Ex-Idols (band)

The Ex-Idols
Origin Huntington Beach, California, United States
Genres Punk rock
Years active 1992–1998
Labels Relativity Records, Sony Music Entertainment
Associated acts Duke Decter, Gary "X" Finneran, Amen (American band), Flash Express, Frosted (band), Tuscaurora
Website www.myspace.com/exidols/
Members Gary "X" Finneran
Duke Decter
Sean E DeMott
Lance Porter

The Ex-Idols were an American alternative Pop Punk rock and roll band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1992 by Gary "X" Finneran, Keith Kessinger, Sean DeMott, and Lance Porter. Originating in the heart of the Los Angeles / Hollywood underground rock clubs, the band quickly gained interest due to their outstanding songwriting and talented vocalist "Gary X" (Gary "X" Finneran). Within their first year of forming the band signed with Relativity Records, established a publishing deal with BMI (Broadcast Music, Inc.), and replaced original guitar player with notable punk guitarist Duke Decter due to artistic differences. The band was short-lived due to the chemical dependencies among the band members resulting in the suicide/death of singer/songwriter Gary "X" Finneran.

History

One of the founding artists of the neo-punk movement in the early 90's, The Ex-Idols were quickly gobbled up by Sony Music Entertainment/Relativity Records in 1992 and instantly released their classic CD single "Pill Popper" in 1993. The 4-song CD was also available in 7" vinyl form and includes one unreleased song "And I Was You." Later in the same year Relativity Records released the first full length CD by The Ex-Idols entitled "Social Kill" and released the first video for the self-titled track "Social Kill' directed by Jodi Wille. The Social Kill video appeared on MTV and VH1. The official single for the album was entitled "Go Away" and was written by guitarist/punk legend Duke Decter. The single received heavy rotation radioplay in all five major markets of the US: New York, Chicago, Atlanta, San Francisco and Los Angeles. In 1994 Sony released the second video for the album in support of the single "Go Away" and put the band on tour. The Ex-Idols toured throughout the United States with support acts Total Chaos, NOFX, and UK Subs. In 1995 Relativity Records folded and the band was approached by Epitaph Records for their second album but were unable to negotiate a deal. The 2nd Ex-Idols album was entitled "Who We Are" and was later released independently by Refuse Music. The Ex-Idols broke up as a band in 1998 and moved in separate directions. Guitarist Duke Decter was picked up by RCA Records and toured with alternative artist Tim Skold, formerly of KMFDM and currently Marilyn Manson. Bassist and Drummer Sean DeMott and Lance Porter joined Frosted (band), the solo act of The Go-Go's guitarist Jane Weidlin. Singer/songwriter Gary Finneran continued playing his own music in his own band Tuscaurora. Years later Finneran was found dead in his hotel room, a victim of his own suicide. He leaves behind three sons. Decter later joined up with his childhood bandmate Casey Chaos in his band Amen (American band) and played with Amen on The Henry Rollins Show in 2006. In 2009, The Ex-Idols had a song from their 2nd album entitled "F$%&k Everyone" appear on the television series Rescue Me (U.S. TV series) starring Denis Leary.

Discography

Videography

Television Appearances

References

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