The Effigies

The Effigies are one of Chicago's oldest and longest-running punk bands. They are the only band out of the Big Four that is still currently active and playing. 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. As of February 2006, they are playing new songs live and plan to release an album in late 2006 or early 2007.

Current Lineup

• John Kezdy - Vocals, Lyrics
• Robert McNaughton - Guitar
• Paul Zamost - Bass
• Steve Economou - Drums

Releases

• Haunted Town EP (Autumn Records, October or November 1981).

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

• Bodybag / Security 7" (Ruthless Records, 1982)
• We're Da Machine EP (Ruthless Records, 1983)
• For Ever Grounded LP (Ruthless Records, 1984)
• Fly On A Wire LP (Fever Records, 1985)
• Ink LP (Fever Records, 1986)

Collections

• Remains Nonviewable LP (Roadkill, 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

• Busted at Oz (Autumn Records, 1981) - Live versions of "Guns of Ballots" and "Quota".
• The Middle of America Compilation (HID, 1984) - A re-mixed version of "Security"
• The Enigma Variations (Enigma, 1985) - "Blue Funk"

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

Though a few sites list The Effigies starting in 1979 [1] [2], this is not the case. In a 1981 interview in Noise 6, John says that he did not meet Paul or Eric until 1980. In 1978, John dropped out of college and began to learn the guitar. He and Steve had been good friends at this point and looked into into starting a band. In early 1980, John and Paul meet at Neo and decided to work together to form a band. Initially they teamed up with a gentlemen named Norman, who was going to be the lead singer. After a few months of practice, Norman was no longer part of the plan. By this point (which must have been around summer of 1980) John, Paul and Steve were regulars at the Oz. Knowing their plight for a 4th member, Oz owner Dem Hopkins introduced them to Eric, who had recently arrived from New York City. This shifting John from guitar (where he was not comfortable) 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.

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

• Chris Bjorklund - bass
• Joe Haggerty - drums
• John Kezdy - vocals
• Earl Letiecq - guitars

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

• Official Homepage - Very informative
• Dementlieu Effigies page - Lots of detail
• MySpace page, run by Paul
• KFTH's Effigies page
• mp3.com Bio
• Wikipedia page
• Article in Perfect Sound Magazine - Good reference for early dates