Lifter (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1992 in Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Founder | Jeffrey Sebelia, Mike Coulter |
| Defunct | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
Number of employees | 3 (band members) |
| Website | https://www.biggerthanchristmas.com/the-story |
Lifter was a grunge group originating from Los Angeles, California, recognized primarily for their modest hit "402" and their bassist, Jeffrey Sebelia. Allmusic referred to them as "the overlooked champions of 90's adolescent angst."
1992–1994: Early Independent Work
Jeffrey Sebelia and Mike Coulter founded Lifter after meeting in rehab, later adding John Rozas to finalize the trio. They played shows around Silverlake and issued several singles through Fingerpaint and Triple X Records, cultivating a dedicated local following.
1994–1996: Interscope Signing and Melinda (Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt)
Lifter secured a contract with Interscope Records in 1994. Prior to recording sessions, Coulter completed rehab for heroin and cocaine addiction as part of the label’s conditions.
Their major label debut, Melinda (Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt), released in April 1996, climbed to number 3 on the CMJ Top 75 Alternative Airplay chart. The album, inspired by Coulter’s breakup with Melinda, was praised for its lyrical depth and musicianship. Notably, Keanu Reeves from Dogstar listed it among his favorite albums of 1996.
Promotion involved videos for "Headshot" and "The Rich, Dark, Sultry Red of Hate," both directed by Johnathan Craven. The latter video was featured on MTV's 120 Minutes, while "402" achieved limited success on Seattle’s KNDD radio despite Interscope issuing a cease-and-desist order. Although initially promised as a single, "402" was never officially released by the label.
Despite favorable reviews and some airplay traction, Melinda failed to break through commercially.
1996–1998: Disbandment
Following the album cycle, Lifter recorded five tracks in 1998 with new drummer Angie Scarpa and producer Bob Marlette at A&M Studios. These recordings were submitted to their record company but went unanswered. Anticipating no promotional support, the band requested to be released from their contract, which was granted.[1] The group then dissolved on good terms. Mike Coulter later explained that disappointment over the album’s lack of success led him to temporarily step away from music.[2][3]
2004–2012: Short-Lived Reunions
In 2004, Lifter launched facecrime.com to share some demo tracks from 1998; however, this caused confusion due to the site's previous association with an At the Drive-In fan forum.[4] In 2006, Sebelia and Coulter collaborated on the track "Swing" for Olympus Fashion Week, with Sebelia announcing intentions for a new album,[5] though no subsequent material was released. The website remained inactive after 2006,[6] and the band is generally regarded as inactive. Lifter briefly reunited in 2013 for a benefit concert alongside Campfire Girls and Plexi.[7]
Activities Following the Breakup
After the group disbanded, each member embarked on distinct ventures.
Mike Coulter stepped away from the music industry for an extended period before releasing Saviors, his first studio album in nearly two decades, on September 15, 2015, through Cautionary Tail Records. This record features a newly recorded version of Lifter's 1998 demo track, "Calm Me Down".
Jeffrey Sebelia shifted his focus to the fashion world, ultimately winning the third season of Bravo's Project Runway in 2006. His victory came despite controversies involving accusations of cheating by fellow contestant Laura Bennett and criticism over his confrontational behavior.
Media Appearances
- Both the band and Mike Coulter were highlighted in the 2005 publication Wrecking Crew: The Really Bad News Griffith Park Pirates, authored by former Bad Religion drummer John Albert.
- The song "Swing" was used as part of Jeffrey Sebelia's presentation during Olympus Fashion Week in 2006.
Members
Last lineup
- Mike Coulter – vocals, guitar (1992–1998, 2006)
- Jeffrey Sebelia – bass guitar (1992–1998, 2006)
- Angie Scarpa – drums (1996–1998)
Former members
- John Rozas – drums (1992–1996)
Studio Albums
| Year | Album Title | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Melinda (Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt) |
|
Singles
| Year | Single Title | Associated Album |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | "402 / Big & Tall" | Non-album singles |
| 1994 | "Nova / Shutout" | |
| 1996 | "Headshot" | Melinda (Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt) |
Split Releases
| Year | Title | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1995 | Lifter & Campfire Girls |
|
Music Videos
| Video Title | Release Year | Directors | From Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "The Rich, Dark, Sultry Red of Hate" | 1995 | Jonathan Craven, Mike Coulter | Melinda (Everything Was Beautiful and Nothing Hurt) |
| "Headshot" | 1996 |
External Links
- https://www.biggerthanchristmas.com/the-story – An in-depth narrative about the band by Mike Coulter
References
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs named:3 - ↑ "The Original Lifter". 2003-12-06. Retrieved 2022-05-08.
- ↑ "Jeffrey Sebelia Announces plans for a new Lifter record..." Retrieved 2022-05-08.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs named:5 - ↑ Bronson, Kevin (2013-04-26). "Campfire Girls, Plexi, Lifter reassemble to play benefit show for the family of Denise Franco". Retrieved 2025-06-04.