The Foamers
Encyclopedia
The Foamers first got together back in 1996, and were formed in a pub in Epsom, Surrey by Chris, Carlos and Kerem, soon to be joined by Tom. After a few months of writing and practising in true punk rock fashion they recorded a bunch of tracks in a local studio which had been converted from a public toilet. This would become "You What? You Heard!", the title taken from the Snuff
track Jo Whiley Steve Lamacq 2 from their Caught In Session album. Snuff
were a huge influence The Foamers' earlier career — including covers of Martin and Defeat — and most notably on the songs Top Nippy and An Open Letter.
, got hold of the demo and asked The Foamers to do a record for them, so in June 1999 the band jetted off to the USA to record their debut full length, "6 Pints None the Wiser". With the album (released in June 2000) described as a mix of 4/4 punk, ska and oi, with influences of Snuff
and Choking Victim, The Foamers found lots of new fans.
Amongst many other gigs, in the summer of 2001 The Foamers embarked on a tour with Leftöver Crack
, and became friends with the band who are also a massive influence. After a few months The Foamers headed back to the studio to record 3 tracks for release on their own label, Plopstars Recordings. The title track, Football was an anti-hooligan song, and 2 tracks from "6 Pints…" were also included, as recorded live whilst on tour with Capdown
and Howards Alias
.
After a show one night at the Underworld
, Camden
supporting Hellcat punks F-Minus
, The Foamers became part of the Household Name Records
family, and plans for the label to release their second album were hatched. Vigorous touring followed, including another tour with Leftöver Crack in summer 2002, then with Big D and the Kids Table
and Dan Potthast of MU330
in December 2002.
2003 was taken up with touring, writing new songs, and several line up changes. Then towards the end of the year The Foamers descended upon John Hannon's "No" Recording Studios (Hundred Reasons
, Capdown
, Link 80
, Five Knuckle
, Adequate Seven
have all passed through there at one time) to record their self-titled second album.
The Foamers split amicably in 2004.
Kerem has contributed vocals to Suicide Bid
's second album The Rots Stops Here, as well as providing the band's artwork.
Snuff
Snuff is a product made from ground or pulverised tobacco leaves. It is an example of smokeless tobacco. It originated in the Americas and was in common use in Europe by the 17th century...
track Jo Whiley Steve Lamacq 2 from their Caught In Session album. Snuff
Snuff
Snuff is a product made from ground or pulverised tobacco leaves. It is an example of smokeless tobacco. It originated in the Americas and was in common use in Europe by the 17th century...
were a huge influence The Foamers' earlier career — including covers of Martin and Defeat — and most notably on the songs Top Nippy and An Open Letter.
History
Tent City Records, from New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, got hold of the demo and asked The Foamers to do a record for them, so in June 1999 the band jetted off to the USA to record their debut full length, "6 Pints None the Wiser". With the album (released in June 2000) described as a mix of 4/4 punk, ska and oi, with influences of Snuff
Snuff (band)
Snuff are a British punk rock band formed in Hendon in 1986. Their name reportedly came about after a long discussion about names ended up with one of them claiming "That's Enough", which was then shortened to Snuff...
and Choking Victim, The Foamers found lots of new fans.
Amongst many other gigs, in the summer of 2001 The Foamers embarked on a tour with Leftöver Crack
Leftöver Crack
Leftöver Crack is an American punk rock band formed in 1998, following the breakup of the ska punk band Choking Victim. Primarily playing an amalgam of ska and hardcore punk, they classify themselves as "crack-rocksteady". The band is currently signed to Fat Wreck Chords for CD releases, and...
, and became friends with the band who are also a massive influence. After a few months The Foamers headed back to the studio to record 3 tracks for release on their own label, Plopstars Recordings. The title track, Football was an anti-hooligan song, and 2 tracks from "6 Pints…" were also included, as recorded live whilst on tour with Capdown
Capdown
Capdown are a band from Milton Keynes, England. Originally known as Soap, their songs have political themes as alluded to by their name, which is short for Capitalist Downfall...
and Howards Alias
Howards Alias
Howards Alias were a band in the modern UK underground punk scene. They formed in 1999 in Southampton, England and blend an eclectic mix of rock, progressive, punk and ska influences into their own musical output. They permanently disbanded in April 2008....
