Fidlar Explained

FIDLAR
Landscape:	yes
Origin:	Los Angeles, California
Years Active:	2009–present
Current Members:	Zac Carper Brandon Schwartzel Max Kuehn
Past Members:	Elvis Kuehn

Fidlar, stylized as FIDLAR, is an American punk and garage rock band from Los Angeles.^[1] The band's name is an acronym for Fuck It Dawg, Life's a Risk, a skate mantra stolen from singer Zac Carper's former roommates.^[2] Originally, FIDLAR went under the name 'Fuck The Clock',^[3] as referenced in their song "Cheap Beer". To date, the band have released three studio albums: FIDLAR (2013), Too (2015) and Almost Free (2019). The band are mostly known for short, fast songs that deal with partying and narcotics. In 2013, Pitchfork wrote that the band "don't make music you'll grow old with, and they won't get an "A" for originality, but that's not really the point".^[4]

History

Founding members Zac Carper and Elvis Kuehn met while working at a recording studio in which Carper was employed as an engineer and Kuehn was an intern. The two started recording songs when the studio was empty and posting the finished products online.^[5] Three years after recording their first songs, they stepped on stage together with the Black Lips and went on tour with the Hives.^[6]

In 2011, they released their debut EP, DIYDUI, produced by Lewis Pesacov. In 2012, FIDLAR were named one of Stereogum's 40 Best New Bands of 2012.^[7] In October 2012, the band made their television debut on Last Call with Carson Daly, where they performed "Whore" and "No Waves" from their then-upcoming album FIDLAR.^[8]

The band is currently signed to Mom + Pop Music in the US,^[9] Wichita Recordings in the UK^[10] and Dine Alone Records in Canada.^[11]

Personal lives and side projects

Elvis Kuehn (guitar/vocals) and Max Kuehn (drums) are the sons of Greg Kuehn, keyboardist for Long Beach punk legends, T.S.O.L.^[12] while Zac Carper (vocals/guitar) is the son of famed surfboard designer John Carper. Carper struggled with drug addiction and spent time in rehab for it, inspiring the song "No Waves".^[13] Bassist Brandon Schwartzel was Carper's friend before joining the band, with the two bonding over drugs and homelessness. The four have been performing together as FIDLAR since 2009. Carper was born in Hawaii, while the Kuehn brothers were born in Los Angeles, and Schwartzel was born in San Diego.

As well as all being members of FIDLAR, each member of the band has side-projects they are in:

Carper has produced albums or helped co-write songs by such bands as Dune Rats,^[14] SWMRS,^[15] The Frights,^{[16] [17]} Sweet Thing,^[18] The Goldberg Sisters,^[19] Dirty Sweet,^[20] and Tokyo Police Club.^[21] Schwartzel also periodically performs DJ sets at Monty's Bar under the pseudonym of "DJ Basil".^[22] Schwartzel & Max Kuehn are in a band with members of Together Pangea called Los Bolos.^[23] Max Kuehn has released solo compositions online,^[24] as well as being a member of The Squirmers,^{[25] [26]} The Diffs^[27] and The Head Hunters^[28] with his brother Elvis, The Small Wigs,^[29] and Kitten, with Carper^[30] prior to, and during their full time in FIDLAR.

Band members

• Zac Carper – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards (2009–present)
• Brandon Schwartzel – bass, backing vocals (2009–present)
• Max Kuehn – drums, percussion (2009–present)

Former members

• Elvis Kuehn – guitar, backing and lead vocals, keyboards (2009–2022)

Former touring musicians

• Danny Nogueiras – drums (2009–2010)^[31]
• Alice Baxley – bass (2010)^[32]
• Andy Miller – bass (2010–2011)^{[33] [34]}
• Mikki Itzigsohn – bass (2009–2010)

Discography

Studio albums

Title	Album details
Fidlar	Released: January 22, 2013^[35] Labels: Mom + Pop, Burger (US); Wichita (UK); Dine Alone (Canada)^[36] Formats: LP, CD, cassette, digital download
Too	Released: September 4, 2015^[37] Labels: Mom + Pop, Burger (US); Wichita (UK); Hostess (Japan)^[38] Formats: LP, CD, cassette, digital download
Almost Free	Released: January 25, 2019^[39] Labels: Mom + Pop, Liberator, Dine Alone (Canada)^[40] Formats: LP, Flexi disc, CD, digital download

