Fit for Rivals

Fit For Rivals
Band members of Fit for Rivals
Fit For Rivals
Background information
OriginJacksonville, Florida, United States
Genres
Years active2009-present
LabelsFreak Machine Records
MembersRenee Phoenix
Thomas Amason
Dorman Pantfoeder
Rufino Lomboy
Jordyn Zubyk
Past membersEli Clark
John Hartman
Benjamin Nelson
Joshua Hamilton
Ronnie Winter
Websitefreakmachinerecords.com/fitforrivals

Fit for Rivals is an American rock band that originated in Jacksonville, Florida. The band's core members are songwriter/vocalist Renée Phoenix and songwriter/guitarist Thomas Amason. The band released their debut album Steady Damage on July 9, 2009, and the follow-up, Freak Machine was released on September 2, 2016.

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" and "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] Their EP Sugar has a bit of a throwback sound, as described in New Noise Magazine.[4]

Members

Current members[3][1]

  • Reneé Phoenix – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (2009–present)
  • Thomas Amason – rhythm guitar, backing vocals, keyboards (2009–present)
  • Dorman Pantfoeder – drums (2009–present)
  • Rufino Lomboy – lead guitar (2015–present)

Former members

  • Eli Clark – bass, backing vocals
  • John Hartman – drums
  • Benjamin Nelson – drums
  • Joshua Hamilton – bass
  • Ronnie Winter – bass

Associated acts

Discography

Albums

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
2009 "Crash"[9]
2009 "Damage"[10]
2014 "Hit Me"[11]
2016 "Novocain"[12]
2022 "Damage" 4k, SFW Version
2022 "Wake The Dead"

References

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.
  4. ^ 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.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ "Fit For Rivals – 'Freak Machine' – Album Review". The Fuze Magazine. November 22, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2020.[permanent dead link‍]
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Fit For Rivals – "Crash" HD". YouTube. 2 March 2010. Archived from the original on 2012-03-21. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  10. ^ "Fit For Rivals – "Damage"". YouTube. 2009-11-10. Archived from the original on 2012-09-14. Retrieved 2012-10-28.
  11. ^ "Fit For Rivals - Hit Me". YouTube. 27 August 2014. Archived from the original on 2015-09-01.
  12. ^ "Fit For Rivals - "Novocain"". YouTube. 2016-10-21. Archived from the original on 2016-10-21. Retrieved 2016-12-22.