Hubcap City

Hubcap City (From Belgium) is a band from Atlanta, Georgia that formed in 2000 after the end of Bill Taft and Will Fratesi's previous band, Smoke (band).

History

The group played their first show at the Benjamin Smoke celebration, when Bill asked Will to play percussion on some of Bill's guitar and vocals-based songs. [cite web | title = The year in local music; | work = Creative Loafing | url= http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/PrintFriendly?oid=oid%3A2871 | accessdate = 2007-10-19 ] These raucous, acoustic guitar-driven songs harkened back to the style of Bill's first band, The Chowder Shouters.They continued as a duo for several years under the name Hubcap City, releasing several homemade CDs. [cite web | title = Hubcap City Official Discography; | work = Hubcap City's Official Page | url= http://neonvomit.net/higrecords/hubcapdisco.html| accessdate = 2007-10-19 ]
In 2003, they changed their name to Hubcap City (From Belgium), despite being Americans. The name hubcap city is taken from a Deacon Lunchbox poem.They integrated this concept into their concerts, with Bill claiming to be named Leopold, and Will claiming to be named Wilhelm. Bill also introduced original songs as "The Belgian National Anthem." [cite web | title = Hubcap City Live Review; | work = EvilSponge | url= http://www.evilsponge.org/concert/Envie__25Jan03.htm| accessdate = 2007-10-19 ] .
Also in 2003, Matthew Proctor joined the band (playing additional percussio, second guitar often lead and also contributing songs. The song Sally on the Ponce 7 inch is a Proctor composition) while Will was playing drums on tour with Cat Power. When Will returned, Hubcap City (From Belgium) became a trio. [cite web | title = Hubcap City Official Discography; | work = Hubcap City's Official Page | url= http://neonvomit.net/higrecords/hubcapdisco.html| accessdate = 2007-10-19 ] [cite web | title = News, February 2003; | work = Matador Records | url= http://www.matadorrecords.com/news/2003-02.html| accessdate = 2007-10-19 ]
In 2005, Kat Hairston and Terry Boling joined the band, playing violin (also vocals) and saw, respectively. Kat Hairston left the band in the spring of 2007.
In 2006, HC(FB) released it's first 7", the Deerhunter/Hubcap_City_Split on Rob's House Records. Later that year, they released their first full 7", "Sally" b/w "Five More Minutes (recorded a benefit for Todd Butler a close friend of Mr. Taft who also started Smoke)" on Ponce de Leon Records. [cite web | title = 7 Inches on Ponce; | work = Creative Loafing | url= http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A76172| accessdate = 2007-10-19 ]
In 2007, Hubcap City (From Belgium) released their first nationally distributed CD, "Superlocalhellfreakride". [cite web | title = Superlocalhellfreakride; | work = Amazon.com | url= http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000MDH89G/002-0385926-9376008?SubscriptionId=0GKY5T9AP29X0E3X4XG2| accessdate = 2007-10-19 ] They continue to perform as a five-piece. Their next release is through the Ashton Velvet Rock Club Recording Company. It will be a tape only release which is a split with Melissa Lonely. www.myspace.com/avrcrc

Discography

*"EP 1" CD (2001, Self-released)
# Day Job
# My Punk Ass
# Paul's Boot
# My Wasted Friends
# Weegee
*"Live: 2001-2002" CD (2002, HIG Records 004)
# Action!
# Breakfast at Taxi Driver's
# The Man Who Never Forgets
# Hubcap City
# Paul's Boot
# Reservoir
# Some Things
# Stomp/Atomic Fireball
# Faulkner's Typewriter
# Debby
# Vital Pimp Flash
# Ready to Serve
# Rahab
# Jack Henry
# The Top of the Hill
# Sandbox
# Beautiful and Fucked UpTracks 1-8 recorded at WREK radio on 11/13/01.
Tracks 9 and 12 recorded outside at Railroad Earth Studios 5/19/01.
Track 10 recorded at Eyedrum 3/10/01.
Track 11 recorded 12/30/01 at The Earl.
Tracks 13-17 recorded 8/02/02 at Earthshaking Music.

*"EP 2" CD (2002, self-released)
# Reservoir
# Breakfast at Taxi Driver's
# Action
# Atomic Fireball
# Hubcap City

*"EP 3" CD (2004, self-released)
# Jack Henry
# Kiss Me, Arturo
# Left Eye Went the Wrong Way
# Sandbox
# Cat Hair on Rockabilly Dress
# Slug Party
# Door

*"More Songs For Dead Children" CD (2004, self-released)
# Will's 4-Track
# Damaged
# Fried
# Hold On
# Slough of Despond
# Court
# Dumped
# Sassy Magazine Record Review #2: Dear Madonna
# One-Eyed Rapists Attack
# Unfinished Film Festival Song
# Beautiful and Fucked Up

* "Super Local 13" CD (2005, self-released)
# Staircase
# Hurrah Hurrah
# U Don't Know Me Stomp
# Message Received 2:34 AM Thursday
# Guest of Honor
# Five Slugs More Party Minutes
# 7 Zebra Heads 2 Plastic Skulls
# Yippie Yeah Yeah
# Message Received 2:51 AM Thursday
# Preacher
# Blackout
# Ham on Rye
# Snarl Baby Snarl

NOTE: All of the above CDs are only available through trade. All of the following recordings are or were also available for sale.

* "Deerhunter/Hubcap_City_Split" 7" (2006, Rob's House Records)
# Hubcap City - Mad House
# Deerhunter - Grayscale

* "Five More Minutes b/w Sally" 7" (2006, Ponce de Leon Records)
# Five More Minutes
# Sally

* "Superlocalhellfreakride" CD (2007, Xeric 112)
# Get Rid of Now
# Unexpected Guest
# Ring Around the Rosie
# Wind Blowing on a Sick Man
# Deer Hunting
# Sticks in the Graveyard
# Valley of Bones
# No Return
# When the President Sez
# Bottle of Rum
# He Brings the Hatchet in the Evening
# Rahab 2:39
# Boxcar Gamelan
# Guy on Street
# Hippest Trick
# More Guy on Street
# Arabella Sabotage
# The Anti-Christ is Alive...

References

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/hubcapcity Official Hubcap City (From Belgium) Myspace]
* [http://neonvomit.net/higrecords/hubcapcity.html Hubcap City Official website]
* [http://www.stylusmagazine.com/reviews/hubcap-city/superlocalhellfreakride.htm Stylus Magazine review of Superlocalhellfreakride]
* [http://www.dryinkmag.com/touring-atlantas-musical-underbelly 2007 Interview with Bill Taft]
* [http://stickfig1.securesites.net/catalog/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=hubcap+city&x=0&y=0 Hubcap City (From Belgium) recordings available at Stickfigure Distribution]