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The Fucking Champs
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The Fucking Champs are a three-piece rock band from San Francisco, California.[1] They are known for their heavy metal sound, based largely around shifting time signatures, guitar harmonies, and plentiful rhythm. Most songs are instrumental. They are currently signed to Drag City. They have also collaborated with Trans Am and the two have recorded albums together as TransChamps and The Fucking Am. Founded in Santa Cruz in the early 1990s, the band was initially called The Champs, but added the "Fucking" to their name – following a brief stint as The Champs UK[2] – because The Champs had been used by a band in the late 1950s.
Key Information
Tim Green was a member of Nation of Ulysses, Lice, The Vile Cherubs and The Young Ginns. He has released various solo albums and remixes under the name Concentrick. He has also recorded and produced numerous bands through his own Louder Studios.
Drummer Tim Soete was the singer/guitarist of San Diego mod revivalists The Event and guitarist/vocalist for Santa Cruz band Tail Dragger.
Phil Manley is a founding member of Trans Am and has also released albums under his own name. In 2011, he collaborated with Earthless guitarist Isaiah Mitchell, under the name 'Mitchell Manley', to release an EP for Thrill Jockey. He also works as a recording engineer and has worked with numerous bands in the Bay Area.
Founding Champs guitarist Josh Smith was also a member of the cult San Francisco black metal band Weakling, as well as fronting the power pop band The Makes Nice and playing guitar in Drunk Horse. He is currently a member of The Futur Skullz.
Phil Manley stated in a January 31, 2011 interview that "The Champs have broken up. Tim Soete has moved to San Diego and Tim Green lives in Grass Valley, California. I have been playing a bit with Josh Smith, but not as the Champs".[3] Contrary to Mr. Manley's statement, The Fucking Champs recorded a remix of Justice's song "Civilization" for Justice's Civilization EP released June 6, 2011.
In 2023, the Champs reissued a brand new remaster of their debut double LP "III" on 12 inch vinyl.[4]
Members
[edit]Current[5]
- Tim Soete – drums, guitar, 9-string guitar, keyboards, vocals (1992–present)
- Tim Green – guitar, keyboards, vocals (1995–present)
- Phil Manley – guitar, 9-string guitar, bass, keyboards, vocals (2003–present)
Former
- Josh Smith – guitar, 9-string guitar, keyboards, vocals (1992–2003)
- Adam Cantwell – guitar (1993–1995) (also known from the band Spaceboy)
- Alex Wharton
Timeline
[edit]
Discography
[edit]|
Studio albums
Collaborative releases
|
Singles, EP's
Compilation albums
|
External links
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Parker, Matthew (May 26, 2023). "Jimmy Page and Jack White both loved Metallica's St. Anger, according to Bob Rock". Yahoo Entertainment. Archived from the original on June 3, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ "Radical Research Podcast | Episode 119 – The Fu*king Champs 1994-2007: Hot-Ass Majesty". Radical Research. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ Flabmag, Flabmag. "Phil Manley Is Your Life Coach". Flabmag. Archived from the original on December 10, 2012. Retrieved January 22, 2012.
