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'''The Effigies''' are one of Chicago's oldest and longest-running punk bands.  The Effigies and [[Naked Raygun]] are the only bands out of the [[Big Four]] that are still currently active and playing.  The band formed in early [[1980]] and consistently played and recorded throughout the 1980s.   
'''The Effigies''' are one of Chicago's oldest and longest-running punk bands.  The band formed in early [[1980]] and consistently played and recorded throughout the 1980s.   


In [[2004]], The Effigies returned with 3 of the 4 original members and frequently plays shows throughout Chicago and the Midwest.  They continue to play regularly and release their first album in over 20 years in [[2007]].
In [[2004]], The Effigies returned with 3 of the 4 original members.  They released their first album in over 20 years in [[2007]].  In 2010, it was announced that original line-up was to play a show at the [[Double Door]] to coincide with the reissue of the '''Busted At Oz''' compilation but this appearance was cancelled when original guitarist Earl Letiecq announced he had no intention of playing with his former band.  After that, band activities ceased.  On August 26, 2023, vocalist John Kezdy died from injuries he sustained after he collided with a parked Amazon delivery vehicle while he was bicycling.  After his death, it was revealed that the band was in the process of planning new activity.  Later, the band's website announced there were plans for both the release of a new album and 40th anniversary reissue of their first LP, '''For Ever Grounded''', along with a record release show, by the end of 2024.


== Current Lineup ==
 
== Final Lineup ==


* [[John Kezdy]] - Vocals, Lyrics
* [[John Kezdy]] - Vocals, Lyrics
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* [[Paul Zamost]] - Bass
* [[Paul Zamost]] - Bass
* [[Steve Economou]] - Drums
* [[Steve Economou]] - Drums
* [[Jon Babbin]] - Manager


== Releases ==
== Releases ==
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* '''[[Ink]]  LP'''(Fever Records, [[1986]])
* '''[[Ink]]  LP'''(Fever Records, [[1986]])
* '''[[Reside]] CD''' (Criminal IQ Records, [[2007]])
* '''[[Reside]] CD''' (Criminal IQ Records, [[2007]])
* '''[[...on the move or in danger (stop) This will have been my life (stop)]] EP''' (Criminal IQ Records, 2009)


=== Collections ===
=== Collections ===
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=== Band Formation ===
=== Band Formation ===


Though a few sites list The Effigies starting in [[1979]] [http://www.dementlieu.com/%7Eobik/arc/effigies/index.html] [http://www.furious.com/perfect/effigies.html], this is not the case.  In [[1978]], John Kezdy dropped out of the University of Wisconsin and began to learn the guitar.  He and his good friend Steve Economou decided to look into into starting a band.  In a [http://www.dementlieu.com/%7Eobik/arc/effigies/int_noise6.html 1981 interview in Noise 6], Kezdy stated he met Paul Zamost at [[Neo]], and along with a mysterious singer named Norman, teamed up with Economou and started practicing.  Norman was unceremoniously canned after a few practices, and John took over on vocals and guitar, although by his own admission he was an inadequate guitarist.  By this point (which must have been around summer of 1980) John, Paul and Steve were regulars at the [[Oz]].  Knowing their need for a 4th member, Oz owner [[Dem Hopkins]] (though Paul said in a [[2007]] conversation that they met at a house party) introduced them to Earl Letiecq, who had recently arrived from upstate New York.  Letiecq had previously played guitar in a band called [http://www.dementlieu.com/~obik/arc/effigies/index.html Wreck'n'Crew].  With Letiecq on board, Kezdy was able to shift full-time to vocals.  After a couple months working together they had a set list and on November 9th, 1980 they played their first gig at Oz, opening up for [[Strike Under]].
Though a few sites list The Effigies starting in [[1979]] [http://www.dementlieu.com/%7Eobik/arc/effigies/index.html] [http://www.furious.com/perfect/effigies.html], this is not the case.  In [[1978]], John Kezdy dropped out of the University of Wisconsin and began to learn the guitar.  He and his good friend Steve Economou decided to look into into starting a band.  In a [http://www.dementlieu.com/%7Eobik/arc/effigies/int_noise6.html 1981 interview in Noise 6], Kezdy stated he met Paul Zamost at [[Neo]], and along with a mysterious singer named Norman, teamed up with Economou and started practicing.  Norman was unceremoniously canned after a few practices, and John took over on vocals and guitar, although by his own admission he was an inadequate guitarist.  By this point (which must have been around summer of 1980) John, Paul and Steve were regulars at the [[Oz]].  Knowing their need for a 4th member, Oz owner [[Dem Hopkins]] (though Paul said in a [[2007]] conversation that they met at a house party) introduced them to Earl Letiecq, who had recently arrived from upstate New York.  Letiecq had previously played guitar in a band called [http://www.dementlieu.com/~obik/arc/effigies/index.html Wreck'n'Crew].  With Letiecq on board, Kezdy was able to shift full-time to vocals.  After a couple months working together they had a set list and on November 9th, 1980 they played their first gig at Oz, opening up for [[Strike Under]].  The band quickly became known as one of the best punk groups in the city, and within a month or so, scored a high profile gig [http://www.dementlieu.com/users/obik/arc/blackflag/80/live1212-13.html opening for Black Flag] at [[Stages]].
 
