Save Ferris
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1995 in Orange County, California, United States |
| Headquarters | Orange County, California , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
Save Ferris is a ska punk ensemble from the United States, established circa 1995 in Orange County, California. Their moniker is a nod to the 1986 motion picture Ferris Bueller's Day Off. Beginning their journey in 1995, they performed within the underground music scene of Southern California. In 1996, they earned a Grammy showcase award recognizing them as the best unsigned act and subsequently secured a deal with Epic Records. Their inaugural full-length album, It Means Everything, was released in 1997. By 1999, the group transitioned their sound from ska-pop to pop-punk. After a period of inactivity, Save Ferris returned with the Checkered Past EP in 2017.
Their most renowned track is the 1997 rendition of "Come On Eileen", originally performed by British new wave band Dexys Midnight Runners.
1995–1996: Formation and Introducing Save Ferris EP
Formed following the dissolution of multiple Orange County bands, Save Ferris operated independently under their own label, Starpool. They organized performances throughout Southern California, cultivating a dedicated underground fanbase.
In 1996, they independently launched their first EP, Introducing Save Ferris, via Starpool Records, achieving sales close to 20,000 units without major label support. That same year, lead singer Monique Powell contributed vocals to Reel Big Fish’s track "She Has A Girlfriend Now" from the album Turn the Radio Off, which became one of Reel Big Fish's most popular songs.
The band garnered considerable backing from Southern California audiences and became staples on KROQ radio's “Rodney on the Rock,” earning consistent airplay—potentially becoming the first unsigned act to receive such exposure on Los Angeles alternative radio. Later in 1996, they were honored with a Grammy showcase award for best unsigned band by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, which facilitated their signing with Epic Records (SONY).
1997: Release of It Means Everything and rise to prominence
In 1997, Save Ferris unveiled their debut full album, It Means Everything, through Epic Records. This release featured re-recorded material from their earlier EP alongside new compositions and included a cover of "Come On Eileen" by Dexys Midnight Runners, which emerged as their signature single. The album’s opener, "The World is New," was featured in the 1998 film The Big Hit, trailers for both Senseless (1998) and Thomas and the Magic Railroad (2000), as well as an episode of 7th Heaven.
To promote It Means Everything, Save Ferris embarked on extensive tours, supporting acts such as Sugar Ray, The Offspring, Goldfinger, and Reel Big Fish. They also secured main stage appearances on the Vans Warped Tour in 1998 and again in 2000. In April 1998, they made their debut on HBO’s music program Reverb and appeared in the teen movie 10 Things I Hate About You (1999). The album surpassed 400,000 copies sold, produced three Top 10 singles in markets including Japan and Mexico, attained platinum status from the RIAA, and had two singles charting on the Billboard Hot 100, receiving international airplay across alternative radio stations.
1998–1999: Transition during the Modified period
After drummer Marc Harismendy left the group in 1998, Save Ferris unveiled their second studio album, Modified, in October 1999 under Epic Records. This release marked a transition from their original ska-pop sound toward a pop-punk style, producing three Top Ten singles in both Japan and Mexico. Notably, the song "The Only Way to Be" was featured in the 2000 motion picture Scary Movie.
To promote Modified, the band embarked on an extensive tour schedule, which included a U.S. tour alongside Lit and a headline tour across the United Kingdom.
2000–2003: Hiatus and For the Fans tour
In 2002, Save Ferris performed at the 2002 Winter Olympics during the Men's Halfpipe competition held in Park City, Utah. The band experienced major lineup shifts during this period, including the departure of primary songwriter Brian Mashburn in 2002. Subsequently, Eric Zamora and Bill Uechi formed a separate musical project. By October 2002, Save Ferris officially announced their disbandment.
Following Mashburn’s exit, Monique Powell independently financed the 2003 For the Fans tour across the United States. This tour featured a prominent appearance on the main stage at Ska Summit in Las Vegas, drawing an audience exceeding 10,000.
2004–2012: Activities after disbandment
From 2004 through 2008, Powell contributed to recordings by artists such as The Used, Lostprophets, Hilary Duff, and Goldfinger. In 2008, she founded The Mojo Wire, which toured regionally before dissolving.
Meanwhile, in 2003, former Save Ferris members Bill Uechi, Brian Mashburn, T-Bone Willy, Eric Zamora, and Oliver Zavala joined forces with Alan Meade (previously of No Doubt) and Phil Hanson to establish the band Starpool.
2013–present: Band reformation
After a decade-long break, Powell revived Save Ferris in 2013 with a refreshed lineup of musicians. They headlined sold-out concerts at venues including the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa and the El Rey Theatre in Los Angeles.
