Goldfinger

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Punk band

Los Angeles-based punk/ska band Goldfinger developed a strong following after its formation in 1994 among fans who enjoyed the group's energetic, rabble-rousing live shows, which were played with a healthy sense of humor. The band proved itself to be equally strong in the studio, achieving wide success with its 1996 hit single "Here in Your Bedroom." The band now has numerous albums and singles to its credit, in addition to many contributions on compilation albums. The band has also had songs featured on the soundtracks of major Hollywood movies like American Pie, Waterboy, and Not Another Teen Movie. Although entertainment is the band's first priority, the group's music also espouses the animal-friendly philosophy of lead singer John Feldman, a vegetarian. The songs "Free Me," "For Your Greed," and "What Gives You the Right" all promote animal rights.

Goldfinger started out in 1994 when Feldmann met the band's original bassist, Simon Williams, in a shoe store where they both worked. The two made a demo recording and used it to recruit drummer Darrin Pfeiffer. Having recently moved from his hometown of Buffalo, New York, to pursue a career in music, Pfeiffer worked at a Los Angeles area coffee shop at the time, and played in another band. But after listening to the demo, he quit the band he was in to join the new group. Feldmann then brought in guitarist Charlie Paulson to round out the lineup. "The band was just something we thought we could have fun at, do a few shows," Feldmann later told Paul Freeman in the Orlando Sentinel. "I never expected it to go this far."

Feldmann continued working at the shoe store while playing gigs with his new band. He told the Bergen County, New Jersey, Record, "We were together for about two years and we played hundreds and hundreds of shows in front of about 30 people." The band got its lucky break when Feldmann included a demo tape with a pair of shoes he sold to a Mojo Records executive. The executive played the tape for his bosses, who promptly called Feldmann in for a meeting. Mojo Records signed the band, and Feld-mann was able to quit his job at the shoe store within two months.

In spite of its punk and ska labels, the members of the band consider themselves to be "more of a pop band than anything else," as Feldmann explained to Alan Sculley in the Peoria, Illinois, Journal Star. But he added, "We have a ska sound. And we have a punk sound, and we have a pop sound, a reggae sound, and we have a metal sound. We have a lot of different sounds that kind of happen through our music."

In 1995, the year after the band's formation, Goldfinger released its first album, a demo EP titled Richter. The album got a lot of play on college radio stations and other independent channels, receiving strong reviews. Following this initial success, Goldfinger released a self-titled album in 1996. A cut off the Richter album, "Here In Your Bedroom," was well-received and brought the band to a new level of popularity. It became a hit after receiving extensive airplay on Los Angeles area rock station KROQ-FM. Following its debut, the song landed on the Billboard Top 10 Modern Rock Chart. The band also appeared on the popular Late Night with Conan O'Brian television show.

Following their successful studio releases, Goldfinger hit the road on tour, opening for such bands as the Sex Pistols, No Doubt, and Reel Big Fish. They played on the road for 19 months in a row, and in 1996 the group played 382 shows. Following this, the band released its second album, Hang Ups, which went on to sell more than 88,000 copies. The band also released the single "This Lonely Place" along with an accompanying video, and a single and video called "More Today than Yesterday." This song, a cover of a song by Spiral Staircase, was later featured on the soundtrack of the Hollywood film Waterboy. "This Lonely Place" played in regular rotation on MTV.

Founding band member Simon Williams left the band in 1998 and was replaced by bassist Kelly Lemieux. Lemieux and Feldmann had become friends in the early 1990s when they both played in the band Electric Love Hogs. In 2000 the band released an LP called Stomping Grounds, which included singles "Counting the Days," which received airplay in the United States, and "99 Red Balloons," which was aired in Europe.

After the release of Stomping Grounds, Goldfinger kicked off a European tour with several other bands, including Eve 6, Showoff, Bloodhound Gang, and Mest. Out of this tour came the live album Foot in Mouth, which was recorded in England in 2000.fingerbox

In 2001 guitarist Charlie Paulson left the band and was replaced by San Diego native Brian Arthur. Arthur came on board in time to record the group's next album, Open Your Eyes, which was released on the Jive/Zoomba label in 2002.

Goldfinger's lead singer, John Feldmann, stopped eating meat when he was 29 years old, after he saw the movie Babe, which features a pig as its star. After watching the movie, Feldmann cut pork from his diet. Other types of meat soon followed. After four years of being a vegetarian, Feldmann also cut all animal products, such as milk and eggs, from his diet, becoming a vegan. Not content to keep this lifestyle choice to himself, he began to use his music as a platform for educating other people about the benefits of going vegan. His main goal, he told Brenda Lau on the vegetarianteen.com website, is to inform his fans about animal rights and to stop the killing of animals.

