Champion

ByLets Go Punk
Champion

Champion was an American straight edge hardcore punk band formed by vocalist Jim Hesketh and guitarist Chris Williams in the spring of 1999 in Seattle, Washington.

History

Jim Hesketh and Chris Williams formed Champion in 1999, and after a few months of shows, the band released its first demo on cassette, followed by a West Coast tour of the United States. Early on, the band experienced frequent lineup changes, but by 2000, the core members came together to release the Come Out Swinging EP on Platinum Recordings (Germany).

After a performance with American Nightmare, Chris Wrenn of Bridge Nine Records was introduced to the band, leading to their signing with the label. Champion released the Count Our Numbers EP on Bridge Nine, followed by a re-release of Come Out Swinging. They toured extensively with bands like American Nightmare, Death Threat, Comeback Kid, Terror, and Sick of It All, performing across the US, Europe, Japan, Australia, and South Korea.

Their full-length album, Promises Kept, was released on Bridge Nine Records. With the addition of Andy Norton, the lineup was solidified. After international tours, Champion re-released their previous EPs as Time Slips Away in 2005. However, by early 2006, the band announced their disbandment, citing the pressures of commitments outweighing their passion for the project. Their final show took place on May 27, 2006, in Seattle.

Since the breakup, members of Champion have remained active in the punk and hardcore scenes. Aram Arslanian has played in multiple bands, including The First Step and Change. Chris Williams has performed in various projects such as Dead Weight and The Vows. Vocalist Jim Hesketh has faced controversy, while other members continue to contribute to the music community through bands like Betrayed, Praise, and Nerve Endings.

Members

Current Members

  • Jim Hesketh – vocals
  • Aram Arslanian – guitar
  • Chris Williams – guitar
  • Todd Preboski – drums
  • Andy Norton – bass

Former Members

  • Ben Colton – bass
  • Eagle Barber – guitar
  • Timm McIntosh – guitar
  • Joe Preston – drums
  • Jeff Boltz – drums
  • Nikki Platter – drums
  • Sean Spear – bass
  • Brandon Wallace – drums

Discography

  • Demo Tape (1999)
  • Come Out Swinging (Platinum Records, 2000)
  • Count Our Numbers (Bridge 9 Records, 2002)
  • Promises Kept (Bridge 9 Records, 2004)
  • Time Slips Away (Bridge 9 Records, 2005)
  • Champion/Betrayed split EP (Rivalry Records, 2006)
  • Different Directions (Bridge 9 Records, 2007)

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