Fightmilk
{{Short description|English indie rock band}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Fightmilk
| image = Fightmilk_2017.jpg
| landscape =
| alt =
| caption = Fightmilk performing at The Lexington, Islington in 2017.
| genre = Indie rock, Power pop
| years_active = 2015–present
| label =
- Fika Recordings
- Reckless Yes
- Fierce Panda Records
| website = https://fightmilkisaband.bandcamp.com
| current_members =
- Lily Rae
- Alex Wisgard
- Nick Kiddle
- Healey Becks
| past_members = Adam Wainwright
}}
Fightmilk is an indie rock band from London, England.{{cite web|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/news/fightmilks-four-star-hotel-is-an-awkward-scuzz-pop-tragi-comedy|title=Fightmilk's 'Four Star Hotel' Is An Awkward Scuzz-Pop Tragi-Comedy|website=Clash|date=23 August 2018|accessdate=9 January 2020|first=Robin|last=Murray}}{{cite web|url=https://www.leftlion.co.uk/read/2018/november/reckless-yes-chorusgirl-mammoth-penguins-fightmilk-rough-trade/|title=Live Music Review: Reckless Yes present Chorusgirl, Mammoth Penguins and Fightmilk at Rough Trade|date=23 November 2018|accessdate=9 January 2020|website=LeftLion|first=Becky|last=Timmins}} After releasing two EPs, the self-released The Curse of Fightmilk in 2016 and Pity Party on Fierce Panda in 2017. The band released their debut album Not With That Attitude with Reckless Yes in 2018 and their second album Contender, on the same label, in 2021. Their third album No Souvenirs was released with Fika Recordings and INH Records in 2024. Their output has been compared to Superchunk, Weezer, Kirsty MacColl, and Diet Cig.
History
Fightmilk was formed in London in 2015 by Lily Rae (guitar and lead vocals), Alex Wisgard (guitar), Adam Wainwright (bass), and Nick Kiddle (drums).{{cite web|url=https://fortherabbits.net/2018/11/05/fightmilk-in-their-own-words-2/|title=Fightmilk – In Their Own Words|date=5 November 2018|accessdate=9 January 2020|website=For The Rabbits}}
The band experimented, often flippantly, with other names before finally settling on "Fightmilk". The name is a reference to a fictional “alcoholic, dairy-based protein drink for bodyguards by bodyguards” that features in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.{{Cite web |last=fortherabbitsmusic |date=2018-11-05 |title=Fightmilk – In Their Own Words |url=https://fortherabbits.net/2018/11/05/fightmilk-in-their-own-words-2/ |access-date=2023-03-02 |website=For The Rabbits |language=en}}
After self-releasing their debut EP The Curse of Fightmilk in 2016 they caught the attention of longstanding London independent label Fierce Panda who released their second EP, Pity Party in 2017.{{cite book|chapter-url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dcd3EAAAQBAJ&dq=fightmilk&pg=PT268|title=Pandamonium!: How (Not) to Run a Record Label|first=Simon|last=Williams|isbn=9781788707299|year=2023|publisher=Nine Eight Books|chapter=Fierce Panda Discography}}
Their first LP Not With That Attitude, recorded at Dean Street Studios, was released on 31 October 2018 by Derby-based record label Reckless Yes. They returned again to Dean Street for their second album, Contender, which was released 14 May 2021. Between albums original bassist Wainwright left, and was replaced by former Wolf Girl member Healey Becks.{{cite web|url=https://www.kerrang.com/reviews/album-review-fightmilk-contender/|title=Album review: Fightmilk – Contender|website=Kerrang!|first=Jake|last=Richardson|date=11 May 2021|accessdate=12 May 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://diymag.com/2021/05/13/fightmilk-contender-album-review|title=Album Review - Fightmilk - Contender|first=Joe|last=Goggins|website=DIY|date=13 May 2021|accessdate=13 May 2021}}
On 20 August 2024, after releasing single Summer Bodies the month before, the band announced their third album No Souvenirs would be released on November 15 2024 through Fika Recordings and INH Records.{{cite web|url=https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/fightmilk_release_heartfelt_single_no_souvenirs|title=Fightmilk Release Heartfelt Single "No Souvenirs" Ahead of Upcoming Album|website=Under the Radar|date=20 August 2024|first=Andy|last=Von Pip}}
Discography
=Albums=
- Not With That Attitude - Reckless Yes, LP, CD, MP3 (2018){{cite web|url=http://drownedinsound.com/releases/20503/reviews/4152178|title=Fightmilk - Not With That Attitude|website=Drowned in Sound|date=2 November 2018|accessdate=9 January 2020|first=Matthew|last=Slaughter|archive-date=31 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031221432/https://drownedinsound.com/releases/20503/reviews/4152178|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://recklessyes.com/2018/11/02/fightmilk-not-attitude-released/|title=Fightmilk Not With That Attitude released|date=2 November 2018|website=Reckless Yes|accessdate=9 January 2020|first=Sarah|last=Lay}}{{cite web|url=https://loudwomen.org/2018/10/30/fightmilk-not-with-that-attitude-lp-review/|title=Fightmilk: 'Not With That Attitude' – LP Review|date=30 October 2018|accessdate=9 January 2020|last=Hine|first=Ana|website=Loud Women}}
- Contender - Reckless Yes, LP, CD, MP3 (2021){{cite web|url=https://louderthanwar.com/fightmilk-overbite-single-review/|title=Fightmilk: Overbite – single review|website=Louder Than War|first=Iain|last=Key|date=22 March 2021|accessdate=8 April 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://thequietus.com/articles/29999-fightmilk-contender-review|title=Fightmilk - Contender|website=The Quietus|first=Aug|last=Stone|date=26 May 2021|access-date=27 May 2021}}
- No Souvenirs - Fika Recordings / INH Records, LP, CD, MP3 (2024){{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2024/nov/27/i-set-up-my-own-indie-label-from-brexits-brutality-to-the-joy-of-diy-music-heres-what-i-learned|title=I set up my own indie label. From Brexit’s brutality to the joy of DIY music, here’s what I learned|first=Giles|last=Richards|website=The Guardian|date=27 November 2024}}
=Extended plays=
- The Curse of Fightmilk - Self-released, MP3 (2016)
- Pity Party - Fierce Panda, MP3 (2017)
- The FME EP - Self-released, MP3, (2020)
- Fightmilk & Cookies - Self-released, MP3 (2020)
=Compilations=
- Both Types of Hayfever - Self-released, CD, MP3 (2018)