Halo Friendlies
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1998 in Long Beach, California, United States |
| Founder | Judita Wignall |
| Headquarters | Long Beach , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
The Halo Friendlies were a pop punk ensemble composed entirely of women, originating from Long Beach, California. The group was established by Judita Wignall after she purchased a guitar during a thrift store outing while on a date with Matt Wignall, known for his work with Havalina and Matt Death and the New Intellectuals. Their original lineup for the 1998 self-titled album featured Cheryl Hecht on guitar, Natalie Bolanos handling bass duties, Tafida Allen on drums, and Deanna Moody playing percussion. By the time their 1999 release Acid Wash came out, Hecht had departed and was succeeded by Ginger Reyes, who took over bass and shared lead vocals alongside Wignall, allowing Bolanos to switch to lead guitar. In 2000, Christina Hock replaced Moody on percussion, and before their UK tour in 2003, Claudia Rossi (formerly of Jack Off Jill) assumed the role of drummer.
Although the Halo Friendlies openly embraced a Christian identity, their music explored spiritual topics in a manner that avoided rigid doctrinal assertions.
At present, the band remains on an indefinite break as its members focus on individual solo endeavors.
Between April 2007 and March 2010, Ginger Reyes served as bassist for The Smashing Pumpkins.
In popular culture
Their track "Me vs. the World" was included on the soundtrack for the film Freaky Friday, with its music video also featured on the DVD release.
The group made an appearance performing "Run Away" in the ninth episode of season six of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, titled "Smashed."
They contributed the song "Play it Loud" to MxPx’s 2003 album Before Everything & After.
Songs such as "Over It" and "Anything For You" were used in episodes of the television show Joan Of Arcadia.
Judita Wignall lent her vocals to "In Love," a bonus track featured in the 2007 video game Guitar Hero III, performing with Scouts of St. Sebastian.
Members
- Natalie Bolanos – bass guitar, lead guitar, backing vocals (1998–2004)
- Judita Wignall – lead vocals, backing vocals, guitar (1998–2004)
- Tafida Allen – drums (1998)
- Ginger Reyes – bass, lead vocals, backing vocals (1999–2004)
- Claudia Rossi – drums (2003–2004)
- Cheryl Hecht – guitar (1998–1999)
- Deanna Moody – drums (1998–2000)
- Christina Hock – drums (2000–2003)
Discography
- Halo Friendlies (1998, Jackson Rubio)
- Acid Wash (1999, Jackson Rubio)
- Ghetto Demo (2000)
- Get Real (2002, Tooth & Nail)