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Biography
Infobox musical artist | name = Naked Raygun| image = NakedRaygun.jpg| caption = The band in concert in 2007| image_size =| background = group_or_band| origin = Chicago , Illinois , United States | years_active = 1980–1992, 2006–present| genre = Punk rock Post-hardcore Hardcore punk | label = Ruthless Records (Chicago)|Ruthless Records Homestead Records Quarterstick Records Caroline Records Riot Fest Records| associated_acts = Big Black Effigies Pegboy The Bomb (band)|The Bomb | website = http://www.nakedraygun.org/ www.nakedraygun.org| current_members = Jeff Pezzati Bill Stephens Pierre Kezdy Eric Spicer Pete Mittler | past_members = Santiago Durango John Haggerty Bobby Strange Jim Colao Marco Pezzati Camilo Gonzalez John Lundin Naked Raygun is a Chicago -based punk rock group. Initially active from 1980 to about 1992, Naked Raygun had several short-lived reunions afterwards and a full-time reformation in 2006.
From the beginning, their music had a strong sense of melody and songwriting, with Pezzati's lyrics often exploring working class issues. Naked Raygun began in the hardcore punk style, later branching out into post-hardcore territory. By their early 1990s incarnation, Naked Raygun's melodic tendencies became more pronounced, with strong power pop leanings in the vein of Buzzcocks , Stiff Little Fingers , and The Jam .
History
Initial run
The band was formed in 1980 by Santiago Durango , Marko Pezzati and later Jeff Pezzati . Singer Jeff Pezzati was the sole constant member through multiple personnel changes. Members over time include drummers Bobby Strange, Jim Colao, and Eric Spicer; bassists Marko Pezzati, Pierre Kezdy, and Camilo Gonzalez; guitarists Santiago Durango , John Haggerty , and Bill Stephens; and keyboardist John Lundin.Allmusic | class = artist | id = p4989 | tab = biography | label = Naked Raygun Biography by Greg Prato
Durango and Jeff Pezzati were also members of Big Black during the early 1980s.Allmusic | class = artist | id = p10143 | tab = biography | label = Big Black Biography by Mark Deming
Post Naked Raygun
In 1989, John Haggerty left Naked Raygun to form Pegboy with his younger brother Joe (formerly of Bloodsport and The Effigies ) and Steve Saylors and Larry Damore of the Bhopal Stiffs (Pierre Kezdy would later replace Steve Saylors)Allmusic | class = artist | id = p13922 | tab = biography | label = Pegboy Biography by Steve Huey.
Jeff Pezzati is also the lead singer of The Bomb (band)|The Bomb , which is a different and later band than the San Francisco group, known as "Bomb"Allmusic | class = artist | id = p464156 | tab = biography | label = The Bomb Biography by Andy Kellman.
Reunions
A two-show reunion in 1997 produced the live album Free Shit! .Cite news | last = DeRogatis | first = Jim | authorlink = Jim DeRogatis | coauthors = | title = Naked Raygun | newspaper = Chicago Sun-Times | location = | pages = 32 | language = | publisher = | date = December 1, 1997 | url = http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives? p_product=CSTB& p_theme=cstb& p_action=search& p_maxdocs=200& p_topdoc=1& p_text_direct-0=0EB4235FB585008F& p_field_direct-0=document_id& p_perpage=10& p_sort=YMD_date:D& s_trackval=GooglePM | accessdate = Cite news | last = Kot | first = Greg | authorlink = Greg Kot | coauthors = | title = LASER-SHARP RAYGUN FIRES BACK POST-NIRVANA, POSTPUNK SCENE CLAIMS ITS DUE IN HIGH-OCTANE METRO SHOW | newspaper = Chicago Tribune | location = | pages = 2 | language = | publisher = | date = December 1, 1997 | url = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/23331960.html? dids=23331960:23331960& FMT=ABS& FMTS=ABS:FT& type=current& date=Dec+01%2C+1997& author=Greg+Kot%2C+Tribune+Rock+Critic.& pub=Chicago+Tribune& desc=LASER-SHARP+RAYGUN+FIRES+BACK+POST-NIRVANA%2C+POSTPUNK+SCENE+CLAIMS+ITS+DUE+IN+HIGH-OCTANE+METRO+SHOW& pqatl=google | accessdate =
In 1999, the independent record label Quarterstick Records re-issued the bands back catalog on CD.Cite news | last = Kot | first = Greg | authorlink = Greg Kot | coauthors = | title = PUNK LEGACY A DECADE LATER, NAKED RAYGUN FIRES VOLLEYS FROM THE UNDERGROUND | newspaper = Chicago Tribune | location = | pages = 10 | language = | publisher = | date = September 5, 1999 | url = http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/44439405.html? dids=44439405:44439405& FMT=ABS& FMTS=ABS:FT& type=current& date=Sep+05%2C+1999& author=Greg+Kot%2C+Tribune+Rock+Critic& pub=Chicago+Tribune& desc=PUNK+LEGACY+A+DECADE+LATER%2C+NAKED+RAYGUN+FIRES+VOLLEYS+FROM+THE+UNDERGROUND& pqatl=google | accessdate =
On August 16, 2006 it was announced that Naked Raygun would reunite for Riot Fest 2006, an annual punk rock festival held in Chicago. Other high profile reunions for Riot Fest 2006 included the Blue Meanies and The Bollweevils (band)|The Bollweevils .
