Fury 66
Encyclopedia
Fury 66 was an American melodic punk rock/hardcore band from Santa Cruz, California that existed from 1993 to 1999. They released 3 full-length records, 3 seven inches, and appeared on multiple compilation CDs. The original line-up consisted of Joe Clements (Vocals), Rye Crowen (Guitar), Russ Rankin
(Guitar), Tom Kennedy (Bass) and Aaron Sonnenshein (Drums). They recorded a 7 song demo tape (1993) with this line-up and played their first group of shows including their debut Santa Cruz show with NOFX
.
Aaron Sonnenshein left the band shortly thereafter and was replaced by Rich McDermott who was also playing in Good Riddance
at the time, which caused an overlap where three members of Good Riddance
(Rich, Tom & Russ) were playing in both bands at the same time. The band recorded the American Clown 7" (1994) for Half Pint Records with this lineup. Tom Kennedy quit Good Riddance around this time to focus all of his efforts on Fury 66. Soon thereafter, Good Riddance signed to Fat Wreck Chords
and Russ and Rich were kicked out of the band because they were not able to dedicate as much time. The group forged on by adding Dog (formerly of Mock) on guitar and Little Joe (Formerly of Riff Raff) on drums. This line-up is considered by some to be the darkest time for the band, their existing songs suffered, and they went on a sort Northwestern US tour and quickly kicked Tom, Dog and Little Joe out of the band upon arriving home.
Caught at a crossroads, original members Joe Clements and Rye Crowen started putting together a new line-up. They recruited Brian Zeal (Formerly of Heater, and also co-owner of Half Pint Records) to fill on Drums and Micky Dunegan (Formerly of Heater) as a permanent member on Bass. In the interim, Russ Rankin
filled in on guitar for a few scheduled shows while they found a permanent replacement. They recruited Jon Cattivera (of Illiterate) on guitar and backing vocals. The new line-up quickly got the band back on their feet with a new energy, and within a few months they were in the studio recording their first full length CD "No Perfect Machine" with Bart Thurber at House of Faith in Oakland, CA. The album came out on Half Pint Records in 1995 and Brian was unable to tour, so Kevin Rafferty joined the group on drums and they embarked on their first full U.S. Tour. Jon quit Illiterate to focus on Fury 66, and they kicked Kevin out of the group shortly thereafter and Brian Zeal again filled in on drums for additional writing, recording and west coast tour dates. They recorded 4 more songs with Bart Thurber (My Old Man, Crowded Streets, Insecurity and Egostatistic) with Bart Thurber for a few different compilations, including Punk Bites (Fearless Records
) and a split-7" with Screw 32
. Scott Batiste later joined the band on drums and they went on a second full U.S. Tour and additional West Coast shows.
Scott Batiste was later kicked out of the band and Brian Zeal again filled in on drums to record a new 7" for Sessions Records. The 7" was produced by Russ Rankin and recorded at Razor's Edge studios in San Francisco, CA. The 7" was released and the band recruited Joe Haberman of Redfish (aka Joe Fish) on drums to go on a Western US tour. The tour never happened because of van trouble. The recent recording and canceled tour proved to be a frustrating time for the band, and they decided they needed a change of direction. A few weeks later the band kicked out Jon Cattivera, replaced him with Jeff Frady on guitar and added Joe Haberman as a permanent member on drums.
Their second full length, "For Lack of a Better Word" was recorded for Sessions Records, co-produced with Doug Sangalang (Screw 32
, Limp
, One Time Angels). Supported by touring with AFI
, Good Riddance, 88 Fingers Louie
and Ensign, among others. The final member change came with Zach Hunter on guitar and vocals (Nothing Substantial / [The Nerve Agents]). They went into the studio to record 4 songs which later became their last recording ever. The songs can be found on the band's last release, "Red Giant Evolution.", which also includes the out of print S/T Sessions seven inch, a demo version of "No Apologies," the unreleased "Sunday Again" and a cover of "World Peace" by the Cro-Mags
.
Russ Rankin
Russ Rankin is an American singer from Santa Cruz, CA. He has recorded and played in such notable bands as Good Riddance and Only Crime.-Musical Biography:...
(Guitar), Tom Kennedy (Bass) and Aaron Sonnenshein (Drums). They recorded a 7 song demo tape (1993) with this line-up and played their first group of shows including their debut Santa Cruz show with NOFX
NOFX
NOFX is an American punk rock band from Los Angeles, California .The band was formed in 1983 by vocalist/bassist Fat Mike and guitarist Eric Melvin. Drummer Erik Sandin joined NOFX shortly after. In 1991 El Hefe joined to play lead guitar and trumpet, rounding out the current line-up...
.
Aaron Sonnenshein left the band shortly thereafter and was replaced by Rich McDermott who was also playing in Good Riddance
Good Riddance
Good Riddance was a punk rock band from Santa Cruz, California. They released seven full-length studio albums on Fat Wreck Chords, and their final album was a live recording of their farewell concert in 2007. Led by vocalist Russ Rankin, the band's longtime lineup included guitarist Luke Pabich,...
at the time, which caused an overlap where three members of Good Riddance
Good Riddance
Good Riddance was a punk rock band from Santa Cruz, California. They released seven full-length studio albums on Fat Wreck Chords, and their final album was a live recording of their farewell concert in 2007. Led by vocalist Russ Rankin, the band's longtime lineup included guitarist Luke Pabich,...
