Flipper (band): Difference between revisions

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		⚫	{{Short description\|American punk rock band}}
	{{Use mdy dates\|date=March 2021}}		{{Use mdy dates\|date=March 2021}}
⚫	{{~~short~~ description\|American band}}
	{{Infobox musical artist		{{Infobox musical artist
	\|name = Flipper		\|name = Flipper
	\|image = Flipper_930club.jpg		\|image = Flipper_930club.jpg
	\|caption = Flipper at the 9:30 Club, Washington, DC, 1984		\|caption = Flipper at the ], ], 1984
	\|image_upright = 1.2		\|image_upright = 1.2
	\|background = group_or_band		\|background = group_or_band
	\|origin = ], U.S.		\|origin = ], U.S.
	\|years_active = 1979–1987, 1990–1993, 2005–present		\|years_active = 1979–1987, 1990–1993, 2005–present
			\|genre = ], ], ], ],<ref name="goldberg">{{cite magazine \|last1=Goldberg \|first1=Michael \|title=Black Flag, Husker Du and the Replacements Lead Punk's New Wave \|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/black-flag-husker-du-and-the-replacements-lead-punks-new-wave-117690/ \|magazine=] \|access-date=December 3, 2022 \|date=July 18, 1985}}</ref> ]
	\|genre = ], ], ], ], ], ]
	\|label = ], ], ], ], ]		\|label = ], ], ], ], ]
	\|associated_acts = ], Rad Command, ], A3I, ], ], Mudwimin, Van Gough's Daughter, ], ], ]		\|associated_acts = ], Rad Command, ], A3I, ], ], Mudwimin, Van Gough's Daughter, ], ], ]
	\|website = {{URL\|flipperrules.com}}		\|website = {{URL\|flipperrules.com}}
	\|current_members = Ted Falconi<br />Steve DePace~~<br />Rachel Thoele~~<br />]		\|current_members = Ted Falconi<br />Steve DePace<br />]
	\|past_members = Will Shatter<br />]<br />Bruce Loose<br />John Dougherty<br />]<br />Bruno DeSmartass<br />]		\|past_members = Will Shatter<br />]<br />Bruce Loose<br />John Dougherty<br />]<br />Bruno DeSmartass<br />]<br />Rachel Thoele
	}}		}}
	'''Flipper''' is an American ] band formed in ] in 1979, continuing in often erratic fashion until the mid-1990s, then reuniting in 2005. The band influenced a number of ],<ref>, {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115054729/http://austinist.com/2008/09/24/funx3_fest_addendum_flipper_cancels.php \|date=January 15, 2012 }}</ref> ] and ] bands. Their slowed-down, bass-driven and heavily distorted style of punk is considered to have inspired bands such as the ] and ],<ref name="harrington">{{cite web\|last=Harrington\|first=Jim\|title=Iconic punk rock band is back and trying 'to do it bigger than ever'\|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/04/16/iconic-punk-rock-band-is-back-and-trying-to-do-it-bigger-than-ever/\|publisher=]\|date=April 16, 2019\|access-date=April 23, 2019}}</ref> whose bass player ] played with the band in the 2000s.<ref name="harrington"/>		'''Flipper''' is an American ] band formed in ], ] in 1979, continuing in often erratic fashion until the mid-1990s, then reuniting in 2005.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Pehling \|first=Dave \|date=December 22, 2021 \|title=Iconoclastic SF Punk Band Flipper Headlines Bottom of the Hill for NYE - CBS San Francisco \|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/iconoclastic-sf-punk-band-flipper-headlines-bottom-of-the-hill/ \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220818054156/https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/iconoclastic-sf-punk-band-flipper-headlines-bottom-of-the-hill/ \|archive-date=August 18, 2022 \|access-date=April 10, 2024 \|website=www.cbsnews.com \|language=en-US}}</ref> The band influenced a number of ],<ref>, {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115054729/http://austinist.com/2008/09/24/funx3_fest_addendum_flipper_cancels.php \|date=January 15, 2012 }}</ref> ] and ] bands. Their slowed-down, bass-driven and heavily distorted style of punk is considered to have inspired bands such as the ] and ],<ref name="harrington">{{cite web\|last=Harrington\|first=Jim\|title=Iconic punk rock band is back and trying 'to do it bigger than ever'\|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2019/04/16/iconic-punk-rock-band-is-back-and-trying-to-do-it-bigger-than-ever/\|publisher=]\|date=April 16, 2019\|access-date=April 23, 2019}}</ref> whose bass player ] played with the band in the 2000s.<ref name="harrington"/>

	==History==		==History==
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	===Early years (1979–1989)===		===Early years (1979–1989)===