Extended plays

Title	Extended play details
DIYDUI	Released: April 12, 2011^[41] Label: White Iris^[42] Formats: 7-inch, digital download
Don't Try...	Released: April 10, 2012^[43] Labels: Mom + Pop (US); Wichita (UK) Formats: 7-inch, CD, digital download
Shit We Recorded in Our Bedroom	Released: October 15, 2012^[44] Label: Self-released Format: Digital download
Don't Fuck With Vol. 01	Released: December 15, 2022^[45] Label: Self-released Format: Digital download
That's Life^[46]	Released: March 17, 2023^[47] Label: Self-released Format: Digital download
Centipede^[48]	Released: March 17, 2023 Label: Self-released Format: Digital download
Don't Fuck With Vol. 02	Released: May 19, 2023^[49] Label: Self-released Format: Digital download
Don't Fuck With Vol. 03	Released: March 22, 2024^[50] Label: Self-released Format: Digital download

Certified singles

Title! rowspan="1"

Year	Certification
"By Myself"^[51]	2019	ARIA: Gold^[52]

Music videos

Year	Song	Director
February 2012	Wait for the Man^[53]	Ryan Baxley
	Max Can't Surf^[54]
	Oh^[55]
June 2012	No Waves^[56]
October 2012	Cheap Beer^[57]
November 2012	Gimme Something^[58]
February 2013	Max Can't Surf (Fidlar Version)^[59]
July 2013	Cocaine^[60]
May 2015	40oz On Repeat^[61]
July 2015	West Coast^[62]
August 2015	Drone^[63]
	Leave Me Alone^[64]
January 2016	Why Generation^[65]
April 2016	Punks^[66]
August 2018	Are You High?^[67]	FIDLAR
September 2018	Too Real^[68]	Jonathan Atchley^[69]
January 2019	By Myself^[70]	Brandon Schwartzel
	Can't You See	Jonah Ray^[71]
June 2019	Flake	FIDLAR^[72]
August 2022	FSU	Alice & Ryan Baxley
October 2022	Sand on the Beach
November 2022	Taste The Money	Ryan Baxley

Appearance in media

The band also played on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2015, where they performed "West Coast" and "Why Generation" from their second album Too.^[73] The band was also featured on Conan, in 2016, where they performed "West Coast”"^[74]

• "No Waves" appeared in the video games Saints Row IV and The Crew and also in Netflix series "Love".
• "White on White" was featured in the video game Sunset Overdrive.
• "Cheap Beer" was featured in the film Neighbors, the TV show iZombie and in Plan B's skateboarding film "True" during Pat Duffy's part.
• "Cocaine" was featured in the TV show Finding Carter and video game Grand Theft Auto V.
• "5 to 9" is played in the 16th episode of the fourth season of The Vampire Diaries
• "Wait For the Man" and "Oh" appeared on an episode of Shameless (US).
• "Cheap Beer" and "No Waves" both appeared on the soundtrack to The Crew.
• "Punks" appeared in the "Embrace Your Dark Side" promo for the fourth season of Arrow.
• "Drone" appeared on the soundtrack to the video game WWE 2K17.
• The band's cover version of the song "Red Right Hand" featured in the opening episode of series 4 of the BBC series Peaky Blinders.^[75]
• The band's cover of the Nirvana track "Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle" was released on the Mom+Pop-exclusive Record Store Day 2018 3xLP compilation 10 Years of Mom+Pop.^{[76] [77]}
• "Flake" appeared in the 11th episode of the third season of Thirteen Reasons Why^[78]
• "Flake" appeared in the 1st episode of Locke & Key^[79]
• "Breaker" appeared on the soundtrack to the 2020 film Bill & Ted Face the Music
• "West Coast" appeared on the soundtrack to the 2020 video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2

Awards

• 2013: O Music Awards, Best Web-Born Artist^[80]
• 2013: Association of Independent Music, AIM Independent Music Awards, Best Live Act^[81]

