Fidlar
{{Short description|American punk/garage rock band}}
{{for|the album of the same name|Fidlar (album)}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{BLP sources|date=June 2016}}
{{unreliable sources|date=November 2018}}
}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = FIDLAR
| image = FIDLAR 2013.jpg
| caption = FIDLAR performing in 2013
| alt = FIDLAR performing in 2013
| landscape = yes
| origin = Los Angeles, California
| genre = {{flatlist|
}}
| label = {{flatlist|
}}
| associated_acts = {{hlist|Los Bolos|The Diffs|Together Pangea|Headhunters|Kitten|Rooney|The Small Wigs|The Squirmers|DJ Basil|SWMRS|The Frights}}
| years_active = 2009–present
| website = {{URL|https://www.fidlarmusic.net/}}
| current_members = * Zac Carper
- Brandon Schwartzel
- Max Kuehn
| past_members = * Elvis Kuehn
}}
Fidlar, stylized as FIDLAR, is an American punk and garage rock band from Los Angeles.{{cite news|last1=Krovatin|first1=Chris|title=The Underground Sounds Of America: FIDLAR|url=https://www.kerrang.com/features/underground-sounds-of-america-FIDLAR/|work=Kerrang!|date=8 January 2019}} The band's name is an acronym for Fuck It Dawg, Life's a Risk, a skate mantra stolen from singer Zac Carper's former roommates.{{cite magazine|last1=Mapes|first1=Jillian|title=Band to Watch: FIDLAR|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/band-to-watch-fidlar-45802/|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=18 December 2012}} Originally, FIDLAR went under the name 'Fuck The Clock',[https://pitchfork.com/features/rising/8967-fidlar/ FIDLAR], Pitchfork as referenced in their song "Cheap Beer". To date, the band have released four studio albums: FIDLAR (2013), Too (2015), Almost Free (2019) and Surviving the Dream (2024). The band are mostly known for short, fast songs that deal with partying and narcotics. In 2013, Pitchfork wrote that the band "don't make music you'll grow old with, and they won't get an "A" for originality, but that's not really the point".{{cite web |last1=Stosuy |first1=Brandon |title=FIDLAR: FIDLAR Album Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/17559-fidlar/ |website=Pitchfork |publisher=Pitchfork Media |access-date=13 July 2022}}
History
Founding members Zac Carper and Elvis Kuehn met while working at a recording studio in which Carper was employed as an engineer and Kuehn was an intern. The two started recording songs when the studio was empty and posting the finished products online.{{cite news|last1=Baraz|first1=Danny|title=An Interview with Zac Carper from FIDLAR|url=http://www.jankysmooth.com/interview-zac-carper-fidlar/|work=Janky Smooth|date=28 October 2014|access-date=24 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402201919/http://www.jankysmooth.com/interview-zac-carper-fidlar/|archive-date=2 April 2019|url-status=dead}} Three years after recording their first songs, they stepped on stage together with the Black Lips and went on tour with the Hives.{{cite news|last1=Linden|first1=Ina|title=Band Portrait: FIDLAR The Party Punks|url=https://artistxite.com/us/magazine/special/98556/Band-Portrait-Fidlar-The-Party-Punks.html|work=artistxite|date=24 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130822215130/https://artistxite.com/us/magazine/special/98556/Band-Portrait-Fidlar-The-Party-Punks.html|archive-date=22 August 2013}}
In 2011, they released their debut EP, DIYDUI, produced by Lewis Pesacov. In 2012, FIDLAR were named one of Stereogum's 40 Best New Bands of 2012.{{cite news|last1=Breihan|first1=Tom|title=Stereogum's 40 Best New Bands Of 2012|url=https://www.stereogum.com/1142542/stereogums-40-best-new-bands-of-2012/franchises/list/|work=Stereogum|date=11 September 2012|access-date=19 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712160942/https://www.stereogum.com/1142542/stereogums-40-best-new-bands-of-2012/franchises/list/|archive-date=12 July 2018|url-status=dead}} In October 2012, the band made their television debut on Last Call with Carson Daly, where they performed "Whore" and "No Waves" from their then-upcoming album FIDLAR.{{cite web|last1=The Audio Perv|url=http://theaudioperv.com/2012/10/13/fidlar-no-waves-whore-1010-last-call/|title=FIDLAR – "No Waves" + "Whore" 10/10 Last Call|website=The Audio Perv|date=13 August 2012|access-date=26 September 2018|archive-date=26 September 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926171721/http://theaudioperv.com/2012/10/13/fidlar-no-waves-whore-1010-last-call/|url-status=dead}}
