Fine China (band)
Encyclopedia
Fine China was an American
indie rock
band from Phoenix, Arizona
, comprising Rob Withem (vocals, guitar), Greg Markov (bass), and Thom Walsh (drums). The band was formed in 1996 as a project of acquaintances (Rob Withem, Danny McWatters, Melissa Banks), but turned serious once the band started booking gigs. Banks shortly stepped down and was replaced by Rob Withem's friend Greg Markov, who remained a permanent member of the band until the end. The band played as a three-piece through the recording of the first EP No One Knows, but soon after recruited Joshua Block (at that time of The Blamesharers) to play the keys. Block added a new texture to the band which propelled it to the next level. The band toured as a four-piece, but McWatters quit in 1999. The band recruited Thom Walsh (also of The Blamesharers) to be its drummer, and this (Withem, Markov, Block, Walsh) became the lineup for the large part of the band's existence, and for two of its three LPs. After releasing two EPs on Velvet Blue Music, the band was signed to Seattle's Tooth and Nail records and released two LPs (When the World Sings and You Make Me Hate Music). The band did several tours and festival performances in support of its records. Josh Dooley of Riverside band Map toured with Fine China as the second guitarist for the You Make Me Hate Music. Despite the fact that both releases gathered impressive critical success, the band was dropped from Tooth and Nail Records in 2003 after the second record. Fine China decided to take a short break, but reunited in about a year in 2004. At this time Block decided to quit the band. The band recorded and released its final record Jaws of Life on September 6, 2005 as a three-piece (and guest appearances by Dooley), with a local label Common Wall Media. The record went on to get more critical acclaim, including several TV show inclusions. Still, the members felt that this was the time to end, and the band informally dissolved following its Best of New Times performance in 2006 (which marked the band's last show). Rob Withem went on to form the Foxglove Hunt with Ronnie Martin of Joy Electric, while the remaining members have stayed largely inactive in the music scene.
in 1997, and in the same year released debut 7" single "The Beautiful" and an EP
entitled, No One Knows. In 1998 the band released their second EP
, Rialto Bridge. During the span of 1997-1998 Fine China gigged in and around Phoenix, as well as toured with Starflyer 59
and Joy Electric
. In 2000 the band released their first full length, the synthpop oriented When the World Sings on Tooth & Nail Records
. In 2001 Fine China released their second full length, You Make Me Hate Music. While their first full-length was synthesizer heavy, this album was much more rock oriented.
After a brief hiatus the band returned to the studio in 2004 to begin work on their third full length. In 2005 the album, Jaws of Life, was released. The song "My Worst Nightmare" off the album was featured on the television drama The O.C.
. The same year they also released a 7 inch, "Don't Frown", on Velvet Blue Music
.
Fine China ended in 2006, with Rob Withem joining Ronnie Martin
of Joy Electric
to form a new indie-pop/synthpop
band, named The Foxglove Hunt.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
indie rock
Indie rock
Indie rock is a genre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1980s. Indie rock is extremely diverse, with sub-genres that include lo-fi, post-rock, math rock, indie pop, dream pop, noise rock, space rock, sadcore, riot grrrl and emo, among others...
band from Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, comprising Rob Withem (vocals, guitar), Greg Markov (bass), and Thom Walsh (drums). The band was formed in 1996 as a project of acquaintances (Rob Withem, Danny McWatters, Melissa Banks), but turned serious once the band started booking gigs. Banks shortly stepped down and was replaced by Rob Withem's friend Greg Markov, who remained a permanent member of the band until the end. The band played as a three-piece through the recording of the first EP No One Knows, but soon after recruited Joshua Block (at that time of The Blamesharers) to play the keys. Block added a new texture to the band which propelled it to the next level. The band toured as a four-piece, but McWatters quit in 1999. The band recruited Thom Walsh (also of The Blamesharers) to be its drummer, and this (Withem, Markov, Block, Walsh) became the lineup for the large part of the band's existence, and for two of its three LPs. After releasing two EPs on Velvet Blue Music, the band was signed to Seattle's Tooth and Nail records and released two LPs (When the World Sings and You Make Me Hate Music). The band did several tours and festival performances in support of its records. Josh Dooley of Riverside band Map toured with Fine China as the second guitarist for the You Make Me Hate Music. Despite the fact that both releases gathered impressive critical success, the band was dropped from Tooth and Nail Records in 2003 after the second record. Fine China decided to take a short break, but reunited in about a year in 2004. At this time Block decided to quit the band. The band recorded and released its final record Jaws of Life on September 6, 2005 as a three-piece (and guest appearances by Dooley), with a local label Common Wall Media. The record went on to get more critical acclaim, including several TV show inclusions. Still, the members felt that this was the time to end, and the band informally dissolved following its Best of New Times performance in 2006 (which marked the band's last show). Rob Withem went on to form the Foxglove Hunt with Ronnie Martin of Joy Electric, while the remaining members have stayed largely inactive in the music scene.
