs before disbanding in 2005. Their music is often characterized as pop punk, lyrically favoring humor and silly or satirical subjects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deal's Gone Bad</span> American band

Deal's Gone Bad is a band from Chicago, Illinois. Their sound mixes reggae, rocksteady, and ska music with American soul. They have been together since 1994, with numerous lineup changes over the years. The current incarnation has been mostly stable since 2003. The band hews to a more traditional ska-reggae sound while many others working in the genre morphed into a more punk variety.

<i>Modified</i> (album) 1999 studio album by Save Ferris

Modified is the second studio album by American rock band Save Ferris, released in 1999.

SGR was an American ska-core band from Voorhees, New Jersey, United States, that formed as a five piece act in 1996, during the United States third wave ska boom. The band's catalog spans four albums, a live recording, and a handful of compilation appearances. The band's last live show took place in June 2007.

Starpool is an American ska band consisting of former members of Save Ferris and former No Doubt member Alan Meade. The band's name is taken from a nickname given to trombonist Tbone Willy's house that had a swimming pool shaped like a star, where the band members used to practice and throw parties as Save Ferris. It was also used by the band Save Ferris for their own indie label, Starpool Records, which released the first Save Ferris EP, Introducing Save Ferris.

<i>Checkered Past</i> (EP) 2017 EP by Save Ferris

Checkered Past is an EP by ska punk band Save Ferris that was released on February 10, 2017, on Withyn Records. The EP marks the band's first release in 18 years since 1999's Modified and their first since lead singer and founding member Monique Powell reformed the band with a brand new lineup after years of legal battles with the former members of the band. The EP was produced by Oingo Boingo bassist John Avila and features a guest appearance by Neville Staple of The Specials on the EP's first single, "New Sound".

References

  1. "Top 25 Greatest Orange County Bands of All Time: The Complete List | OC Weekly". Blogs.ocweekly.com. 2012-10-11. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  2. "The First Save Ferris Show Ever – Al... – Save Ferris Official Page". Facebook. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  3. Powell, Monique. "Band formation". Save Ferris Official. Save Ferris. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  4. Rosen, Alison M. (2000-01-05). "Image Isn't Everything". The Los Angeles Times.
  5. "Save Ferris". allmusic. Retrieved 2009-08-05.
  6. "Thomas and the Magic Railroad – Theatrical Trailer". YouTube. 2011-08-12. Retrieved 2014-07-30.[ dead YouTube link ]
  7. Powell, Monique. "Billboard Chart Position". Billboard charts. Billboard. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  8. Save Ferris Biography, Sing365.com
  9. "Band bio". Epic Records. Archived from the original on 2007-09-27. Retrieved 1 May 2007.
  10. "Save Ferris Concert Setlist at Madison Theater, Peoria on March 25, 2000". setlist.fm. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  11. White, Adam (October 15, 2002). "Save Ferris breaks up". Punknews.org. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
  12. Gonzales, Ramon (2003-05-15). "For the Fans". Houston Press. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  13. Powell, Monique (1975-08-20). "Monique Powell | Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  14. "The MojoWire | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos". Myspace.com. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  15. "Orange Pop: Finally, an album from Starpool". Oc Register. 17 November 2010. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  16. Craig D. Lindsey (2003-05-10). "Monique Powell shines with Save Ferris set". Orange County Register. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  17. Kohn, Daniel (2017-03-23). "Monique Powell Has Revived Save Ferris—But Not Everyone is Happy". OC Weekly. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
  18. "Anne Carlini - Exclusive Magazine". www.annecarlini.com. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  19. "Save Ferris". Save Ferris. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  20. Powell, Monique. "Pepsi Ska Fest". facebook page for Pepsi Ska Fest 2016. Pepsi. Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  21. "Save Ferris - Checkered Past -". mxdwn.com. 21 February 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  22. "Warped Tour 2017 lineup: Andy Black, Save Ferris, Memphis May Fire & more | Eponymous Review". www.eponymousreview.com. 23 March 2017. Retrieved 2017-07-07.
  23. "Save Ferris — Official Site — About". Saveferrisofficial.com. 2003-03-29. Retrieved 2014-07-30.
  24. "Save Ferris Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard charts . Retrieved 2012-07-25.
  25. 1 2 "Save Ferris Awards". Allmusic . Retrieved 2012-07-25.
  26. "It Means Everything". Allmusic . Retrieved 2012-07-25.
  27. "Modified". Allmusic . Retrieved 2012-07-25.
  28. "Introducing Save Ferris". Allmusic . Retrieved 2012-07-25.
  29. "Checkered Past". 3 March 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2018 via Amazon.
  30. "Save Ferris Chart History: Alternative Songs". Billboard charts . Retrieved 2012-07-25.
  31. "Punk vs. Ska, Round I". Allmusic . Retrieved 2012-07-25.
  32. "The Ska Parade: Runnin' Naked Thru the Cornfield". Allmusic . Retrieved 2012-07-25.
  33. "10 Things I Hate About You soundtrack". Allmusic . Retrieved 2012-07-25.