The Costa Mesa show sparked legal conflicts over ownership of the band's name between Powell and former members. Ultimately, Powell secured exclusive rights to the name, branding elements, social media accounts, and received previously uncredited songwriting acknowledgments. By 2015, these disputes were reportedly resolved amicably.
That same year, ASCAP updated its records to credit Powell as a songwriter on several tracks.
In 2016, Save Ferris successfully funded their first new album in over fifteen years through a PledgeMusic campaign. They also co-headlined Mexico City Ska Fest alongside the Mighty Mighty Bosstones.
On February 10, 2017, they released the Checkered Past EP. Produced by John Avila of Oingo Boingo, it featured Neville Staple from The Specials on the lead single "New Sound." Throughout 2017, the band toured extensively and participated in events such as the Vans Warped Tour.
On December 14, 2023, Save Ferris issued their first Christmas single and first new track in six years titled "Xmas Blue." Following releases include "Lights Out in The Reptile House" on July 19, 2024, and "Get Dancing" on April 29, 2025—both accompanied by official music videos.
Lineup
- Current
- Monique Powell – lead vocals, primary songwriter, sole proprietor (1995–present)
- Former Members
- Bill Uechi – bass guitar (1995–2002)
- Eric Zamora – alto and tenor saxophones (1995–2002)
- Brian Mashburn – guitar and backing vocals (1995–2002)
- Jesse Tunnell – trombone (1995–1996)
- T-Bone Willy – trombone (1996–2002)
- José Castellaños – trumpet (1995–2000)
- Jimmy Levy – guitar and backing vocals (1996–1997)
- Oliver Zavala – trumpet and backing vocals (2000–2002)
- Adam Plost – guitar (2000)
- Steve White – trumpet (2002)
- Steve Cordero – drums (1995)
- Marc Harismendy – drums (1995–1998)
- Evan Kilbourne – drums (1998–2002)
- Denny Weston Jr. – drums (2013–2015)
- Joe Berry – saxophone, additional guitar and backing vocals (2013–2015)
- Gordon Bash – bass and backing vocals (2013–2017), trumpet (2013–2015)
- Patrick Ferguson – guitar (2013–2017)
- Erik Hughes – trombone (2013–2016)
- Alex Burke – keyboards (2013–2016)
- Scott Jones – trumpet (2015)
- Connor McElwain – trumpet (2015–2017)
- Richard Velzen – trombone (2016–2025)
- Jonathan Levi Shanes – keyboards (2016–2017)
- Alexander Mathias – saxophone (2016–2017)
- Jesse Stern – bass and backing vocals (2017–2018)
- Nate Light – bass and backing vocals (2018–2019)
- Max O'Leary – trumpet (2017–2019)
- Brandon Dickert – drums (2015–2018)
- Adrienne Nolff – co-lead vocals (1995–1996)
- Justin Linn – guitars and vocals (2018–2020)
- Alex Csillag – trombone and keyboards (2017–2019)
- Tristan Hurd – trumpet (2023)
- Jamie Howell – drums (2020–2023)
- Jake Courlang – bass guitar (2020–2023)
Timeline
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Albums
| Year | Album information | Peak chart rankings |
|---|---|---|
| US | ||
| 1997 | It Means Everything
|
75 |
| 1999 | Modified
|
136 |
EPs and other releases
| Year | Release details |
|---|---|
| 1996 | Introducing Save Ferris
|
| 2017 | Checkered Past
|
| 2024 | Lights Out In the Reptile House / Xmas Blue
|
| 2025 | Get Dancing / Ooh Ooh Rudi
|
Singles
| Year | Single title | Peak chart rankings | Associated album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US | |||
| Alternative Songs | |||
| 1997 | "Come On Eileen" | 26 | It Means Everything |
| "Goodbye" | 32 | ||
| 1998 | "The World Is New" | ||
| "Superspy" | |||
| 2017 | "New Sound" (featuring Neville Staple) | Checkered Past | |
| 2023 | "Xmas Blue" | ||
| 2024 | "Lights Out In the Reptile House" | ||
| 2025 | "Get Dancing" |
Other appearances
In 2001, Monique and her family took part in the unaired pilot episode of VH1's Rock Feud, a music-themed adaptation of the game show Family Feud, hosted by former Mad TV cast member Johnny A. Sanchez. Their challengers were the band Lit.
Several tracks by Save Ferris were included on various compilation albums and soundtracks, excluding songs initially released on the band's own albums and EPs.
| Year | Release information | Track featured |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Punk vs. Ska, Round I
|
|
The Ska Parade: Runnin' Naked Thru the Cornfield
|
| |
| 1998 | Santa's Swingin' Sack
|
|
| 1999 | 10 Things I Hate About You soundtrack
|
|
| 2000 | The Real Slim Santa
|
|