About
Fluid
Forged in the gritty, unforgiving depths of the Denver punk scene in 1985, The Fluid was one of the most powerful and hardest-hitting acts of the late '80s and early '90s. Comprised of vocalist John Robinson, drummer Garrett Shavlik, bassist Matt Bischoff, and guitarists James Clower and Rick Kulwicki, the band was the first non-Seattle signing by the initially provincial Sub-Pop label, which released the group's scorching sophomore album, Clear Black Paper, in 1988. (The quintet's debut, Punch N Judy, was released on Denver's Ray-On Records in 1986 and was later reissued on Germany's Glitterhouse imprint.)Due to timing and the band's associations with Sub-Pop and various acts of the Northwest underground scene—the group were early boosters of Nirvana, and the two acts even shared a split single in 1991—The Fluid has long been lumped in with the period's so-called grunge movement. But in actuality the outfit's unapologetically rock 'n' roll sound bypassed the shallower sludge metal and hardcore punk influences of its contemporary brethren, reaching deeper to hint at the classic styles of forbears like the New York Dolls, The Stooges, the MC5, the Rolling Stones, and the garage bands of the 1960s. Over the course of its four albums and numerous EP and single releases, the group worked with noted producers Butch Vig (Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins, Garbage) and Jack Endino (Nirvana, Mudhoney, Soundgarden).
The Fluid's utterly devastating live sets are the stuff of legend. Backed by Kulwicki's and Clower's wall of wah-wah-laced, cinder-block guitar crunch and the overpowering, locomotive drive of Bischoff and Shavlik, the unhinged, wild-eyed Robinson was a man possessed, a sweat-soaked collision of primordial id and hypnotic transcendence. It's no wonder The Fluid has been cited as a huge influence by dozens of younger bands and a favorite act of many of the group's own peers.
The Fluid's upcoming show at Seattle's Neumo's (925 East Pike Street) on Friday February 13th will bring together all five of the band's original members for one of the most rabidly anticipated musical reunions in years—and one that will give fans a rare chance to once again experience firsthand the band's singular brand of timeless and powerful rock 'n' roll. This show will be the bands first announced club date in Seattle in over 15 years... The catalyst of this unlikely reunion was an invite to appear at Sub-Pop Records 20th Anniversary Festival in Marymoor Park in July of 2008... That blazing reunion performance at Marymoor Park garnered the band many more live offers. However, aside from a recent appearance in New York City the band has kept a low profile... Instead of embracing the opportunity to get on the road again the band opted to keep its appearances to a minimum and to cater to the fans and friends that loved them since Ronald Regan sat in the oval office... The upcoming Seattle date is a nod to the town that embraced the band and provided a second home when they began to feverishly tour early in their career. This may well be the last show the band ever plays in Seattle, or ever, but their sonic influence over the region will be felt forevermore.
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Neumos