Biography
Fine China signed to Velvet Blue MusicVelvet Blue Music
Velvet Blue Music is an independent record label founded in 1996 by Jeff Cloud . They are a label that has prided itself on a completely independent nature and DIY ethics while also living up to these same qualities...
in 1997, and in the same year released debut 7" single "The Beautiful" and an EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
entitled, No One Knows. In 1998 the band released their second EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, Rialto Bridge. During the span of 1997-1998 Fine China gigged in and around Phoenix, as well as toured with Starflyer 59
Starflyer 59
Starflyer 59 is an alternative rock band from Riverside, California that was founded in 1993 by Jason Martin, brother of Ronnie Martin of Joy Electric. While Jason Martin has written nearly all of Starflyer 59's songs, the band has included a number of different musicians over the years, including...
and Joy Electric
Joy Electric
Joy Electric is the brand label for a series of electropop/synth pop productions by Ronnie Martin. Martin began producing music under the Joy Electric name in 1994, after the demise of Dance House Children, a band Ronnie was in with his brother Jason Martin of Starflyer 59. Starflyer 59 bass player...
. In 2000 the band released their first full length, the synthpop oriented When the World Sings on Tooth & Nail Records
Tooth & Nail Records
Tooth & Nail Records is a record label founded by Brandon Ebel in the U.S. state of California in November 1993. The label later moved to Seattle, Washington, where it is situated today...
. In 2001 Fine China released their second full length, You Make Me Hate Music. While their first full-length was synthesizer heavy, this album was much more rock oriented.
After a brief hiatus the band returned to the studio in 2004 to begin work on their third full length. In 2005 the album, Jaws of Life, was released. The song "My Worst Nightmare" off the album was featured on the television drama The O.C.
The O.C.
The O.C. is an American teen drama television series that originally aired on the Fox television network in the United States from August 5, 2003, to February 21, 2007, running a total of four seasons...
. The same year they also released a 7 inch, "Don't Frown", on Velvet Blue Music
Velvet Blue Music
Velvet Blue Music is an independent record label founded in 1996 by Jeff Cloud . They are a label that has prided itself on a completely independent nature and DIY ethics while also living up to these same qualities...
.
Fine China ended in 2006, with Rob Withem joining Ronnie Martin
Ronnie Martin
Ronnie Martin is an American musician best known as the sole member of the synth-pop outfit Joy Electric, one of the few remaining major bands to model its music after classic electro-pop...
of Joy Electric
Joy Electric
Joy Electric is the brand label for a series of electropop/synth pop productions by Ronnie Martin. Martin began producing music under the Joy Electric name in 1994, after the demise of Dance House Children, a band Ronnie was in with his brother Jason Martin of Starflyer 59. Starflyer 59 bass player...
to form a new indie-pop/synthpop
Synthpop
Synthpop is a genre of popular music that first became prominent in the 1980s, in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. It was prefigured in the 1960s and early 1970s by the use of synthesizers in progressive rock, electronic art rock, disco and particularly the "Kraut rock" of...
band, named The Foxglove Hunt.
Full Length Albums
- When The World SingsWhen The World SingsWhen The World Sings is the debut album from indie rock band Fine China-Track listing:# "We Rock Harder Than You Ever Knew" # "Labor Saving Device" # "They Will Love Us for Our Instruments" # "When the World Sings" # "Give Us Treble"...
(Tooth & Nail RecordsTooth & Nail RecordsTooth & Nail Records is a record label founded by Brandon Ebel in the U.S. state of California in November 1993. The label later moved to Seattle, Washington, where it is situated today...
, 2000) - You Make Me Hate MusicYou Make Me Hate MusicYou Make Me Hate Music is the second album from indie rock band Fine China. Produced and recorded by Jason Martin of Starflyer 59 and Terry Taylor of Lost Dogs and Danial Amos.-Track listing:# "Hug Every Friend"# "The Unsuccessful"...
(Tooth & Nail RecordsTooth & Nail RecordsTooth & Nail Records is a record label founded by Brandon Ebel in the U.S. state of California in November 1993. The label later moved to Seattle, Washington, where it is situated today...
, 2002) - Jaws of Life (Common Wall Media, 2005)
EPs
- No One Knows (Velvet Blue MusicVelvet Blue MusicVelvet Blue Music is an independent record label founded in 1996 by Jeff Cloud . They are a label that has prided itself on a completely independent nature and DIY ethics while also living up to these same qualities...
, 1997) - Rialto Bridge (Velvet Blue MusicVelvet Blue MusicVelvet Blue Music is an independent record label founded in 1996 by Jeff Cloud . They are a label that has prided itself on a completely independent nature and DIY ethics while also living up to these same qualities...
, 1998)
Singles (7 inches)
- The Beautiful (Velvet Blue MusicVelvet Blue MusicVelvet Blue Music is an independent record label founded in 1996 by Jeff Cloud . They are a label that has prided itself on a completely independent nature and DIY ethics while also living up to these same qualities...
, 1996) - Don't Frown (Velvet Blue MusicVelvet Blue MusicVelvet Blue Music is an independent record label founded in 1996 by Jeff Cloud . They are a label that has prided itself on a completely independent nature and DIY ethics while also living up to these same qualities...
, 2005)
External links
- The Foxglove Hunt - Myspace