- ^ "WE ARE THE (FUCKING) CHAMPIONS". Drag City. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
- ^ Ludwig, Jamie (June 24, 2007). "The Fucking Champs". Alarm.com. C.M.E.G, LLC. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
The Fucking Champs
View on GrokipediaHistory
Formation and early years
The Fucking Champs originated in Santa Cruz, California, in 1992, when drummer Tim Soete and guitarist Josh Smith formed the band initially under the name The Champs.[7][1] Shortly after their formation, the group relocated to San Francisco, immersing themselves in the local underground music scene.[3][1] In 1993, guitarist Adam Cantwell joined the lineup, contributing to the band's early dual-guitar sound without a dedicated bassist.[8] That same year, they self-released their first recording, the cassette Fresca, which captured their raw, instrumental rock style in demo form.[8] By 1994, they issued the demo cassette Triumph of the Air Elementals, further honing their intricate, riff-driven compositions.[8] The following year, 1995, saw the release of the live tape Bad Recording LIVE! under the original name The Champs, alongside the 7-inch EP Some Swords on Galaxia Records, featuring tracks like "Some Swords" and "Andres Segovia Interests Me."[3][9] Also in 1995, guitarist Tim Green, formerly of Nation of Ulysses, joined the band, solidifying the core trio configuration.[1] Facing potential legal issues from the preexisting 1950s doo-wop band of the same name, known for the hit "Tequila," the group changed their moniker around 1997, briefly adopting the temporary alias C4AM95 before settling on The Fucking Champs.[10][11] This period marked their first full-length effort, the double album III, recorded and released in 1997 on Frenetic Records, which showcased 25 instrumental tracks emphasizing technical precision and thematic song titles.[12][13] During these formative years, the band toured extensively in the West Coast underground circuit, playing small venues and building a grassroots following among indie and punk audiences.[1][14]Mid-career development and releases
In the late 1990s, The Fucking Champs signed with Drag City Records, enabling wider distribution for their music beyond independent labels.[3] This partnership facilitated the release of their fourth studio album, IV, on September 19, 2000, which showcased more intricate compositions through dual-guitar interplay and progressive structures, building on their earlier instrumental style.[15] The album's tracks, such as "Esprit de Corpse" and "Policenauts," highlighted the band's technical precision and thematic nods to video games and heavy metal tropes.[16] Following IV, The Fucking Champs collaborated with the instrumental rock band Trans Am on the EP Double Exposure, released in October 2001 under the moniker TransChamps via Thrill Jockey Records.[5] This project blended the groups' styles, resulting in high-octane tracks like "Disorder" that fused post-rock electronics with metal riffing, demonstrating the band's versatility in joint ventures.[17] The band's fifth album, V, arrived on May 20, 2002, also through Drag City, featuring high-energy instrumentals such as "Never Enough Neck" and "Children Perceive the Hoax Cluster," which emphasized rapid tempo shifts and aggressive dynamics.[18] Recorded primarily at Louder Studios in San Francisco from 1998 to 2002, the album supported extensive international touring, including stops across North America and initial European dates that helped solidify their presence.[19] In 2003, guitarist Josh Smith departed the lineup, with Phil Manley—previously of Trans Am—joining as the second guitarist alongside Tim Green, contributing to a refinement in the band's sound through tighter production and layered guitar tones.[20] That same year, Matador Records issued Greatest Hits, a compilation retrospective drawing from prior releases, including tracks like "Hats Off to Music" and "Lamplighter," which encapsulated their evolution up to that point.[21] By 2007, with Manley fully integrated, The Fucking Champs released VI on April 18 via Drag City, their most polished effort to date, featuring extended compositions such as "The Loge" and "A Forgotten Chapter in the History of Ideas" that explored epic structures and cleaner sonic clarity under Manley's production influence.[22] Throughout this period from 1998 to 2007, the band undertook relentless tours across North America and Europe, performing at venues and festivals that fostered a dedicated cult following within math rock and instrumental metal communities.[3][23] Their live shows, known for precise execution and high energy, attracted enthusiasts drawn to the genre-blending appeal.[24]Hiatus and revival
