Pitchfork (band)
Encyclopedia
Pitchfork was an American post-hardcore
band formed in 1986 in San Diego, California
and disbanded in 1990. They are most well known as the first "real" band of guitarist John Reis
, who would later gain fame as the frontman in Rocket from the Crypt
, and as the first collaboration between Reis and singer Rick Froberg
(the two would later form Drive Like Jehu
and Hot Snakes
). As an aspiring visual artist and illustrator, Froberg provided most of the band's artwork while Reis developed his studio skills by acting as producer on their records.
and piano
, Don Ankrom on bass
and Joey Piro on drums
. Their musical influences included Mission of Burma
, Sonic Youth
and others. In 1988 they recorded their first and only vinyl 7", Saturn Outhouse
, consisting of three songs and released the following year.
In 1989 Ankrom left the band and was replaced by Nick Frederick. They entered Radio Tokyo studios and recorded their only album, Eucalyptus
, which was released the following year on local label Nemesis Records
. Froberg provided artwork for the album while Reis acted as producer. The band broke up shortly thereafter.
Following the breakup of Pitchfork Reis and Froberg formed Drive Like Jehu
, in which they performed until 1995. Reis simultaneously formed Rocket from the Crypt
, which he performed in until 2005. During the 1990s he also released a solo effort under the name Back Off Cupids
, and from 2000-2007 performed in the Sultans. From 1999-2005 Reis and Froberg again reunited in the Hot Snakes
. In 2003 Reis re-released Eucalyptus and Saturn Outhouse as a single CD through his record label Swami Records
. Froberg's current band is the Obits
, formed in 2006, while Reis formed The Night Marchers
in 2007.
Post-hardcore
Post-hardcore is a genre of music that developed from hardcore punk, itself an offshoot of the broader punk rock movement. Like post-punk, post-hardcore is a term for a broad constellation of groups...
band formed in 1986 in San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
and disbanded in 1990. They are most well known as the first "real" band of guitarist John Reis
John Reis
John Reis is an American musician, singer, guitarist, record label owner, and disc jockey. He is best known as the singer and guitarist for the rock band Rocket from the Crypt, which he formed and fronted for the entirety of its career from 1990 to 2005...
, who would later gain fame as the frontman in Rocket from the Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt was an American rock band led by John Reis, formed in 1989 in San Diego, California and disbanded in 2005.The band gained critical praise and the attention of major record labels after the release of their 1992 album Circa: Now!, leading to a recording contract with Interscope...
, and as the first collaboration between Reis and singer Rick Froberg
Rick Froberg
Eric "Rick" Froberg is an American musician and artist. He was born in Los Angeles, lived in Encinitas, California, and currently resides in Brooklyn...
(the two would later form Drive Like Jehu
Drive Like Jehu
Drive Like Jehu was an American post-hardcore and alternative rock band from San Diego active from 1990 to 1995. Formed by rhythm guitarist and vocalist Rick Froberg and lead guitarist John Reis following the breakup of their band Pitchfork, the band's lineup also included bassist Mike Kennedy and...
and Hot Snakes
Hot Snakes
Hot Snakes were an American post-hardcore band led by Rick Froberg and John Reis, formed in 1999 in San Diego, California and disbanded in 2005. Reis and Froberg had previously performed together in Pitchfork and Drive Like Jehu, after which Reis had found international success with Rocket from the...
). As an aspiring visual artist and illustrator, Froberg provided most of the band's artwork while Reis developed his studio skills by acting as producer on their records.
Band history
Pitchfork formed in 1986 in San Diego. The lineup consisted of Rick Froberg on vocals (who would sometimes use the stage name Rick Farr or Rick Fork), John Reis on guitarGuitar
The 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...
and piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
, Don Ankrom on bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
and Joey Piro on drums
Drum kit
A 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 ....
. Their musical influences included Mission of Burma
Mission of Burma
Mission of Burma is an American post-punk band formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1979. The band was formed by Roger Miller , Clint Conley , Peter Prescott and Martin Swope...
, Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth
Sonic Youth is an American alternative rock band from New York City, formed in 1981. The current lineup consists of Thurston Moore , Kim Gordon , Lee Ranaldo , Steve Shelley , and Mark Ibold .In their early career, Sonic Youth was associated with the No Wave art and music scene in New York City...
and others. In 1988 they recorded their first and only vinyl 7", Saturn Outhouse
Saturn Outhouse
Saturn Outhouse is an EP by the San Diego, California post-hardcore band Pitchfork, released in 1989 by Nemesis Records. It is the band's only EP and is currently out of print...
, consisting of three songs and released the following year.
In 1989 Ankrom left the band and was replaced by Nick Frederick. They entered Radio Tokyo studios and recorded their only album, Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus (album)
Eucalyptus is a post-hardcore album by the San Diego, California band Pitchfork, released in 1990 by Nemesis Records and re-released in 2003 by Swami Records. It is the band's only full-length album...
