Screw 32
Encyclopedia
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-skateboard
ing measure on the ballots in Concord, California
. They were noted for self-publicity. For example, they ordered stickers by the thousands and stuck them in numerous places. They were also known to "tag" their name with sharpies on numerous objects and in numerous places; the results of which have been seen in places all over the country. Most of these incidents are apparently done without permission. One notable sighting was in the Grassy Knoll near where Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly assassinated President John F. Kennedy. These stickers have also been seen on bumpers of police cars all over the Bay Area.
The band's vocalist is Andrew "Andrew Champion" Ataie, who went on to a variety of bands like Hopelifter, End of the World, Shadowboxer, and Highwire Days. Guitarist Doug Sangalang went on to the bands Limp
, One Time Angels, and Jackson United
. Bass player Jimi Cheetah went on to the bands Tilt
and Nothing Cool, as well as running Cheetah's Records. Guitarist Grant McIntire and drummer Mark Mortenson went on to a brief stint in Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
. Mark Mortenson also played in the bands Grinch and Samiam. Grant McIntire and Andrew Champion also played in the band Dance Hall Crashers
.
Screw 32's music has been likened to Bouncing Souls, AFI, and Loose Change.
in the early 90's, Screw 32 went on an endless string of United States and Canadian tours with many popular punk rock bands of their era, and they headlined their last few tours. Influenced by the bands that were coming up in the area (e.g.-n Rancid, Green Day, AFI, and others) they led by example and also incorporated other bands concepts into their own effort.
The band started when Grant McIntire and Andrew Champion were at a coffee shop
complaining about the state of the local music scene and their friend Shea Walters walked up and told them to, "Stop whining and start their own band". Grant and Andrew had been in two bands previously and had been friends since grade school when Grant moved to the Bay Area from New York. Doug Sangalang was playing at the time with Jesse Michaels (of Operation Ivy
) current project, Big Rig
, and joined Screw 32 a few weeks into the bands rehearsal endeavors and resulted as a key role in sculpting Screw 32's melodic blend of dc style hardcore and La punk. Jimi Cheetah and Josh Kilbourn were the original rhythm section. Perhaps the largest thread was each individual member's involvement in the bay area scene before and after Screw 32 each band member was and continues to be involved just as closely as then and in some cases more-so. The band WAS the plan so to speak which gave everyone a very exciting 'All or nothing' perspective on the project.
When Screw 32 first formed they were inseparable from AFI
, and the two bands would help each other get shows, throwing each other on as the support for whatever shows they would get. Both bands got too big after a while to play together, to the point where they would have to jump on stage to play at 924 Gilman Street
. They were not permitted to play at Gilman St. due to the size of the crowd and the inherent security problems.
Their first tour was with Los Angeles legends Youth Brigade
, who were a huge influence on the band and helped them out getting started. Screw 32 did at least five full tours with the Bouncing Souls and was also heavily influenced by them, due to their "no-holds-barred", all-out touring ethic. The band was always incredibly tight due to their die-hard work ethic and practice schedule, and their team oriented attitude that really showed in their live shows. The members have all continued to play music since the band split in 1997.
The last show for Screw 32 was at Boarderline Warehouse near Twain Harte, California in April 1997 run by a friend of theirs named Mark Kirkman (Who ran the now famous BullPen skateboard shop in Danville, California
where the San Ramon and Danville straightedge scene was born and in extension the Northern California straightedge hardcore scene was also born with such bands as Unit Pride, Breakaway, Rabid Lassie, No Reason and many others) with Citizen Fish
(ex-Subhumans
), The Criminals
, and Fury 66
from Santa Cruz, CA. The tension in the band had grown to such a level that many of them were not speaking when they took the stage that night, Andrew actually stood still and did not make a noise through an entire song at one point and then played 'One Time Angels' as their last song ever, he turned to the guys afterwards and said, 'Thanks, I quit' (Fat Wreck Chords
released a compilation LP with the Screw 32 song 'Painless' on it with a cartoon of four characters looking sadly at one cartoon with a bubble above him that says, 'I quit'. All sorts of rumors abound (from drinking to lack of communication), the truth is that Screw 32 fell victim to the same influences that a million other groups did, pressure, money, fame, and so forth, everything was there but what had made them love the music in the first place, and when that was gone there just didn't seem to be a point in going further. Too much touring, too many outside influences, and the spark was gone, the fun had been out of the formula for quite a while. With two large tours booked, 2 records left on their contract, and about a million t-shirts, the band had run its course.
