Lagwagon is an American
punk rock band originally from
Goleta, California
Goleta (; ; Spanish for "Schooner") is a city in southern Santa Barbara County, California, United States. It was incorporated as a city in 2002, after a long period as the largest unincorporated populated area in the county. As of the 2000 c ...
, just outside
Santa Barbara. They formed in 1989, went on hiatus in 2000, and reunited several times over the years. Their name comes from the band's tour van, which can be seen on the back cover of their 1994 second album ''
Trashed''.
The band has 12 releases through
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords (pronounced "Fat Records") is a San Francisco, California-based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by NOFX lead singer Michael Burkett (better known as Fat Mike) in 1990.
The label has released mater ...
: nine studio albums, one EP, one live album and a collection of B-sides, compilation tracks and demos. Lagwagon has never had, nor have they seemed to pursue, strong mainstream success, but they do have a devoted
underground
Underground most commonly refers to:
* Subterranea (geography), the regions beneath the surface of the Earth
Underground may also refer to:
Places
* The Underground (Boston), a music club in the Allston neighborhood of Boston
* The Underground (S ...
following in North America, Europe and Asia. Their moderate success reflected a growing interest in punk rock during the 1990s, along with fellow California bands
Rancid,
Green Day
Green Day is an American rock band formed in the East Bay of California in 1987 by lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, together with bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt. For most of the band's career, they have been a powe ...
and
The Offspring
The Offspring is an American rock band from Garden Grove, California, formed in 1984. Originally formed under the name Manic Subsidal, the band's current lineup consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Bryan "Dexter" Holland, lead guita ...
. Their song "May 16" was also featured in ''
Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2
''Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 2'' is a skateboarding video game developed by Neversoft and published by Activision. It is the second installment in the '' Tony Hawk's'' series of sports games and was released for the PlayStation in 2000, with subs ...
''.
History
Lagwagon originally started under the name Section 8 but were dissatisfied with the name because multiple other bands were already using it. According to the liner notes of the re-release of ''
Duh'', it was
Fat Mike
Michael John Burkett (born January 16, 1967), known professionally as Fat Mike, is an American musician and producer. He is the bassist and lead vocalist for the punk rock band NOFX and the bassist for the punk rock supergroup cover band Me F ...
's idea to switch to Lagwagon based on the already written song of the same name about the band's unreliable touring van. After signing to Fat Mike's label
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords (pronounced "Fat Records") is a San Francisco, California-based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by NOFX lead singer Michael Burkett (better known as Fat Mike) in 1990.
The label has released mater ...
, Lagwagon released their debut album for the label, ''Duh'', in 1992. Frontman
Joey Cape
Randal Joseph Cape (born November 16, 1966) is an American singer and musician. Active since 1989, Cape is best known as the frontman of the California punk rock band Lagwagon.
Cape released his first solo album, ''Bridge'', in 2008. His secon ...
commented on how the album was made, "Back then, we were inexperienced in the studio. It was less about the recording process and more about rehearsing. We recorded and mixed ''Duh'' in 4 days. There's something to be said for a budget. You have to have your shit together before you go into the studio and the end result is a record that better reflects the band's sound at the time." Two years later, Lagwagon released ''
Trashed'', their second record on Fat, which turned out to be highly successful, leading to the eventual production of a video for "Island of Shame." During this time, a number of punk bands, such as
Green Day
Green Day is an American rock band formed in the East Bay of California in 1987 by lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, together with bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt. For most of the band's career, they have been a powe ...
,
The Offspring
The Offspring is an American rock band from Garden Grove, California, formed in 1984. Originally formed under the name Manic Subsidal, the band's current lineup consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Bryan "Dexter" Holland, lead guita ...
and
Rancid, had hit the mainstream and Lagwagon turned down offers to join several major labels. ''
Hoss'', the third Lagwagon album, was released on November 21, 1995. After the release of that album and an extensive tour in Europe, Australia, and Japan, both guitarist Shawn Dewey and drummer
Derrick Plourde
Derrick William Plourde (October 17, 1971 – March 30, 2005) was an American drummer, musician and artist. Born in Goleta, California, he was active from 1989 until his death in 2005. Although best known as a former member of Lagwagon, Plourd ...
would leave the band and be replaced temporarily by
Kenneth Stringfellow (
The Posies
The Posies were an American power pop group. The band was formed in 1986 in Bellingham, Washington, United States, by primary songwriters Jon Auer and Ken Stringfellow.
