Chaser (band)
CHASER | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Orange County, California, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Years active | 2000-2012, 2017–present |
| Labels |
|
| Website | chaserpunkrock |
| Members |
|
| Past members |
|
Chaser (stylized as CHASER) is an American punk rock band from Orange County, California. Their sound is frequently described as 1990s melodic skate punk with noted influences from that era's Epitaph Records and Fat Wreck Chords bands, specifically Bad Religion, No Use For A Name, Good Riddance, Face to Face, No Fun At All, and Pennywise.[1][2] Shortly after the well-known No Use For A Name frontman passed away in 2012, The Bearded Gentleman declared Chaser "...the new heir to Tony Sly's throne."[3]
The name "Chaser" was suggested to them by a friend, during a conversation at a house party, and it stuck. The band has clarified that the name isn't necessarily a reference to drinking.[4] Members of the band have been explicit about their overt intent to produce music with a positive message and to be an uplifting force in the world.[1][5]
History
2000-2005: Formative Years, In Control
Mike LeDonne recruited the founding band members from the high school they mutually attended and started practicing together, developing their skills, playing cover songs, and playing local shows out of a shared love for punk music.[6] This initial lineup consisted of LeDonne (vocals), Mike Denning (guitar), AJ Latteri (bass), and Josh Millican (drums).
By 2002 Denning had left and was replaced by Nate Warner on guitar.[7] As they evolved into songwriting, Chaser recorded a demo album with 14 songs which was produced in very limited quantities and distributed among family and friends.[8] Their early lineup consisted of Mike LeDonne (vocals), Nate Warner (guitar), AJ Latteri (bass), and Josh Millican (drums).
In Control, Chaser's first studio album, was self-released in 2003 and it also had very limited distribution. Gaining some recognition, the band landed side stage performances on the Vans Warped Tour between 2002 and 2004.[4] In 2005 they shared an untitled split 7" with False Alliance on independent record label, Felony Records.[9] During this period Chaser was opening for bands like D.I., Guttermouth, and Authority Zero.[4]
2006: Lineup Changes, Numb America, & First European Tour
In 2006, LeDonne, Warner, Latteri, and Millican welcomed the addition of Cameron Denning (guitar) and they recorded their second studio album, Numb America, on Felony Records (later re-released on vinyl by Sound Speed Records).[8]
Before the album's recorded audio was finalized, they made a limited number of copies and distributed them while touring Europe for several weeks with Good Riddance. Upon returning, they finalized the album's audio for its release in the US. Because of this, the records sold in Europe have a slightly different sound than the US version.[10].
Shortly after returning home from the European tour, Jesse Stopnitzky replaced Latteri on bass.[10]
2007-2012: The Big Picture, ¡Acción!
With Numb America gaining some traction, Chaser performed on the 2008 Vans Warped Tour[10] which LeDonne described as a "defining moment"[11] for the band, as they began to understand their potential.
In February 2010 Chaser released their third album, The Big Picture, on Drop Anchor! Entertainment. Though some critics were impressed[12] or neutral[4], this album was seen as a departure from the band's pure punk roots and members of the band have expressed some disappointment with the sonic quality of the album, despite it having well-written songs.[2][4][10][13][14]
Back on Felony Records, Chaser released a five-song EP titled ¡Acción! in 2011 consisting of B-sides and acoustic songs.
2012-2017: Indefinite Hiatus
Members of the band wanted to prioritize their families and livelihoods, so they decided it was time to end the band.[15] In an interview, Jesse Stopnitzky said that at the time of this dissolution the band understood it to be permanent, that there was no plan to get back together.[10] Posters and online graphics for their free March 22, 2012 show at the Slidebar in Fullerton were their "final show".
