The Ex-Idols were an American band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1992 by "Gary X" ( Gary "X" Finneran), Keith Kessinger, Sean DeMott, and Lance Porter. Originating in the Los Angeles / Hollywood underground rock clubs, the band quickly gained interest due to their songwriting and vocalist Gary X. Within their first year of forming the band signed with Relativity Records, established a publishing deal with ( BMI), and replaced original guitar player with notable punk guitarist

Duke Decter Duke Decter is an American entertainment producer, former 1980s American hardcore punk guitarist and current producer of the ''No Uncertain Terms'' podcast for the non-profit organization U.S. Term Limits. Early career Decter started his career ...

due to artistic differences. The band was short-lived due to the chemical dependencies among the band members resulting in the suicide/death of singer/songwriter Gary X.

History

One of the founding artists of the neo-punk movement in the early 1990s, The Ex-Idols were quickly signed by Sony Music Entertainment/Relativity Records in 1992 and released their CD single "Pill Popper" in 1993. The 4-song CD, also available in 7" vinyl form, includes one unreleased song "And I Was You." Later in the same year Relativity Records released the first full-length CD by The Ex-Idols entitled "Social Kill" and released the first video for the self-titled track "Social Kill' directed by Jodi Wille. The Social Kill video appeared on

MTV MTV (Originally an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable channel that launched on August 1, 1981. Based in New York City, it serves as the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group, part of Paramount Media Networks, a di ...

and

VH1 VH1 (originally an initialism of Video Hits One) is an American basic cable television network based in New York City and owned by Paramount Global. It was created by Warner-Amex Satellite Entertainment, at the time a division of Warner Commun ...

. The official single for the album was entitled "Go Away" and was written by guitarist

. The single received heavy rotation radio play in all five major markets of the US: New York City, Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco and Los Angeles. In 1994 Sony released the second video for the album in support of the single "Go Away" and put the band on tour. The Ex-Idols toured throughout the United States with support acts Total Chaos,

NOFX NOFX () is an American punk rock band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1983. Vocalist/bassist Fat Mike, guitarist Eric Melvin and drummer Erik Sandin are original founding and longest-serving members of the band, who have appeared on every ...

, and UK Subs. In 1995 Relativity Records folded and the band was approached by

Epitaph Records Epitaph Records is an American independent record label owned by Bad Religion guitarist Brett Gurewitz. Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, most acts signed to the label were punk and pop punk acts, while there are many post-hardcore and emo bands ...

for their second album but were unable to negotiate a deal. The 2nd Ex-Idols album was entitled ''Who We Are'' and was later released independently by Refuse Music. The Ex-Idols broke up as a band in 1998 and moved in separate directions. Guitarist Duke Decter was picked up by RCA Records and toured with alternative artist Tim Skold, formerly of KMFDM and then

Marilyn Manson Brian Hugh Warner (born January 5, 1969), known professionally as Marilyn Manson, is an American rock musician. He came to prominence as the lead singer of the band which shares his name, of which he remains the only constant member since it ...

. Bassist and drummer Sean DeMott and Lance Porter joined Frosted, the solo act of The Go-Go's guitarist

Jane Weidlin Jane Marie Genevieve Wiedlin (born May 20, 1958) is an American musician and singer, best known as the co-founder, rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist of the new wave band The Go-Go's. She has also had a successful solo career. The Go-Go's w ...

. Singer/songwriter Gary X continued playing his own music in his own band Tuscaurora. In May, 2009, he was found dead in his hotel room due to suicide. He left behind three sons. Decter later joined up with his childhood bandmate

Casey Chaos Karim Chmielinski (born October 9, 1969), known professionally as Casey Chaos, is an American singer and songwriter. His music has encompassed a number of styles, including hardcore punk, death rock, and metal. He is the frontman of the metal ba ...

. In 2009, The Ex-Idols had a song from their 2nd album entitled "Fuck Everyone" appear on the television series

Rescue Me (U.S. TV series) ''Rescue Me'' is an American comedy-drama television series that aired on FX from July 21, 2004, to September 7, 2011. The series focuses on the professional and personal lives of a group of New York City firefighters. The protagonist and fo ...

starring Denis Leary.

Band members

Former members * Gary "X" Finneran – lead vocals (1992–1998); ''died 2009'' *

– guitars (1993–1998) * Sean E DeMott – bass(1992–1998) * Lance Porter – drums(1992–1998) * Keith Kessinger – guitars (1992–1993)

Discography

* 1993 PILL POPPER CD – Relativity Records * 1993 PILL POPPER 7" Vinyl – Relativity Records * 1994 SOCIAL KILL CD – Relativity Records * 1994 GO AWAY SINGLE CD – Relativity Records * 1998 WHOWEARE CD – Relativity Records (unreleased)

Videography

* 1994 SOCIAL KILL directed by Jodi Wille * 1995 GO AWAY directed by Jodi Wille

Television Appearances

* 2009 Rescue Me (Season 5 Episode 15)

References

{{reflist
EX-IDOLS ON MAIN STREET A PUNK BAND MAKES IT IN SPITE OF ITSELF (January 5, 1995)

Died On This Date (May 10, 2009) Gary Finneran / Ex-Idols
Relativity Records Punk rock groups from California 1992 establishments in California Musical groups established in 1992 Musical groups from Los Angeles