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~BIOgraphy There are only 365 days in a year...so how did GOLDFINGER manage to play 382 shows in 1996? Its they're love for music says the lead singer and songwriter for goldfinger, John Feldmann. GOLDFINGER holds the record for the most live shows played in 1 year in 1996.
GOLDFINGER had an crazy touring schedule where they were doing headlining tours and still managing to go on the road with bands like 311,Reel Big Fish, and both NOFX and Pennywise for the Warped Tour.
"Here in Your Bedroom" was GOLDFINGER'S first #1 smash. GOLDFINGER never stopped touring after that hit. "..pop-punk nirvana with a hint of jamaican seasoning" is what writer Jim DeRogatis described it to be like. Produced by John Feldmann, GOLDFINGER made theyre next album "Hang-Ups". This album consisted of 16 new songs some being "Authority, "Too Late," "This Lonely Place," "20 Cent GoodBye," and "Disorder".
Hang-Ups is a bigger, thicker, poppier record. We mixed up the sound to create a more diverse record in a pop sense." says bassist Simon Williams.
"...For the new album, we tried to focus more on writing a collection of songs rather than trying to make sure we're playing fast enough or making a statement of style. We're two years older, as are most of our fans, so why hand them yesterday's newspaper?" --These were the words added by guitarist Charlie Paulson.
Solidifying their ska and pop influences, GOLDFINGER recruited musicians of such renowned ska-inspired bands as No Doubt, the Skeletones, and Fishbone (whose singer Angelo Moore shared vocals with Feldmann on "Carlita" and "I Need To Know") to lend their unique touches to Hang-Ups. Utilizing the expertise of these players, GOLDFINGER made use of such instruments as the flauto magico, mandolin, theramin, and guico as well as the Hammond organ, sax, trombone, and a drum machine. Still, GOLDFINGER's true growth and talent really shine when one hears how eloquently they incorporate these sounds and influences on Hang-Ups.
Another big inspiration for the band has been their road experiences, which led to a more heartfelt style of lyric writing. Paulson explains, "Touring the world helped us break out of our shell, which is essentially Hollywood. This city is such a vacuum that people seem to think it's the end all, but right now there's someone in Berlin on their way to a factory and someone in Japan's getting on the bullet train, and these things have nothing to do with what's cool in L.A. at the moment. Seeing the world in this way affected our songwriting. We're not able to change the world, but we say what we need to for us, and somebody's going to identify with it."
Feldmann adds, "The first record was mostly relationship-oriented because that's what inspires me the most to write songs. Hang-Ups goes a little deeper, though, because I was also very inspired by all the people I met on the road. It reminded me of what it was like when I was fourteen and first playing in bands and all the problems I had with my folks." Songs along these lines include "Authority" and "Too Late," the latter of which is about a dad who dies before he settles all his issues with his son.
Yet, as a band that prides itself on doing Twisted Sister and Motley Crue covers in concert, GOLDFINGER is still GOLDFINGER and serious lyrics always keep company with smart ass songs permeated with snide sarcasm and tongue-in-cheek humor. All in all, GOLDFINGER mix creative, innovative songwriting, massive pop hooks, and an often frightening sense of humor into a sound that makes for one of the best and craziest live shows anyone could hope to see.