	Flipper was founded by former ] member ] (vocals), former Rad Command member Ted Falconi (guitar), and former ] members Will Shatter (bass) and Steve DePace (drums).<ref name="cbssf">{{cite web\|last=Pehling\|first=Dave\|title=CBS SF Talks To Flipper Drummer Steve DePace\|url=https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2019/07/10/cbs-sf-flipper-drummer-steve-depace-interview-punk/\|work=] San Francisco\|date=July 10, 2019\|access-date=October 24, 2019}}</ref> Founding member and original vocalist Williams was credited for naming the band,<ref name="kpbs"/> but was fired before it made any recordings.<ref name="kpbs">{{cite web\|last=Jones\|first=Kevin L.\|title=Meet Flipper's Ted Falconi, Vietnam Vet And Punk Rock Legend\|url=https://www.kpbs.org/news/2017/nov/16/meet-flippers-ted-falconi-vietnam-vet-and-punk-roc/\|work=]\|date=November 16, 2017\|access-date=October 24, 2019}}</ref> Bruce “Loose” Calderwood replaced Williams<ref name="kpbs"/> and he and Shatter then went on to trade vocal and bass duties, with both bringing a bass onstage.<ref name="clash">{{cite web\|last=Fitzpatrick\|first=Will\|title=Life Is The Only Thing Worth Living For: Flipper Interviewed\|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/life-is-the-only-thing-worth-living-for-flipper-interviewed\|work=]\|date=July 26, 2019\|access-date=January 22, 2020}}</ref> Falconi, a ] veteran, played a uniquely distorted style of guitar.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://archives.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/riff-raff/Content?oid=2139061\|title=Riff Raff\|last=Athitakis\|first=Mark\|website=SF Weekly\|access-date=October 16, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.guitarsite.com/news/features/interview_with_flipper_guitarist_ted_falconi/\|title=Interview with Flipper guitarist Ted Falconi (Guitarsite)\|website=www.guitarsite.com\|language=en\|access-date=October 16, 2017}}</ref>		Flipper was founded by former ] member ] (vocals), former Rad Command member Ted Falconi (guitar), and former ] members Will Shatter (bass) and Steve DePace (drums).<ref name="cbssf">{{cite web\|last=Pehling\|first=Dave\|title=CBS SF Talks To Flipper Drummer Steve DePace\|url=https://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2019/07/10/cbs-sf-flipper-drummer-steve-depace-interview-punk/\|work=] San Francisco\|date=July 10, 2019\|access-date=October 24, 2019}}</ref> Founding member and original vocalist Williams was credited for naming the band,<ref name="kpbs"/> but was fired before it made any recordings.<ref name="kpbs">{{cite web\|last=Jones\|first=Kevin L.\|title=Meet Flipper's Ted Falconi, Vietnam Vet And Punk Rock Legend\|url=https://www.kpbs.org/news/2017/nov/16/meet-flippers-ted-falconi-vietnam-vet-and-punk-roc/\|work=]\|date=November 16, 2017\|access-date=October 24, 2019}}</ref> Bruce “Loose” Calderwood replaced Williams<ref name="kpbs"/> and he and Shatter then went on to trade vocal and bass duties, with both bringing a bass onstage.<ref name="clash">{{cite web\|last=Fitzpatrick\|first=Will\|title=Life Is The Only Thing Worth Living For: Flipper Interviewed\|url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/life-is-the-only-thing-worth-living-for-flipper-interviewed\|work=]\|date=July 26, 2019\|access-date=January 22, 2020}}</ref> Falconi, a ] veteran, played a uniquely distorted style of guitar.<ref>{{Cite web\|url=https://archives.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/riff-raff/Content?oid=2139061\|title=Riff Raff\|last=Athitakis\|first=Mark\|website=SF Weekly\|access-date=October 16, 2017\|archive-date=October 16, 2017\|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016230035/https://archives.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/riff-raff/Content?oid=2139061\|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.guitarsite.com/news/features/interview_with_flipper_guitarist_ted_falconi/\|title=Interview with Flipper guitarist Ted Falconi (Guitarsite)\|website=www.guitarsite.com\|date=September 15, 2008 \|language=en\|access-date=October 16, 2017}}</ref>

	Flipper's first recordings appeared in late 1979 on the ''SF Underground'' 7" EP released on the newly formed ],<ref name="cbssf"/> followed by the "Love Canal"/"Ha Ha Ha" 7" single in 1980.		Flipper's first recordings appeared in late 1979 on the ''SF Underground'' 7-inch EP released on the newly formed ],<ref name="cbssf"/> followed by the "Love Canal"/"Ha Ha Ha" 7-inch single in 1980.

	{{Listen		{{Listen
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	\|format=]}} In 1981, the "Sex Bomb"/"Brainwash" single was released, featured individually hand-made covers. The lengthy ] had minimal lyrics ("She's a sex bomb, my baby, yeah") and gained the band notoriety within the punk community. The original lineup released their first full-length ], '']'', on Subterranean in 1982.<ref name="cbssf"/> It was recorded over a year<ref name="clash"/> and contained a new version of "Sex Bomb". It was followed later in the year with another single on Subterranean, "Get Away"/"The Old Lady that Swallowed the Fly".		\|format=]}} In 1981, the "Sex Bomb"/"Brainwash" single was released, featured individually hand-made covers. The lengthy ] had minimal lyrics ("She's a sex bomb, my baby, yeah") and gained the band notoriety within the punk community. The original lineup released their first full-length ], '']'', on Subterranean in 1982.<ref name="cbssf"/> It was recorded over a year<ref name="clash"/> and contained a new version of "Sex Bomb". It was followed later in the year with another single on Subterranean, "Get Away"/"The Old Lady that Swallowed the Fly".

