Limp (band)

Limp was an American pop-punk band formed in 1994, with strong influences in both rock and ska, hailing from the San Francisco Bay Area. Limp released three studio albums on Honest Don's, a subsidiary label of Fat Wreck Chords, as well as an EP released on Fueled by Ramen, before their 2002 breakup.

History

Limp formed in 1994 with founding members Phil Ensor (vocals, guitar) and Serge Verkhovsky (bass), and would later borrow Dance Hall Crashers member Scott Goodell to be the band's first drummer. They recorded a demo that was given to Marty Gregori of Bracket, which was later passed along to Michael Burkett at Fat Wreck Chords.[1] The demo caught the labels interest and initially, a 7" record was planned for release. After recording "Clear Color" and "Bug Dance", a full-length album was instead offered on the labels recently launched subsidiary, Honest Don's.[1] The outcome would be Limp's debut Pop & Disorderly released in 1997. The album was recorded as a four-piece featuring Ensor, Verkhovsky, second guitarist Billy Bouchard and new drummer Johnny Cruz. Overall, the album showcased a strong pop punk influence, with major focus on vocal harmonies, two traits the band would continue to exercise throughout their career. Although Ensor provided lead vocals for almost the entire album, Bouchard would supply them on "Eighteen", as well as "Holiday Road", a cover of the Lindsey Buckingham song from the 1983 film National Lampoon's Vacation.

Following two tours with Less Than Jake, drummer Vinnie Fiorello presented Limp with the opportunity to issue a release on his label, Fueled by Ramen. This would result in the Fine Girl EP released in 1998, which gathered leftover songs from Pop & Disorderly and included new songs that would see later release on the band's second album.[1] This would also mark the debut of guitarist Doug Sangalang, formerly of Screw 32, who had recently replaced Bouchard, although due to the songs chosen, both guitarists would make an appearance on the EP. That same year, Limp released a four-song 7" of older material on Coldfront Records, that Ensor and Verkhovsky recorded with original drummer Hammon, as a three-piece in August 1996 at Westbeach Recorders with producer Greg Hetson.