Berkeley, California
Berkeley is a city on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in Northern California, United States. Its neighbors to the south are the cities of Oakland and Emeryville. To the north is the city of Albany and the unincorporated community of Kensington...
/East Bay
East Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)
The East Bay is a commonly used, informal term for the lands on the eastern side of the San Francisco Bay, in the San Francisco Bay Area, in California, United States...
area US punk rock
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.
Their name has many supposed origins, the most popular states that it is derived from an anti-skateboard
Skateboard
A skateboard is typically a specially designed plywood board combined with a polyurethane coating used for making smoother slides and stronger durability, used primarily for the activity of skateboarding. The first skateboards to reach public notice came out of the surfing craze of the early 1960s,...
ing measure on the ballots in Concord, California
Concord, California
Concord is the largest city in Contra Costa County, California, USA. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 122,067. Originally founded in 1869 as the community of Todos Santos by Salvio Pacheco, the name was changed to Concord within months...
. They were noted for self-publicity. For example, they ordered stickers by the thousands and stuck them in numerous places. They were also known to "tag" their name with sharpies on numerous objects and in numerous places; the results of which have been seen in places all over the country. Most of these incidents are apparently done without permission. One notable sighting was in the Grassy Knoll near where Lee Harvey Oswald allegedly assassinated President John F. Kennedy. These stickers have also been seen on bumpers of police cars all over the Bay Area.
The band's vocalist is Andrew "Andrew Champion" Ataie, who went on to a variety of bands like Hopelifter, End of the World, Shadowboxer, and Highwire Days. Guitarist Doug Sangalang went on to the bands 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, and Jackson United
Jackson United
Jackson United is an American punk rock band formed by singer and lead guitarist Chris Shiflett in 2003. Shiflett recruited his older brother Scott Shiflett and Pete Parada to complete the band. A debut eponymous EP was recorded and released in 2003. Shortly after this release Parada left the band...
. Bass player Jimi Cheetah went on to the bands Tilt
Tilt (band)
Tilt was an American punk rock band from the East Bay, California, United States, formed in 1992. The group's debut studio album, Play Cell, was released through Lookout Records in 1993. They would soon after get signed to Fat Wreck Chords, which the rest of its albums were released through...
and Nothing Cool, as well as running Cheetah's Records. Guitarist Grant McIntire and drummer Mark Mortenson went on to a brief stint in Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes is a punk rock supergroup and cover band that formed in 1995. The Gimmes work exclusively as a cover band. The band is named after a children's book of the same name by Gerald G. Jampolsky and Diane V. Cirincione...
. Mark Mortenson also played in the bands Grinch and Samiam. Grant McIntire and Andrew Champion also played in the band Dance Hall Crashers
Dance Hall Crashers
Dance Hall Crashers is an American ska punk band formed in 1989 in Berkeley, California.-Early years:The original incarnation of the Dance Hall Crashers was formed in 1989 by Matt Freeman and Tim Armstrong, formerly of the seminal Bay Area ska-punk band Operation Ivy, after both musicians...
.
Screw 32's music has been likened to Bouncing Souls, AFI, and Loose Change.
History
One of the first East Coast influenced hardcore style bands to come out of the East BayEast Bay (San Francisco Bay Area)
The East Bay is a commonly used, informal term for the lands on the eastern side of the San Francisco Bay, in the San Francisco Bay Area, in California, United States...
in the early 90's, Screw 32 went on an endless string of United States and Canadian tours with many popular punk rock bands of their era, and they headlined their last few tours. Influenced by the bands that were coming up in the area (e.g.-n Rancid, Green Day, AFI, and others) they led by example and also incorporated other bands concepts into their own effort.