	The band regularly performed in the San Francisco area and attracted a large following. Simultaneously, their uniquely slowed-down and raucous approach to punk managed to infuriate other members of the local punk scene,<ref name="clash"/> especially with the burgeoning popularity of faster-paced ].<ref name="avclub">{{cite web\|last=Ali\|first=Reyan\|title=Flipper's Steve DePace\|url=https://~~music~~.avclub.com/flipper-s-steve-depace-1798230614\|work=]\|date=March 29, 2012\|access-date=October 24, 2019}}</ref> ] claimed, in the 2006 documentary '']'', that Flipper's charm as a band lay in their ability to upset audiences while attracting their undivided attention and curiosity at the same time. Fans began spray painting "Flipper Rules" in various locations around San Francisco and eventually the world.<ref name="avclub"/>		The band regularly performed in the San Francisco area and attracted a large following. Simultaneously, their uniquely slowed-down and raucous approach to punk managed to infuriate other members of the local punk scene,<ref name="clash"/> especially with the burgeoning popularity of faster-paced ].<ref name="avclub">{{cite web\|last=Ali\|first=Reyan\|title=Flipper's Steve DePace\|url=https://www.avclub.com/flipper-s-steve-depace-1798230614\|work=]\|date=March 29, 2012\|access-date=October 24, 2019}}</ref> ] claimed, in the 2006 documentary '']'', that Flipper's charm as a band lay in their ability to upset audiences while attracting their undivided attention and curiosity at the same time. Fans began spray painting "Flipper Rules" in various locations around San Francisco and eventually the world.<ref name="avclub"/>

	In 1983, Flipper appeared in Rick Schmidt's independent film, ''Emerald Cities''. Footage of a live performance was interspersed throughout the film, showcasing three songs: "One By One", "Get Away" and "Love Canal".<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085484/soundtrack\|title=Emerald Cities (1983) \|website=IMDb.com\|access-date=November 3, 2019}}</ref>		In 1983, Flipper appeared in Rick Schmidt's independent film, ''Emerald Cities''. Footage of a live performance was interspersed throughout the film, showcasing three songs: "One By One", "Get Away" and "Love Canal".<ref>{{Cite web\|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085484/soundtrack\|title=Emerald Cities (1983) \|website=IMDb.com\|access-date=November 3, 2019}}</ref>
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	Flipper titled their 1986 double live album '']''. The album unfolded into a board game with a cutout spinner and game cards, with Subterranean once again providing extra covers through mail order.		Flipper titled their 1986 double live album '']''. The album unfolded into a board game with a cutout spinner and game cards, with Subterranean once again providing extra covers through mail order.

	The original lineup splintered after a period of touring, and singer and core member Shatter died on December 9, 1987 of a ]<ref name="kpbs"/> after forming A3I. Subterranean packaged the band's singles and rarities as the 1987 collection ''Sex Bomb Baby''. The cassette edition and later CD re-releases featured three bonus tracks.		The original lineup splintered after a period of touring, and singer and core member Shatter died on December 9, 1987, of a ]<ref name="kpbs"/> after forming A3I. Subterranean packaged the band's singles and rarities as the 1987 collection ''Sex Bomb Baby''. The cassette edition and later CD re-releases featured three bonus tracks.

	===After Will Shatter (1990–1999)===		===After Will Shatter (1990–1999)===
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	Rubin also reissued ''Album – Generic Flipper'' and the singles compilation ''Sex Bomb Baby'' on his ] label. By 1997, Flipper's music went largely out of print, with Rubin holding on to the rights. As part of a legal settlement, Subterranean was awarded the right to reissue its Flipper records on vinyl in the United States.		Rubin also reissued ''Album – Generic Flipper'' and the singles compilation ''Sex Bomb Baby'' on his ] label. By 1997, Flipper's music went largely out of print, with Rubin holding on to the rights. As part of a legal settlement, Subterranean was awarded the right to reissue its Flipper records on vinyl in the United States.

			]

	===Reformations (2002–present)===		===Reformations (2002–present)===
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	The original members of Flipper, save for the late Shatter (with Bruno DeSmartass<ref name="clash"/> again replacing Shatter, as he had done for a 1982 tour), reunited to support CBGB on August 22 and 28, 2005.<ref name="clash"/> This lineup then continued to perform live beginning in 2006.		The original members of Flipper, save for the late Shatter (with Bruno DeSmartass<ref name="clash"/> again replacing Shatter, as he had done for a 1982 tour), reunited to support CBGB on August 22 and 28, 2005.<ref name="clash"/> This lineup then continued to perform live beginning in 2006.

	In December 2006, DeSmartass was replaced by Novoselic (ex-Nirvana) on bass for a tour of the UK and Ireland, as well as several US shows.<ref>Jasmin, Ernest. " {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108151157/http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/ej/?title=krist_novoselic_to_play_with_flipper&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 \|date=2009-01-08 }}". TheNewsTribune.com. September 25, 2006.</ref> {{~~Verify~~ ~~credibility~~\|date=January 2010}} The song "]", which the band recorded (without Novoselic) for a 2000 Nirvana tribute album, was added to the band's setlist.		In December 2006, DeSmartass was replaced by Novoselic (ex-Nirvana) on bass for a tour of the UK and Ireland, as well as several US shows.<ref>Jasmin, Ernest. " {{webarchive\|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090108151157/http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/ej/?title=krist_novoselic_to_play_with_flipper&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1 \|date=2009-01-08 }}". TheNewsTribune.com. September 25, 2006.</ref> {{Unreliable source?\|date=January 2010}} The song "]", which the band recorded (without Novoselic) for a 2000 Nirvana tribute album, was added to the band's setlist.