The band is currently signed to Mom + Pop Music in the US,[http://www.momandpopmusic.com/2012/02/fidlar-free-up-new-song-join-our-loving-mompop-family/ FIDLAR Free Up New Song, Join Our Loving Mom+Pop Family] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102191637/http://www.momandpopmusic.com/2012/02/fidlar-free-up-new-song-join-our-loving-mompop-family/ |date=2014-01-02 }}, Mom + Pop Music Wichita Recordings in the UK[https://www.wichita-recordings.com/posts/fidlar FIDLAR] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920194200/https://www.wichita-recordings.com/posts/fidlar |date=2019-09-20 }}, Wichita Recordings and Dine Alone Records in Canada.[http://dinealonerecords.com/artists/fidlar/ FIDLAR] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920194158/http://dinealonerecords.com/artists/fidlar/ |date=2019-09-20 }}, Dine Alone Records
Personal lives and side projects
Elvis Kuehn (guitar/vocals) and Max Kuehn (drums) are the sons of Greg Kuehn, keyboardist for Long Beach punk legends, T.S.O.L.[http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2012/03/tsols_greg_kuehn_talks_about_h.php T.S.O.L.'s Greg Kuehn Talks About His Punk Rock Progeny FIDLAR] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325143651/http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2012/03/tsols_greg_kuehn_talks_about_h.php |date=2012-03-25 }}, OC Weekly while Zac Carper (vocals/guitar) is the son of famed surfboard designer John Carper. Carper struggled with drug addiction and spent time in rehab for it, inspiring the song "No Waves".[http://www.redbullusa.com/cs/Satellite/en_US/Article/Interview-With-Los-Angeles-Garage-Punk-Band-Fidlar-021243222145413 Interview With Los Angeles Garage Punk Band FIDLAR], Red Bull Bassist Brandon Schwartzel was Carper's friend before joining the band, with the two bonding over drugs and homelessness. The four have been performing together as FIDLAR since 2009. Carper was born in Hawaii, while the Kuehn brothers were born in Los Angeles, and Schwartzel was born in San Diego.
As well as all being members of FIDLAR, each member of the band has side-projects they are in:
Carper has produced albums or helped co-write songs by such bands as Dune Rats,{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-kids-will-know-its-bullshit-mw0003006620/credits |title=The Kids Will Know It's Bullshit - Dune Rats | Credits |publisher=AllMusic |date=2017-01-27 |access-date=2018-11-02}} SWMRS,{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/drive-north-mw0002916395/credits |title=Drive North - SWMRS | Credits |publisher=AllMusic |date=2016-02-12 |access-date=2018-11-02}} The Frights,{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/you-are-going-to-hate-this-mw0002897447/credits |title=You Are Going to Hate This - The Frights | Credits |publisher=AllMusic |date=2016-02-12 |access-date=2018-11-02}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXVEspa6loU |title=The Frights & Zac Carper: The Making of 'You Are Going To Hate This' |publisher=YouTube |date=2016-11-02 |access-date=2018-11-02}} Sweet Thing,{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/sweet-thing-mw0002030195/credits |title=Sweet Thing - Sweet Thing | Credits |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=2018-11-02}} The Goldberg Sisters,{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/the-goldberg-sisters-mw0002115821/credits |title=The Goldberg Sisters - The Goldberg Sisters | Credits |publisher=AllMusic |date=2011-04-11 |access-date=2018-11-02}} Dirty Sweet,{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/american-spiritual-mw0001963609/credits |title=American Spiritual - Dirty Sweet | Credits |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=2018-11-02}} and Tokyo Police Club.{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/champ-mw0001989321/credits |title=Champ - Tokyo Police Club | Credits |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=2018-11-02}} Schwartzel also periodically performs DJ sets at Monty's Bar under the pseudonym of "DJ Basil".{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/_dontfeartheweird_/ |title=Basil // Beaker // Brother (@_dontfeartheweird_) • Instagram photos and videos |website=Instagram.com |access-date=2018-11-02}} Schwartzel & Max Kuehn are in a band with members of Together Pangea called Los Bolos.{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BKbz_oVgb4Q/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BKbz_oVgb4Q |archive-date=2021-12-24 |url-access=limited|title=Max Kuehn on Instagram: "The Bolos are playing 3 times this weekend. Members of FIDLAR, Together Pangea, The Memories, The Ryan Baxley Experience, and No Parents…" |website=Instagram.com |access-date=2018-11-02}}{{cbignore}} Max Kuehn has released solo compositions online,{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/max-kuehn|title=Max Kuehn|website=SoundCloud.com|access-date=25 January 2019}} as well as being a member of The Squirmers,{{cite web|url=https://winkandspit.bandcamp.com/album/the-squirmers-tampico-7 |title=THE