The band started when Grant McIntire and Andrew Champion were at a coffee shop
Coffeehouse
A coffeehouse or coffee shop is an establishment which primarily serves prepared coffee or other hot beverages. It shares some of the characteristics of a bar, and some of the characteristics of a restaurant, but it is different from a cafeteria. As the name suggests, coffeehouses focus on...
complaining about the state of the local music scene and their friend Shea Walters walked up and told them to, "Stop whining and start their own band". Grant and Andrew had been in two bands previously and had been friends since grade school when Grant moved to the Bay Area from New York. Doug Sangalang was playing at the time with Jesse Michaels (of Operation Ivy
Operation Ivy (band)
Operation Ivy was an American ska punk band that formed in Berkeley, California, and was often credited with spurring the 1990s punk revival in California. It is well-known as one of the first bands to "mix" hardcore punk with elements of ska, known as ska-core...
) current project, Big Rig
Big Rig
Big Rig was a punk band from the San Francisco Bay Area fronted by singer/songwriter Jesse Michaels. Michaels performed with the group after the breakup of his previous project, Operation Ivy, and before forming the band Common Rider....
, and joined Screw 32 a few weeks into the bands rehearsal endeavors and resulted as a key role in sculpting Screw 32's melodic blend of dc style hardcore and La punk. Jimi Cheetah and Josh Kilbourn were the original rhythm section. Perhaps the largest thread was each individual member's involvement in the bay area scene before and after Screw 32 each band member was and continues to be involved just as closely as then and in some cases more-so. The band WAS the plan so to speak which gave everyone a very exciting 'All or nothing' perspective on the project.
When Screw 32 first formed they were inseparable from 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...
, and the two bands would help each other get shows, throwing each other on as the support for whatever shows they would get. Both bands got too big after a while to play together, to the point where they would have to jump on stage to play at 924 Gilman Street
924 Gilman Street
924 Gilman Street is an all-ages, not for profit, collectively organized music club usually referred to by its fans simply as "The Gilman." It is located in the West Berkeley area of Berkeley, California about a mile and a half west of the North Berkeley BART station and a quarter-mile west of San...
. They were not permitted to play at Gilman St. due to the size of the crowd and the inherent security problems.
Their first tour was with Los Angeles legends Youth Brigade
Youth Brigade (band)
Youth Brigade is a Southern California punk music trio formed in 1980 by brothers Mark Stern, Adam Stern, and Shawn Stern. The band subsequently founded BYO , which served both as their record label and as a statement of their attitude toward the young people involved in the punk subculture, which...
, who were a huge influence on the band and helped them out getting started. Screw 32 did at least five full tours with the Bouncing Souls and was also heavily influenced by them, due to their "no-holds-barred", all-out touring ethic. The band was always incredibly tight due to their die-hard work ethic and practice schedule, and their team oriented attitude that really showed in their live shows. The members have all continued to play music since the band split in 1997.
The last show for Screw 32 was at Boarderline Warehouse near Twain Harte, California in April 1997 run by a friend of theirs named Mark Kirkman (Who ran the now famous BullPen skateboard shop in Danville, California
Danville, California
The Town of Danville is located in the San Ramon Valley in Contra Costa County, California. It is one of the incorporated municipalities in California that uses "town" in its name instead of "city". The population was 42,039 in 2010. Danville is one of the wealthiest suburbs of Oakland and San...
where the San Ramon and Danville straightedge scene was born and in extension the Northern California straightedge hardcore scene was also born with such bands as Unit Pride, Breakaway, Rabid Lassie, No Reason and many others) with Citizen Fish
Citizen Fish
Citizen Fish is a ska punk band that has been together since 1990. The band often makes strong social and political statements, dealing with themes such as anti-consumerism, vegetarianism, questioning the status quo, and encouraging people to get along with one another...