	]'', written and recorded with ] of Nirvana on bass]]In 2008, the band recorded a new album with Novoselic,<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046909/flipper-drafts-novoselic-for-new-album\|title=Flipper Drafts Novoselic For New Album\|first=Greg\|last=Prato\|publisher=]\|date=January 4, 2008\|access-date=January 6, 2008}}</ref> On May 19, 2009, Flipper released a "twin album" featuring one album, titled '']'', of new studio material, and a second live album, titled '']'' featuring both old and new songs. Both of these albums were produced by Seattle producer ] and were well received. Novoselic announced his departure from the band in September 2009 due to responsibilities at home, forcing a tour cancellation.<ref> (September 22, 2008) RollingStone.com.</ref> He was replaced by Rachel Thoele, formerly of ], Mudwimin and Van Gough's Daughter.<ref name="clash"/>		]'', written and recorded with ] of Nirvana on bass]]In 2008, the band recorded a new album with Novoselic,<ref>{{cite news\|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/1046909/flipper-drafts-novoselic-for-new-album\|title=Flipper Drafts Novoselic For New Album\|first=Greg\|last=Prato\|publisher=]\|date=January 4, 2008\|access-date=January 6, 2008}}</ref> On May 19, 2009, Flipper released a "twin album" featuring one album, titled '']'', of new studio material, and a second live album, titled '']'' featuring both old and new songs. Both of these albums were produced by Seattle producer ] and were well received. Novoselic announced his departure from the band in September 2009 due to responsibilities at home, forcing a tour cancellation.<ref> (September 22, 2008) RollingStone.com.</ref> He was replaced by Rachel Thoele, formerly of ], Mudwimin and Van Gough's Daughter.<ref name="clash"/>
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	==Influence on other musicians==		==Influence on other musicians==
	] wore a self-made Flipper T-shirt, seen in the booklet pictures of Nirvana's '']'',<ref name="FlipperRedux">{{Cite web		] wore a self-made Flipper T-shirt, seen in the booklet pictures of Nirvana's '']'',<ref name="FlipperRedux">{{Cite web
	\| url = http://www.sfweekly.com/1999-02-10/music/flipper-redux/		\|url = http://www.sfweekly.com/1999-02-10/music/flipper-redux/
	\| title = Flipper Redux		\|title = Flipper Redux
	\| access-date = November 2, 2011		\|access-date = November 2, 2011
	\| publisher = ]		\|publisher = ]
	\| date = February 10, 1999		\|date = February 10, 1999
	\| first = Mark		\|first = Mark
			\|last = Athitakis
⚫	~~\| last = Athitakis~~}}</ref> on the band's first performance on '']'' in 1992, and also in the music video for "]". Cobain and Novoselic cited Flipper as one of their band's influences.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.novoselic.com\|title=Flipper\|quotation="Both Krist & Kurt were influenced by Flipper's heavy, raw punk sound. Krist was honored to join Flipper." (quoting homepage of Novoselic.com)\|website=Novoselic.com\|access-date=November 3, 2019}}</ref>
			\|archive-date = February 2, 2014
			\|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140202123032/http://www.sfweekly.com/1999-02-10/music/flipper-redux/
			\|url-status = dead
		⚫	}}</ref> on the band's first performance on '']'' in 1992, and also in the music video for "]". Cobain and Novoselic cited Flipper as one of their band's influences.<ref>{{cite web\|url=http://www.novoselic.com\|title=Flipper\|quotation="Both Krist & Kurt were influenced by Flipper's heavy, raw punk sound. Krist was honored to join Flipper." (quoting homepage of Novoselic.com)\|website=Novoselic.com\|access-date=November 3, 2019}}</ref>

	In the documentary ''American Hardcore'', ] stated that he fronted Flipper for two days while singer Will Shatter was in jail because he "knew all of their songs".<ref>{{cite web\|last=Lapatine\|first=Scott\|title=Moby Blogs About The Flipper Show\|url=http://www.stereogum.com/3426/moby_blogs_about_the_flipper_show/news/\|work=]\|date=September 20, 2006\|access-date=October 24, 2019}}</ref> Steve DePace recalls that it was only for one night.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Pain \|first=Jane \|date=2015-11-19 \|title=INTERVIEW WITH FLIPPER \|url=https://jane-pain.com/2015/11/19/interview-with-flipper/ \|access-date=2021-07-30 \|website=JANE PAIN \|language=en}}</ref>		In the documentary ''American Hardcore'', ] stated that he fronted Flipper for two days while singer Will Shatter was in jail because he "knew all of their songs".<ref>{{cite web\|last=Lapatine\|first=Scott\|title=Moby Blogs About The Flipper Show\|url=http://www.stereogum.com/3426/moby_blogs_about_the_flipper_show/news/\|work=]\|date=September 20, 2006\|access-date=October 24, 2019}}</ref> Steve DePace recalls that it was only for one night.<ref>{{Cite web \|last=Pain \|first=Jane \|date=2015-11-19 \|title=INTERVIEW WITH FLIPPER \|url=https://jane-pain.com/2015/11/19/interview-with-flipper/ \|access-date=2021-07-30 \|website=JANE PAIN \|language=en}}</ref>
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	* Ted Falconi – guitar (1979–present)		* Ted Falconi – guitar (1979–present)
	* Steve DePace – drums (1979–present)		* Steve DePace – drums (1979–present)
	* ~~Rachel~~ ~~Thoele~~ – bass (~~2009–2015~~, ~~2019–present~~)		* ] – bass (2019, 2022–present); vocals (2022–present)
⚫	* ] – vocals (~~2015–present~~)
	{{col-2}}		{{col-2}}
	'''Former members'''		'''Former members'''
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	* ] – bass (2006–2009)		* ] – bass (2006–2009)
	* Bruno DeSmartass – bass, guitar (1983, 2005–2006, 2015)		* Bruno DeSmartass – bass, guitar (1983, 2005–2006, 2015)
	* ] – bass (2019)		* Rachel Thoele – bass (2009–2015, 2019, 2019–2022)
		⚫	* ] – vocals (2015–2022); bass (2015–2019)
	{{col-end}}		{{col-end}}