External links

• • FIDLAR at Mom + Pop Music
• FIDLAR at Wichita Recordings
• FIDLAR at Dine Alone Records

Notes and References

1. News: Krovatin. Chris. The Underground Sounds Of America: FIDLAR. Kerrang!. 8 January 2019.
2. Mapes. Jillian. Band to Watch: FIDLAR. Rolling Stone. 18 December 2012.
3. https://pitchfork.com/features/rising/8967-fidlar/ FIDLAR
4. Web site: Stosuy . Brandon . FIDLAR: FIDLAR Album Review . Pitchfork . Pitchfork Media . 13 July 2022.
5. News: Baraz. Danny. An Interview with Zac Carper from FIDLAR. Janky Smooth. 28 October 2014. 24 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20190402201919/http://www.jankysmooth.com/interview-zac-carper-fidlar/. 2 April 2019. dead.
6. News: Linden. Ina. Band Portrait: FIDLAR The Party Punks. artistxite. 24 July 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130822215130/https://artistxite.com/us/magazine/special/98556/Band-Portrait-Fidlar-The-Party-Punks.html. 22 August 2013.
7. News: Breihan. Tom. Stereogum's 40 Best New Bands Of 2012. Stereogum. 11 September 2012. 19 November 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20180712160942/https://www.stereogum.com/1142542/stereogums-40-best-new-bands-of-2012/franchises/list/. 12 July 2018. dead.
8. Web site: The Audio Perv. FIDLAR – "No Waves" + "Whore" 10/10 Last Call. The Audio Perv. 13 August 2012. 26 September 2018. 26 September 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180926171721/http://theaudioperv.com/2012/10/13/fidlar-no-waves-whore-1010-last-call/. dead.
9. http://www.momandpopmusic.com/2012/02/fidlar-free-up-new-song-join-our-loving-mompop-family/ FIDLAR Free Up New Song, Join Our Loving Mom+Pop Family
10. https://www.wichita-recordings.com/posts/fidlar FIDLAR
11. http://dinealonerecords.com/artists/fidlar/ FIDLAR
12. http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2012/03/tsols_greg_kuehn_talks_about_h.php T.S.O.L.'s Greg Kuehn Talks About His Punk Rock Progeny FIDLAR
13. http://www.redbullusa.com/cs/Satellite/en_US/Article/Interview-With-Los-Angeles-Garage-Punk-Band-Fidlar-021243222145413 Interview With Los Angeles Garage Punk Band FIDLAR
14. Web site: The Kids Will Know It's Bullshit - Dune Rats | Credits . AllMusic . 2017-01-27 . 2018-11-02.
15. Web site: Drive North - SWMRS | Credits . AllMusic . 2016-02-12 . 2018-11-02.
16. Web site: You Are Going to Hate This - The Frights | Credits . AllMusic . 2016-02-12 . 2018-11-02.
17. Web site: The Frights & Zac Carper: The Making of 'You Are Going To Hate This' . . 2016-11-02 . 2018-11-02.
18. Web site: Sweet Thing - Sweet Thing | Credits . AllMusic . 2018-11-02.
19. Web site: The Goldberg Sisters - The Goldberg Sisters | Credits . AllMusic . 2011-04-11 . 2018-11-02.
20. Web site: American Spiritual - Dirty Sweet | Credits . AllMusic . 2018-11-02.
21. Web site: Champ - Tokyo Police Club | Credits . AllMusic . 2018-11-02.
22. Web site: Basil // Beaker // Brother (@_dontfeartheweird_) • Instagram photos and videos . Instagram.com . 2018-11-02.
23. Web site: Max Kuehn on Instagram: "The Bolos are playing 3 times this weekend. Members of FIDLAR, Together Pangea, The Memories, The Ryan Baxley Experience, and No Parents…" . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BKbz_oVgb4Q . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram.com . 2018-11-02.
24. Web site: Max Kuehn. SoundCloud.com. 25 January 2019.
25. Web site: THE SQUIRMERS - TAMPICO 7" | WINK AND SPIT . Winkandspit.bandcamp.com . 2018-11-02.
26. Web site: Tampico - The Squirmers . . 2015-08-19 . 2018-11-02.
27. Web site: Max Kuehn : Conn-Selmer, Inc . Artists.ludwig-musser.com . 2018-11-02.