.
After a show one night at the Underworld
Camden Underworld
The Camden Underworld is a music venue in Camden Town, London, England. The venue itself is a part of the World's End pub, being situated in the basement of the building.- History :...
, Camden
Camden Town
-Economy:In recent years, entertainment-related businesses and a Holiday Inn have moved into the area. A number of retail and food chain outlets have replaced independent shops driven out by high rents and redevelopment. Restaurants have thrived, with the variety of culinary traditions found in...
supporting Hellcat punks F-Minus
F-Minus
F-Minus was a hardcore punk band formed in 1995 in Huntington Beach, California. Started by Jen Johnson and Brad Logan. F-Minus was known for their dueling male and female vocals in songs that were sometimes as short as 12 seconds . One of their noted primary influences is Nausea, where the vocal...
, The Foamers became part of the Household Name Records
Household Name Records
Household Name Records is a DIY punk rock record label, based in London, UK. It has been home to notable artists including Howards Alias, Lightyear, and Adequate Seven. It was started in 1996 by David "Lil" Giles and Katherine "Kafren" Vik to promote unknown UK bands...
family, and plans for the label to release their second album were hatched. Vigorous touring followed, including another tour with Leftöver Crack in summer 2002, then with Big D and the Kids Table
Big D and the Kids Table
Big D and the Kids Table is a ska punk band formed in October 1995 in Allston, Massachusetts when its members converged in college. Their first release was on their own Fork In Hand Records label, but have since teamed with Springman Records and SideOneDummy...
and Dan Potthast of MU330
MU330
MU330 are a ska punk band from St. Louis, Missouri.Formed by students of St. Louis University High School in 1988, MU330 played a self-described brand of music called "Psycho Ska", high energy ska punk marked by manic performances and humorous, often strange lyricism...
in December 2002.
2003 was taken up with touring, writing new songs, and several line up changes. Then towards the end of the year The Foamers descended upon John Hannon's "No" Recording Studios (Hundred Reasons
Hundred Reasons
Hundred Reasons are an English rock band from Farnborough, Hampshire, composed of Colin Doran , Larry Hibbitt , Andy Gilmour , Andy Bews and Ben Doyle . Originally, the band was signed to Columbia Records in mid April 2001, after fourteen months of near-constant touring...
, Capdown
Capdown
Capdown are a band from Milton Keynes, England. Originally known as Soap, their songs have political themes as alluded to by their name, which is short for Capitalist Downfall...
, Link 80
Link 80
-Band history:Link 80 started in late 1993 in the East Bay of California. In the beginning, original members played around town as Drano, The Rag-Tags, and Mr...
, Five Knuckle
Five Knuckle
-History:Five Knuckle from Bristol, England formed in 1998, playing punk & hardcore influenced by Minor Threat, Refused, Anti-Flag, At the Drive-In and Choking Victim amongst others...
, Adequate Seven
Adequate Seven
Adequate Seven were a seven piece punk band from the UK who blended music styles such as hip hop, hardcore, punk, and funk who formed in 2000 and split in December 2006.-History:...
have all passed through there at one time) to record their self-titled second album.
The Foamers split amicably in 2004.
Kerem has contributed vocals to Suicide Bid
Suicide Bid
Suicide Bid are a musical collective from Manchester, London, Philadelphia, Scotland and a few more places. They released their first CD, a mini album entitled This Is The Generation in late 2005...
's second album The Rots Stops Here, as well as providing the band's artwork.
Final line-up
- Kerem: guitar, vocals, drums on S/T
- Carlos: guitar, vocals
- Christian: bass, vocals
- Robin: drums
Demos
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 5 Track Demo | self-released |
| 1999 | 3 Track Demo | self-released |
EPs and Albums
| Year | Album | Label |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | You What? You Heard! | self-released |
| 2001 | Six Pints None The Wiser | Tent City Records |
| 2002 | Football EP | Plopstar Records |
| 2004 | self-titled album | Household Name Records |