	~~'''~~Timeline~~'''~~		===Timeline===
	<timeline>		{{#tag:timeline\|
	ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20		ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:20
	PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:0 right:10		PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:0 right:0
	Alignbars = justify		Alignbars = justify
	DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy		DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
	Period = from:01/01/1979 till:01/01/~~2022~~		Period = from:01/01/1979 till:{{#time:m/d/Y}}
	TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy		TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
	Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom		Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom
	ScaleMajor = increment:3 start:~~1980~~		ScaleMajor = increment:5 start:1979
	ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1979		ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1979

	Colors =		Colors =
	id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals		id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals
	id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar		id:guitar value:green legend:Guitar
	id:bass value:blue legend:Bass		id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
	id:drums value:orange legend:Drums		id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
	id:studio value:black legend:~~Studio_albums~~		id:studio value:black legend:Studio_album

	LineData =		LineData =
Line 138:		Line 144:

	PlotData =		PlotData =
	width:10 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,–4)		width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,–4)
	bar:Ricky Williams from:start till:07/01/1979 color:vocals		bar:Ricky Williams from:start till:07/01/1979 color:vocals
	bar:Bruce Loose from:07/01/1979 till:01/01/2015 color:vocals		bar:Bruce Loose from:07/01/1979 till:01/01/2015 color:vocals
	bar:Bruce Loose from:07/01/1979 till:01/01/1990 color:bass width:4		bar:Bruce Loose from:07/01/1979 till:01/01/1990 color:bass width:3
	bar:Bruce Loose from:02/01/1993 till:12/01/2006 color:bass width:4		bar:Bruce Loose from:02/01/1993 till:12/01/2006 color:bass width:3
	bar:David Yow from:01/02/2015 till:~~end~~ color:vocals		bar:David Yow from:01/02/2015 till:01/01/2022 color:vocals
			bar:David Yow from:01/02/2015 till:01/01/2019 color:bass width:3
	bar:Ted Falconi from:start till:end color:guitar		bar:Ted Falconi from:start till:end color:guitar
	bar:Will Shatter from:start till:12/09/1987 color:bass		bar:Will Shatter from:start till:12/09/1987 color:bass
	bar:Will Shatter from:07/01/1979 till:12/09/1987 color:vocals width:4		bar:Will Shatter from:07/01/1979 till:12/09/1987 color:vocals width:3
	bar:Bruno DeSmartass from:01/01/1983 till:12/31/1983 color:bass		bar:Bruno DeSmartass from:01/01/1983 till:12/31/1983 color:bass
	bar:Bruno DeSmartass from:01/01/1983 till:12/31/1983 color:guitar width:4		bar:Bruno DeSmartass from:01/01/1983 till:12/31/1983 color:guitar width:3
	bar:Bruno DeSmartass from:08/22/2005 till:12/01/2006 color:bass		bar:Bruno DeSmartass from:08/22/2005 till:12/01/2006 color:bass
	bar:Bruno DeSmartass from:08/22/2005 till:12/01/2006 color:guitar width:4		bar:Bruno DeSmartass from:08/22/2005 till:12/01/2006 color:guitar width:3
	bar:Bruno DeSmartass from:02/01/2015 till:12/31/2015 color:bass		bar:Bruno DeSmartass from:02/01/2015 till:12/31/2015 color:bass
			bar:Bruno DeSmartass from:02/01/2015 till:12/31/2015 color:guitar width:3
	bar:John Dougherty from:01/01/1990 till:02/01/1993 color:bass		bar:John Dougherty from:01/01/1990 till:02/01/1993 color:bass
	bar:Krist Novoselic from:12/01/2006 till:09/01/2009 color:bass		bar:Krist Novoselic from:12/01/2006 till:09/01/2009 color:bass
	bar:Rachel Thoele from:09/01/2009 till:01/01/2015 color:bass		bar:Rachel Thoele from:09/01/2009 till:01/01/2015 color:bass
	bar:Rachel Thoele from:01/01/2019 till:~~end~~ color:bass		bar:Rachel Thoele from:01/01/2019 till:07/20/2019 color:bass
			bar:Rachel Thoele from:10/01/2019 till:01/01/2022 color:bass
	bar:Mike Watt from:07/20/2019 till:10/01/2019 color:bass		bar:Mike Watt from:07/20/2019 till:10/01/2019 color:bass
			bar:Mike Watt from:01/01/2022 till:end color:bass
			bar:Mike Watt from:01/01/2022 till:end color:vocals width:3
	bar:Steve DePace from:start till:end color:drums		bar:Steve DePace from:start till:end color:drums

			}}
	</timeline>

	==Discography==		==Discography==
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	{{Flipper\|state=expanded}}		{{Flipper\|state=expanded}}

	{{Authority control}}		{{Authority control}}

	{{DEFAULTSORT:Flipper}}		{{DEFAULTSORT:Flipper}}
	]		]

Latest revision as of 05:10, 25 December 2024

American punk rock band

Flipper
Flipper at the 9:30 Club, Washington, D.C., 1984
Background information
Origin	San Francisco, California, U.S.
Genres	Noise rock, punk rock, post-punk, hardcore punk, post-hardcore
Years active	1979–1987, 1990–1993, 2005–present
Labels	Subterranean, Alternative Tentacles, ROIR, American, Domino

Members	Ted Falconi Steve DePace Mike Watt

Past members	Will Shatter Ricky Williams Bruce Loose John Dougherty Krist Novoselic Bruno DeSmartass David Yow Rachel Thoele

Website	flipperrules.com

Flipper is an American punk rock band formed in San Francisco, California in 1979, continuing in often erratic fashion until the mid-1990s, then reuniting in 2005. The band influenced a number of grunge, punk rock and noise rock bands. Their slowed-down, bass-driven and heavily distorted style of punk is considered to have inspired bands such as the Melvins and Nirvana, whose bass player Krist Novoselic played with the band in the 2000s.