After the release of their sixth studio album, VI, in 2007, The Fucking Champs significantly reduced their output and entered a period of hiatus.[20] Throughout the hiatus, band members focused on individual pursuits. Tim Green managed Louder Studios in Grass Valley, California, and continued his solo work as Concentrick, with his last full-length release Aluminum Lake appearing in 2007; he also collaborated with projects including Citay and Drunk Horse.[1][25][20] Phil Manley remained active in Trans Am, co-founded the instrumental outfit Terry Gross, and contributed to Life Coach alongside Jon Theodore, while taking on production roles for acts such as Mammatus and Earthless.[26][27][28] One notable exception to the dormancy came in 2011, when the band provided a remix of "Civilization" for French electronic duo Justice's Civilization EP, released on [Ed Banger Records](/page/Ed Banger Records).[29] This contribution occurred amid reports of the band's dissolution due to members' relocations and personal commitments, though it suggested the group had not fully disbanded.[30] No live performances by the band have been documented since 2007.[23] Interest in the band's catalog revived in 2023 with Drag City's vinyl reissue of their 1997 double album III for its 25th anniversary; the edition featured a remaster from the original tapes by John Golden, restored artwork, and a gatefold sleeve, available in limited quantities.[31][4] As of November 2025, The Fucking Champs remain active on a low-key basis with Tim Green and Phil Manley on guitars, maintaining an online presence through social media and Bandcamp without announcements for new recordings or tours.[32][33]Musical style and influences
Core characteristics
The Fucking Champs are renowned for their exclusively instrumental compositions, eschewing vocals entirely to spotlight intricate guitar riffs and dynamic shifts that drive the music's intensity.[10][24] Their sound fuses elements of heavy metal, hardcore punk, progressive rock, and math rock, characterized by frequent use of odd time signatures such as 7/8 and 11/8, along with polyrhythms that create a sense of rhythmic complexity and propulsion.[10][34] This blend results in tracks that maintain a high level of technical precision while delivering raw energy, often building from subtle introductions to explosive climaxes.[2] Central to their style is the dual guitar interplay between Tim Green and Josh Smith, who employ layered harmonies and dueling riffs to construct dense, textured soundscapes.[35] Green's baritone guitar often anchors the lower registers, contrasting with Smith's higher leads to produce harmonic bursts that evoke classic metal shredding infused with progressive flair.[35] This guitar-centric approach emphasizes riff-based structures, where interlocking phrases and octave-spanning progressions form the backbone of each song, allowing for abrupt transitions that heighten the music's dramatic tension.[10] Drummer Tim Soete provides precise, propulsive beats that underpin these complex arrangements, with pounding percussion that locks into the guitars' rhythms to sustain relentless tempos.[35] His work focuses on tight, driving patterns that support the band's high-energy dynamics, often shifting suddenly to accentuate polyrhythmic elements or build toward cathartic releases.[34] The overall structures evoke the intensity of film scores or video game soundtracks through their cinematic builds and thematic motifs, blending melodic hooks with percussive fury.[10] The band's production has evolved notably over time, starting with raw, lo-fi aesthetics in early releases like III that captured a gritty, unpolished edge reflective of their indie rock roots.[1] Later albums, such as VI, feature cleaner, heavier tones with crisp clarity and glossy finishes, enhancing the guitars' bite and the drums' impact while preserving the core instrumental drive.[34][35]Key influences
The Fucking Champs' music draws significantly from 1970s heavy metal, particularly Black Sabbath's riff-driven approach, which informs the band's dense, riff-centric guitar interplay.[36] This influence is echoed in reviews noting their alignment with the heavier side of classic metal traditions, blending Sabbath's doom-laden grooves with more angular structures.[37] Similarly, Led Zeppelin's experimental ethos shaped early works like their album III, where the band intentionally mirrored the exploratory detours of Led Zeppelin III to test unconventional sounds before pursuing more ambitious releases.[38] Progressive rock pioneers such as King Crimson further impacted their style, inspiring complex time signatures and intricate compositions that push beyond straightforward metal.[10] Rush's technical precision also resonates in their rhythmic complexity and layered guitar harmonies.[37] The band's hardcore punk roots stem primarily from guitarist Tim Green's tenure in the influential Washington, D.C., outfit Nation of Ulysses, bringing an aggressive energy and DIY ethos to their instrumental framework.