(ex-Subhumans
Subhumans (U.K. band)
The Subhumans are an English anarcho-punk band formed in the Warminster and Melksham area of Wiltshire in 1980. Dick Lucas joined later in the year, having formerly been in another local band, The Mental. Other members had been in The Stupid Humans...
), The Criminals
The Criminals
The Criminals were a punk rock band from Berkeley, California, formed in 1994. The lineup consisted of lead vocalist Jesse Luscious and bassist Mike Sexxx throughout the bands' existence...
, and Fury 66
Fury 66
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...
from Santa Cruz, CA. The tension in the band had grown to such a level that many of them were not speaking when they took the stage that night, Andrew actually stood still and did not make a noise through an entire song at one point and then played 'One Time Angels' as their last song ever, he turned to the guys afterwards and said, 'Thanks, I quit' (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....
released a compilation LP with the Screw 32 song 'Painless' on it with a cartoon of four characters looking sadly at one cartoon with a bubble above him that says, 'I quit'. All sorts of rumors abound (from drinking to lack of communication), the truth is that Screw 32 fell victim to the same influences that a million other groups did, pressure, money, fame, and so forth, everything was there but what had made them love the music in the first place, and when that was gone there just didn't seem to be a point in going further. Too much touring, too many outside influences, and the spark was gone, the fun had been out of the formula for quite a while. With two large tours booked, 2 records left on their contract, and about a million t-shirts, the band had run its course.
Members
Andrew Champion, Douglas Sangalang, Jimi Cheetah (McCluskey), Grant McIntire and Josh Kilbourn were the original members of the band. Jamie Morrison played a few tours and a lot of shows in between Josh and ultimately Mark Mortenson who played on their last record and all of their remaining shows, recordings, and tours.Discography
- 1994: This is Berkeley, Not West BayThis Is Berkeley, Not West BayThis Is Berkeley, Not West Bay is a 7" EP released in 1994 on Zafio Records, and featuring AFI, Screw 32, Dead and Gone, and Black Fork. There were 2 identical pressings in 1994 and 1995, both on black vinyl. The first was 2,000, the 2nd was 1,000....
compilation 7" w/ AFI (band)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...
, Black ForkBlack ForkBlack Fork may refer to:*Black Fork in West Virginia*Black Fork Mohican River in Ohio...
, and Dead and GoneDead and Gone-Remixes:*"Things Gotta Change" - Avery Storm*"When We Rock" - Bone Thugs-n-Harmony*"I Don't Like White People" - Rucka Rucka Ali-Cover versions:...
- (Zafio Records) - 1994: Old Idea, New Head b/w Tightrope – (Scooter's Records)
- 1994: Why Are We So Fucked Up All the Time? 7" – (Harvcore Records)
- 1995: Split 7" w/ Youth BrigadeYouth Brigade (band)Youth Brigade is a Southern California punk music trio formed in 1980 by brothers Mark Stern, Adam Stern, and Shawn Stern. The band subsequently founded BYO , which served both as their record label and as a statement of their attitude toward the young people involved in the punk subculture, which...
– (BYO RecordsBYO RecordsBYO Records is a Los Angeles, California based independent punk rock record label created by Shawn and Mark Stern, two of the three brothers of the seminal California punk rock band Youth Brigade . BYO stands for Better Youth Organization and aims to promote punk and other alternative youth...
) - 1995: Unresolved Childhood Issues – (Wingnut Records)
- 1996: Split 7" w/ Fury 66Fury 66Fury 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...
– (Half Pint Records) - 1997: Under the Influence of Bad PeopleUnder the Influence of Bad PeopleUnder the Influence of Bad People is an album by Screw 32, released in 1997 on Fat Wreck Chords.-Track listing:#My Crazy Life#Misunderstood#Broken#Something You Said#Don't Let Them Take You Alive#Black Marker#Paint The Town Red#Sick to Death...
– (Fat Wreck ChordsFat Wreck ChordsFat 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....
)
External links
- [ Allmusic]