=== 1981 ===
 
The Effigies played regularly in Chicago, appearing frequently at [[OZ]] and [[Space Place]], including another gig opening for Black Flag on March 23.  The band appeared on [[Busted at Oz]], also recorded in March, and later that year would record their first EP, [[Haunted Town]], which would be released in November.  A minor controversy erupted in October, when the Effigies refused to play a benefit show for [[O'Banions]], claiming the owners cared more about money than the punk scene.  Nevertheless, the band did play O'Banions in December, shortly before embarking on a West Coast tour.  This tour made the Effigies the first Chicago punk band to tour nationally.


=== 1982 ===
=== 1982 ===

Revision as of 17:29, 26 January 2024

The Effigies are one of Chicago's oldest and longest-running punk bands. The band formed in early 1980 and consistently played and recorded throughout the 1980s.

In 2004, The Effigies returned with 3 of the 4 original members. They released their first album in over 20 years in 2007. In 2010, it was announced that original line-up was to play a show at the Double Door to coincide with the reissue of the Busted At Oz compilation but this appearance was cancelled when original guitarist Earl Letiecq announced he had no intention of playing with his former band. After that, band activities ceased. On August 26, 2023, vocalist John Kezdy died from injuries he sustained after he collided with a parked Amazon delivery vehicle while he was bicycling. After his death, it was revealed that the band was in the process of planning new activity. Later, the band's website announced there were plans for both the release of a new album and 40th anniversary reissue of their first LP, For Ever Grounded, along with a record release show, by the end of 2024.


Final Lineup

Releases

Re-released (Ruthless Records, 1984), with "Security" as added track.

Collections

  • Remains Nonviewable LP (Roadkill Records, 1989) - "Collection of almost all early material up to, and including part of, For Ever Grounded. It is thought that 2,000 copies were actually distributed. Remains Nonviewable was re-released on C.D. in late 1995 by Touch & Go Records"

Compilations

Live Albums

  • V.M.L. Live Presents the Effigies 12/16/95 (V.M.L. Records, 1996) - "Livetracks from the first reunion show of original members since 1992. Recordedlive 12/16/1995, at the Lounge Ax, Chicago, Illinois. 1,000 pressed."

History

Band Formation

Though a few sites list The Effigies starting in 1979 [1] [2], this is not the case. In 1978, John Kezdy dropped out of the University of Wisconsin and began to learn the guitar. He and his good friend Steve Economou decided to look into into starting a band. In a 1981 interview in Noise 6, Kezdy stated he met Paul Zamost at Neo, and along with a mysterious singer named Norman, teamed up with Economou and started practicing. Norman was unceremoniously canned after a few practices, and John took over on vocals and guitar, although by his own admission he was an inadequate guitarist. By this point (which must have been around summer of 1980) John, Paul and Steve were regulars at the Oz. Knowing their need for a 4th member, Oz owner Dem Hopkins (though Paul said in a 2007 conversation that they met at a house party) introduced them to Earl Letiecq, who had recently arrived from upstate New York. Letiecq had previously played guitar in a band called Wreck'n'Crew. With Letiecq on board, Kezdy was able to shift full-time to vocals. After a couple months working together they had a set list and on November 9th, 1980 they played their first gig at Oz, opening up for Strike Under. The band quickly became known as one of the best punk groups in the city, and within a month or so, scored a high profile gig opening for Black Flag at Stages.

1981

The Effigies played regularly in Chicago, appearing frequently at OZ and Space Place, including another gig opening for Black Flag on March 23. The band appeared on Busted at Oz, also recorded in March, and later that year would record their first EP, Haunted Town, which would be released in November. A minor controversy erupted in October, when the Effigies refused to play a benefit show for O'Banions, claiming the owners cared more about money than the punk scene. Nevertheless, the band did play O'Banions in December, shortly before embarking on a West Coast tour. This tour made the Effigies the first Chicago punk band to tour nationally.

1982

The band went on a tour of the East Coast towards the end of the year.

Previous Lineups

1980-1984

  • Steve Economou - drums
  • John Kezdy - vocals, lyrics
  • Earl Letiecq - guitars
  • Paul Zamost - bass

1985-1986

  • Steve Economou - drums
  • John Kezdy - vocals
  • Robert O'Connor - guitars
  • Paul Zamost - bass

1987 - 1988

1988 - 1990

  • Chris Bjorklund - guitars
  • Joe Haggerty - drums
  • John Kezdy - vocals
  • Tom Woods - bass

1991 - 2003

  • On hiatus, outside a couple reunion shows

References

  • Effigies.com, lineups discography and just about everything else. Direct sentences taken are put in double-quotes.

External Links

Retrieved from "https://punkdatabase.com/w/index.php?title=The_Effigies&oldid=8967"