28. Web site: Hunter's Anthem - Head Hunters. 25 January 2019. Soundcloud.com.
29. Web site: Small Wigs - Home . . 2018-11-02.
30. Web site: Interview with Chloe Chaidez & Max Kuehn of "Kitten" . Independentphilly.com . 2011-01-11 . 2018-11-02.
31. Web site: No Win: The FIDLAR Side Project That Sounds Nothing Like FIDLAR - Noisey . Noisey.vice.com . 2015-06-09 . 2018-11-02.
32. Web site: The Spazmaster's Domain Presents: FIDLAR! . . 2011-02-19 . 2018-11-02.
33. Web site: United States . FIDLAR | Free Music, Tour Dates, Photos, Videos . https://web.archive.org/web/20110531033025/http://myspace.com/fidlar . dead . 2011-05-31 . 2011-05-31 . 2018-11-02.
34. Web site: FIDLAR Live Show 2010 . . 2018-11-02.
35. Web site: FIDLAR by FIDLAR on Apple Music. iTunes. 22 January 2013 . 2016-12-16.
36. Web site: FIDLAR - FIDLAR. Discogs. 2016-12-16.
37. Web site: Too by FIDLAR on Apple Music. iTunes. 4 September 2015 . 2016-12-16.
38. Web site: FIDLAR - Too. Discogs. 2016-12-16.
39. Web site: SINGLE BIO: FIDLAR - Can't You See (Liberator Music/Mom+Pop) . Mushroom Promotions . 2018-10-12 . 2018-11-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181012134711/https://mushroompromotions.com/bios/single-bio-fidlar-cant-you-see-liberator-music-mom-pop/ . 2018-10-12 . dead .
40. Web site: FIDLAR To Release Almost Free LP on Dine Alone in Canada. 5 December 2018. Dine Alone Records. 25 January 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190920194200/http://dinealonerecords.com/news/fidlar-to-release-almost-free-lp-on-dine-alone-in-canada/. 20 September 2019. dead.
41. Web site: Diydui - EP by FIDLAR on Apple Music. iTunes. 12 April 2011 . 2016-12-16.
42. Web site: FIDLAR RING THE ALARM. Ringthealarm.tv. 2016-12-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20190920194157/http://ringthealarm.tv/label/fidlar/. 2019-09-20. dead.
43. Web site: Don't Try - EP by FIDLAR on Apple Music. iTunes. 10 April 2012 . 2016-12-16.
44. Web site: Shit We Recorded In Our Bedroom EP. SoundCloud.com. 25 January 2019.
45. Web site: Don't Fuck With Vol. 01. Amazon.com. 15 December 2022.
46. Web site: FIDLAR - That's Life - Diggers Factory .
47. FIDLAR. 1635324855947231233. FRIDAY. That’s Life.
48. Web site: FIDLAR - Centipede - When the Horn Blows .
49. Web site: Don't Fuck with Vol. 02 . .
50. Web site: Don't Fuck with Vol. 03 . .
51. Web site: The new single from @FIDLAR is the Hottest Record in the World with @AnnieMac TONIGHT on @BBCR1! Tune in from 7pm pic.twitter.com/f0cmRe4nCu. Brace. Yourself. 9 January 2019. Twitter. 25 January 2019.
52. Australia. single. 2024. August 16, 2024.
53. Web site: Baxley. Ryan. FIDLAR - Wait For The Man. Vimeo. 13 May 2018. 21 February 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20150821132359/https://vimeo.com/37213580. 21 August 2015. dead.
54. Web site: Baxley. Ryan. FIDLAR - Max Can't Surf. 13 May 2018. 21 February 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20151016101543/https://vimeo.com/37214814. 16 October 2015. dead.
55. Web site: Baxley. Ryan. FIDLAR - Oh. Vimeo. 13 May 2018. 22 February 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20151016101541/https://vimeo.com/37276030. 16 October 2015. dead.
56. Web site: Baxley. Ryan. FIDLAR - No Waves. Vimeo. 13 May 2018. 12 June 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20160623061712/https://vimeo.com/43903024. 23 June 2016. dead.
57. Web site: Baxley. Ryan. FIDLAR - Cheap Beer. Vimeo. 13 May 2018. 25 October 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20151024091855/https://vimeo.com/52187103. 24 October 2015. dead.