Their music has its origins in Merseybeat and the Hollies. They are i ...
) on guitar, and permanently by
Dave Raun
Dave Raun (born June 7, 1970) a resident of Fresno, California, is the drummer for the seminal California punk rock band Lagwagon. He also filled in on drums for a short period for Sean "SC" Sellers of Good Riddance. Additionally, Raun drums f ...
(
RKL
Rich Kids on LSD (RKL) was a Californian hardcore punk band formed in 1982 in Montecito, California, a suburb of Santa Barbara. They were associated with the " Nardcore" scene that evolved out of nearby Oxnard. Their music expanded over the ye ...
) on drums. Shawn Dewey, already in the side project band Buck Wild on
Lobster Records
Lobster Records is an independent record label based in Santa Barbara, California. It was founded by Stevan Lubarsky in 1991 in music, 1991. The label started with Bad Neighbor, a Montecito, California, Montecito-based rock band, with a huge local ...
would go on to release two full-length LPs, ''Beat Me Silly'' and ''Full Metal Overdrive'', and do two European tours with
Good Riddance and
Ten Foot Pole
Ten Foot Pole (formerly Scared Straight) is an American punk rock band.
History
Ten Foot Pole was founded in 1983 under the name Scared Straight.
Scared Straight was a punk band from Simi Valley, California. The band was formed in 1983 by a ...
.
After two more albums, ''
Double Plaidinum
''Double Plaidinum'' is the fourth album by Lagwagon, released in 1997. It was their first album without the original line-up, as guitarist Shawn Dewey and drummer Derrick Plourde left the band before the recording sessions began.
Critical recept ...
'' and ''
Let's Talk About Feelings
''Let's Talk About Feelings'' is the fifth full-length album released by the punk rock band Lagwagon on November 24, 1998.
Singer Joey Cape has stated that it is his favorite Lagwagon album. NOFX's ''Punk in Drublic'' (1994) was a big influence o ...
'', the band went on indefinite
hiatus
Hiatus may refer to:
*Hiatus (anatomy), a natural fissure in a structure
*Hiatus (stratigraphy), a discontinuity in the age of strata in stratigraphy
*''Hiatus'', a genus of picture-winged flies with sole member species ''Hiatus fulvipes''
*Globa ...
in 2000, due to all members working on side projects. Lagwagon resurfaced in 2002, and released their sixth album ''
Blaze'' the following year. In 2004, frontman Joey Cape released a split album with
No Use for a Name
No Use for a Name (sometimes abbreviated NUFAN or No Use) was an American punk rock band from Sunnyvale, California, United States formed in 1986 by Chris Dodge (guitar), Steve Papoutsis ( bass) and Rory Koff (drums). The band's sound evolved con ...
vocalist
Tony Sly
Anthony James Sly (November 4, 1970 – July 31, 2012) was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist, best known as the front man of the punk rock band No Use for a Name. In his later years he also gained attention for his acoustic ...
featuring acoustic versions of songs by both bands. On November 1, 2005, Lagwagon released ''
Resolve
Resolve may refer to:
* ''Resolve'' (Lagwagon album)
* ''Resolve'' (Last Tuesday album)
* "Resolve" (song), by the Foo Fighters
*'' The Resolve'', a 1915 American silent short drama film
* "Resolve" (''One Tree Hill'' episode)
*''Resolve'', a Brit ...
'', which is a homage to the life of
Derrick Plourde
Derrick William Plourde (October 17, 1971 – March 30, 2005) was an American drummer, musician and artist. Born in Goleta, California, he was active from 1989 until his death in 2005. Although best known as a former member of Lagwagon, Plourd ...
, original drummer for Lagwagon and
Bad Astronaut
Bad Astronaut is an American indie/alternative rock band founded in 2000 by Joey Cape, singer from Lagwagon. In Bad Astronaut, Joey Cape explores a style of alternative rock, with lyrics often about deep and intricate personal matters.