[39] This punk foundation contrasts with their metal leanings, creating a hybrid vigor evident in their high-octane delivery. Broader inspirations include video game music, as demonstrated by their contribution to the 8-bit tribute album Power Up! Mutations and Mutilations of 8-Bit Hits, where they reinterpreted The Legend of Zelda's overworld theme with chiptune-infused riffs.[40] Surf rock elements appear in their melodic phrasing, adding a buoyant, reverb-heavy twang to otherwise heavy arrangements.[41] On a member-specific level, founding guitarist Josh Smith's immersion in the San Francisco punk underground during the band's early years as C4AM95 infused their sound with raw, scene-driven intensity. Later addition Phil Manley, known from Trans Am and Golden, contributed jazz fusion sensibilities, evident in his projects' fusion of improvisational structures and rock grooves that enriched the band's later recordings.[42]Band members
Current members
The current lineup of The Fucking Champs consists of three core members who have shaped the band's instrumental rock sound through their technical prowess and collaborative history. Tim Soete serves as the band's founding drummer, having joined in 1992 and remaining active through the present day.[20] A versatile musician capable of playing guitar and keyboards in addition to drums, Soete is renowned for his precise and intricate drumming style, which contributes to the band's complex, riff-driven compositions.[43] He has also contributed drums to recordings associated with the Melvins, extending his influence into sludge and experimental rock circles.[44] Tim Green has been the band's guitarist since 1995, providing multi-instrumental support on bass, synthesizers, and cello across their discography.[45] Originally from the punk scene, Green previously played guitar in the influential hardcore band Nation of Ulysses before relocating to San Francisco.[20] In addition to his performing role, he operates Louder Recording Studios, where much of the band's work has been engineered and produced.[46] Phil Manley joined as the second guitarist in 2003, replacing Josh Smith and solidifying the dual-guitar attack that defines the band's heavy, progressive sound.[47] Known for his work in experimental rock outfits like Trans Am and Golden, Manley brings production expertise to the group, leveraging his experience as a recording engineer at El Studio in San Francisco.[48] His collaborations, including with drummer Jon Theodore of The Mars Volta through projects like Life Coach, highlight his ties to broader post-rock and prog circles.[49]Former members
Josh Smith was a founding member and guitarist of The Fucking Champs, contributing from the band's inception in 1992 until 2003. He played a pivotal role in developing the group's early raw, instrumental heavy metal sound through his intricate guitar work, often in tandem with second guitarist Tim Green. Smith departed the band to focus on other musical endeavors, including stints with Drunk Horse and the Makes Nice.[50][20][6][51] Adam Cantwell joined as guitarist in 1993 and remained until approximately 1995, providing foundational support during the band's initial recordings and live performances in the Santa Cruz area. His tenure coincided with the group's formative years, including early demos like Music for Films About Rock, before the arrival of Tim Green on guitar in 1995.[52][53][1] Alex Wharton served as an intermittent bassist in the early 1990s, prior to the band's more stable lineup formations. His involvement was limited, with sparse documentation of specific contributions to compositions or releases. Wharton exited before the group's major album outputs in the late 1990s.[45][54]Timeline
The Fucking Champs' lineup evolved through several changes in its early years before stabilizing in the 2010s, often aligning with key recording sessions and releases. The band entered a hiatus around 2011, with no major activity until a revival via the 2023 remaster reissue of III, as of November 2025.| Year | Lineup Change | Related Release/Event |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Tim Soete (drums) and Josh Smith (guitar) form the band in Santa Cruz, California. | Initial formation; early rehearsals and local performances.[55] |
| 1993 | Adam Cantwell joins on guitar. | Early demos, including Triumph of the Air Elementals (1994).[56] |
| 1995 | Cantwell leaves the band; Tim Green joins on guitar; Alex Wharton briefly plays bass during transition. | Prepares for debut recordings; Green contributes to material for III.[1][45] |
| 2003 | Josh Smith departs; Phil Manley joins on guitar. | Follows V (2002) release with original trio of Soete, Smith, and Green; Manley features on VI (2007).[57][3] |
| 2003–2011, 2023–present | Core trio of Soete (drums), Green (guitar), and Manley (guitar) remains stable. | Activity until 2011 hiatus (announced breakup); revived with reissues like III (2023 remaster) and ongoing as of 2025.[1][3] |