History

Early years (1979–1989)

Flipper was founded by former Sleepers member Ricky Williams (vocals), former Rad Command member Ted Falconi (guitar), and former Negative Trend members Will Shatter (bass) and Steve DePace (drums). Founding member and original vocalist Williams was credited for naming the band, but was fired before it made any recordings. Bruce “Loose” Calderwood replaced Williams and he and Shatter then went on to trade vocal and bass duties, with both bringing a bass onstage. Falconi, a Vietnam War veteran, played a uniquely distorted style of guitar.

Flipper's first recordings appeared in late 1979 on the SF Underground 7-inch EP released on the newly formed Subterranean Records, followed by the "Love Canal"/"Ha Ha Ha" 7-inch single in 1980.

"Ha Ha Ha"

Sample of the 1981 Flipper single "Ha Ha Ha." Characteristic of the band, the heavy bass and vocals primarily carry the melody. Also exemplified is Ted Falconi's unique style of distorted guitar playing.

Problems playing this file? See media help.

In 1981, the "Sex Bomb"/"Brainwash" single was released, featured individually hand-made covers. The lengthy A-side had minimal lyrics ("She's a sex bomb, my baby, yeah") and gained the band notoriety within the punk community. The original lineup released their first full-length album, Album – Generic Flipper, on Subterranean in 1982. It was recorded over a year and contained a new version of "Sex Bomb". It was followed later in the year with another single on Subterranean, "Get Away"/"The Old Lady that Swallowed the Fly".

The band regularly performed in the San Francisco area and attracted a large following. Simultaneously, their uniquely slowed-down and raucous approach to punk managed to infuriate other members of the local punk scene, especially with the burgeoning popularity of faster-paced hardcore punk. Mark Arm claimed, in the 2006 documentary American Hardcore, that Flipper's charm as a band lay in their ability to upset audiences while attracting their undivided attention and curiosity at the same time. Fans began spray painting "Flipper Rules" in various locations around San Francisco and eventually the world.

In 1983, Flipper appeared in Rick Schmidt's independent film, Emerald Cities. Footage of a live performance was interspersed throughout the film, showcasing three songs: "One By One", "Get Away" and "Love Canal".

A follow-up 1984 Subterranean studio album, Gone Fishin', featured the opening track "The Lights, the Sound, the Rhythm, the Noise", as well as "Survivors of the Plague" and "Sacrifice". The colorful van on the cover, along with figures representing the band and their equipment, could be cut out and folded. Subterranean also offered extra covers through a small mail order fee.

Also in 1984, the ROIR cassette label released Blow'n Chunks, a live document of a Flipper performance at CBGB. It included material from all phases of the band's existence to that date. It was reissued on CD in 1990. A 2001 reissue included four outtakes from the live sessions.

Flipper titled their 1986 double live album Public Flipper Limited. The album unfolded into a board game with a cutout spinner and game cards, with Subterranean once again providing extra covers through mail order.

The original lineup splintered after a period of touring, and singer and core member Shatter died on December 9, 1987, of a drug overdose after forming A3I. Subterranean packaged the band's singles and rarities as the 1987 collection Sex Bomb Baby. The cassette edition and later CD re-releases featured three bonus tracks.

After Will Shatter (1990–1999)

The band resurfaced in 1990 with a new single on Subterranean, "Some Day"/"Distant Illusion", and began performing again. Nürnberg Fish Trials, another live album, was released in 1991. This lineup released an all-new studio album in 1992, American Grafishy, on Rick Rubin's Def American imprint, which was not as well-received as their previous work. Also in 1992, founding member Ricky Williams also died of a heroin overdose. After the album was released, replacement bass player John Dougherty died of a drug overdose in 1997.

Rubin also reissued Album – Generic Flipper and the singles compilation Sex Bomb Baby on his Infinite Zero label. By 1997, Flipper's music went largely out of print, with Rubin holding on to the rights. As part of a legal settlement, Subterranean was awarded the right to reissue its Flipper records on vinyl in the United States.

Reformations (2002–present)

In 2002, Loose (using a cane) returned for a one-off gig at Berkeley's 924 Gilman Street space as "Not Flipper". He stated that he had changed his name from Bruce Lose to Bruce Loose "because he wanted to be less negative".

The original members of Flipper, save for the late Shatter (with Bruno DeSmartass again replacing Shatter, as he had done for a 1982 tour), reunited to support CBGB on August 22 and 28, 2005. This lineup then continued to perform live beginning in 2006.

In December 2006, DeSmartass was replaced by Novoselic (ex-Nirvana) on bass for a tour of the UK and Ireland, as well as several US shows. The song "Scentless Apprentice", which the band recorded (without Novoselic) for a 2000 Nirvana tribute album, was added to the band's setlist.

