Artist description Big guitar hooks, ballsy drum beats and killer harmonies.

Music Style Power Pop

Musical Influences Apples In Stereo, Lilys, Guided By Voices, Neutral Milk Hotel

Similar Artists Everclear, Fastball

Artist History Big Angry Fish formed in Michigan in the early 90’s when Mike Coy and Kevin Hoetger met at Central Michigan University. They enlisted Don Viau to play bass and quickly became Central Michigan’s most popular band. In September of 1994, the trio set out to Chicago for a gig they booked at a small bar, set in the knowledge that they would soon be completing their degrees and going their separate ways. Little did they know that while they were rocking, lurking in the shadows, was the owner of upstart indie label Beluga Records, who was witnessing something in a band he rarely saw - that unique combination of catchy tunes, balls-out energy, and an ability to work a crowd with just the right amount of humor. The band returned to Michigan with a record deal. In December of 1994, Big Angry Fish recorded their first record for Beluga, the self-titled Big Angry Fish which came out in March of 1995 as Beluga’s first release. They went back to the studio in the summer of 1996 and recorded the EP Let ‘Er Buck. Both releases showcase the band’s knack for hooky guitar rock fueled by big drum beats topped with sweet vocal harmonies. Unfortunately, due to Beluga’s limited promotional budget, neither release received the national recognition they deserved. However, Big Angry Fish began making a name for themselves playing live in Chicago with increasing frequency. After the release of Let ‘Er Buck, the individual members of Big Angry Fish gradually started moving to Chicago. They also added a fourth member, Derrick Freeman, on guitar. The addition of Derrick has resulted in more diverse and melodic guitar arrangements. His songwriting input has added a welcomed new dimension to the band as well. Due to personal reasons (basically various members living in different states) and breaking in a new member, Big Angry Fish took quite a while to work up new material for a new album. But thankfully they took their time. Their newest release the 13 Electric Turn-Ons is a gem of a rock record, flavored with indie pop nuances and nods to 60’s FM radio pop.

Group Members Mike Coy, vocals and guitar Don Viau, bass and vocals Derrick Freeman, guitar Kevin Hoetger, drums