As a member of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), Feldmann has also organized Gold-finger benefit concerts for that organization. Feldmann described to Lau how at several different restaurants he purchased lobsters that were intended for food, and then set them free in the ocean. "I saw a tank of lobsters and I said, 'I could do something about this right now.'" In spite of his strongly held beliefs, though, Feldmann considers himself first and foremost an entertainer, not an activist. While he feels it important to make his views known, he is careful not to alienate fans who do not share his views.

Several of Goldfinger's songs reflect an anti-meat stance. Feldmann has also publically criticized personalities such as rock star Ted Nugent, who enjoys hunting, and movie star Jennifer Lopez, who has a line of clothing that includes furs. The music video for one of the group's songs, "Free Me," features footage provided by animal rights organizations PETA and Friends of Animals. Other Goldfinger songs promoting animal rights include "For Your Greed," about the needless killing of animals, "You Think It's a Joke," which questions the idea that people are more important than animals, and "What Gives You the Right," about the evils of medical experimentation on animals.

In addition to his work with Goldfinger and PETA, Feldmann produces the music of other bands, including Showff, Mest, and The Used. Asked by FamousVeggie.com for "words of wisdom," Feldmann replied, "Make your loved ones watch Meet Your Meat [a PETA-produced video]. There is no excuse for killing anything once you know the truth about factory farms, de-beaking, tail docking, etc. Animals have just as much right to live free as we do."

Selected discography
Richter, Mojo/Universal, 1995.
"Here in Your Bedroom" (single), Mojo/Universal, 1995.
Goldfinger, Mojo/Universal, 1996.
(Contributor) King Pin (soundtrack), Universal, 1996.
(Contributor) Violent World: A Tribute to the Misfits, Caroline, 1997.
Hang Ups, Mojo/Universal, 1997.
(Contributor) The Duran Duran Tribute Album, Universal, 1997.
"My Head" (single), Mojo/Universal, 1997.
(Contributor) Basketball (soundtrack), Universal, 1998.
(Contributor) Dead Man on Campus (soundtrack), Universal/Dreamworks, 1998.
(Contributor) Waterboy (soundtrack), PGD/Hollywood, 1998.
(Contributor) American Pie (soundtrack), Universal, 1999.
Darrin's Coconut A**, Mojo/Universal, 1999.
Stomping Ground, Mojo/Universal, 2000.
Stomping Ground (Japanese version), Universal, 2000.
Foot in Mouth, Goldfinger, 2001.
(Contributor) Not Another Teen Movie (soundtrack), WEA/Warner Bros., 2001.
Open Your Eyes, Jive, 2002.

Sources

Periodicals
Albuquerque Journal, November 18, 2001, p. F6.
Grand Rapids Press, May 4, 1998, p.C8.
Intelligencer Journal (Lancaster, PA), October 17, 1997, p.2.
Journal Star (Peoria, IL), December 11, 1997, p.C3.
Orlando Sentinel, January 31, 1997, p.8.
Record (Bergen County, NJ), June 28, 1996, p.5.
Spokesman Review (Spokane, WA), January 16, 1998, p.5.

Online
"FamousVeggie.com's Celebrity Interview with John Feld-mann," FamousVeggie.com, http://www.famousveggie.com/feldmann.cfm (December 10, 2003).
Goldfinger Official Website, http://www.goldfingermusic.com (November 12, 2003).
"John Feldmannn on Animal Rights," Vegetarianteen.com, http://www.vegetarianteen.com/interviews/feldmann1.shtml (November 12, 2003).
  • Genres: Rock

Biography

Along with No Doubt, Sublime, and Rancid, the Los Angeles quartet Goldfinger helped contribute to a mini-U.S. ska-punk movement in the mid- to late '90s. The group was originally formed in 1994 by ex-Electric Love Hogs guitarist/singer John Feldmann and bassist/singer Simon Williams (who were both working at the same shoe store at the time), in addition to drummer Darrin Pfeiffer and an unnamed second guitarist (who would leave the group before any recordings could be issued and later become a pro surfer in Costa Rica). A friend of Feldmann's, Charlie Paulson, signed on shortly thereafter, playing his first show with the group just a day after being given a tape of their songs to learn. A six-track demo EP, Richter, was issued in 1995 and received favorable reviews and a substantial amount of airplay on college radio, leading to Goldfinger signing a major-label contract with Universal. Their self-titled full-length debut hit the record racks a year later, spawning the popular single/video "Here in Your Bedroom" (a track that originally appeared on their EP), and the group toured alongside the Sex Pistols, No Doubt, Reel Big Fish, and the multi-band festival the Vans Warped Tour.