In 2008, the band recorded a new album with Novoselic, On May 19, 2009, Flipper released a "twin album" featuring one album, titled Love, of new studio material, and a second live album, titled Fight featuring both old and new songs. Both of these albums were produced by Seattle producer Jack Endino and were well received. Novoselic announced his departure from the band in September 2009 due to responsibilities at home, forcing a tour cancellation. He was replaced by Rachel Thoele, formerly of Frightwig, Mudwimin and Van Gough's Daughter.

Several Flipper albums were reissued during 2008–2009 in a variety of formats. Album – Generic Flipper, Gone Fishin', Public Flipper Limited and Sex Bomb Baby! were reissued on compact disc by Water Records in the US and Domino Recording Company in the UK, and on vinyl by the Runt Distribution imprint 4 Men with Beards.

Flipper played two shows at San Francisco's Bottom of the Hill on October 10 and 11, 2015, with DeSmartass returning on bass and David Yow (formerly of Scratch Acid and the Jesus Lizard) on vocals.

In 2019, Flipper decided to play some dates to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the band. The 2019 incarnation of the band consists of Steve DePace, Ted Falconi, and David Yow. With no permanent bass player, the band reached out to friends Rachel Thoele, Mike Watt (whose previous band Minutemen played with Flipper 36 years earlier), and Krist Novoselic. Their Northern California dates will be with Thoele on bass and supported by No Parents, Mike Watt & the Secondmen, and Qui. Watt will take over for Thoele when the band embarks on their European tour.

Influence on other musicians

Kurt Cobain wore a self-made Flipper T-shirt, seen in the booklet pictures of Nirvana's In Utero, on the band's first performance on Saturday Night Live in 1992, and also in the music video for "Come as You Are". Cobain and Novoselic cited Flipper as one of their band's influences.

In the documentary American Hardcore, Moby stated that he fronted Flipper for two days while singer Will Shatter was in jail because he "knew all of their songs". Steve DePace recalls that it was only for one night.

Eric Avery of Jane's Addiction has said that Flipper's rolling rhythms and repetitive riffs were an influence on his band's early sound.

In Get in the Van, his memoir of the early 1980s punk rock scene, Henry Rollins of Black Flag described the Flipper experience: "They were just heavy. Heavier than you. Heavier than anything...When they played they were amazing".

Covers

R.E.M. covered "Sex Bomb" for the A-side of the 1994 edition of their Fan Club Singles 7-inch series.

The Melvins covered several Flipper songs: "Sacrifice" on their Lysol album; "Love Canal" and "Someday" on a 5-inch single released by Slap-A-Ham Records; and "Way of the World" on the Singles 1–12 compilation.

Belgian electronica/industrial band Lords of Acid covered Flipper's song "Sex Bomb", and released a live version on the 1995 "Do What You Wanna Do" maxi-single. The track started with Praga Khan giving credit to Flipper. It was later reinterpreted in the Lords' typical style on the 2000 album Farstucker, and is a staple of their live shows.

UK band Terminal Cheesecake also covered' "Sex Bomb" on their second album, 1989's V.C.L. (Wiiija Records).

Unsane covered the song "Ha Ha Ha" on their 2012 album Wreck.

Members

Current members

Ted Falconi – guitar (1979–present)
Steve DePace – drums (1979–present)
Mike Watt – bass (2019, 2022–present); vocals (2022–present)

Former members

Will Shatter – vocals, bass (1979–1987; died December 9, 1987)
Ricky Williams – vocals (1979; died November 21, 1992)
Bruce Loose – vocals, bass (1979–2015)
John Dougherty – bass (1990–1993; died October 31, 1997)
Krist Novoselic – bass (2006–2009)
Bruno DeSmartass – bass, guitar (1983, 2005–2006, 2015)
Rachel Thoele – bass (2009–2015, 2019, 2019–2022)
David Yow – vocals (2015–2022); bass (2015–2019)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Year	Label
Album – Generic Flipper	1982	Subterranean Records, reissued on Water Records in 2008
Gone Fishin'	1984	Subterranean Records, reissued on Water Records in 2008
American Grafishy	1993	Def American
Love	2009	MVD Audio

Live albums

Title	Year	Label
Blow'n Chunks	1984	ROIR
Public Flipper Limited	1986	Subterranean Records, reissued on Water Records in 2008
Nürnberg Fish Trials	1991	Musical Tragedies
Live at CBGB's	1997	Overground
Fight	2009	MVD Audio

Singles

Title	Year	Label
"Love Canal"/"Ha Ha Ha"	1980	Subterranean Records
"Sex Bomb"/"Brainwash"	1981	Subterranean Records
"Get Away"/"The Old Lady that Swallowed the Fly"	1982	Subterranean Records
"Some Day"/"Distant Illusion"	1990	Subterranean Records
"Flipper Twist"/"Fucked Up"	1992	Matador Records/Def American
"Sex Bomb Remix-Falconi's Horn Concerto In D-Fault (Live)" (Second recording is on the same track. Sides A and B are the same)	1993	Fear and Loathing
Generic Single: "Sex Bomb"/"Sex Bomb (Single Version)"/"Brainwash"	2009	Domino
"Hot Fish (with The Melvins)"/"Sacrifice (with The Melvins)" (Side A of split single with The Melvins)	2019	Amphetamine Reptile Records
"Love Canal (with David Yow)"	2019	Joyful Noise Records

Compilations

Title	Year	Label
Sex Bomb Baby	1988	Subterranean Records, reissued on Infinite Zero Archive/American Recordings in 1995, reissued on Water Records in 2008
Not A Flipper Tape (Limited Cassette Release)	1988	Cao Din Records
Problem Child	2020	Cleopatra Records
Flipper's Greatest Misses	Unreleased	None

