For Squirrels
Encyclopedia
For Squirrels was an alternative rock
band based out of Gainesville, Florida
, active between the years of 1992–1996 prior to changing their name to Subrosa, eventually disbanding in 2001. Although their 1995 single "Mighty K.C." was a minor radio hit, the band is most remembered for the tragic touring van accident that claimed the lives of founding members Jack Vigliatura IV and Bill White, along with tour manager Tim Bender.
akin to R.E.M.
, one of their prime influences, with heavier moments alluding to the sound of grunge rock
and Nirvana
.
Drummer Jack Griego eventually replaced Russell. In early 1994, they self-released their first full album, Baypath Rd., followed by the Plymouth EP, which simply re-released five songs directly taken from Baypath Rd. Steven E. Goldman, a prominent Miami attorney, served as the band's manager. After touring and establishing a following, the band signed with Sony/550 Music and recorded the album Example
, which was set to be released on October 3, 1995.
On September 8, 1995, while returning from playing the CMJ Music Marathon in New York City
, the band was involved in the auto accident that killed Vigliatura, White, and tour manager Tim Bender. Griego and Tooke suffered multiple injuries, but survived the crash. The album was released as planned. The single "Mighty K.C.", about the death of Kurt Cobain
, was a minor hit and continued to drive album sales.
. Griego eventually parted ways with the group and was replaced in the band's final years by Rusty Valentine. They disbanded in 2001.
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band based out of Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville, Florida
Gainesville is the largest city in, and the county seat of, Alachua County, Florida, United States as well as the principal city of the Gainesville, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area . The preliminary 2010 Census population count for Gainesville is 124,354. Gainesville is home to the sixth...
, active between the years of 1992–1996 prior to changing their name to Subrosa, eventually disbanding in 2001. Although their 1995 single "Mighty K.C." was a minor radio hit, the band is most remembered for the tragic touring van accident that claimed the lives of founding members Jack Vigliatura IV and Bill White, along with tour manager Tim Bender.
Classic lineup (1992–1995)
The band's original lineup consisted of vocalist Vigliatura, bassist White, guitarist Travis Tooke, and drummer Jay Russell. Explaining their name, the band had said that they play music for squirrels. The group played jangly alternative rockAlternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
akin to R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
, one of their prime influences, with heavier moments alluding to the sound of grunge rock
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
and Nirvana
Nirvana (band)
Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
.
Drummer Jack Griego eventually replaced Russell. In early 1994, they self-released their first full album, Baypath Rd., followed by the Plymouth EP, which simply re-released five songs directly taken from Baypath Rd. Steven E. Goldman, a prominent Miami attorney, served as the band's manager. After touring and establishing a following, the band signed with Sony/550 Music and recorded the album Example
Example (album)
Example is a 1995 album released by For Squirrels and produced by Nick Launay. It was For Squirrels's only major label release, as lead singer John Vigliatura and bassist Bill White died when the band's tour bus blew a tire and crashed less than a month before the album's release.Despite the death...
, which was set to be released on October 3, 1995.
On September 8, 1995, while returning from playing the CMJ Music Marathon in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, the band was involved in the auto accident that killed Vigliatura, White, and tour manager Tim Bender. Griego and Tooke suffered multiple injuries, but survived the crash. The album was released as planned. The single "Mighty K.C.", about the death of Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain
Kurt Donald Cobain was an American singer-songwriter, musician and artist, best known as the lead singer and guitarist of the grunge band Nirvana...
, was a minor hit and continued to drive album sales.
Post-accident (1995-1996)
A few months after the accident, Tooke and Griego regrouped with school friend Andy Lord on bass and Tooke taking over on vocals. In February 1996, the new lineup began by playing a few low-key shows centered around classic For Squirrels songs and a selection of covers under the pseudonym Revlover. Eventually, they resurrected the For Squirrels moniker and began writing and performing new material, favoring a heavier grunge sound.As 'Subrosa' (1996–2001)
By late 1996, the trio was playing under the name Subrosa. In the summer of 1997, they released their only record under this name, Never Bet the Devil Your Head, on Sony Records, to decent reviews but poor sales. Second guitarist Mike Amish was later added, which was followed by a tour supporting popular alternative rock act CreedCreed (band)
Creed is an American rock band formed in 1995 in Tallahassee, Florida. Becoming popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, the band has released three consecutive multi-platinum albums, one of which has been certified diamond, and has sold over 28 million records in the United States, with an...
. Griego eventually parted ways with the group and was replaced in the band's final years by Rusty Valentine. They disbanded in 2001.
Recent activity
Tooke, Lord and Amish have remained active in the Gainesville rock scene. Tooke has performed under several monikers; his most recent group is the trio Lettuce Olive. He has also released a solo CD. Amish and Lord now play in the band Papercranes.Band members
- Travis Tooke – guitar, vocals (1992–2001)
- Jack Vigiliatura (deceased) – vocals (1992–1995)
- Bill White (deceased) – bass (1992–1995)
- Jack Greigo – drums (1993–1999)
- Jay Russell – drums (1992–1993)
- Andy Lord – bass (1995–2001)
- Mike Amish – guitar, keyboards (1997–2001)
- Rusty Valentine – drums (1999–2001)
| (1992–1993) |
|
|
|---|---|---|
| (1993–Sep. 1995) |
|
Example (album) Example is a 1995 album released by For Squirrels and produced by Nick Launay. It was For Squirrels's only major label release, as lead singer John Vigliatura and bassist Bill White died when the band's tour bus blew a tire and crashed less than a month before the album's release.Despite the death... (1995) |
| (1995–1997) as Revlover (1996) as For Squirrels (1996) as Subrosa (Dec. 1996–1997) |
|
|
| (April 1997–1999) as Subrosa |
|
|
| (1999–2001) as Subrosa |
|
External links
- Full Band Biography from ForSquirrels.net
- Discography from ForSquirrels.net
- For Squirrels and Subrosa at Yahoo! GroupsYahoo! GroupsYahoo! Groups is one of the world’s largest collections of online discussion boards. The term Groups refers to Internet communication which is a hybrid between an electronic mailing list and a threaded Internet forum, in other words, Group messages can be read and posted by e-mail or on the Group's...
- For Squirrels Tribute Project
- Papercranes at MySpaceMySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Rare For Squirrels Song: Van Gogh