Fit for Rivals

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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
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[edit]

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)[edit]

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)[edit]

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)[edit]

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)[edit]

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)[edit]

In 2022, Fit For Rivals released the singles, "Wake The Dead" and "Secret".

Musical style[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

Discography[edit]

Albums[edit]

EPs[edit]

  • Was That Our Youth? (2009)
  • Sugar (2015)[4]
  • B Sides and Oddities (2020)

Singles[edit]

  • Wake The Dead (2022)
  • Secret (2022)

Music videos[edit]

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[edit]

  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. 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. 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.

External links[edit]