Videos

Title	Year	Label
Flipper Tape/Caught Live!/Flipper Live:1983	1983	Ace Video/RIA/Dog Patch
Flipper Live	February 19, 2008	Music Video Distributors

Other appearances

Title	Year	Album
"Earthworm"	1979	SF Underground
"Falling", "Lowrider" and "End the Game"	1981	Live at Target
"Ha Ha Ha"	1981	Let Them Eat Jellybeans!
"Sacrifice"	1982	Not So Quiet on the Western Front
"Life"	1982	Rat Music for Rat People
"Ever"	1983	Eastern Front
"Ever" and "Sex Bomb"	1992	The Wanna-Be-an-Indie-But-Got-Too-Much-$ Sampler
"Some Day"	1993	SXSW
"Love Canal" and "Get Away"	1994	Infinite Zero Promotional CD#2
"Ha Ha Ha"	1998	Old School Punk
"Scentless Apprentice" (Nirvana cover)	2000	Smells Like Bleach: A Punk Tribute to Nirvana
"Sad But True"	2001	A Punk Tribute to Metallica
"Problem Child" (AC/DC cover)	2002	For Those About to Rawk: A Punk Tribute to AC/DC
"Ha Ha Ha"	2006	American Hardcore's Official Movie Soundtrack
"Hash Pipe" (Weezer cover)	2006	A Punk Tribute to Weezer

References

Goldberg, Michael (July 18, 1985). "Black Flag, Husker Du and the Replacements Lead Punk's New Wave". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 3, 2022.
Pehling, Dave (December 22, 2021). "Iconoclastic SF Punk Band Flipper Headlines Bottom of the Hill for NYE - CBS San Francisco". www.cbsnews.com. Archived from the original on August 18, 2022. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
Seattle Weekly (author: Nirvana's bassist), The Austinist Archived January 15, 2012, at the Wayback Machine
^ Harrington, Jim (April 16, 2019). "Iconic punk rock band is back and trying 'to do it bigger than ever'". The Mercury News. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
^ Pehling, Dave (July 10, 2019). "CBS SF Talks To Flipper Drummer Steve DePace". CBS San Francisco. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
^ Jones, Kevin L. (November 16, 2017). "Meet Flipper's Ted Falconi, Vietnam Vet And Punk Rock Legend". KPBS. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
^ Fitzpatrick, Will (July 26, 2019). "Life Is The Only Thing Worth Living For: Flipper Interviewed". Clash. Retrieved January 22, 2020.
Athitakis, Mark. "Riff Raff". SF Weekly. Archived from the original on October 16, 2017. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
"Interview with Flipper guitarist Ted Falconi (Guitarsite)". www.guitarsite.com. September 15, 2008. Retrieved October 16, 2017.
^ Ali, Reyan (March 29, 2012). "Flipper's Steve DePace". The A.V. Club. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
"Emerald Cities (1983)". IMDb.com. Retrieved November 3, 2019.
^ Athitakis, Mark (February 10, 1999). "Flipper Redux". SFWeekly. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved November 2, 2011.
York, Will (March 2–8, 1999). "This punk's not dead". San Francisco Bay Guardian. Retrieved June 8, 2014.
Jasmin, Ernest. "Krist Novoselic to play with Flipper Archived 2009-01-08 at the Wayback Machine". TheNewsTribune.com. September 25, 2006.
Prato, Greg (January 4, 2008). "Flipper Drafts Novoselic For New Album". Billboard. Retrieved January 6, 2008.
"News Ticker: Radiohead, Aerosmith, War Child and Flipper" (September 22, 2008) RollingStone.com.
"About Flipper," Flipper MySpace page, Retrieved on January 6, 2009
Callwood, Brett (April 11, 2019). "Music Pick: Flipper". LA Weekly. Retrieved April 23, 2019.
Pehling, Dave (July 10, 2019). "CBS SF Talks To Flipper Drummer Steve DePace". CBS. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
"Flipper". Novoselic.com. Retrieved November 3, 2019. "Both Krist & Kurt were influenced by Flipper's heavy, raw punk sound. Krist was honored to join Flipper." (quoting homepage of Novoselic.com)
Lapatine, Scott (September 20, 2006). "Moby Blogs About The Flipper Show". Stereogum. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
Pain, Jane (November 19, 2015). "INTERVIEW WITH FLIPPER". JANE PAIN. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
Welsch, Casey (November 7, 2008). "Flipper compilation inspires the underground". The Daily Nebraskan. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
Get in the Van: On the Road with Black Flag by Henry Rollins, 1994
Zaleski, Annie (September 27, 2014). "The most surprising R.E.M. covers". Salon. Retrieved October 24, 2019.
Berlatsky, Noah (April 30, 2013). "Why the Melvins Are Guitar Music's Best and Most Bizarre Unifier". The Atlantic. Retrieved October 24, 2019.

External links

v t e Flipper
David Yow Ted Falconi Bruno DeSmartass Steve DePace Bruce Loose Ricky Williams Will Shatter Rachel Thoele John Dougherty Krist Novoselic
Studio albums	Album – Generic Flipper Gone Fishin' American Grafishy Love
Live albums	Blow'n Chunks Public Flipper Limited Live 1980–1985 Nurnberg Fish Trials Live at CBGB's 1983 Fight
Compilation albums	Sex Bomb Baby

Categories: