Schlock (Universal Medium, Abaddon) Lineups / History

Introduction : It all started around August 1992 in Janesville, W.I. The band didn't have a name or a complete lineup until December 1992 when Universal Medium was born. From there the band moved onto different lineups and names: "Universal Medium", then "Abaddon" and finally "Schlock." All members, songs and band names remain under the name "Schlock" from August 1992 - present.

Universal MediumDecember 14, 1992 - February 6, 1993

It all starts here! Completed in December 1992 under the name of "Universal Medium." This line-up started off with a rocky and short beginning. The band's first performance was on January 22, 1993 in Milton, WI With only a few songs and little rehearsal time, Universal Medium played to a great house and responsive audience which helped boost their start and the self-confidence of the band. At their second show, problems arose, along with the sudden disappearance of Juckett. This would begin the "curse of the bass players" within the group.

Universal MediumApril 2, 1993 - November 5, 1993

AbaddonNovember 5,1993 - November 1994

After the release of the demo and spring/summer shows the band took a hiatus from August-December 1993. During this time the band nearly broke up due to personal clashes between the members. The band regrouped in November 1993 with all problems aside, with a new name, Abaddon, and a heavier approach to their music.

In February 1994 Abaddon released "Purgatory", another demo with six new songs including re-recording the six songs from "Trendy Fool". The demo was a heavier mix of songs and was greeted with a great response, plus Abaddon's name began to get notice and spread throughout the area.
 

AbaddonNovember 1994 - January 6, 1995


 
 
 
 

Brian Eckerman - Vocals, Guitar

Eric Perkins - Percussion

Cory Feggestad - Guitar

Paul Breece - Bass

Toward the end of 1994, with recognition from "Purgatory," the band wanted to expand its musical horizon. In order to do this, Abaddon needed a bassist who could progress along with the band and consequently Scott was let go.  Abaddon soon hired Indianapolis, IN native Paul Breece who immediately began playing shows and worked on new music with the band.

Schlock January 6, 1995 - May 1995

In January 1995 "Schlock" was born. Schlock began working immediately with new bassist Paul Breece on their debut album, recorded in February 1995. The result was a mix: 10 heavy/melodic rock songs including two re-recordings from "Purgatory." The album established the band as true musicians, from Cory's furious riffing and intricate solos to Paul and Eric's hard-driving rhythm section. The most unique aspect of the album was Brian's true-to-life lyrics. Songs such as "Playing in my Johns," "Cankersorper," "Look at Me" and "Master Tate" became popular set list numbers and requests due to their insightful words and original musicianship.

Problems almost immediately began between the band and Paul (the curse of the bass players continues. . .). Paul quickly lost interest in the band and began to pursue other interests outside of the band.

SchlockMay 1995 - July 2, 1997

After a short search, the band hired Richard Smith on May 19, 1995.  Paul played his final show with Schlock on May 25, and then Richard joined permanently. Schlock spent the summer performing and released their self-titled debut album on Spank Monkey Records in September 1995. "Master Tate" and "Playing in my Johns" became popular on local radio. The fall/early winter was spent giving radio interviews, performing to bigger crowds and to two giant album release parties. The debut sold very well and became their biggest-selling release to date. Finally, Schlock was beginning to get the recognition and support that they had worked for years to get!

In the winter of 1996 Schlock returned to the studio to record a four-song follow-up. The E.P./demo "Raised/Razed " was hurriedly recorded on short notice but was never released, except for the song "Misanthropist," which was released on a compilation album sponsored by Shangri-La Records.

Plans for a summer 1996 United States tour were in the works, but in the end, the tour never materialized. At the beginning of the summer, Eric broke two of his fingers but still played and never missed a performance. Instead of the lengthy tour, the band played shows throughout southeastern Wisconsin, which will probably be remembered most for the strange stage antics that occurred. During a March 1996 show in Milton, WI, Brian, seeing that the crowd was less energetic than usual, got some of the audience riled up by throwing the carcass of a dead deer at them! (Lets just say that a crowd wakes up a bit when they have a carcass thrown at them.)  Other bizarre incidents included the crowd getting out of control, broken televisions and a porcelain toilet (also ultimately destroyed) that were stage props! And I could go on. . .


 

(Brian and carcass, Milton, WI, 1996)

By the late 1996/early 1997, Schlock began writing and working on a new album. After taking a few months off from performing, the band played two shows, one in Burlington, WI and one at the Mango Grill in Madison, WI (this was Schlock's final live performance) before heading back into the studio.
 
 
 

(Feggestad, Eckerman, Perkins, Smith, fall-1995)

In May 1997, Schlock began recording their new album, tentatively titled Hot off the Grill. Eight songs were recorded, including new versions of three songs from "Raised/Razed." The album reflected the maturity of the band in its lyrics and in the well-thought-out song layouts. Almost each member of the band brought their own input to the songs. Different and unusual guitar parts were arranged, and the rhythm section supplied a foundation that was inventive, in a style uniquely Schlock's own. Just like before, the lyrics were what made the music stand out. Songs such as "Elect Locution," "Yuppies in the Boondox," "Escaping the Cave," " I'm Not Disabled !" and "Morning Trials" proved that the band could be experimental and still rock.

Schlock July 2, 1997 - September 16, 1997

 On July 2, 1997, after years of losing interest in the band and its latest recording, Cory quit the group, and Richard soon followed, leaving the group with an unfinished album. Work on finishing the album was soon put on hold until the two remaining members could put together a new lineup.

Members were need and auditions were held but the feeling of the moment was not there, and Schlock was put on hold altogether.

                                                                                (E. Perkins and B. Eckerman, Oshkosh, WI.  fall - 1996)

Schlock  September 16, 2000 - September 19, 2001

          Brian Eckeman - Vocals, Guitar

          Eric Perkins - Drums, Percussion

          Richard Smith - Bass

3 years to the day of their break up Schlock had returned. The new version of the band was finally complete on February 18, 2001 with the addition of former bassist Richard Smith. The group worked on new material, along with revisiting material from the past with the hopes of playing live and recording again. Schlock's temporary re-launch was short lived and put on hold. 

 

Schlock  October 2005 - January 28, 2006

Richard Smith - Bass, Brian Eckerman - Guitar / Vocals, Jason Bold - Lead Guitar & Eric Perkins - Drums / Percussion

The fall of 2005 saw the full length reunion of "Schlock!" The band returned to perform live in support of the re-release of their 1995 self-titled debut album. This time around guitarist Jason Bold was added to the band's line-up. "Schlock" returned to the live stage after a 9 year hiatus on January 21, 2006 in Edgerton, WI. What was entitled a "Homecoming" show turned out to be a large success for the band and many of their loyal "Schlock Scouts."

 

Schlock  January 28, 2006 - November 11, 2007

 

 

                                   Otis Coulthard - Bass             Jason Bold - Lead Guitar         Eric Perkins - Drums / Percussion        Brian Eckerman - Guitar /Vocals

In wake of the band's successful "Homecoming" reunion show, the band has added more shows and the reunion rolled on. Joining the band on bass guitar was Otis Coulthard who had replaced Richard Smith in the group in late-January 2006. In the fall of 2006 the long awaited 1996/1997 sophomore release from the band ("Hot Of The Grill") was finally finished and released to the public.

                                                Jason Bold                                  Eric Perkins                Brian Eckerman

 

Schlock  November 11, 2007 - 2010

In November 2007 the "curse of the bass players" returned and in turn the band recruited Josh Bold on bass guitar. From November 2007 through 2010 the band performed throughout the mid-west and worked on new material for a new full length album.

In 2010 the band went on hiatus and has shelved work on their album in progress.

SCSCHLOCK (November 2008) Jason Bold, Brian Eckerman (The Kibitzer), Eric Perkins & Josh Bold

 

*NOTE: All songs and album information are on the Discography page. Copyright 1999 Schlock Music.

 

 


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