SQUIRMERS - TAMPICO 7" | WINK AND SPIT |website=Winkandspit.bandcamp.com |access-date=2018-11-02}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5z_aq6HkzQ |title=Tampico - The Squirmers |publisher=YouTube |date=2015-08-19 |access-date=2018-11-02}} The Diffs{{cite web|url=https://artists.ludwig-musser.com/max-kuehn |title=Max Kuehn : Conn-Selmer, Inc |website=Artists.ludwig-musser.com |access-date=2018-11-02}} and The Head Hunters{{cite web|url=https://soundcloud.com/elvisgrayson/hunters-anthem|title=Hunter's Anthem - Head Hunters|access-date=25 January 2019|website=Soundcloud.com}} with his brother Elvis, The Small Wigs,{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/smallwigs/ |title=Small Wigs - Home |publisher=Facebook |access-date=2018-11-02}} and Kitten, with Carper{{cite web|url=http://www.independentphilly.com/interview-with-chloe-chaidez-max-kuehn-of-kitten/ |title=Interview with Chloe Chaidez & Max Kuehn of "Kitten" |website=Independentphilly.com |date=2011-01-11 |access-date=2018-11-02}} prior to, and during their full time in FIDLAR.
Musical style
According to Jason Lymangrover of AllMusic, FIDLAR's music incorporates elements of "classic" skate punk, thrash metal, and "surfy" lo-fi indie rock. The band's influences include the Offspring and blink-182.{{Cite web |title=FIDLAR Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More {{!}} Al... |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/fidlar-mn0002674457#biography |access-date=2024-12-21 |website=AllMusic |language=en}} The band's first studio album contains "slacker subject matter" pertaining to topics such as substance abuse, surfing and skateboarding. Stylistically, the album has drawn comparisons to Angry Samoans, Fear, Surf Punks, the Ramones and Circle Jerks.{{Citation |title=FIDLAR - FIDLAR {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic |url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/fidlar-mw0002450831 |access-date=2024-12-21 |language=en}}
Band members
{{col-begin}}{{col-2}}
- Zac Carper – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards (2009–present)
- Brandon Schwartzel – bass, backing vocals (2009–present)
- Max Kuehn – drums, percussion (2009–present)
Former members
- Elvis Kuehn – guitar, backing and lead vocals, keyboards (2009–2022)
Former touring musicians
- Danny Nogueiras – drums (2009–2010){{cite web|url=https://noisey.vice.com/en_us/article/rpyaan/no-win-heart-knowing-rest |title=No Win: The FIDLAR Side Project That Sounds Nothing Like FIDLAR - Noisey |website=Noisey.vice.com |date=2015-06-09 |access-date=2018-11-02}}
- Alice Baxley – bass (2010){{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNm8OG4MGPE |title=The Spazmaster's Domain Presents: FIDLAR! |publisher=YouTube |date=2011-02-19 |access-date=2018-11-02}}
- Andy Miller – bass (2010–2011){{cite web|author=United States |url=http://myspace.com/fidlar |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531033025/http://myspace.com/fidlar |url-status=dead |archive-date=2011-05-31 |title=FIDLAR | Free Music, Tour Dates, Photos, Videos |date=2011-05-31 |access-date=2018-11-02}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stTQcetxaOg |title=FIDLAR Live Show 2010 |date=20 August 2018 |publisher=YouTube |access-date=2018-11-02}}
- Mikki Itzigsohn – bass (2009–2010)
{{col-end}}
Discography
= Studio albums =
= Extended plays =
Certified singles
class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+List of singles, with selected chart positions ! rowspan="1" | Title ! rowspan="1" | Year ! rowspan="1" | Certification |
"By Myself"{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/BraceYourselfPR/status/1083051030345076738|title=The new single from @FIDLAR is the Hottest Record in the World with @AnnieMac TONIGHT on @BBCR1! Tune in from 7pm pic.twitter.com/f0cmRe4nCu|first=Brace|last=Yourself|date=9 January 2019|publisher=Twitter|access-date=25 January 2019}}
| 2019 | |
Music videos
Appearance in media
The band also played on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2015, where they performed "West Coast" and "Why Generation" from their second album Too.{{cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2015/09/fidlar-make-tv-debut-with-a-rousing-performance-on-kimmel-live-watch/|title=FIDLAR make TV debut with a rousing performance on Kimmel Live!|website=Consequence of Sound|date=29 September 2015 |access-date=July 11, 2017}} The band was also featured on Conan, in 2016, where they performed "West Coast”"{{cite web|url=http://diymag.com/2016/11/10/fidlar-air-west-coast-on-conan|title=Fidlar Air 'West Coast' on Conan|website=Diymag.com|date=10 November 2016 |access-date=July 11, 2017}}
- "No Waves" appeared in the video games Saints Row IV and The Crew and also in Netflix series "Love".
