The Effigies: Difference between revisions
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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]]. | ||
=== 1982 === | === 1982 === |
Revision as of 00:37, 4 August 2010
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.
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.
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)
- Reside CD (Criminal IQ Records, 2007)
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
- 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
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.
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
- 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