Instruments 2 guitars, bass and drums

Albums the 13 Electric Turn-ons, Let 'Er Buck, Big Angry Fish

Press Reviews REVIEWS FOR THE NEW CD "13 ELECTRIC TURN-ONS........."This is very important: don't confuse Big Angry Fish with Reel Big Fish. It's a vitally important distinction, because Reel Big Fish sucks, and the mistaken belief that Big Angry Fish also sucks would deprive you of some serious happiness. Confused yet? The point I'm trying to make is that Big Angry Fish...well...kicks ass, to put it bluntly. If you have even the mildest taste for quintessential power-punk, you're going to want a copy of The 13 Electric Turn-Ons. So what makes Big Angry Fish stand out in a genre that's been flooded with pretenders, also-rans and Bands That Didn't Quite Get It? Nothing particularly tangible: a not-quite-in-tune vocal here, a melody coalescing from raw feedback there, and of course an ability to pen tunes that wriggle under your skin, make every hair on your body stand on end, and then work their way out of your body through your pores. The 13 Electric Turn-Ons is one of those rare CDs that you can leave cranked up all day as you revel in its many gloriously crunchy, fuzzy nuggets of bliss; if you touch your stereo at all, it'll be to turn up the volume a bit more. (Warning: trite closure alert!) If you like your pop raw and flavorful, Big Angry Fish is well worth catching." --George Zahora, Splendid E-Zine........... "Des**(sophomoric, but humble bright colors and silly artwork. Suitable for most college radio stations walls) When I first got this disc I was distressed by the possibilty that I'd been sent something by Real Big Fish. Surely these guys must've thought about the probabilty that people would discard this thinking it was novelty ska. Alas it isn't and I'm rather saddened by the misnomer. 13 Electric Turn-Ons is a pretty good little indie record with nice melodies, pleasing, yet jerky and compelling guitar work, and most importantly enjoyable songs. Alas, with the coupling of the name of the band and the cover of the record, you most likely pick this up after the release of their next record when you already know who they are." --T. King, Jetbunny............"Something that’s totally blowing me away ‘cause it’s so darn go" -Richard Milne, WXRT, Chicago ................REVIEWS OF "LET 'ER BUCK"..............."More hooks than a fisherman. Yummy crunch-coated power pop. This six song EP had me singin' and shakin' on the first listen. 'Judy's Tiny Head' is a gem...short and to the point, good-for-the-soul pop, simple sing-a-long into your hair brush lyrics, with a twisted sense of humor. Their Husker Du meets the Knack sound warmed my heart from the start and left me hungry for more. I'd write more, but I'm too busy dancing around my room listening to this." --Moo Magazine ............."As their name implies, this is energetic, toothsome power-pop with a silly streak, sort of a cross between Foo Fighters meets the Presidents of the USA, with the occasional jab of angular guitar to remind us they're from Chicago. 'Judy's Tiny Head' is the obvious, if peculiar, single pick, but 'Bitter' is also fine, a meaty slice of garage-rock with a gloriously over-the-top vocal. All in all, an entertaining little six-song tease." --Jim Santo's Demo Universe .............."Lots of heavy-edged riff-rockin' here, done quite well to boot. There's a nice dynamic between guitarist Mike Coy, who sounds like he wants to shred, and the lighter pop-leaning rhythm section, who undercut Coy with memorable results. 'Torturing Daisies' and 'Tuh' are danceable movers, and best cut 'Judy's Tiny Head' has both a sense of humor and a great hook." --Illinois Entertainer................"Power pop - good for the soul, fun for the ears…songs that show a better sense of humor than much of the angst-ridden crap currently riding the airwaves. The guys sound like they could tear apart Everclear with their bare hands." - Milk Magazine .................REVIEWS OF THE FIRST RELEASE..........."Big Angry Fish is a band that recognizes what makes a good power pop song: short and to the point songs that live and die by their hooks. The overall sound is a bit like the Gigolo Aunts but grittier and with less reliance on vocal harmonies. Anyone into pure power pop should dig this CD. It'll sound fine alongside your Tommy Keene and Big Star records." --Pop Narcotic ..............."There are a lot of bands I was reminded of while listening to Big Angry Fish like Pixies, Green Day, Midnight Oil, Goo Goo Dolls, Replacements, Nirvana, Material Issue...etc. But to say they sound like any of these bands would be misleading. Let's just say Big Angry Fish takes the best attributes of each and blends them with style. The crisp production and edgy live sound captured on the disc are the perfect medium for BAF's punchy, energetic riffs, strait-forward melodies and power-pop harmonies. The guitar work successfully straddles a line somewhere between 3 chord punk and jangle pop. The songwriting aspires to be more than verse-chorus-verse without becoming a lobrious exercise in artsy alternative shit. The vocals have just enough guts and melody to make the songs catchy and singable but not trite and sugary. Best of all the songs are fun! I can't say enough good things about these boys!" --Rag Magazine .................."This CD was immediately claimed by my 16-year old sister who played track 7 'A Friend With Weed' over and over again. It was such a hit with her and her high school friends that I had to resort to threats to get it back to review. The aforementioned tune is one of the bands earliest originals with its sci-fi synth intro and intense guitar line. Their sound is surprisingly polished and songs like 'Swanktuary', 'Decaf Girl', and 'Microphone' establish them as an up and coming power-punk-pop band. The energy apparent on this album left me longing to see their live performance." --Kelle Kieschnick, Rayolux ..................."Straight-forward and oscillating tight vocals, with melodies to match, giving this CD a satisfying and well-engineered sound. It's a local big fuzzy hunka zound; fine for grooving, moving, roving, or any thing else you might be doing at the moment." --Jonah Lissner, Tailspins ..................."Every song carries its own weight -- there are no throw-aways here. With driving rhythms and lead singer Mike Coy's gruff vocals, this is fierce punk rock with a fresh new flavor. Lyrically the album is lighthearted and cynical. The second track is a look at the dreary, unapproachable coffe-shop beatnik-chic, 'Decaf Girl'. Then there's the classic 'Friend with Weed'. The lyrics are hilarious." --Sarah Behnke, Etch Magazine

Location Chicago, IL - USA

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