The band ...
.
In 2008, Lagwagon released an EP titled ''
I Think My Older Brother Used to Listen to Lagwagon
''I Think My Older Brother Used to Listen to Lagwagon'' is a Lagwagon EP released in 2008. It is their first recording released since 2005's ''Resolve'' and final recording with longtime bassist Jesse Buglione, who left the band in 2010.
Track l ...
''. Despite earlier reports that the band would begin recording their next full-length studio album by 2009, Lagwagon had gone on hiatus from touring and writing again, due to Cape launching a solo career, releasing ''
Bridge
A bridge is a structure built to span a physical obstacle (such as a body of water, valley, road, or rail) without blocking the way underneath. It is constructed for the purpose of providing passage over the obstacle, which is usually somethi ...
'' in 2008 and ''
Doesn't Play Well with Others
''Doesn't Play Well with Others'' is the second full-length solo album by Lagwagon and Bad Astronaut frontman Joey Cape, released on June 1, 2011. It was released with one song at a time, each month, during 2010 on Joey Cape's official website, be ...
'' in 2010.
In January 2010, Joey Cape announced during an interview with Canada's ''Exclaim!'' magazine that Jesse Buglione had left Lagwagon, having been with the band since its foundation in 1990. However, Cape dismissed rumors of Lagwagon breaking up. While he was not sure if Lagwagon would record a new album or embark on another full-scale tour, he said that he was open to playing shows and possibly recording and releasing new Lagwagon songs sporadically. Jesse Buglione confirmed his departure on Lagwagon's official message board himself, as reported by sputnikmusic.com and punknews.org. Lagwagon toured with No Use for a Name that summer. In an interview with fasterlouder.com.au
Joey Cape
Randal Joseph Cape (born November 16, 1966) is an American singer and musician. Active since 1989, Cape is best known as the frontman of the California punk rock band Lagwagon.
Cape released his first solo album, ''Bridge'', in 2008. His secon ...
, revealed former
RKL
Rich Kids on LSD (RKL) was a Californian hardcore punk band formed in 1982 in Montecito, California, a suburb of Santa Barbara. They were associated with the " Nardcore" scene that evolved out of nearby Oxnard. Their music expanded over the ye ...
bassist Joe Raposo is Lagwagon's new bassist. In a June 2011 interview with ExploreMusic however, Joey Cape said that things didn't work out with Raposo, and the band is testing a new bassist. After first announcing Patrick Solem as the new bass player in August 2011, the band decided that Raposo would remain in the band permanently.
On September 22, 2011, Fat Wreck announced they would be re-issuing expanded editions of the first five albums on CD, vinyl, and digital download. The albums were available both separately and in a box set titled ''Putting Music In Its Place''. The reissues were released November 22, 2011, with a short line-up of concerts in the U.S. played in December and January, and a European tour following in April 2012. As of October 2012, Lagwagon is headlining a full U.S. tour titled The Fat Tour 2012, with
Dead To Me,
The Flatliners
The Flatliners are a Canadian punk rock band from Richmond Hill, Ontario. Since their formation in 2002, the band has been a growing influence in the Toronto punk/ska movement, with consistently well-received albums and live shows.
History ...
, and
Useless ID
Useless ID ( he, יוסלס איי.די) is an Israeli punk rock band, formed in Haifa, Israel in 1994. Known as one of the most successful Middle Eastern punk bands worldwide.
History
Useless ID was founded in 1994 as a four-piece:
Guy Carmel - ...
as support.
In October 2012, Joey Cape stated that there will be a new Lagwagon album, which will be their first since 2005's ''Resolve''.
While details and release dates are not yet known, the band announced on its Twitter feed that songs are being written for a new album. The September 22 Tweet reads, "Writing, writing, writing. New album... It's gonna happen!"
The band recorded their eighth album, ''Hang'', with Bill Stevenson and Jason Livermore at The Blasting Room, Ft Collins, CO. The album was released on October 28, 2014, and debuted at #95 on the Billboard 200.
On October 4, 2019, the band released their ninth studio album ''Railer'', with the lead single being "Bubble". To support the new release, a tour was announced with
Face to Face as a co-headlining event.
