Free Energy was an American rock band based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The members included Scott Wells, Sheridan Fox, Evan Wells, and Nicholas Shuminsky.

Free Energy
OriginPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
GenresRock, power pop, indie rock
Years active2008–2016
LabelsDFA Records, Free Energy Records
Past membersScott Wells
Evan Wells
Nicholas Shuminsky
Sheridan Fox
Geoff Bucknum
Patrick Stickles
Jesse Sparhawk
Paul Sprangers

History edit

The Wells brothers and Sprangers are originally from Red Wing, Minnesota, where they first started playing together in the now-defunct indie rock band Hockey Night.[1] Shuminsky, of St. Paul's Superhopper and Malachi Constant, joined Sprangers and the Wells brothers to form the band in the Fall of 2008.[2] Critics have compared Free Energy's sound to 1970s rock acts like Journey and The Cars.[3] The band rose to national prominence in March 2010 with the critically acclaimed release of their debut album Stuck on Nothing, produced by James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem. On March 17, Rolling Stone named Free Energy one of the best new bands of 2010.[4] The band has also received high marks from Spin Magazine.[5] On March 17, 2010, the band performed on the Late Show with David Letterman. The single Bang Pop was used on the Pilot episode of sitcom Raising Hope. Free Energy toured heavily with Mates of State, Titus Andronicus, Hollerado, Foreign Born and The Postelles. They opened for Weezer during their Memories tour and performed on the Weezer Cruise in January 2012.

On March 6, 2012, the band released "Electric Fever," the first single from "Love Sign."[6] The song is heavily inspired by "You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet" by Bachman-Turner Overdrive.

On January 15, 2013, Free Energy self-released its second full-length studio album, "Love Sign." The album was recorded with producer John Agnello.[7]

Free Energy's final performance was at Clockenclap Festival in Hong Kong, 2013.

Band members edit

  • Scott Wells – lead guitar (2008–2016)
  • Paul Sprangers – vocals (2008–2016)
  • Evan Wells – bass (2008–2016)
  • Jesse Sparhawk – rhythm guitar (2011)
  • Nicholas Shuminsky – drums (2008–2016)
  • Geoff Bucknum – rhythm guitar (2008–2011)
  • Sheridan Fox – rhythm guitar (2011–2016)
  • Patrick Stickles - rhythm guitar (2011)

Discography edit

Albums edit

EPs edit

  • Free Energy (EP)|Free Energy (2009)

Singles edit

  • "Bang Pop" (2010)
  • "Electric Fever" (2012)

Notes edit

  1. ^ "Rising: Free Energy". Pitchfork. 17 July 2009.
  2. ^ "Events to fill your whole week". 26 May 2010.
  3. ^ "What It Was Like: Twelve More Bands To Close Out SXSW 2010 in Style - Dallas Music - DC9 At Night". blogs.dallasobserver.com. Archived from the original on 2010-03-25.
  4. ^ hp/2010/03/17/best-new-bands-of-2010-free-energy-grace-potter-and-the-nocturnals-and-five-more/ Rollingstone[dead link]
  5. ^ "Mark Hoppus' Pick of the Week: Free Energy". 16 December 2009.
  6. ^ "New Free Energy: "Electric Fever"". Pitchfork. 6 March 2012.
  7. ^ "Long After Dark: Album Review: Free Energy's Love Sign". Archived from the original on 2013-09-29. Retrieved 2013-01-17.
  8. ^ a b "Free Energy – Chart History". Billboard.com.

External links edit