Bickley (band)
Encyclopedia
Bickley was a punk rock
band from Houston, Texas
from 1995 until 2001. The band's name is a word derived from Robert De Niro
's character in Taxi Driver
, Travis Bickle
.
Influenced primarily by the likes of The Vindictives
, The Queers
and Screeching Weasel
, Bickley delivered a simple yet powerful sound. Bickley's first full-length studio recording was Pogo Au Go-Go
(PaperDoll), a full-length CD issued in 1996
. They quickly developed a loyal following in the Houston, Texas
area. By 1998, Bickley had been picked up by Fearless Records
, and the Pogo Au Go-Go CD was re-released under that label. In late 1998, Bickley released their second CD Kiss The Bunny
, also on Fearless records. By this time their fan base extended across the US, and they often toured the Southwest US region, with short stints across the West Coast, East Coast, and the Deep South.
Bickley's final release Fat, Drunk and Stupid captured their raucous live show at their favorite venue, Fitzgerald's, in Houston Texas. Fat, Drunk and Stupid was released in August 2001 through PaperDoll Records.
Bickley were also noted by the music press for the adult content of their songs, and the unique character of lead singer Ben Fondled's voice.
Bickley's core lineup (singer Ben Fondled, guitarist Uncle Dig, and drummer Dave Wreckoning) did not change from the time of their 1998 re-release under Fearless Records. Bickley switched between two bass players in the 1998-2001 period, driven by the availability of the players: Rubio Coconut (from the successful Houston punk rock band, 30 Foot Fall
) and Bill Fool. Matt Finish was the original drummer for the band, and is the drummer on the Down the Hatch 7", on Pogo Au Go-Go, and on some songs that appeared on Kiss the Bunny.
In 2001, at the peak of their popularity, Bickley split up citing the need for more personal time with their respective families. The band has reunited at various times since August 2001 for special benefit and reunion shows.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band from Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
from 1995 until 2001. The band's name is a word derived from Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro, Jr. is an American actor, director and producer. His first major film roles were in Bang the Drum Slowly and Mean Streets, both in 1973...
's character in Taxi Driver
Taxi Driver
Taxi Driver is a 1976 American drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Paul Schrader. The film is set in New York City, soon after the Vietnam War. The film stars Robert De Niro and features Jodie Foster, Harvey Keitel, and Cybill Shepherd. The film was nominated for four Academy...
, Travis Bickle
Travis Bickle
Travis Bickle is a fictional character from the 1976 film Taxi Driver, played by Robert De Niro. He is widely considered one of the most iconic characters in film history, and De Niro earned an Oscar nomination for his portrayal of him....
.
Influenced primarily by the likes of The Vindictives
The Vindictives
The Vindictives were a Chicago-based punk rock underground group during the 1990s. They were peers with Screeching Weasel and other bands from the era, they were also heavily-influenced by the Ramones. Joey Vindicitive's characteristic nasal melodies often told the story of alienation, psychosis,...
, The Queers
The Queers
The Queers are a punk band formed in 1981 by Portsmouth, New Hampshire native Joe King . The band originally broke up in 1984, but reformed with Joe Queer and a new line-up in 1986. In 1990, the band signed with Shakin' Street Records and released their first album Grow Up...
and Screeching Weasel
Screeching Weasel
Screeching Weasel is an American punk rock band originally from Chicago, Illinois. The band was formed in 1986 by Ben Weasel and John Jughead.Since their formation, Screeching Weasel have broken up and reformed numerous times with numerous line-up changes. Ben Weasel has been the only constant...
, Bickley delivered a simple yet powerful sound. Bickley's first full-length studio recording was Pogo Au Go-Go
Pogo Au Go-Go
Pogo Au Go-Go was the first full-length album by Bickley, released in 1996 through PaperDoll Records, and then re-released in 1998 by Fearless Records...
(PaperDoll), a full-length CD issued in 1996
1996 in music
This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 1996.-January:* January – At the trial of two American teenagers, Nicholaus McDonald and Brian Bassett, for the murder of Bassett's parents and young brother, defense lawyers attempt to lay the blame for the murders on the fact...
. They quickly developed a loyal following in the Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
area. By 1998, Bickley had been picked up by Fearless Records
Fearless Records
Fearless Records is an alternative rock-oriented record label that has been signing artists since 1994. Fearless is based in Westminster, California and are best known for their early pop-punk moments captured in the Fearless Flush Sampler and Punk Bites releases, as well as additional releases by...
, and the Pogo Au Go-Go CD was re-released under that label. In late 1998, Bickley released their second CD Kiss The Bunny
Kiss The Bunny
Kiss The Bunny was the second full-length album by Bickley, released in 1998 through by Fearless Records. This album pushed Bickley from a regional punk rock success into national exposure.-Track listing:#"Roommate 29"#"Calling All Punks"...
, also on Fearless records. By this time their fan base extended across the US, and they often toured the Southwest US region, with short stints across the West Coast, East Coast, and the Deep South.
Bickley's final release Fat, Drunk and Stupid captured their raucous live show at their favorite venue, Fitzgerald's, in Houston Texas. Fat, Drunk and Stupid was released in August 2001 through PaperDoll Records.
Bickley were also noted by the music press for the adult content of their songs, and the unique character of lead singer Ben Fondled's voice.
Bickley's core lineup (singer Ben Fondled, guitarist Uncle Dig, and drummer Dave Wreckoning) did not change from the time of their 1998 re-release under Fearless Records. Bickley switched between two bass players in the 1998-2001 period, driven by the availability of the players: Rubio Coconut (from the successful Houston punk rock band, 30 Foot Fall
30 Foot Fall
-Band History:30 Foot Fall is an American Punk Rock band that began in Houston, Texas. The Band played their first show on Mother's Day in 1993 and were composed of Rubio Cisneros , Tony Avitia , Butch Klotz...
) and Bill Fool. Matt Finish was the original drummer for the band, and is the drummer on the Down the Hatch 7", on Pogo Au Go-Go, and on some songs that appeared on Kiss the Bunny.
In 2001, at the peak of their popularity, Bickley split up citing the need for more personal time with their respective families. The band has reunited at various times since August 2001 for special benefit and reunion shows.
Group members
- Ben Fondled - vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
- Uncle Dig - 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...
, vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Dave Wreckoning - 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 ....
- Matte Finish - 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 ....
- Rubio Coconut - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Bill Fool - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
Studio albums
- Pogo Au Go-GoPogo Au Go-GoPogo Au Go-Go was the first full-length album by Bickley, released in 1996 through PaperDoll Records, and then re-released in 1998 by Fearless Records...
(1996) (PaperDoll) - Pogo Au Go-GoPogo Au Go-GoPogo Au Go-Go was the first full-length album by Bickley, released in 1996 through PaperDoll Records, and then re-released in 1998 by Fearless Records...
(1998) (Fearless) (re-release) - Kiss The BunnyKiss The BunnyKiss The Bunny was the second full-length album by Bickley, released in 1998 through by Fearless Records. This album pushed Bickley from a regional punk rock success into national exposure.-Track listing:#"Roommate 29"#"Calling All Punks"...
(1998) (Fearless) - Fat, Drunk and Stupid (2001) (PaperDoll)
7" and Tapes
- Down The Hatch (1995) (7" on PaperDoll)
- Texas Tag Team Up (1998) (7" on Chicken Ranch Records) split w/ The Put-Downs