Their second full-length, Hang-Ups, was released in 1997, and although the album failed to live up to the expectations set by their debut, Goldfinger stayed in the public eye with their cover of the Spiral Starecase song "More Today Than Yesterday," featured in the soundtrack of the hit Adam Sandler movie The Waterboy. Williams left the band in 1998, replaced by a former bandmate of Feldmann's from Electric Love Hogs, Kelly Lemieux, and Goldfinger debuted their new lineup with the eight-track all-covers live EP Darrin's Coconut Ass: Live a year later. The quartet's third studio release, Stomping Ground, was issued in 2000 as the group toured both Europe and the U.S. (during their tour of England, Goldfinger recorded one of their sets, issuing the live Foot in Mouth, available only at shows and through the band's official website). Come 2001, it was Paulson's turn to jump ship, replaced by Brian Arthur (formerly of the Texas alt-metal outfit Unloco), as Goldfinger's first studio album for their new label, Jive/Zoomba, was issued in 2002 with Open Your Eyes. Disconnection Notice from 2005 found the group switching to the Maverick label. By 2008, however, Paulson was back on board, and the band released Hello Destiny... on the punk label SideOne Dummy. ~ Greg Prato, Rovi
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Goldfinger (band)

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Goldfinger

Goldfinger live in 2006.
Background information
Origin Los Angeles, California
Genres Ska punk, Punk rock
Years active 1994–present
Labels Universal, Mojo, Jive, Maverick, Side One Dummy
Associated acts Electric Love Hogs, The Salads, Black President, Reel Big Fish
Website goldfingermusic.com
Members
John Feldmann
Kelly LeMieux
Darrin Pfeiffer
Charlie Paulson
Past members
Simon Williams
Brian Arthur

Goldfinger is an American pop punk/ska punk band that formed in 1994 in Los Angeles, California. Currently, the band is composed of vocalist/guitarist John Feldmann, guitarist Charlie Paulson, bassist Kelly LeMieux, and drummer Darrin Pfeiffer. The band is widely considered have been a contributor to the movement of third-wave ska,[1][2] a revitalization in the popularity of ska music which occurred during the mid-1990s. However, the releases of Open Your Eyes and Disconnection Notice, have been more commonly placed in the pop-punk genre. Apart from the band's music, Goldfinger is also noted for their political activism, particularly in the area of animal rights.[3]

Contents

History

Formation, Goldfinger, and Hang-Ups (1994-1998)

Goldfinger was formed by former Electric Love Hogs member John Feldmann on vocals and guitar, Simon Williams on bass, Darrin Pfeiffer on drums, and Charlie Paulson on guitar. At the time the band was formed, Feldmann and Williams were working at the same shoe store.[4] Before they were signed to a major label, they released an EP titled Richter, which received favorable reviews and a substantial amount of airplay on college radio, leading to Goldfinger signing a major-label contract with Universal Records.[4]

Many of the songs on Richter are demo versions of songs on the band's full length debut, Goldfinger, which was released on February 29, 1996. The song "Here in Your Bedroom" from the album was especially popular and helped the band gain a solid fanbase. In 2006, Alternative Press listed the self titled Goldfinger album as one of the "10 Albums That Shaped 1996" alongside No Doubt, Weezer and others. The band released its second album, Hang-Ups, on September 9, 1997. Although the album was less successful than the band's debut, the band still maintained a devoted fan base in the hardcore community. Founding bassist Simon Williams left the band following Hang-Ups. During this time, Goldfinger released a popular cover of the song "More Today Than Yesterday" by Spiral Starecase, which also helped the band stay out of obscurity.[2]

Stomping Ground and Open Your Eyes (1999-2004)

Goldfinger's third studio LP was Stomping Ground, which was released on March 28, 2000. The album sold poorly in the US but was a modest hit in some European countries, thanks to their cover of Nena's "99 Luftballons" sung partly in German. In 2000, during their tour of England, Goldfinger recorded one of their sets, issuing the live Foot in Mouth, available only at shows and through the band's official website.[2] Their next album, Open Your Eyes (2002), was the first for their new record label, Jive/Zomba. On this album, the band abandoned much of its reggae influences in favor of a more heavy sound. Furthermore, some of the lyrics discussed animal rights, a subject which had not been touched upon in earlier albums. The band recorded a music video for the title track of the album, which was also focused on animal rights.