- "White on White" was featured in the video game Sunset Overdrive.
- "Cheap Beer" was featured in the film Neighbors, the TV show iZombie and in Plan B's skateboarding film "True" during Pat Duffy's part.
- "Cocaine" was featured in the TV show Finding Carter and video game Grand Theft Auto V.
- "5 to 9" is played in the 16th episode of the fourth season of The Vampire Diaries
- "Wait For the Man" and "Oh" appeared on an episode of Shameless (US).
- "Cheap Beer" and "No Waves" both appeared on the soundtrack to The Crew.
- "Punks" appeared in the "Embrace Your Dark Side" promo for the fourth season of Arrow.
- "Drone" appeared on the soundtrack to the video game WWE 2K17.
- The band's cover version of the song "Red Right Hand" featured in the opening episode of series 4 of the BBC series Peaky Blinders.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/music/playlists/zzzzqp|title=Peaky Blinders playlist|website=Bbc.co.uk|access-date=17 November 2017}}
- The band's cover of the Nirvana track "Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle" was released on the Mom+Pop-exclusive Record Store Day 2018 3xLP compilation 10 Years of Mom+Pop.{{Cite web|url=http://www.momandpopmusic.com/10-years|title=10 Years of Mom + Pop|website=Momandpopmusic.com|access-date=8 September 2020|archive-date=5 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405065228/http://www.momandpopmusic.com/10-years|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://recordstoreday.com/SpecialRelease/10526|title=RSDBF '18 Special Release: Various Artists - Mom+Pop 10 Year Anniversary Compilation|access-date=8 September 2020|website=Recordstoreday.com}}
- "Flake" appeared in the 11th episode of the third season of Thirteen Reasons Why{{cite web|last=Louise |first=Katie |url=https://www.popbuzz.com/tv-film/13-reasons-why/season-3-soundtrack/ |title=13 Reasons Why season 3 soundtrack: Every song featured on the show | website=Popbuzz.com |date=2019-08-24 |access-date=2020-03-19}}
- "Flake" appeared in the 1st episode of Locke & Key{{Cite web|url=https://www.whats-on-netflix.com/news/locke-and-key-season-1-soundtrack-list/|title=Locke and Key Season 1 Netflix Soundtrack List|date=8 February 2020|website=Whats-on-netflix.com|access-date=8 September 2020}}
- "Breaker" appeared on the soundtrack to the 2020 film Bill & Ted Face the Music.
- "West Coast" appeared on the soundtrack to the 2020 video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2.
- “Move On” is a single featured in the video game NHL 24
Awards
- 2013: O Music Awards, Best Web-Born Artist{{cite web|url=http://www.omusicawards.com/vote/best-web-born-artist/|title=New Music Videos, Reality TV Shows, Celebrity News, Pop Culture - MTV|website=Omusicawards.com|access-date=16 August 2016|archive-date=6 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150206070859/http://www.omusicawards.com/vote/best-web-born-artist|url-status=dead}}
- 2013: Association of Independent Music, AIM Independent Music Awards, Best Live Act{{cite web|url=http://mamacolive.com/thefly/aim-best-live-act-2013/|title=AIM Best Live Act 2013|website=Mamacolive.com|access-date=24 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704062240/http://mamacolive.com/thefly/aim-best-live-act-2013|archive-date=4 July 2013|url-status=dead}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|FIDLAR}}
- {{Official website}}
- [http://www.momandpopmusic.com/fidlar FIDLAR] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200501122909/http://www.momandpopmusic.com/fidlar |date=2020-05-01 }} at Mom + Pop Music
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20190920194200/https://www.wichita-recordings.com/posts/fidlar FIDLAR] at Wichita Recordings
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20190920194158/http://dinealonerecords.com/artists/fidlar/ FIDLAR] at Dine Alone Records
{{Authority control}}
Category:Musical groups established in 2009
Category:Musical groups from Los Angeles
Category:Musical quartets from California
Category:American garage punk groups
Category:Rock music groups from California
Category:Wichita Recordings artists
Category:Sibling musical groups
Category:2009 establishments in California
Category:Dine Alone Records artists
Category:Mom + Pop Music artists