Naked Raygun also played a low-key, invitation-only show on October 19, 2006 at the Cobra Lounge in Chicago.
Following their reunion at Riot Fest 2006, Naked Raygun announced that the band was "back for good."Cite news | last = | first = | authorlink = | coauthors = | title = Naked Raygun reunite permanently, plan live CD/DVD | newspaper = AP Alt Press | location = | pages = | language = | publisher = | date = January 4, 2007 | url = http://www.altpress.com/news/entry/archive_1650/ | accessdate = http://www.nakedraygun.org Naked Raygun Official Web Site The reunited lineup consists of its "Raygun...Naked Raygun" members: Pezzati, Stephens, Kezdy, and Spicer. http://www.nakedraygun.org/history/index.html Official Site - History
On July 14, 2009 it was announced that Naked Raygun would soon return to the studio for the first time since 1997 for a series of 7" singles to be released on Riot Fest Records. After the singles series the band plans to record an LP, the first since 1990's Raygun... Naked Raygun . http://riotfest.org/news/2009/jul/14/naked-raygun-entering-studio-soon-7-series-lp-comi/ Riot Fest – Naked Raygun entering the studio soon for 7" series, LP coming later
In 2011, Pete Mittler of The Methadones joined the line-up so that long time bassest Pierre Kezdy could convalesce. It is not confirmed what Mr. Kezdy is inflicted with.cite web|title=Interview With Neutron Bombs/Naked Raygun/The Bomb Bass Player Pete Mittler|url= http://critical-mass-music.blogspot.com/2011/08/interview-with-neutron-bombsnaked.html|publisher=Critical Mass|accessdate=3 February 2012|date=2011-08-12
Discography
Albums
Busted At Oz LP :: Autumn Records (1981), Permanent Records 30th Anniversary Edition (2011 - LP only - 100 on red vinyl 400 on black)
Basement Screams 12" :: Ruthless Records (Chicago)|Ruthless Records (1983), Quarterstick Records (1999 - CD only), Haunted Town Records (2007 - LP only)
Throb Throb LP -with cover art by Apple Macintosh|Macintosh comic book artist Mike Saenz - :: Homestead Records (1983)|Homestead Records (1985), Quarterstick Records (1999 - CD only), Haunted Town Records (2008 - LP only)
All Rise LP ::Homestead (1986), Quarterstick Records (1999 - CD only), Haunted Town Records (2008 - LP only)
Jettison LP :: Caroline Records (U.S.)|Caroline Records (1988), Quarterstick Records (1999 - CD only)
Understand? LP ::Caroline Records (1989), Quarterstick Records (1999 - CD only)
Raygun... Naked Raygun LP ::Caroline Records (1990), Quarterstick Records (1999 - CD only)
Last of the Demohicans CD :: Dyslexic Records , (1997)
Free Shit! live LP/CD ::(Haunted Town Records)
What Poor Gods We Do Make CD ::Riot Fest Records (2007)
EPs
Treason 12" ::3 songs, on pink vinyl limited to 2,500 numbered records (although unnumbered versions, stamped "Promo only" exist) ::Caroline Records (1989)
Singles
Flammable Solid 7" ::Ruthless Records (1983)
Vanilla Blue 7" on white/light blue marbled vinyl ::Sandpounder Records (1987)
Home 7" on green vinyl ::Caroline Records (1990)
Series 1 7" on red & on cream vinyl ::Riot Fest Records (2009)
Series 2 7" on violet & on black vinyl ::Riot Fest Records (2010)
Series 3 7" on clear orange vinyl ::Riot Fest Records (2011)
Video
What Poor Gods We Do Make DVD ::Riot Fest Records (2007)
Compilation albums
Busted At Oz LP (Autumn Records, 1981)
Rat Music for Rat People, Vol. 3 ( CD Presents , 1987)
Allmusic | class = artist | id = p4989| label = Naked Raygun
http://www.nakedraygun.org Official Naked Raygun Website
http://punkdatabase.com/wiki/Naked_Raygun Naked Raygun page at the Chicago Punk wiki
http://petdance.com/nr/ Naked Raygun
http://throbthrob.wordpress.com/ Throb Throb – fan site
http://www.riotfest.org Riot Fest Official Website
http://www.operationphoenixrecords.com/mrrnakedraygun.html Maximumrocknroll Article – Naked Raygun article from 1984
http://www.xndtv.com/? v=channel-rock.php& subaction=showfull& id=1172082373& ucat=1 Naked Raygun on JBTV
Category:American post-hardcore musical groups Category:American punk rock groups Category:Musical groups from Chicago, Illinois Category:Musical groups established in 1980 Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1992 Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2006 Category:Musical quartets Category:Ruthless Records (Chicago) artists Category:Homestead Records artists Category:Caroline Records artists Category:Quarterstick Records artists
