Paw is a hard rock band from Lawrence, Kansas that formed in 1991. The band, in its original line-up, consisted of Mark Hennessy (words & vocals), Grant Fitch (guitars), Charles Bryan (bass), and Peter Fitch (drums). To date, they have released 3 studio albums – Dragline, Death to Traitors, and Home Is a Strange Place. The band has also released an album of covers and B-sides entitled Keep the Last Bullet for Yourself. The band have been on supposed hiatus since 2000, but Mark, Grant and Jason reformed in 2008 for a number of shows.
History
Paw formed in 1991 in Lawrence, Kansas, alongside Kill Creek and Stick. Their work from this era can best be characterized as aggressive rock with melodic undertones, or 'Southern rock' as Mark Hennessy explained in an MTV interview. They were hailed by many record companies as "the next Nirvana" and a bidding war erupted to sign them. The band signed a three-album deal with A&M Records during the height of the grunge wave, and released their first album, Dragline, in 1993. Their most well-known songs from this period included the singles Lolita, Jessie, Couldn't Know, The Bridge, and Sleeping Bag – all of which received heavy rotation on both the radio airwaves and on Headbanger's Ball, MTV's hard rock/heavy metal showcase. The band also recorded a session for BBC Radio 1's rock show in 1994, and the songs Jessie, Pansy, and The Bridge were featured in the 3DO, PC, Saturn and Playstation versions of the video game Road Rash. It was around this time that a Women's organisation boycotted the band, accusing them their name stood for 'Pissed At Women'.
In 1995, the band released their second album, Death to Traitors, on A&M Records. During this period, the band evolved by adding more instrumental and country elements to soften their hard rock edge. While the album received favorable reviews from the press, sales quickly fizzled due to a lack of promotional support from the band's label. Paw was later dropped by A&M in 1996, before their contract was fulfilled.
In 1998, Grant Fitch and Peter Fitch formed the band Palomar and released the album World Without Horses. Paw still played together during this period, and released a full-length compilation of B-sides and rarities entitled Keep the Last Bullet for Yourself on their own label, Outlaw Records.
In 2000, founding members Mark Hennessy and Grant Fitch signed Paw with Koch Records and released the mini-album Home Is a Strange Place that same year. The new album incorporated a more pronounced "stripped-down" blues element to it.
In 2008, as a result of a shared billing between their post-Paw bands, Mark Hennessy and Grant Fitch mended their fences and played together on June 6, 2008 at the Revival Tent, Wakarusa Festival, Clinton Lake, Kansas. The performance included the songs "Couldn't Know," "Home Is a Strange Place," "Death to Traitors," "Sunflower," "Hope I Die Tonight" and "Dragline." The band played their first headlining reunion show in Lawrence, Kansas on Saturday, October 4, 2008 at The Bottleneck.[1]
Post-Paw Activities
Mark Hennessy's book of poetry Cue the Bedlam (More Desperate With Longing Than Want of Air) was published in December 2005 from Unholy Day Press.[citation needed] He sang vocals with Mike (bass, vocals & guitar), Justin Parr (drums), Brody Buster (guitar, harmonica & keys), Heather Lofflin (vocals & guitar), James Garvic (bass & guitar), and Kurt Nesbitt (bass) in 1950 DA (formerly The Diamond Heart Club) in Lawrence, KS, from 2006-2007.[citation needed]
Grant Fitch (guitar) is currently playing and performing with Jason Jones (drums) in The New Franklin Panthers based in Lawrence, KS. The duo released its debut instrumental album "Hot Dogs Are Cool: In III Movements" on February 1, 2008.[citation needed]
Peter Fitch (drums) is currently playing and performing with Brian Conway (vocals & guitar) in Las Vegas, NV.[citation needed]
Members
Previous members
- Peter Fitch - drums
- Dan Hines - Bass
- Charles Bryan - Bass
Discography
Studio albums
Compilations
Singles
- Lolita (Vinyl Single) 1992
- Sleeping Bag (Vinyl Single) 1992
- Sleeping Bag (CD Single) 1993
- Jessie (CD Single) 1993
- Couldn't Know (CD Single) 1993
- Surrender (CD Promo) 1994
- Hope I Die Tonight (CD Single, UK and US versions) 1995
- Traitors and Covers (Promo 5 track EP) 1995
- Seasoned Glove (Tour Promo CD) 1995
- Max the Silent (CD Promo) 1995
References
- ^ "Paw Reunion Show, Live at the Bottleneck". http://glennreview.wordpress.com/2008/10/09/paw-reunion-show-live-at-the-bottleneck-glenns-review-score-75-out-of-10/.
External links
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Paw |
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Grant Fitch · Mark Hennessy · Jason Magierowski
Charles Bryan · Peter Fitch · Dan Hines |
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| Studio albums |
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| Compilations |
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| Singles |
Lolita · Sleeping Bag · Jessie · Couldn't Know · Surrender · Hope I Die Tonight · Traitors and Covers · Seasoned Glove · Max the Silent |
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| Related articles |
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