Disconnection Notice and return of Charlie Paulson (2005-2006)

In early 2005, they released its first album for their new label, Maverick Records, titled Disconnection Notice. The song "Wasted" from the album was released as a single. The CD was less well received compared to former Goldfinger albums. Former Unloco guitarist Brian Arthur was then fired by Feldmann because Feldmann "did not want to work with him anymore".[citation needed]

Also in 2005, Goldfinger announced that their old guitarist Charlie Paulson would return. Charlie's returned to the stage playing three songs at the Key Club in LA when the band finished a Western USA tour.

Hello Destiny (2007-2010)

Goldfinger signed to the independent record label Side One Dummy in 2007. On April 22, 2008, the band released their sixth full-length record called Hello Destiny. To promote the album, the band embarked on a successful North American tour with Less Than Jake in summer of 2008. They also played in the UK at the Reading and Leeds Festivals on 22–23 August 2008.

Recently, frontman John Feldmann has produced records for Mest, The Used (whose vocalist Bert McCracken sang some guest vocals on "Open Your Eyes", "Woodchuck", "Ocean Size", and "Handjobs for Jesus"), Hilary Duff and Story of the Year. He also produced Good Charlotte's single "The Anthem" (whose guitarist Benji Madden provides guest vocals on "January", which was originally named "Oracle of Elcaro"). He also signed the band Unloco with Maverick Records.

In November, 2010, Goldfinger played a handful of shows on a small, west coast tour with Reel Big Fish. These shows are notable for a couple of reasons: these are the first shows performed without Darrin Pfeiffer on drums. Drumming duties were handled by Branden Steineckert of Rancid. Also, on the Los Angeles show at the House of Blues, original bassist, Simon Williams came out to perform several songs off their classic first album. This was the first time Williams had performed with the band in over a decade.

Untitled seventh studio album (2010-present)

In the November/December 2010 issue #43 of SMASH magazine, Feldmann stated that a new EP or a possible full-length album was "in the works" with Feldmann having penned 4/5 new tracks, and Pfeiffer having recorded the drum tracks. Feldmann also states in the article that with the release of any new material would be supported with an extended tour.[5] According to Feldmann, Goldfinger expects to have their new album out sometime in 2012.[6]

Animal rights

Since the band began, Feldmann has become a vegan and animal rights supporter, as can be seen briefly in the music video for "Open Your Eyes". They also donated the song "What Gives You The Right" to the Southern Animal Rights Coalition benefit CD, "Until Every Cage Is Empty",[7] as well as writing the song "Free Kevin Kjonaas", an animal rights prisoner, known as the most involved individual in the SHAC 7.[8][9] He also advocates and supports the Animal Liberation Front.[10] For the song "Behind the Mask" from the album Disconnection Notice, Feldmann convinced PETA president and co-founder Ingrid Newkirk to allow him to sample one of her speeches on animal cruelty.[11]

In film and video games

Goldfinger songs have made several appearances in motion pictures. "99 Red Balloons" is featured in the movies, Not Another Teen Movie, Eurotrip, and Rocket Power: Race Across New Zealand. Their cover of "More Today Than Yesterday" by Spiral Starecase is featured during the ending credits of The Waterboy. "Superman" is featured in the Disney film, Meet the Deedles and the comedy, Kingpin. "Walking in the Dark" is featured in the movie Dead Man on Campus.

The band's video game debut was in Tony Hawk's Pro Skater with the song "Superman". "99 Red Balloons" is also featured in Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec. Goldfinger's song "I Want" from Disconnection Notice is featured in Burnout Revenge on the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and Xbox 360, and is also featured in Burnout Legends on the PlayStation Portable."My Everything" is featured on SSX On Tour also by Electronic Arts. The single, "Spokesman", is featured on Activision's Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4. Goldfinger also appeared in the Reel Big Fish video "Sell Out" for a couple of seconds. The song "Counting the Days" is featured on Shaun White Snowboarding.