(Rich, Tom & Russ) were playing in both bands at the same time. The band recorded the American Clown 7" (1994) for Half Pint Records with this lineup. Tom Kennedy quit Good Riddance around this time to focus all of his efforts on Fury 66. Soon thereafter, Good Riddance signed to Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
and Russ and Rich were kicked out of the band because they were not able to dedicate as much time. The group forged on by adding Dog (formerly of Mock) on guitar and Little Joe (Formerly of Riff Raff) on drums. This line-up is considered by some to be the darkest time for the band, their existing songs suffered, and they went on a sort Northwestern US tour and quickly kicked Tom, Dog and Little Joe out of the band upon arriving home.
Caught at a crossroads, original members Joe Clements and Rye Crowen started putting together a new line-up. They recruited Brian Zeal (Formerly of Heater, and also co-owner of Half Pint Records) to fill on Drums and Micky Dunegan (Formerly of Heater) as a permanent member on Bass. In the interim, Russ Rankin
Russ Rankin
Russ Rankin is an American singer from Santa Cruz, CA. He has recorded and played in such notable bands as Good Riddance and Only Crime.-Musical Biography:...
filled in on guitar for a few scheduled shows while they found a permanent replacement. They recruited Jon Cattivera (of Illiterate) on guitar and backing vocals. The new line-up quickly got the band back on their feet with a new energy, and within a few months they were in the studio recording their first full length CD "No Perfect Machine" with Bart Thurber at House of Faith in Oakland, CA. The album came out on Half Pint Records in 1995 and Brian was unable to tour, so Kevin Rafferty joined the group on drums and they embarked on their first full U.S. Tour. Jon quit Illiterate to focus on Fury 66, and they kicked Kevin out of the group shortly thereafter and Brian Zeal again filled in on drums for additional writing, recording and west coast tour dates. They recorded 4 more songs with Bart Thurber (My Old Man, Crowded Streets, Insecurity and Egostatistic) with Bart Thurber for a few different compilations, including Punk Bites (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 a split-7" with Screw 32
Screw 32
Screw 32 was a Berkeley/East Bay area US punk rock band.Their name has many supposed origins, the most popular states that it is derived from an anti-skateboarding measure on the ballots in Concord, California. They were noted for self-publicity. For example, they ordered stickers by the thousands...
. Scott Batiste later joined the band on drums and they went on a second full U.S. Tour and additional West Coast shows.
Scott Batiste was later kicked out of the band and Brian Zeal again filled in on drums to record a new 7" for Sessions Records. The 7" was produced by Russ Rankin and recorded at Razor's Edge studios in San Francisco, CA. The 7" was released and the band recruited Joe Haberman of Redfish (aka Joe Fish) on drums to go on a Western US tour. The tour never happened because of van trouble. The recent recording and canceled tour proved to be a frustrating time for the band, and they decided they needed a change of direction. A few weeks later the band kicked out Jon Cattivera, replaced him with Jeff Frady on guitar and added Joe Haberman as a permanent member on drums.
Their second full length, "For Lack of a Better Word" was recorded for Sessions Records, co-produced with Doug Sangalang (Screw 32
Screw 32
Screw 32 was a Berkeley/East Bay area US punk rock band.Their name has many supposed origins, the most popular states that it is derived from an anti-skateboarding measure on the ballots in Concord, California. They were noted for self-publicity. For example, they ordered stickers by the thousands...
, Limp
Limp (band)
Limp were an American pop punk band formed in 1994, with strong influences in both rock and ska, hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area. Limp released three studio albums on Honest Don's, a subsidiary label of Fat Wreck Chords, as well as an EP released on Fueled by Ramen, before their 2002...
, One Time Angels). Supported by touring with AFI
AFI (band)
AFI is an American alternative rock band from Ukiah, California that formed in 1991. They have consisted of the same lineup since 1998: lead vocalist Davey Havok, drummer and backup vocalist Adam Carson, with bassist Hunter Burgan and guitarist Jade Puget, who both play keyboard and contribute...
, Good Riddance, 88 Fingers Louie
88 Fingers Louie
88 Fingers Louie is a band from Chicago, Illinois which was formed in 1993.They play a style of hardcore punk, melodic hardcore, and punk rock. In 1993 they released their debut 7", Go Away. After disbanding in 1999, members Joe Principe and Dan Wleklinski went on to form the punk rock band Rise...
and Ensign, among others. The final member change came with Zach Hunter on guitar and vocals (Nothing Substantial / [The Nerve Agents]). They went into the studio to record 4 songs which later became their last recording ever. The songs can be found on the band's last release, "Red Giant Evolution.", which also includes the out of print S/T Sessions seven inch, a demo version of "No Apologies," the unreleased "Sunday Again" and a cover of "World Peace" by the Cro-Mags
Cro-Mags
Cro-Mags are a hardcore punk turned crossover thrash band from New York City. The band, which had a strong cult following, released many records, their first two considered the most influential...
.