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Epoxies

From Alfawiki
The Epoxies
Company typeBand
IndustryMusic
Founded2000
Headquarters
Portland, Oregon
,
United States
ProductsMusic albums, EPs, singles

The Epoxies were a new wave group originating from Portland, Oregon, established in 2000. Drawing inspiration from new wave music, they characterized their style as robot garage rock. The lineup featured FM Static on synthesizers, guitarist Viz Spectrum, lead vocalist Roxy Epoxy, bassist Shock Diode, and drummer Ray Cathode. Their fan base expanded through vigorous touring across the United States and Europe, known for dynamic live shows enhanced by special effects and unique homemade costumes frequently fashioned from duct tape.

Their sound fused elements of punk rock and new wave, with lyrics exploring themes such as science fiction, Atomic Age futurism, alienation, and consumerism. Common imagery included robots, androids, clones, and nuclear weapons.

Formation Years (2000–2002)

Prior to the formation of the Epoxies, the members were active participants in Portland’s punk scene starting in the mid-1990s. FM Static performed with The Automatics while Roxy Epoxy contributed photography for their album artwork. Initially, FM and Viz imagined a band performing in costumes made from spray-painted refrigerator boxes and dryer hoses resembling robots but later opted for more practical, low-budget attire. Kid Polymer joined as bassist as the concept took shape. The lineup was completed in 2000 with Dr. Grip and Roxy joining; this marked Roxy’s first involvement in a band. Originally named the Adhesives, they changed their name after discovering another local band shared that title.

In September 2001, the Epoxies debuted with a 7" vinyl release through Seattle’s Dirtnap Records, featuring tracks "Need More Time," "Molded Plastic," and a cover of Adam and the Ants’ "Beat My Guest." This release initiated a long-term relationship with Dirtnap Records and connections with other Pacific Northwest bands such as The Briefs and The Spits.

Rising Success (2002–2006)

Following their initial release, the group issued a full-length album in March 2002, accompanied by extensive tours along the West Coast. After this album's launch, Kid Polymer departed and was succeeded by Shock Diode on bass, who adopted a clone persona.

In October 2003, they put out the 7" single "Synthesised," including a B-side cover of Alice Cooper’s "Clones (We’re All)." Before embarking on their first U.S. tour that year, they compiled earlier singles into a CD EP sold at shows. Shortly afterward, Dr. Grip exited the band and was replaced by Ray Cathode, who also embraced a clone character.

The band maintained an active touring schedule across the U.S. in 2003 and 2004, frequently opening for the Groovie Ghoulies, and made their European debut touring alongside NOFX in 2004. Their track "Need More Time" was featured on Fat Wreck Chords’ Rock Against Bush compilation in 2005.

This increased visibility led to a contract with Fat Wreck Chords for their sophomore album, Stop the Future, which was released in April 2005. The album included a cover of the Scorpions’ "Robot Man," blending rapid-fire tracks with more melodic compositions like "Toys," their lengthiest song to that point.

Throughout 2005 and 2006, they toured extensively with groups such as The Aquabats, The Phenomenauts, Smoke or Fire, The Soviettes, Against Me!, and Teenage Bottlerocket. During this time frame, they re-recorded "Synthesised" in the fictional Simlish language for inclusion in the 2006 video game The Sims 2: Open for Business.

Hiatus and Subsequent Activities

In June 2007, The Epoxies secured a deal with Metropolis Records and followed up with the EP My New World released in August of the same year. Updates on Metropolis’ website suggested that a full-length album was expected later in 2007. Nevertheless, in a March 2008 interview posted on MySpace, lead singer Roxy indicated that the band was either disbanded or entering a prolonged break.

Starting in April 2007, Roxy Epoxy took on hosting duties at the campus radio station of Portland State University. By March 2014, she was leading the new wave/pop rock ensemble Roxy Epoxy and the Rebound, which debuted their album Band Aids on Bullet Holes in March 2009 under Metropolis Records and embarked on a national tour alongside TheStart. As a solo performer, she released a five-track EP called 1000 in 2010 through avant-garde French label Rotorelief. In 2016, Roxy pursued an MBA at F.W. Olin School of Business at Babson College. Subsequently, she collaborated with Chris Pierce to record a new album at Volume IV studio located in New Brunswick, NJ. Faux Replika’s first album, "Presenting!", was launched in January 2020 via Rad Girlfriend Records; however, live shows have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

FM Static briefly toured as guitarist "Fritz M. Static" for the Oakland-based Rocket Roll group The Phenomenauts and continued serving as their touring keyboardist until 2014. Since 2010, he has performed bass for the new wave punk band The Bloodtypes, which has completed tours both nationally and internationally and released an album along with an EP. Additionally, he initiated a synth punk solo project named Static and the Cubes.

Ryan (Shock Diode) contributed to Cecilia and the Sauerkrauts' record Sauerkraut, Wurst Und Other Delights before establishing the synth punk band Sex Crime with his wife Cecilia and former Epoxies drummer Tim (Ray Cathode). Sex Crime has produced three 7" singles and one full-length album under Danger Records.

Tim (Ray Cathode) co-founded Portland’s band The Bourbonettes, later renamed Suicide Notes, which featured on Shower Time! A Tribute to The Punk Group. Suicide Notes have released two singles and one full album through Dead Beat Records.

On May 29, 2010, The Epoxies reunited for a single benefit concert held in Portland. FM Static cautioned attendees that this reunion was unlikely to recur.

On April 14, 2015, Roxy Epoxy teased a potential show via Twitter, sparking reunion rumors. Two days later, The Epoxies confirmed their participation alongside The Spits at Dante's in Portland for the Project Pabst Music Festival scheduled for July 18, 2015. This sold-out event marked their energetic return to live performance.

Musical Style

The Epoxies formed as a counter-response to prevailing rock trends by placing strong emphasis on engaging live performances and striking homemade costumes.[1] A synthesizer was purposefully integrated to defy conventional music standards; initially chosen to provoke with an instrument considered unfashionable at the time. However, as synthesizers became more mainstream, comparisons arose linking them to bands such as The Bravery and The Killers, leading the group to reassess their public persona.[2] FM frequently performed using a monophonic Roland SH-101 keytar.[1] Viz utilized a customized Epiphone Explorer guitar outfitted with lasers and LED arrays, enhancing the band’s futuristic image.[3]

Albums

  • 2002 Epoxies
  • 2005 Stop the Future

EPs

  • 2001 Epoxies
  • 2007 My New World

Singles

Year Title Album/EP
2005 "Synthesized" Stop the Future

Videos

  • "Stop Looking at Me" (2002)
  • "Need More Time" (2002)
  • "Molded Plastic" (2002)
  • "You" (2002)
  • "Synthesized" (2005)

Albums

  • Band Aids on Bullet Holes (2009) – Metropolis Records

EPs

  • 1000 (EP) (2010) – Rotorelief
    1. 1000
    2. Dark Dance
    3. Move Your Lips
    4. What's There Left
    5. Bad Stars

External links

The Epoxies

Roxy Epoxy

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named amp
  2. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named aversion
  3. ↑ ...
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