Current members
*
Joey Cape
Randal Joseph Cape (born November 16, 1966) is an American singer and musician. Active since 1989, Cape is best known as the frontman of the California punk rock band Lagwagon.
Cape released his first solo album, ''Bridge'', in 2008. His secon ...
– vocals (1990–present)
*Chris Flippin – guitar (1990–present)
*
Dave Raun
Dave Raun (born June 7, 1970) a resident of Fresno, California, is the drummer for the seminal California punk rock band Lagwagon. He also filled in on drums for a short period for Sean "SC" Sellers of Good Riddance. Additionally, Raun drums f ...
– drums (1996–present)
*
Chris Rest
Chris Rest is an American guitarist best known for his work with the bands No Use For A Name, Rich Kids on LSD, and Lagwagon. He was Rich Kids on LSD's only constant member, having participated in every album and tour.
Musical career
Chris Res ...
– guitar (1997–present)
*
Joe Raposo
Joseph Guilherme Raposo, OIH (February 8, 1937 – February 5, 1989) was an American composer, songwriter, pianist, singer and lyricist, best known for his work on the children's television series ''Sesame Street'', for which he wrote the theme ...
– bass (2010–present)
Former members
*Shawn Dewey – guitar (1990–1996)
*
Ken Stringfellow
Kenneth Stuart Stringfellow (born October 30, 1968) is an American singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, arranger, and producer. Best known for his work with The Posies, R.E.M., and the re-formed Big Star, Stringfellow's discography include ...
– guitar (1996–1997)
*
Jesse Buglione
Lagwagon is an American punk rock band originally from Goleta, California, just outside Santa Barbara, California, Santa Barbara. They formed in 1989, went on hiatus in 2000, and reunited several times over the years. Their name comes from the b ...
– bass (1990–2010)
*
Derrick Plourde
Derrick William Plourde (October 17, 1971 – March 30, 2005) was an American drummer, musician and artist. Born in Goleta, California, he was active from 1989 until his death in 2005. Although best known as a former member of Lagwagon, Plourd ...
– drums (1990–1996; died 2005)
Touring members
*
Lindsay McDougall
Lindsay "The Doctor" McDougall (born 9 March 1978) is an Australian rock guitarist and radio presenter. Since 1996, he has been the lead guitarist in punk rock band, Frenzal Rhomb alongside lead singer Jay Whalley. He has co-written songs with f ...
– guitar (2008)
*
Scott Shiflett
Scott David Shiflett (born August 22, 1966) is an American musician who has been the bassist in the punk rock band Face to Face (punk band), Face to Face since 1995. Born in Santa Barbara, California, he is the brother of Foo Fighters lead guita ...
– guitar (2008)
*
Chris Shiflett
Christopher Aubrey Shiflett ( ; born May 6, 1971) is an American musician. He is most recognizable as lead guitarist for the American rock band Foo Fighters. He was previously a member of the punk rock bands No Use for a Name (1995–1999) a ...
– guitar (1996)
Timeline
Discography
Studio albums
EPs
Box sets
Other releases
Singles and music videos
* "Island of Shame" ''from
Trashed''
* "Razor Burn" ''from
Hoss''
* "Falling Apart" ''from
Blaze''
* "Heartbreaking Music" ''from
Resolve
Resolve may refer to:
* ''Resolve'' (Lagwagon album)
* ''Resolve'' (Last Tuesday album)
* "Resolve" (song), by the Foo Fighters
*'' The Resolve'', a 1915 American silent short drama film
* "Resolve" (''One Tree Hill'' episode)
*''Resolve'', a Brit ...
''
* "Made of Broken Parts" ''from
Hang
Hang or Hanging may refer to:
People
* Choe Hang (disambiguation), various people
* Luciano Hang (born 1962/1963), Brazilian billionaire businessman
* Ren Hang (disambiguation), various people
Law
* Hanging, a form of capital punishment
Arts, e ...
''
*"Bubble" ''from Railer''
*"Surviving California" ''from Railer''
*"Stealing Light" ''from Railer''
Compilations
* "Noble End" on ''
Can of Pork
''Can of Pork'' is a compilation album of various punk rock artists. It was released as two 12-inch vinyl records or one CD in April 1992 by Lookout Records (LK 44). The vinyl version has a booklet of lyrics and photography and the CD version ha ...
