Spitfire is an American
metalcore
Metalcore (also known as metallic hardcore) is a fusion music genre that combines elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. As with other styles blending metal and hardcore, such as crust punk and grindcore, metalcore is noted for its use of ...
band from
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Virginia Beach is an independent city located on the southeastern coast of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. The population was 459,470 at the 2020 census. Although mostly suburban in character, it is the most populous city ...
. They first formed in the late 1990s and were previously signed to Goodfellow Records.
History
Originally, the band featured vocalist and guitarist Matt Beck, drummer Chris Raines, and bassist Jimmy Reeves. With this lineup, they released an EP called ''Straining Towards What's To Come'' on 2Jake Records and ''The Dead Next Door'' on
Solid State Records
Solid State Records is a Christian metalcore record label, an imprint of Tooth & Nail Records. Unlike Tooth & Nail, Solid State signs hardcore punk and heavy metal bands. Like Tooth & Nail, Solid State is primarily a Christian label. However, ...
in 1999. For a brief time, Beck left the band and was replaced by Randy Vanderbilt (
Scarlet) on guitar and Jon Spencer (ex-Scarlet) on vocals. With this new vocalist and guitarist, Spitfire released a second EP, called ''The Slideshow Whiplash'', for Goodfellow Records. The band broke up in 2002.
In late 2005, Spitfire re-formed with new members. While the band had been broken up, Reeves had moved to
New York City
New York, often called New York City or NYC, is the List of United States cities by population, most populous city in the United States. With a 2020 population of 8,804,190 distributed over , New York City is also the L ...
,
[ leaving Beck and Raines as the only original members. Spencer was again their vocalist, and they added guitarist Scottie Henry from Norma Jean and bassist "Dangerous" Dan Tulloh, also formerly from Scarlet. They recorded a new album for Goodfellow Records, ''Self-Help'', which was released on February 28, 2006. Ian Sabo then joined the band on bass, and Tulloh switched to guitar, giving the band three guitarists.
Spitfire announced the following statement on their Myspace page about their rumors of their breakup, and their new record, on June 24, 2007: "We have heard some rumors around scenesterville that we threw in the towel. Maybe we did, maybe we didn't. Maybe Matt left to become a Carni. Maybe you should go put the lotion in the basket. Regardless, we have been forced to cancel some shows due to a life laying the smackdown on a few of us. On the other hand, we are entering the studio after nearly a year of writing. Chris, Dan, Jon and Matt will be heading to Trax East on July 9 to begin recording " Cult Fiction". Prepare for your day to be ruined." Along with this statement, Henry and Sabo were no longer listed as part of their lineup.
Spitfire released their next album on April 29, 2008. Its name, ''Cult Fiction'', is somewhat ironic; Spencer had released an album with his previous band called ''Cult Classic''.
On January 2, 2008, "Crossed", which would be the first single from ''Cult Fiction'', was released on their Myspace page.
On March 3, 2008, Spitfire announced that they would be releasing an iTunes exclusive release entitled "Black Leather" on March 25.
Currently Spitfire has again left their fans wondering about their status by posting this biography of the band: "Was born. Started cult. Fulfilled prophecy. Died with dignity."
The band released ''Self-Help'' on vinyl in 2015, through New American Records.]
In 2016, Drummer Chris Raines did an interview, primarily talking about his musical career and Spitfire, and saying the band had just stopped. He said nothing about whether the band will restart.
Members
;Last known lineup
* Matt Beck - guitar (1996-1999, 2001–2002, 2005–present) vocals (1996-1999) (ex- Mae)
* Chris Raines - drums (1996-2002, 2005–present) (ex- Norma Jean, Sunndrug)
* Jon Spencer - vocals (1999-2002, 2005–present) (ex- Scarlet)
* Dan Tulloh - bass (2005–present) (ex-Scarlet)
;Former members
* Jimmy Reeves - bass (Sunndrug) (1996-2002)
* Randy Vanderbilt - guitar (ex-Scarlet) (1999-2001)
* Scottie Henry - guitar (ex-Luti-Kriss
Norma Jean (formerly known as Luti-Kriss) is an American metalcore band from Douglasville, Georgia, a suburb of Atlanta. Since their inception in 1997, numerous lineup changes have left the band with no original members. To date, Norma Jean ha ...
, ex- Norma Jean) (2006-2007)
* Ian Sabo - bass (DSGNS) (2006-2007)
;Timeline
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id:Album value:black legend:Studio_albums
id:EP value:gray(0.55) legend:Other_releases
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at:08/01/1996 color:EP layer:back
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at:10/07/2015 color:EP layer:back
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bar:Jon text:"Jon Spencer"
bar:Randy text:"Randy Vanderbilt"
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bar:Ian text:"Ian Sabo"
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bar:Matt from:09/01/2001 till:01/01/2002 color:LGuitar
bar:Matt from:01/01/2005 till:end color:LGuitar
bar:Randy from:10/01/1999 till:09/01/2001 color:LGuitar
bar:Jon from:10/01/1999 till:01/01/2002 color:Vocals
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bar:Jimmy from:01/01/2005 till:06/01/2005 color:Bass
bar:Dan from:06/01/2005 till:01/01/2006 color:Bass
bar:Dan from:01/01/2006 till:01/01/2007 color:RGuitar
bar:Dan from:01/01/2007 till:end color:Bass
bar:Ian from:01/01/2006 till:01/01/2007 color:Bass
bar:Scottie from:01/01/2006 till:01/01/2007 color:RGuitar
bar:Chris from:01/01/1996 till:01/01/2002 color:Drums
bar:Chris from:01/01/2005 till:end color:Drums
Discography
Studio albums
* Demo (1996)
* ''The Dead Next Door'' (1999, Solid State Records
Solid State Records is a Christian metalcore record label, an imprint of Tooth & Nail Records. Unlike Tooth & Nail, Solid State signs hardcore punk and heavy metal bands. Like Tooth & Nail, Solid State is primarily a Christian label. However, ...
)
* ''Self-Help
Self-help or self-improvement is a self-guided improvement''APA Dictionary of Physicology'', 1st ed., Gary R. VandenBos, ed., Washington: American Psychological Association, 2007.—economically, intellectually, or emotionally—often with a subst ...
'' (2006, Goodfellow Records)
* '' Cult Fiction'' (2008, Goodfellow Records)
EPs
* ''Straining Towards What's to Come'' (1997 2Jake Records)
* ''The Slideshow Whiplash'' (2001, Goodfellow Records)
* ''Black Leather
Fetish fashion is any style or appearance in the form of a
type of clothing or accessory, created to be extreme or provocative in a fetishistic manner. These styles are by definition not worn by the majority of people; if everyone wears an it ...
'' (2008, Goodfellow Records)
References
External links
Official Myspace page
Discogs.com discography
Spitfire interview
- review of ''The Dead Next Door''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spitfire
Metalcore musical groups from Virginia
American Christian metal musical groups
Musical groups from Virginia
Solid State Records artists
Heavy metal musical groups from Virginia