The Fashionites

The Fashionites were a central New Jersey punk band formed in 1994 whose style was somewhere between pop punk and hardcore punk. Although they became somewhat popular in their hometown of Westfield, New Jersey, the band had little to no ambition and never attempted to sign a record deal. While they did make three studio recordings, the band parted ways in 1998.

History

Formed from a defunct speed metal project called the Incarcerated in the summer of 1994, singer Dave Larsen and bassist Chris Barton linked up with guitarist Nick Constantino and drummer Tom Wengerter. After initially experimenting with a harder, Black Flag-like sound, the band began penning less hardcore numbers. After writing five original tunes, the band recorded an EP entitled "Water Drunk Days". The band played a variety of small venues over the months, writing new material along the way. This period of creativity culminated in the band's only non-EP recording, "The Meaning of Stupid", which had seventeen songs, most of which were very brief in length. Shortly after the completion of "The Meaning of Stupid", guitarist Constantino left to start his own band and was replaced by ex-Gnub guitarist Chris Long. Long brought a higher level of musical talent to the group, and proceeded to write a handful of songs. His songs signalled a shift from a rougher, bouncier style to a more streamlined, poppy approach. With him in the lineup, the group recorded their final effort, the "My Cat's on Smack" EP. Mid-1995 saw the height of the band and hearkened its decline. As Larsen left for college and Barton began playing in another band during his absences, the band effectively ground to a halt. Wengerter's open homosexuality was refreshing for a scene in which most teens and young adults stayed in the closet. At one point Barton all but left the group, and several attempts to replace him, including current Shellshocked frontman Don Cambria, did not work out for the band. Finally, bowing to the lack of cohesion, the Fashionites hung up the punk towel in early 1998.

Discography

"Water Drunk Days", EP, 1994 (Not Published)

"The Meaning of Stupid", LP, 1994 (Not Published)

"My Cat's On Smack", EP, 1995 (Not Published)

Members

Chris Barton, Bass and Vocals 1994-1998

Nick Constantino, Guitar and Vocals 1994-1995

Dave Larsen, Vocals 1994-1998

Chris Long, Guitar 1995-1998

Tom Wengerter, Drums 1994-1998

Trivia

- The band took its name from a song by the early '80s hardcore punkers Government Issue, "Fashionite", which decried people dressing in trendy ways.

- The band's logo, a red 'F' in a target, was known as "The Mighty F of Failure".

- The band had a cartoon mascot who appeared on several promotional flyers, an alcoholic raccoon named Rinky.

- "Water Drunk Days" is a reference to an article Larsen had seen in the "Weekly World News" about drunkenness resulting from excessive water consumption.