Obits
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2006 |
| Defunct | 2015 |
| Headquarters | Brooklyn, New York , United States |
| Products | Indie rock, garage punk music |
Obits was a rock group originating from Brooklyn, New York, established in 2006. The lineup consisted of experienced musicians from the indie rock scene: Guitarist and vocalist Rick Froberg had previously played with Pitchfork, Drive Like Jehu, and Hot Snakes, while guitarist Sohrab Habibion came from the band Edsel. Their discography includes five singles and three full-length albums: I Blame You (2009), Moody, Standard and Poor (2011), and Bed and Bugs (2013).
History
Following the dissolution of Hot Snakes, Rick Froberg returned to New York in 2005 and soon began crafting new songs. By 2006, he was rehearsing alongside drummer Scott Gursky, known from Shortstack, and guitarist Sohrab Habibion. Instead of recruiting a third guitarist, they brought in bassist Greg Simpson. Obits made their live debut on January 12, 2008, at the Cake Shop venue in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. An unofficial recording of this performance circulated online, boosting their visibility on MySpace.
This exposure attracted the attention of Sub Pop A&R representative Chris Jacobs, who invited them to play at the label’s twentieth anniversary festival in Seattle during the summer of that year. Although Obits eventually signed with Sub Pop, their initial single "One Cross Apiece" / "Put It in Writing" was released independently through their own Stint Records label.
Their first album, I Blame You, was released by Sub Pop on March 24, 2009. Froberg commented on their unhurried approach: "We wanted to take our time... We weren't certain about releasing records; our focus was simply on creating something." The album garnered favorable critiques; Allmusic recognized it as proof of Obits being "a very good band," while suggesting improvements in songwriting. Pitchfork referred to it as Froberg’s "most melodic and varied work."
The band issued a second single, "I Can't Lose" / "Military Madness," coinciding with Record Store Day 2009. They toured the U.S. East Coast in April and the West Coast in May. Their sophomore album, Moody, Standard and Poor, was launched on March 29, 2011. Subsequent tours spanned the Midwest and East Coast regions, including an appearance at South by Southwest. Froberg expressed optimism about Obits’ potential for greater longevity compared to his earlier bands.
In May 2011, drummer Scott Gursky departed and was succeeded by Alexis Fleisig from Girls Against Boys. The group’s third album, Bed and Bugs, was released on September 10, 2013.
On April 1, 2015, Obits declared their disbandment via Instagram, clarifying that the announcement was genuine. Later that year, Habibion and Simpson became members of the band SAVAK, with Froberg contributing by designing their debut album cover.
Rick Froberg passed away on June 30, 2023.
Musical style
Obits’ sound merges elements of indie rock with garage punk. According to Mark Deming from Allmusic, their music features "tight, no-frills rock & roll characterized by intricately intertwined guitar parts, powerful rhythms, and a melodic approach that balances indie rock sensibilities with garage punk influences":[1]
Froberg and Habibion create an energetic guitar partnership where thick blues-inspired chords meet sharp, angular riffs. Bassist Greg Simpson together with drummer Gursky form a rhythm section that anchors the songs with precision while thoughtfully filling sonic spaces. Their collective sound combines the crispness reminiscent of the Ventures with the raw vitality akin to Radio Birdman.[2]
Jason Crock of Pitchfork Media emphasizes the “interplay of guitars channeling surf and rockabilly influences into a biting edge, basslines that exude confidence rather than merely moving along, and drums that balance restraint with vigor.”[3]
Members
- Rick Froberg – guitar, lead vocals (2006–2015)
- Greg Simpson – bass guitar (2006–2015)
- Sohrab Habibion – guitar and vocals (2006–2015)
- Scott Gursky – drums (2006–2011)
- Alexis Fleisig – drums (2011–2015)
Albums
- I Blame You (2009)
- Moody, Standard and Poor (2011)
- Bed and Bugs (2013)
Singles
- "One Cross Apiece" / "Put It in Writing" (2008)
- "I Can't Lose" / "Military Madness" (2009)
- "Let Me Dream If I Want To" / "The City Is Dead" (2012)
- "Refund" / "Suez Canal" (2012)
- "Refund (Live)" / "Talking to the Dog (Live)" / "New August (Live)" (2013, 7" vinyl)
Compilations
- L.E.G.I.T. (2014) [Limited edition singles collection released exclusively in Japan]
Live albums
- Die at the Zoo (2021) [Captured live in Brisbane, Australia, 2012]