58. Web site: Baxley. Ryan. FIDLAR - Gimmie Something. Vimeo. 13 May 2018. 27 November 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20151016101537/https://vimeo.com/54405754. 16 October 2015. dead.
59. Web site: Baxley. Ryan. FIDLAR - Max Can't Surf II: The Zuk Trip. Vimeo. 13 May 2018. 25 February 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20151016101534/https://vimeo.com/60444940. 16 October 2015. dead.
60. Web site: Baxley. Ryan. FIDLAR - Cocaine (Feat. Nick Offerman). Vimeo. 13 May 2018. 2 July 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20180322220923/https://vimeo.com/69583182. 22 March 2018. dead.
61. Web site: Baxley. Ryan. FIDLAR - 40oz On Repeat. Vimeo. 13 May 2018. 8 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20180316050037/https://vimeo.com/127235822. 16 March 2018. dead.
62. Web site: Baxley. Ryan. FIDLAR - West Coast. Vimeo. 13 May 2018. 9 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151001142153/https://vimeo.com/133106891. 1 October 2015. dead.
63. Web site: Baxley. Ryan. FIDLAR - Drone. Vimeo. 13 May 2018. 14 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150928235222/https://vimeo.com/136331828. 28 September 2015. dead.
64. Web site: Baxley. Ryan. FIDLAR - Leave Me Alone. Vimeo. 13 May 2018. 30 August 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20161208071955/https://vimeo.com/137772647. 8 December 2016. dead.
65. Web site: Baxley. Ryan. FIDLAR - Why Generation. https://web.archive.org/web/20210110125343/https://vimeo.com/151351595. dead. January 10, 2021. Vimeo. 13 May 2018. 11 January 2016.
66. Web site: Baxley. Ryan. FIDLAR - Punks. Vimeo. 13 May 2018. 12 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20170729112203/https://vimeo.com/162614841. 29 July 2017. dead.
67. Web site: FIDLAR - Are You High? (ft. The 90s) . YouTube . 2018-08-13 . 2018-11-02.
68. Web site: FIDLAR - Too Real . YouTube . 2018-09-13 . 2018-11-02.
69. Web site: Home . Jonathanatchley.com . 2018-11-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190508115538/http://jonathanatchley.com/ . 2019-05-08 . dead .
70. Web site: FIDLAR - By Myself. 25 January 2019. YouTube.
71. Web site: FIDLAR - "Can't You See". 25 January 2019. YouTube.
72. Web site: FIDLAR - Flake . . 2019-06-25 . 2020-03-19.
73. Web site: FIDLAR make TV debut with a rousing performance on Kimmel Live!. Consequence of Sound. 29 September 2015 . July 11, 2017.
74. Web site: Fidlar Air 'West Coast' on Conan. Diymag.com. 10 November 2016 . July 11, 2017.
75. Web site: Peaky Blinders playlist. Bbc.co.uk. 17 November 2017.
76. Web site: 10 Years of Mom + Pop. Momandpopmusic.com. 8 September 2020. 5 April 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190405065228/http://www.momandpopmusic.com/10-years. dead.
77. Web site: RSDBF '18 Special Release: Various Artists - Mom+Pop 10 Year Anniversary Compilation. 8 September 2020. Recordstoreday.com.
78. Web site: Louise . Katie . 13 Reasons Why season 3 soundtrack: Every song featured on the show . Popbuzz.com . 2019-08-24 . 2020-03-19.
79. Web site: Locke and Key Season 1 Netflix Soundtrack List. 8 February 2020. Whats-on-netflix.com. 8 September 2020.
80. Web site: New Music Videos, Reality TV Shows, Celebrity News, Pop Culture - MTV. Omusicawards.com. 16 August 2016. 6 February 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150206070859/http://www.omusicawards.com/vote/best-web-born-artist. dead.
81. Web site: AIM Best Live Act 2013. Mamacolive.com. 24 January 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20130704062240/http://mamacolive.com/thefly/aim-best-live-act-2013. 4 July 2013. dead.