Fit for Rivals
Fit For Rivals | |
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![]() Fit For Rivals | |
Background information | |
Origin | Jacksonville, Florida, United States |
Genres | |
Years active | 2009-present |
Labels | Freak Machine Records |
Members | Renee Phoenix Thomas Amason Dorman Pantfoeder Rufino Lomboy |
Past members | Eli Clark John Hartman Benjamin Nelson Joshua Hamilton Ronnie Winter |
Website | freakmachinerecords |
Fit For Rivals is a dynamic rock band hailing from Jacksonville, Florida, founded by Reneé Phoenix and Thomas Amason. Their debut album, Steady Damage was released in 2009, immediately capturing the attention of rock fans with its hard-hitting sound and emotional lyrics. They followed it up with their second album, Freak Machine, in 2016, which showcased their versatility and experimentation with different sounds. In 2020, Fit For Rivals released the EP, B Sides and Oddities, which showcased the band's evolution and growth as artists. In 2022, they released the singles "Wake the Dead" and "Secret", further cementing their status as a band that's not afraid to take risks and push boundaries.
The band has toured extensively across North America, reaching as far north as Canada and as far east as Doha, Qatar with many other successful acts, including I Prevail, Flyleaf, Dayseeker, Icon For Hire, Framing Hanley, and The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus. They have also performed at major rock festivals such as RiotFest, Warped Tour, K-Rockathon and Welcome to Rockville to name a few.
One of the standout features of Fit For Rivals is Reneé Phoenix's powerful vocals. Her voice is raw, emotional, and filled with energy, perfectly matching the band's hard-driving sound.
Fit For Rivals is a band that's always evolving and pushing the envelope musically and creatively. Their passion for rock and roll and their dedication to their fans make them a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
Alongside their music, Phoenix and Amason started their own record label in 2020, Freak Machine Records.
History
Fit for Rivals formed in 2009[1] when Reneé Phoenix met Thomas Amason[2] while looking for a new guitarist for her band The Explicits.[3] The album Steady Damage by Fit For Rivals features excerpts of Phoenix's songs from her first album, The Explicits.
Steady Damage (2009)
In 2009, Fit for Rivals released their debut EP Was That Our Youth?. Later in the year, the band began recording their debut studio album, Steady Damage, which was self-released[4] on July 18, 2009. It spawned the singles "Crash" and "Damage" and music videos were recorded for both. The track "Crash" has notably been used as a theme song for WWE's Over the Limit pay-per-view and was featured in multiple films and television programs, including Legendary.
Freak Machine (2015-2016)
The band released their second EP Sugar on July 17, 2015 and consists of 4 tracks: "Special Kind of Crazy", "Light that Shines", "Freak Machine" and "Hit Me". A music video for "Hit Me" was released on August 27, 2014.[5] A fan music video for "Freak Machine" was posted on their YouTube channel on November 11, 2014.[6]
After the release of Sugar, Fit for Rivals began working on their second studio album entitled Freak Machine.[4][7] Freak Machine was released on September 2, 2016 and was produced by Thomas Amason.
Freak Machine Records (2020)
In 2020, Renee Phoenix and Thomas Amason started Freak Machine Records, a rock label that's dedicated to supporting and promoting the best in underground and alternative music. Freak Machine Records offers a unique perspective on the music business, putting artists first and prioritizing creative freedom, collaboration, and experimentation.
B-Sides and Oddities (2020)
Through the year 2020, Fit For Rivals released the singles, "No Way In Hell", "Fake", "Tight Rope" and "Window" as part of their B Sides & Oddities EP.
Wake The Dead, Secret (2022)
In 2022, Fit For Rivals released the singles, "Wake The Dead" and "Secret".
Musical style
Fit for Rivals has been described as rock, punk rock and pop punk. Reneé Phoenix's "raspy" and "gritty" vocal style is compared to that of Joan Jett,[2][3] whom she says she admires,[8] and Brody Dalle.[3] They have a bit of a throwback sound, as described in New Noise Magazine.[4]
Members
- Reneé Phoenix – Vocals, composer, guitar (2009-present)
- Thomas Amason – Guitar, composer, keys, backing vocals (2009-present)
- Dorman Pantfoeder - Drums (2009-present)
- Rufino Lomboy - Lead guitar (2015-present)
Former Members
- Eli Clark - Bass guitar, backing vocals
- John Hartman - Drums
- Benjamin Nelson - Drums
- Joshua Hamilton - Bass guitar
- Ronnie Winter - Bass guitar
Associated acts
- Reneé Phoenix
- The Explicits
- The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
- Love Arcade
Discography
Albums
- Steady Damage (2009)
- Freak Machine (2016)
EPs
- Was That Our Youth? (2009)
- Sugar (2015)[4]
- B Sides and Oddities (2020)
Singles
- Wake The Dead (2022)
- Secret (2022)
Music videos
Year | Name |
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2009 | "Crash"[9] |
2009 | "Damage"[10] |
2014 | "Hit Me"[11] |
2016 | "Novocain"[12] |
2022 | "Damage" 4k, SFW Version |
2022 | "Wake The Dead" |
References
- ^ a b Crane, Matt (2015-05-27). "Hear Fit For Rivals' Jagged New Song, "Light that Shines" (Exclusive)". Alternative Press. Archived from the original on 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
- ^ a b Childers, Chad (2016-10-21). "Fit For Rivals 'Novocain' Exclusive Video Premiere". Loudwire. Archived from the original on 2021-06-12. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
- ^ a b c d Reid, Ed (2015-06-21). "They Are Fit For Rivals". Florida Music Letter. Ejeff Media. Archived from the original on 2021-05-11. Retrieved 2021-06-12 – via Blogger.
- ^ a b c d Shrum, Tony (2015-10-23). "Album Review: Fit For Rivals – 'Sugar' EP". New Noise Magazine. Archived from the original on 2015-10-24. Retrieved 2015-10-12.
- ^ Freak Machine Records (2014-08-27). "Fit For Rivals - Hit Me". YouTube (Video). Archived from the original on 2020-12-17. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
- ^ Freak Machine Records (2014-11-11). "Fit For Rivals - Freak Machine (Fan Version)". YouTube (Video). Archived from the original on 2021-12-30. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
- ^ "Fit For Rivals – 'Freak Machine' – Album Review". The Fuze Magazine. November 22, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Lovejoy, Heather (2010-03-26). "Fit for Rivals kicks off Saturday benefit concert for Somer Thompson Foundation". Jacksonville. The Florida Times Union. Archived from the original on 2018-06-18. Retrieved 2021-06-12.
- ^ "Fit For Rivals – "Crash" HD". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2012-03-21. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
- ^ "Fit For Rivals – "Damage"". YouTube. 2009-11-10. Archived from the original on 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
- ^ "Fit For Rivals - Hit Me". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2015-09-01.
- ^ "Fit For Rivals - "Novocain"". YouTube. 2016-10-21. Archived from the original on 2016-10-21. Retrieved 2016-12-22.