Discography

Studio albums

Live albums

Date of release Title Label Billboard 200 US sales
November 9, 1999 Darrin's Coconut Ass Mojo Records - -
2001 Foot in Mouth Mojo Records - -
March 23, 2004 Live at the House of Blues Kung Fu Records - -

EPs

Date of release Title Label Billboard 200 US sales
1995 Richter Mojo Records - -
1996 Tiger Meat/Teen Beef Mojo Records - -

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
Year Song Chart peak Album
US
Mod
[2]
CAN
Alt

[12]
1996 "Here in Your Bedroom" 5 11 Goldfinger
"Mable"
1997 "This Lonely Place" 14 Hang-Ups
"My Head
1998 "Seems Like Yesterday" Meet the Deedles
"More Today Than Yesterday" The Waterboy
2000 "Counting the Days" Stomping Ground
"99 Red Balloons"
2002 "Tell Me" Open Your Eyes
"Open Your Eyes" 37
"Spokesman"
2005 "Wasted" Disconnection Notice
"I Want"
"Stalker"
2008 "One More Time" Hello Destiny
"—" denotes releases that did not chart.

Compilation appearances

Year Album B Song
1997 Violent World: Misfits Tribute "Ghoul's Night Out"
1997 Duran Duran Tribute Album "Rio"
2000 Sleighed: Other Side of Christmas "White Christmas"
2005 The Best of Goldfinger

Soundtrack appearances

Year Movie Song
1996 Kingpin "Superman"
1998 Baseketball "Hopeless"
1998 Meet the Deedles "Seems Like Yesterday"
1998 Dead Man On Campus "Walking in the Dark"
1998 The Waterboy "More Today Than Yesterday"
1999 American Pie "Vintage Queen"
2001 Not Another Teen Movie "99 Red Balloons"
2004 EuroTrip "99 Red Balloons"

Video game appearances

Song Game Platform(s)
"Superman" Tony Hawk's Pro Skater PlayStation, Nintendo 64, Dreamcast
"99 Red Balloons" Gran Turismo 3: A-Spec PlayStation 2
"Spokesman" Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 4 PlayStation, PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, Xbox, Windows PC, Mac
"I Want" Burnout Revenge PlayStation 2, Xbox, Xbox 360
"I Want" Burnout Legends PlayStation Portable, Nintendo DS
"I'm Down" Andy McDonald's Skateboarding PlayStation, Dreamcast
"I'm Down" ESPN X-Games Snowboarding PlayStation 2
"My Everything" SSX On Tour Xbox, PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation Portable
"Counting the Days" Shaun White Snowboarding PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii

References

  1. ^ "Third Wave Ska Revival: Artists - BlueBeat.com: Play Free Music". BlueBeat.com. http://www.bluebeat.com/music-genre/artist/415. Retrieved 2011-07-15. 
  2. ^ a b c d Prato, Greg. "Goldfinger". AllMusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p39089. Retrieved 2011-07-15. 
  3. ^ "PETA2 // Out There // PETA2 agents talk about Goldfinger’s new album and concert tour". Peta2.com. 2002-06-02. http://www.peta2.com/outthere/o-gfinger2.asp. Retrieved 2011-07-15. 
  4. ^ a b "Goldfinger | Music Videos, News, Photos, Tour Dates, Ringtones, and Lyrics". MTV. http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/goldfinger/artist.jhtml#biographyEnd. Retrieved 2011-07-15. 
  5. ^ "Issue 43 Cover Story - Goldfinger". SMASH Magazine. http://www.smashmagazine.com/issue43-cover-story.html. Retrieved 2011-07-15. 
  6. ^ "Goldfinger to release new album this year". Punknews.org. 2012-01-03. http://www.punknews.org/article/45686. Retrieved 2012-01-03. 
  7. ^ Until Every Cage Is Empty - £5.00 : Animal Rights Merchandise, The SARCshop
  8. ^ "Support Kevin Kjonaas and the SHAC 7". Supportkevin.com. http://www.supportkevin.com/. Retrieved 2011-07-15. 
  9. ^ "Goldfinger4Kevin - 27 - Garçon - US - www.myspace.com/goldfinger4kevin". MySpace.com. http://www.myspace.com/goldfinger4kevin. Retrieved 2011-07-15. 
  10. ^ Keith, Shannon. Behind the Mask, Uncaged Films, 2006.
  11. ^ http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/goldfinger/bio.jhtml
  12. ^ "Rock/Alternative - Volume 63, No. 14, May 20, 1996". RPM. http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/rpm/028020-119.01-e.php?&file_num=nlc008388.2974&type=1&interval=50&PHPSESSID=i0cgemn96hl9k53td9ive8s7r2. Retrieved 2011-05-02. 

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Goldfinger (1964 Action Film)
The CBS Singles Collection 1963-1965 (1988 Album by The Atlantics)
Berkley Mather (Writer, Action/Historical Film)