Artist description Afro-Celtic-Yiddish-Ska Guaranteed to Make You Sweat.

Music Style Afro-Celtic-Yiddish-Ska

Musical Influences Bob Marley, Madness, and The Marx Brothers

Similar Artists Fishbone, The English Beat, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, No Doubt

Artist History Though now widely regarded as "the world's greatest and only ska-funk-folk-punk amalgamation", THE FENWICKS were originally formed as a duo at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. There Steven Schub, an actor, met Jim Corrieri, a guitarist studying music. Together they invented their own brand of alternative rock- one defined by Corrieri's furiously paced, acoustic melodies spot-welded to Schub's quirky lyrics and jarring, if at times hilarious, stage show. This combination won THE FENWICKS their first devout audiences. Then, in a bizarre coincidence, while working as a bellboy at New York City's Park Central Hotel, Schub met Artimus Pyle, the drummer for Lynyrd Skynyrd. After viewing THE FENWICKS' video, Artimus invited Schub and Corrieri to Jacksonville, Florida, and introduced them to Ken Nasta (drums), Carlo Mercieri (electric guitar), Ed Richardson (bass) and Chris Pyle (percussion). Now a full band, THE FENWICKS' songs were transformed, creating an undeniably singular sound. At a loss, one critic deemed it "Afro-Celtic Yiddish Ska". Whatever one calls it, it was, and is, apparently, infectious and addictive. THE FENWICKS' live show came to be renowned as an "event", famous for its dance-party atmosphere and the band's unpredictable stage antics. Consistent touring of the region made this "amalgamation" one of the Southeast's most popular and critically acclaimed acts. Reclaiming their homebase, THE FENWICKS returned to New York City to play an unheard of 32 dates in 31 days, each at a different venue. This onslaught of exposure led to a recording deal with New York indie label Guitar Acoustics, and a publishing deal with Cherry Lane Music. Their much anticipated debut CD, "Member Of No Tribe" and THE FENWICKS 18 month support tour garnered raves in the national, alternative and college press. "Member Of No Tribe" aired on over 200 college radio stations, placing THE FENWICKS within the top 100 on the CMJ airplay chart, and is today considered to have been one of the opening shots for "3rd Wave" Ska. After the Guitar Acoustics label was shut down, and after four years of almost constant touring, THE FENWICKS chose to take a short break and pursue their individual goals. Ken Nasta (drums) and Chris Pyle (percussion) recorded and toured with Royal Trux (Virgin Records). Singer Steven Schub landed lead roles in several feature films, including Sony Pictures Classics' release, "Caught"which prominently features THE FENWICKS' music and video. Schub's acting in "Caught" was described as "an electrifying debut, hypnotically intense" by Entertainment Weekly and as "fierce" by the New York Times. Schub has also guest starred on ABC television's "NYPD Blue" and co-stars in the film "No Vacancy" with Christina Ricci, and in "Morning" with Annabeth Gish. Jim Corrieri took to producing major music events and playing solo acoustic shows in and around New York. In the year 2001 THE FENWICKS ended their hiatus by returning to the studio. An all new 13- song CD entitled "eudaimonia" was the result. "Eudaimonia" was released nationally on THE FENWICKS' very own record label Flip-Dog Discs. Later that same year THE FENWICKS' line-up expanded yet again, this time by adding a horn-section: Van Battle (trombone), Ben Herod (saxophone), and Dennis Marion (trumpet). On June 12th 2002, THE FENWICKS celebrated their "reunion and re-ignition" in the biggest way imaginable, with a live concert at the legendary "Town Hall" on Broadway in New York City. As part of the Toyota Comedy Festival's 4th Annual Gerry Red Wilson Benefit Show, THE FENWICKS performed alongside The Daily Show's Jon Stewart and Saturday Night Live's Colin Quinn and Jim Breuer. That Broadway appearance led to a follow-up show the next night at Arlene Grocery on the Lower East Side. The sold-out show was recorded, and initially released soley as a free down-load on THE FENWICKS' website. Demand was so great however, the band was forced to press and release a brand new live CD, entitled "Truth & Memory" (Flip-Dog Discs 2002). With the release of "Truth & Memory", THE FENWICKS decided to make history once again. This time by playing 4 live CD release parties, in 3 states, on 2 coasts, in 2 weeks. (Jacksonville and St.Augustine Florida, a sold-out CMJ Music Marathon showcase in New York City, and a Los Angeles show at the legendary Club Lingerie). The Club Lingerie show was filmed by a three person camera crew led by world-renowned independent feature film director Robert M. Young ("Dominick & Eugene", "Triumph of the Spirit", and Paul Simon's "One Trick Pony"). This extraordinary concert footage, which fully captures the madness of THE FENWICKS' live-show, will be released as part of a full-length documentary about THE FENWICKS now in production. And so, THE FENWICKS' future now seems certain. To quote singer Steven Schub, "As long as there is a planet Earth, there will always be a Fenwicks. We live to play live, and our live-shows are literally guaranteed to make you sweat, giggle and groove. In over ten years, I've yet to have to reimburse a single soul".

