Lance - Vocals / Guitar Ben - Bass Chris - Drums J CHURCH formed in San Francisco in 1992 at the same time as Lance and Gardner's previous band CRINGER was breaking up. The two bands co-existed for a short time and some songs originally written for CRINGER came across into the early J CHURCH set - Misery, for one. There are a few songs from around this time that were never properly recorded, but otherwise from the outset the band seemingly went all-out to release as many records as possible. In the first three years of the band there were two full-length albums, a singles collection and well over 30 singles and compilation songs (admittedly some appearing more than once). 1995 alone saw a third album, a second singles collection and 20 separate 7"s, EPs and compilation appearances. The work rate slowed after that but the reputation of constant releases has stuck - after 12 years their complete discography still averages out at about 10 records per year, a figure hardly any other band can compete with. In 1997 Gardner remarked: "I doubt that there is a song we recorded that hasn’t been released". Since 2000 a few planned releases have failed to appear but even then some of the individual songs were subsequently released elsewhere. Just like Spinal Tap, though for less fatal reasons, the J CHURCH drum stool has had a fair few occupants. However, Lance and Gardner remained a constant pair, and the focus of the band, over all those releases and many tours - three times around the US, twice to Japan and twice to Europe in less than 18 months in 1996-7. In August 1997 J CHURCH - with Andee on drums - played to possibly their biggest ever audience on a side-stage at the Reading Festival. It was an 80,000 capacity event, though admittedly most of the crowd were watching Bush and Marilyn Manson, who overlapped on the main stage. Whilst in the UK they recorded a number of tracks that became the "Cat Food" album and "Turn To Stone" singles, did another tour and then returned to the US. But by the next time they played live, in late 1998, Gardner had become disillusioned with the constant travelling and quit the band. Although a few older tracks surfaced in 1999, the band were effectively sidelined after Lance developed heart problems and a new line-up did not take shape until later that year, with Adam (now ex-JAWBREAKER) returning in a permanent drum role - though his video store and family largely limited him to a studio role and Andee continued to play many shows. After the recording of "One Mississippi" and the subsequent tours, Lance moved to Austin, TX, where his partner attends university. (A little over a decade before, the members of CRINGER similarly had left Hawaii for Los Angeles after Gardner went to study there.) The line-up remained the same for a while, with a cross-country commute for rehearsals when necessary. However, when Jeff moved to Florida in 2002, a new band line-up - a four-piece for the first time - was put together featuring Austin residents. It has already produced two full-length albums and a split (with one of the drummer's other bands); no doubt more will follow. *Nerd fact : J CHURCH have shared the stage with the likes of JAWBREAKER, UNWOUND, BIS, CORNERSHOP, SNUFF, SUPERGRASS, DISMEMBERMENT PLAN, RADIO 4, PPROPAGANDHI, AVAIL, FABULOUS DISASTER, LEATHERFACE, HOT WATER MUSIS, FROM ASHES RISE, RAINER MARIA, THE PLUNGERS, SPITBOY, GREEN DAY, SEAM, SUPERCHUNK, SIGNAL LOST, ALICE DONUT, STEEL POLE BATH TUB, THE BEVIS FROND, FLYING SAUCER ATTACK, REFUSED, MATES OF STATE, ROCKET FROM THE CRYPT, WOOL, DRIVE LIKE JEHU, THE DIDJITS, PEGBOY, HEMLOCK, THE RED AUNTS, MONEY MARK, SHINER, THE WARMERS, CUPID CAR CLUB, HUGGY BEAR, DELTA 72, THE DICKIES, JOHN HENRY WEST, MR. T EXPERIENCE and loads more! J CHURCH WEBSITE J CHURCH ON MYSPACE Split with OFF WITH THEIR HEADS Cat No : ZEN020 THIS 7" EP IS SOLD OUT! Newest Industry Records / © 2007