''
* "Know-It-All" and "Mr. Coffee" on ''
Fat Music For Fat People
''Fat Music for Fat People'' is a compilation album released by the Fat Wreck Chords record label on August 11, 1994. It was the label's first sampler compilation and became the first installment in the '' Fat Music'' series, which continued un ...
''
* "Sleep" and "Laymen's Terms" on ''
Survival of the Fattest
''Survival of the Fattest'' is a compilation album released by the Fat Wreck Chords record label
A record label, or record company, is a brand or trademark of music recordings and music videos, or the company that owns it. Sometimes, a re ...
''
* "Raise a Family" on ''
Physical Fatness
''Fat Music Volume 3: Physical Fatness'' is the third compilation album released by the Fat Wreck Chords record label, in 1997.
Booklet
The cover and booklet for the compilation was designed and illustrated by artist Mark deSalvo in the style of ...
''
* "May 16" on ''
Life in the Fat Lane
''Fat Music Volume 4: Life in the Fat Lane'' is the fourth compilation album by the Fat Wreck Chords record label, released in 1999. Its title is a parody of the Eagles song "Life in the Fast Lane".
Track listing
# "May 16" - Lagwagon
# "Road R ...
''
* "Alison's Disease" on ''
Live Fat, Die Young
''Fat Music Volume 5: Live Fat, Die Young'' is the fifth compilation album in the Fat Music series, released by the Fat Wreck Chords record label, in 2001. It was #187 on The Billboard 200. Its title is a parody of the Circle Jerks song " Live ...
''
* "Never Stops" on ''
Uncontrollable Fatulence
''Fat Music Volume 6: Uncontrollable Fatulence'' is the sixth compilation album in the "Fat Music" series, released by the Fat Wreck Chords record label, in 2002. The title is a pun on the medical condition of uncontrollable flatulence.
Track li ...
''
* "Randal Gets Drunk" on ''
Short Music for Short People
''Short Music for Short People'' is a 1999 compilation album released on the Fat Wreck Chords record label. It features 101 bands playing songs averaging approximately 30 seconds in length.
With a few exceptions, most of the album's tracks wer ...
''
* "Failure" on ''A Compilation of Warped Music'' ''from
Double Plaidinum
''Double Plaidinum'' is the fourth album by Lagwagon, released in 1997. It was their first album without the original line-up, as guitarist Shawn Dewey and drummer Derrick Plourde left the band before the recording sessions began.
Critical recept ...
''
* "Dinner and a Movie" on ''Warped Tour 2002 Tour Compilation'' ''from
Blaze''
* "Falling Apart" on ''Warped Tour 2003 Tour Compilation'' ''from
Blaze''
* "S.O.S. (One Man Army)" on ''
Let Them Know: The Story of Youth Brigade and BYO Records''
* "Status Pools" on ''
Rock Against Bush, Vol. 2
''Rock Against Bush, Vol. 2'' is the second Rock Against Bush compilation album released on the Fat Wreck Chords record label. It contains a collection of songs by various punk rock artists, some of which were previously unreleased. It also inc ...
''
* "Violins" on ''
Wrecktrospective
''Wrecktrospective'' is a three-disc compilation album released December 8, 2009 by Fat Wreck Chords. Subtitled "Twenty Years...and Counting!", it compiles tracks spanning the label's catalog from 1990 to 2009. The first disc, titled ''Fattest Hit ...
'' ''from
Hoss''
* "Discomfort Inn (
Tony Sly
Anthony James Sly (November 4, 1970 – July 31, 2012) was an American singer, songwriter and guitarist, best known as the front man of the punk rock band No Use for a Name. In his later years he also gained attention for his acoustic ...
)" on ''
The Songs of Tony Sly: A Tribute''
* "A Feedbag of Truckstop Poetry" on ''Playing 4 Square''
References
External links
Official website*
{{Authority control
Fat Wreck Chords artists
Punk rock groups from California
Musical groups established in 1990
Skate punk groups