Naked Raygun is a Chicago-based Punk rock/post-punk group. Initially active
from 1980 to 1992, Naked Raygun had several short-lived reunions afterwards
and a full-time reformation in 2006. History
= Initial run= The band was formed in 1980 by Santiago
Durango, Marko Pezzati and later Jeff Pezzati. Singer Jeff Pezzati was the
sole constant member through multiple personnel changes. Members over time
include drummers Bobby Strange, Jim Colao, and Eric Spicer; bassists Marko
Pezzati, Pierre Kezdy, Camilo Gonzalez and Pete Mittler; guitarists Santiago
Durango, John Haggerty, and Bill Stephens; and keyboardist John Lundin.
Durango and Jeff Pezzati were also members of Big Black.
= Post-Naked Raygun= In 1989, John Haggerty left Naked Raygun
to form Pegboy with his younger brother Joe and Steve Saylors and Larry Damore
of the Bhopal Stiffs. Jeff Pezzati is also the lead singer of
The Bomb, which is a different and later band than the San Francisco group, known
as "Bomb". = Reunions=
A two-show reunion in 1997 produced the live album Free Shit!.
In 1999, the independent record label Quarterstick Records re-issued the bands
back catalog on CD. In 2006 Naked Raygun reunited for Riot
Fest, an annual punk rock festival held in Chicago. Following their 2006
reunion, Naked Raygun announced that the band was "back for good." The reunited
lineup consists of its "Raygun...Naked Raygun" members: Pezzati, Stephens,
Kezdy, and Spicer. In 2009 Naked Raygun returned to the studio for the first
time since 1997 for a series of 7" singles released on Riot Fest Records
and announced plans to record an LP, the first since 1990's Raygun... Naked
Raygun. In 2011, Pete Mittler of The Methadones
joined the line-up so that longtime bassist Pierre Kezdy could convalesce
from a stroke. In August 2014, Naked Raygun opened for
Bad Religion, The Offspring and Stiff Little Fingers on the last two shows of
the Summer Nationals tour at The Rave in Milwaukee, WI and Harrah's Stir Cove in
Council Bluffs, Iowa. Naked Raygun will put out a new album in
2016 Discography
= Albums= Throb Throb LP -with cover art by
Macintosh comic book artist Mike Saenz- ::Homestead Records, Quarterstick
Records, Haunted Town Records All Rise LP ::Homestead, Quarterstick
Records, Haunted Town Records Jettison LP ::Caroline Records,
Quarterstick Records Understand? LP ::Caroline Records,
Quarterstick Records Raygun...Naked Raygun LP ::Caroline
Records, Quarterstick Records Last of the Demohicans CD ::Dyslexic
Records, Free Shit live LP/CD ::(Haunted Town
Records) What Poor Gods We Do Make CD ::Riot Fest
Records = EPs=
Basement Screams 12" ::Ruthless Records, Quarterstick Records, Haunted Town
Records Treason 12" ::3 songs, on pink vinyl
limited to 2,500 numbered records ::Caroline Records
= Singles= Flammable Solid 7" ::Ruthless Records
Vanilla Blue 7" on white/light blue marbled vinyl ::Sandpounder Records
Home 7" on green vinyl ::Caroline Records
Series 1 7" on red & on cream vinyl ::Riot Fest Records
Series 2 7" on violet & on black vinyl ::Riot Fest Records
Series 3 7" on clear orange vinyl ::Riot Fest Records
Video What Poor Gods We Do Make DVD ::Riot
Fest Records = Compilation album appearances=
Busted At Oz LP Rat Music for Rat People, Vol. 3
Somethings's Gone Wrong Again: The Buzzcocks Covers Compilation
See also You Weren't There
References External links
Naked Raygun discography at Discogs Naked Raygun at AllMusic
Official Naked Raygun Website Maximumrocknroll Article – Naked Raygun
article from 1984 Naked Raygun: Combat Rock Interview with
Roy Christopher, 2008