Fishwife (band)
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Fishwife | |
|---|---|
 A Fishwife show from 1992 picturing Chris Prescott (on drums, far left), Ryan Foxe (with microphone, black shirt, and cap in front of drum set), Gar Wood (with guitar, left of drum set), and Matt Ohlin (with bass guitar, just visible in lower right corner). | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Genres | Punk rock, math rock, post-hardcore |
| Years active | 1990–1993 |
| Labels | Cargo, Headhunter, Nemesis, Goldenrod |
| Past members | Ryan Foxe Chris Prescott Gar Wood Matt Ohlin |
Fishwife was an American punk rock band from San Diego, California, active from 1990 to 1993 and consisting of Ryan Foxe (vocals), Matt Ohlin (bass guitar), Gar Wood (guitar), and Chris Prescott (drums).[1] The group was known for its dissonant sound characteristic of the San Diego punk scene of the time, their often humorous lyrics, and Foxe's wild onstage antics.[2]
Fishwife initially released a self-titled 7" EP on the local hardcore punk label Nemesis. Shortly after, Canadian indie label Cargo Records opened new headquarters in San Diego and launched a new imprint called Headhunter. Fishwife was the first band signed to Headhunter.[3]
Before Rocket From the Crypt and Drive Like Jehu put San Diego on the indie rock map in the early 1990s, Fishwife was a leading act in the scene, known for over-the-top live shows.[4] Foxe's stage antics included getting naked, a dildo ventriloquist act, leaping from a six-foot-high Marshall stack, and handing out peanut butter and jelly sandwiches at a local club — an act that got the band permanently banned from the venue.[3]
Fishwife broke up in 1993 when Foxe moved to New York City to attend college. Prescott, Ohlin and Wood subsequently formed the math rock band Tanner, releasing Ill Gotten Gains for Caroline Records in 1995 and (Germo) Phobic for Headhunter in 1997. Foxe later returned to San Diego and sang in the garage rock group The Let Downs. Guitarist Gar Wood went on to play bass and guitar in Beehive and the Barracudas and Hot Snakes, while drummer Chris Prescott played in No Knife. Bassist Matt Ohlin played bass and sang in Hiatus, and also became owner of Rt. 44 Skate Shop in San Diego.[3]
