Naked Raygun

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Naked Raygun
Naked Raygun2.jpg
Naked Raygun in Chicago, 2012
Background information
Origin Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres Punk rock
Post-hardcore
Hardcore punk
Years active 1980–1992, 2006–present
Labels Ruthless Records
Homestead Records
Quarterstick Records
Caroline Records
Riot Fest Records
Associated acts Big Black
Effigies
Pegboy
The Bomb
Website www.nakedraygun.org
Members Jeff Pezzati
Bill Stephens
Pierre Kezdy
Eric Spicer
Pete Mittler
Past members Santiago Durango
John Haggerty
Bobby Strange
Jim Colao
Marco Pezzati
Camilo Gonzalez
John Lundin

Naked Raygun is a Chicago-based punk rock group. Initially active from 1980 to 1992, Naked Raygun had several short-lived reunions afterwards and a full-time reformation in 2006.

From the beginning, their music had a strong sense of melody and songwriting, with Pezzati's lyrics often exploring working class issues. Naked Raygun began in the hardcore punk style, later branching out into post-hardcore territory. By their early 1990s incarnation, Naked Raygun's melodic tendencies became more pronounced, with strong power pop leanings in the vein of Buzzcocks, Stiff Little Fingers, and The Jam.

Contents

History [edit]

Initial run [edit]

The band was formed in 1980 by Santiago Durango, Marko Pezzati and later Jeff Pezzati. Singer Jeff Pezzati was the sole constant member through multiple personnel changes. Members over time include drummers Bobby Strange, Jim Colao, and Eric Spicer; bassists Marko Pezzati, Pierre Kezdy, Camilo Gonzalez and Pete Mittler; guitarists Santiago Durango, John Haggerty, and Bill Stephens; and keyboardist John Lundin.[1]

Durango and Jeff Pezzati were also members of Big Black.[2]

Naked Raygun in 1987. L-R: John Haggerty, Jezz Pezzati, Eric Spicer, Pierre Kezdy

Post-Naked Raygun [edit]

In 1989, John Haggerty left Naked Raygun to form Pegboy with his younger brother Joe (formerly of Bloodsport and The Effigies) and Steve Saylors and Larry Damore of the Bhopal Stiffs (Pierre Kezdy would later replace Steve Saylors).[3]

Jeff Pezzati is also the lead singer of The Bomb, which is a different and later band than the San Francisco group, known as "Bomb".[4]

Reunions [edit]

A two-show reunion in 1997 produced the live album Free Shit!.[5][6]

In 1999, the independent record label Quarterstick Records re-issued the bands back catalog on CD.[1][7]

In 2006 Naked Raygun reunited for Riot Fest, an annual punk rock festival held in Chicago. Following their 2006 reunion, Naked Raygun announced that the band was "back for good."[8][9] The reunited lineup consists of its "Raygun...Naked Raygun" members: Pezzati, Stephens, Kezdy, and Spicer.[10] In 2009 Naked Raygun returned to the studio for the first time since 1997 for a series of 7" singles released on Riot Fest Records and announced plans to record an LP, the first since 1990's Raygun... Naked Raygun.[11]

In 2011, Pete Mittler of The Methadones joined the line-up so that longtime bassist Pierre Kezdy could convalesce from a stroke.[12]

Discography [edit]

Albums [edit]

  • Throb Throb LP -with cover art by Macintosh comic book artist Mike Saenz- ::Homestead Records (1985), Quarterstick Records (1999 - CD only), Haunted Town Records (2008 - LP only)
  • All Rise LP ::Homestead (1986), Quarterstick Records (1999 - CD only), Haunted Town Records (2008 - LP only)
  • Jettison LP ::Caroline Records (1988), Quarterstick Records (1999 - CD only)
  • Understand? LP ::Caroline Records (1989), Quarterstick Records (1999 - CD only)
  • Raygun...Naked Raygun LP ::Caroline Records (1990), Quarterstick Records (1999 - CD only)
  • Last of the Demohicans CD ::Dyslexic Records, (1997)
  • Free Shit! live LP/CD ::(Haunted Town Records)
  • What Poor Gods We Do Make CD ::Riot Fest Records (2007)

EPs [edit]

  • Basement Screams 12" ::Ruthless Records (1983), Quarterstick Records (1999 - CD only), Haunted Town Records (2007 - LP only)
  • Treason 12" ::3 songs, on pink vinyl limited to 2,500 numbered records (although unnumbered versions, stamped "Promo only" exist)  ::Caroline Records (1989)

Singles [edit]

  • Flammable Solid 7" ::Ruthless Records (1983)
  • Vanilla Blue 7" on white/light blue marbled vinyl ::Sandpounder Records (1987)
  • Home 7" on green vinyl ::Caroline Records (1990)
  • Series 1 7" on red & on cream vinyl ::Riot Fest Records (2009)
  • Series 2 7" on violet & on black vinyl ::Riot Fest Records (2010)
  • Series 3 7" on clear orange vinyl ::Riot Fest Records (2011)

Video

  • What Poor Gods We Do Make DVD ::Riot Fest Records (2007)

Compilation album appearances [edit]

  • Busted At Oz LP (Autumn Records, 1981)
  • Rat Music for Rat People, Vol. 3 (CD Presents, 1987)
  • Somethings's Gone Wrong Again: The Buzzcocks Covers Compilation (CD, LP, Comp, C/Z Records, 1992)

See also [edit]

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b Naked Raygun Biography by Greg Prato at Allmusic
  2. ^ Big Black Biography by Mark Deming at Allmusic
  3. ^ Pegboy Biography by Steve Huey at Allmusic
  4. ^ The Bomb Biography by Andy Kellman at Allmusic
  5. ^ DeRogatis, Jim (December 1, 1997). "Naked Raygun". Chicago Sun-Times. p. 32. 
  6. ^ Kot, Greg (December 1, 1997). "LASER-SHARP RAYGUN FIRES BACK POST-NIRVANA, POSTPUNK SCENE CLAIMS ITS DUE IN HIGH-OCTANE METRO SHOW". Chicago Tribune. p. 2. 
  7. ^ Kot, Greg (September 5, 1999). "PUNK LEGACY A DECADE LATER, NAKED RAYGUN FIRES VOLLEYS FROM THE UNDERGROUND". Chicago Tribune. p. 10. 
  8. ^ "Naked Raygun reunite permanently, plan live CD/DVD". AP Alt Press. January 4, 2007. 
  9. ^ Naked Raygun Official Web Site
  10. ^ Official Site - History
  11. ^ Riot Fest – Naked Raygun entering the studio soon for 7" series, LP coming later
  12. ^ "Interview With Neutron Bombs/Naked Raygun/The Bomb Bass Player Pete Mittler". Critical Mass. 2011-08-12. Retrieved 3 February 2012. 

External links [edit]

Naked Raygun
Studio albums
Extended plays
Related articles
Articles
Groups
Categories
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