Fine China (band)

Fine China was an American indie rock band from Phoenix, Arizona, comprising Rob Withem (vocals, guitar), Greg Markov (bass guitar) and Thom Walsh (drums).

The band was formed in 1996 as a project by acquaintances Withem, Danny McWatters and Melissa Banks, but turned serious once the band started booking gigs. Banks shortly stepped down and was replaced by Withem's friend Markov, who remained a permanent member of the band until the end. The band played as a three-piece through the recording of the first EP No One Knows, but soon after recruited Joshua Block (at that time of The Blameshares) to play the keyboards. Block added a new texture to the band which propelled it to the next level. The band toured as a four-piece, but McWatters left in 1999. The band then recruited Walsh (also of The Blameshares) to be its drummer, and this line-up - Withem, Markov, Block and Walsh - became the line-up for the large part of the band's existence, and for two of its three LPs.

After releasing two EPs on Velvet Blue Music, the band was signed to Seattle's Tooth and Nail records and released two LPs, When the World Sings and You Make Me Hate Music. The band did several tours and festival performances in support of its records. Josh Dooley of the Riverside band Map toured with Fine China as the second guitarist for the You Make Me Hate Music tour.

Despite the fact that both releases gathered impressive critical success, the band was dropped from Tooth and Nail Records in 2003 after the second record. Fine China decided to take a short break, but reunited in 2004. At this time Block decided to leave the band. The band recorded its final record, Jaws of Life released on September 6, 2005, as a three-piece with guest appearances by Dooley, with a local label Common Wall Media. The record achieved more critical acclaim, including several TV show inclusions. However, the members felt that this was the time to end and the band informally dissolved following its Best of New Times performance in 2006. Withem went on to form the Foxglove Hunt with Ronnie Martin of Joy Electric, while the remaining members have stayed largely inactive in the music scene.

Biography

Fine China signed to Velvet Blue Music in 1997, and in the same year released its first 7" single "The Beautiful" and an EP, No One Knows. In 1998 the band released its second EP, Rialto Bridge. Between 1997 and 1998, Fine China gigged in and around Phoenix, as well as touring with Starflyer 59 and Joy Electric. In 2000, the band released its first full length album, the synthpop oriented When the World Sings, on Tooth & Nail Records. In 2001, Fine China released its second album, You Make Me Hate Music. While their first album was synthesizer heavy, the second was much more rock-oriented.

After a brief break, the band returned to the studio in 2004 to begin work on the third album, Jaws of Life, which was released in 2005. A song from the album, "My Worst Nightmare", was used on the television drama The O.C..^[1] The same year they also released a 7 inch single, "Don't Frown", on Velvet Blue Music.

Fine China ended in 2006, with Withem joining Ronnie Martin of Joy Electric to form a new indie-pop/synthpop band, named The Foxglove Hunt.

Releases

Full length albums

• When the World Sings (Tooth & Nail Records, 2000)
• You Make Me Hate Music (Tooth & Nail Records, 2002)
• Jaws of Life (Common Wall Media, 2005)

EPs

• No One Knows (Velvet Blue Music, 1997)
• Rialto Bridge (Velvet Blue Music, 1998)

Singles (7")

• "The Beautiful" (Velvet Blue Music, 1996)
• "Don't Frown" (Velvet Blue Music, 2005)

Compilation contributions

• Not One Light Red: A Desert Extended (Sunset Alliance, 2002)

Song: "Give Us Treble"

References