2017-present: Renaissance; Sound The Sirens, Dreamers, Small Victories
In 2017 LeDonne and Stopnitzky reconstituted Chaser by recruiting Davey Guy to play drums and Bill Hockmuth for guitar. The fresh lineup resulted in new songwriting and in 2018 they released another full-length studio album, Sound The Sirens, on Effervescence Records.[8][16]
This album was seen as a return to the band's original identity playing high-energy, melodic, skate punk.[17]
The band sought better international reach and so established working relationships with multiple new record labels: Thousand Islands Records, Sound Speed Records, SBÄM Records, and Pee Records. Building their momentum the band released Dreamers[3] in 2021. In their album review, the UK's Deal Radio referred to it as a "masterpiece".[18]
In 2024, Small Victories was released. In an album review, Thoughts Words Action referred to it as "a masterpiece delivered by one of the finest longstanding skatepunk bands."[19] This album was produced by Cameron Webb who has also worked with such bands as Alkaline Trio, Motörhead, and Pennywise.[20]
Chaser has supported these recent albums by playing extensively in local and large international festivals. In 2022, Chaser was chosen to play in a special series of Pennywise shows revisiting their first five albums, as reported by Loudwire.[21] During this era they played in the following prominent festivals:
- Jera on Air (Netherlands)
- Bayfest (Italy)
- SBÄM Fest (Austria)
- Groezrock (Belgium)
- Punk In The Park (California)
- Rock la Cauze (Quebec)
- Punk Rock Holiday (Slovenia)
- Fall Back Down Festival
- Brakrock Ecofest (Belgium)
Members
Current Members
- Mike LeDonne – vocals
- Jesse Stopnitzky – bass, vocals
- Bill Hockmuth – guitar
- Davey Guy – drums
Past Members
- Mike Denning - guitar
- Josh Millican - drums
- Nate Warner - guitar
- AJ Latteri - bass
- Cameron Denning - guitar
Discography
Studio Albums and EPs
- In Control (2003)
- Numb America (2006)
- The Big Picture (2010)
- ¡Acción! EP (2011)
- Sound The Sirens (2018)
- Dreamers (2021)
- Small Victories (2024)
Singles
| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Found Myself Again" | 2020 | Non-album singles |
| "Look Alive" | ||
| "Skyscraper" | ||
| "A New Direction" | 2021 | Dreamers |
| "2020" | ||
| "Stay Gold" | 2024 | Small Victories |
| "Fault Lines" | ||
| "The Breaks" |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Chaser – "We always try to make our songs positive and uplifting"". PunkWorldViews. Interviewed by Milekić, Miljan. 26 July 2024. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "A Dirty Dozen with Jesse Stopnitzky from Chaser". 100% Rock Magazine. Interviewed by Jolicoeur, Todd ('ToddStar'). 100% Rock Magazine. 27 August 2020. Retrieved 17 December 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Jackson, Dane (14 April 2021). "Chaser – Dreamers Review". Bearded Gentlemen Music. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Fadroski, Kelli (3 February 2010). "Orange Pop: Chaser Peers Into a Bigger Picture". Orange County Register. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ↑ Contreras, Rachael (21 July 2021). "Rachael-O-Rama #23 Chaser". ocmusicnews.com. OC Music News. Retrieved 20 December 2025.
- ↑ "Chaser (interview w/Mike!) Punk Lives!!". PunkWorldViews. Interviewed by Borders, Denise. 21 September 2009. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ↑ "Chaser Biography". Metalorgie.com. Metalorgie. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 "Chaser Music". chaserpunkrock.com. CHASER. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ↑ Chaser; False Alliance (2005). untitled split 7" (album liner notes). Felony Records.
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 American Songwriter (22 September 2020). "Bringin' it Backwards: Interview with Chaser" (Podcast). Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ↑ "Chaser Interview". Metalorgie.com. Interviewed by Euka. 25 September 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ↑ Cole, Faulkner (7 January 2013). "Chaser - The Big Picture". thepunksite.com. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ↑ Harp, Cameron. "Chaser New Album Paints Personal 'Picture'". The Daily Titan. Retrieved 19 December 2025.
- ↑ Daley, Sloane (19 February 2010). "Chaser, The Big Picture Staff Review". punknews.org. ISSN 1710-5366. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ↑ Sounds Like Nonsense (21 February 2021). "Episode 37" (Podcast). Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ↑ Vincelli, Pete (19 January 2019). "Chaser, Sound The Sirens Staff Review". punknews.org. ISSN 1710-5366. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ↑ "Artist: Chaser". Rock La Cauze. 11 August 2023. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
- ↑ Dickson, Michael (17 November 2021). "Dreamers by Chaser Review". Deal Radio. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
- ↑ Miladinović, Djordje (14 October 2024). "Chaser – Small Victories LP (SBAM Records)". Thoughts Words Action. Retrieved 18 December 2025.
- ↑ Lowry, Sam (22 May 2024). "Chaser Ignites the Punk Scene with Raw Energy in "Fault Lines" Previewing "Small Victories" Album!". Rebel Noise. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
- ↑ Childers, Chad (13 January 2022). "Pennywise Book March 2022 Dates to Revisit Five Albums in Full". Loudwire. Retrieved 21 December 2025.
Category:Musical groups from Ontario Category:People from Quinte West Category:Musical groups established in 2018 Category:2018 establishments in Ontario Category:Pure Noise Records artists Category:Canadian pop punk groups
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