Fitz of Depression

Hailing from Olympia, Washington, Fitz of Depression operated as a hardcore punk trio made up of Mikey Dees, Craig Becker, and Justin Warren, who launched their career with a self-titled EP in 1989. Although the musicians favored a rapid and forceful approach, they repeatedly turned to new wave material, cutting guitar-heavy interpretations of Tommy Tutone's "867-5309/Jenny," Elvis Costello's "Red Shoes," "Miracle Man," and "Welcome to the Working Week," along with Joe Jackson's "I'm the Man." The same self-titled debut album arrived on Meat Records in 1993. The following year the band moved to K Records, installed Brian Sparhawk in place of bassist Justin Warren, and issued Let's Give It a Twist. Pigs Are People Too appeared later that same year, followed by the 1996 album Swing. Also in 1996 the group placed a not-so-silent version of "Silent Night" on the Essential Noise Records compilation Hardcore Holiday.