, which was released the following year on local label Nemesis Records
Nemesis Records
Nemesis Records is an independent record label from United States. The label released The Offspring's debut studio album, The Offspring, in 1989 as well as their 1991 EP Baghdad....
. Froberg provided artwork for the album while Reis acted as producer. The band broke up shortly thereafter.
Following the breakup of Pitchfork Reis and Froberg formed Drive Like Jehu
Drive Like Jehu
Drive Like Jehu was an American post-hardcore and alternative rock band from San Diego active from 1990 to 1995. Formed by rhythm guitarist and vocalist Rick Froberg and lead guitarist John Reis following the breakup of their band Pitchfork, the band's lineup also included bassist Mike Kennedy and...
, in which they performed until 1995. Reis simultaneously formed Rocket from the Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt was an American rock band led by John Reis, formed in 1989 in San Diego, California and disbanded in 2005.The band gained critical praise and the attention of major record labels after the release of their 1992 album Circa: Now!, leading to a recording contract with Interscope...
, which he performed in until 2005. During the 1990s he also released a solo effort under the name Back Off Cupids
Back Off Cupids
Back Off Cupids was the name of a solo musical project by the San Diego, California musician John Reis. The project took place in 1994, in between sessions with Reis' bands Drive Like Jehu and Rocket from the Crypt. Rocket from the Crypt horn players Jason Crane and Paul O'Beirne were also involved...
, and from 2000-2007 performed in the Sultans. From 1999-2005 Reis and Froberg again reunited in the Hot Snakes
Hot Snakes
Hot Snakes were an American post-hardcore band led by Rick Froberg and John Reis, formed in 1999 in San Diego, California and disbanded in 2005. Reis and Froberg had previously performed together in Pitchfork and Drive Like Jehu, after which Reis had found international success with Rocket from the...
. In 2003 Reis re-released Eucalyptus and Saturn Outhouse as a single CD through his record label Swami Records
Swami Records
Swami Records is a San Diego based independent record label specializing in punk rock, indie rock and garage rock that was founded in 2000 by John Reis...
. Froberg's current band is the Obits
Obits
Obits are an American rock band formed in 2006 in Brooklyn, New York. The band members are veterans of other independent rock bands: Guitarist/vocalist Rick Froberg was previously a member of Pitchfork, Drive Like Jehu, and Hot Snakes, and guitarist Sohrab Habibion was a member of Edsel...
, formed in 2006, while Reis formed The Night Marchers
The Night Marchers
The Night Marchers are an alternative rock band formed in 2007 in San Diego, California. The band is composed of singer/guitarist John Reis, guitarist Gar Wood, bassist Tommy Kitsos, and drummer Jason Kourkounis. Reis, Wood, and Kourkounis had previously performed together in the Hot Snakes, while...
in 2007.
Band members
- Rick FrobergRick FrobergEric "Rick" Froberg is an American musician and artist. He was born in Los Angeles, lived in Encinitas, California, and currently resides in Brooklyn...
(aka Rick Farr, Rick Fork) - vocals - John ReisJohn ReisJohn Reis is an American musician, singer, guitarist, record label owner, and disc jockey. He is best known as the singer and guitarist for the rock band Rocket from the Crypt, which he formed and fronted for the entirety of its career from 1990 to 2005...
- 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...
, pianoPianoThe piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal... - Don Ankrom - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1986–1989) - Nick Frederick - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1989–1990) - Joey Piro - 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 ....
Albums
| Year | Title | Label | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Eucalyptus Eucalyptus (album) Eucalyptus is a post-hardcore album by the San Diego, California band Pitchfork, released in 1990 by Nemesis Records and re-released in 2003 by Swami Records. It is the band's only full-length album... |
Nemesis Nemesis Records Nemesis Records is an independent record label from United States. The label released The Offspring's debut studio album, The Offspring, in 1989 as well as their 1991 EP Baghdad.... |
The band's only full-length album. The Nemesis release is out of print. In 2003 the album was re-released by Swami Records Swami Records Swami Records is a San Diego based independent record label specializing in punk rock, indie rock and garage rock that was founded in 2000 by John Reis... as a CD with the songs from Saturn Outhouse as bonus tracks. This version is sometimes labeled Eucalyptus + Saturn Outhouse. |
EPs
| Year | Title | Label | Other information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Saturn Outhouse Saturn Outhouse Saturn Outhouse is an EP by the San Diego, California post-hardcore band Pitchfork, released in 1989 by Nemesis Records. It is the band's only EP and is currently out of print... |
Nemesis | Out of print. 3 songs, all re-released on Swami Records CD version of Eucalyptus. |