Ultimate Fakebook
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1994 |
| Headquarters | Manhattan, Kansas , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs |
| Website | scene-stealers |
Ultimate Fakebook is a trio from Manhattan, Kansas, known for their contributions to the American power pop scene.
Albums and EPs
The band’s discography includes five full-length albums and one EP: Electric Kissing Parties (1997, Noisome Records), This Will Be Laughing Week (initially 1999 on Noisome Records, then reissued in 2000 by 550 Music/Epic Records), Open up and Say Awesome (2002, Initial Records), the EP Before We Spark (2003, Initial Records), Daydream Radio Is Smiling Static (2010, self-released), and The Preserving Machine (2020, Sonic Ritual Records).
Hiatus and Subsequent Endeavors
Following the release of their 2003 EP Before We Spark, Ultimate Fakebook disbanded to explore other projects.
In 2007, members Melin and Warnock competed on VH1's World Series of Pop Culture under the team name "Westerberg High," advancing to the quarterfinal round. Currently, they co-manage a website dedicated to film critiques and pop culture discussions at scene-stealers.com.
The group reunited for a live performance on December 30, 2008, at Kansas City’s recordBar. A subsequent reunion occurred on February 5, 2009, featuring a larger benefit concert at the Uptown Theater in Kansas City to support the JayDoc free clinic, an organization providing medical services to underserved communities through volunteer efforts.
In December 2009, Ultimate Fakebook served as the opening act for their former associates Motion City Soundtrack during a Chicago show. They also returned to Record Bar in Kansas City on December 28, 2013, performing selections from their album Daydream Radio is Smiling Static.
During 2024 and 2025, the band embarked on a nationwide tour celebrating the 25th anniversary of the indie release of This Will Be Laughing Week, performing the album in its entirety.
Recent Releases
On July 27, 2010, Ultimate Fakebook independently released Daydream Radio Is Smiling Static, their first album since 2003. This digital-only collection features sixteen original tracks plus one cover song and was made available exclusively via their website.
In April 2020, they issued The Preserving Machine through Sonic Ritual Records. This marked their first new studio material in sixteen years and included singles such as After Hours at Melin's and Manhattan, KS.
Band Members
- Bill McShane – vocals, guitar
- Nick Colby – bass guitar
- Eric Melin – drums
- Jason "Mot" Waldmann – drums
- J.D. Warnock – guitar
Discography
| Year | Title | Label | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | Electric Kissing Parties | Noisome Records | Album |
| 1999 | This Will Be Laughing Week | Noisome Records | Album |
| 2000 | This Will Be Laughing Week | 550 Music/Epic Records | Album |
| 2002 | Open Up and Say "Awesome" | Initial Records | Album |
| 2003 | Before We Spark | Initial Records | EP |
| 2010 | Daydream Radio Is Smiling Static | Self-released | Album |
| 2020 | The Preserving Machine | Sonic Ritual Recordings | Album |