Group Members Steven Schub-lead vocals,lyrics,harmonicas,tin whistleJimmie Corrieri-vocals,acoustic guitarsCarlo Mercieri-electric guitarsEd Richardson-bassKen Nasta-drumsChris Pyle-percussion, Van Battle-trombone, Ben Herod-Saxophone, Dennis Marion-trumpet

Instruments Guitars,bass,drums,percussion,marimbas,trumpets, trombones, saxophones and anythings else that blows..... etc

Albums Member of No Tribe, eudaimonia, Truth & Memory

Press Reviews "A jubilant explosion. The Fenwicks thrive on spontaneity better than most improv comedy troupes, and play their "Afro-Celtic Yiddish Ska" with the urgency of a death row inmate trying to win his release". -SHORELINES "Fiercely original. The Fenwicks are today's postmodern Mothers of Invention. Extreme funk driven by a killer groove. This is a genuine all-star lineup. Pathfinding songwriters with visionary ideas, up there with the best of the best... It's big, bold, and mind-blowing". -RICK-AT-NIGHT "The Fenwicks are iconoclasts who put the happiest of mediums to work for them. An ever-changing landscape of ska, punk and folk. Ken Nasta and Ed Richardson (drums and bass respectively) compromise the tightest rhythm section on the planet, propelling the band like an over-fueled locomotive. The songs sparkle with horn-laden hooks and Jimmie Corrieri's jangly folk rock guitar. The combination is perfect. As the guiding light of The Fenwicks, Schub is a found object in a monumental work of calculation. He is at once raconteur, misunderstood literate and off-in-the-corner performance artist. Far-removed from today's power-chord posturing, Schub is the "Rage against the Machismo", and his shtick seems destined to become a new art form. The Fenwicks blast off and then intoxicate". Arvid Smith, FOLIO WEEKLY "SIGN THEM, DAMMIT! The Fenwicks have got great songs and that's the bottom line. Their material is catchy, fun, full of humor and appealing to a wide audience. The Fenwicks are the real deal, an oasis in a desert of mediocre poseurs." Neal Mirsky, Program Director WDIZ 100.3 FM Orlando FL "The Fenwicks' show is a heady mixture of brilliant and extreme original music and impromptu community theater. They have created a striking blend of unpredictable rock that's something akin to Bob Dylan doing heavy metal accompanied by Monty Python. This package pounds with all the subtlety of a train crash, yet moves with the grace of synchronized swimmers in intricate cooperation. Expect anything and everything from the Fenwicks." October Micha, PLAYERS MAGAZINE "Both live and on tape, this workaholic bunch of merry tunesters, churn out a quirky, angular mix of folk-rock, funk, ska and manic energy that's pulled along, kicking and screaming all the way, by Schub's satiric, hyperactive lead vocals. The combination really clicks for some high octane pop." Kevin Roe, SOUND VIEWS "Man, these guys are fun! They mix folk ballads, manic ska, and steel drums with punk energy and passion. The result compels you to jump around your bedroom making stupid faces." MAXIMUM ROCK 'N' ROLL "Live, the band is like a mummenschantz of choreography - a 22nd century three ring circus of the mind. The Fenwicks defy all expectation." Leslie Marini, FLORIDA EXPOSURE "Aggressively confident and wonderfully eccentric...pathfinding inventiveness... the overall sound is percussion driven which effectively melds The Fenwicks' influences into a cohesive and forceful orchestration. The effect is stunning. This is the band that could bridge the gap between the fringe progressive movement and the mainstream charts. I've extolled The Fenwicks' virtues in print so many times, I'll have to invent new laudatory adjectives to describe them." Rick Grant, FIRST COAST ENTERTAINER

Location Jacksonville, Florida - USA

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