Fidlar

FIDLAR is a punk and garage rock band from Los Angeles known for fast songs about reckless living, skating, and self-destruction. The name stands for “Fuck It Dawg, Life’s a Risk,” a motto pulled from singer Zac Carper’s old roommates.

How The Band Got Started

Carper and guitarist Elvis Kuehn met while working at a recording studio, with Carper as an engineer and Kuehn as an intern. When the space was empty, they recorded songs together and uploaded them online. Joined by bassist Brandon Schwartzel and drummer Max Kuehn, they began performing locally under the name “Fuck the Clock,” eventually adopting FIDLAR. They opened for acts like the Black Lips and The Hives, building momentum in Los Angeles’ garage-punk scene.

Early Releases And Rise

In 2011, FIDLAR released their debut EP, DIYDUI, produced by Lewis Pesacov. The following year, they were named one of Stereogum’s 40 Best New Bands. Their self-titled debut album arrived in January 2013 through Mom + Pop Music, Wichita Recordings, and Dine Alone Records. Featuring tracks like “Cheap Beer,” “No Waves,” and “Cocaine,” the album captured their slacker-punk ethos with bursts of humor and chaos. Pitchfork called it music that wasn’t built to age but to burn bright.

Too And Continued Growth

The 2015 follow-up Too showed slightly more introspection without losing speed. Songs like “40oz. On Repeat” and “Drone” tackled addiction, burnout, and fame while retaining a gritty punk attitude. The album’s cleaner production reflected the band’s move from raw DIY recordings to more polished sessions, yet still carried their familiar sense of danger and humor.

Almost Free And Shifting Sound

Released in January 2019, Almost Free leaned toward experimental territory, mixing hip-hop rhythms, brass, and surf-punk energy. Tracks like “Can’t You See” and “By Myself” played with self-awareness and sobriety, showing growth from their earlier chaos. While some fans saw it as a departure, the record broadened their sound and kept them in steady rotation at festivals and late-night shows.

unplug And Surviving The Dream

The band self-released unplug in 2023, stripping down their anthems to acoustic and lo-fi versions. In 2024, they dropped Surviving the Dream, blending sharp humor with reflection on endurance and age in punk. It continued the band’s evolution while keeping their reckless roots intact.

Personal Lives And Side Projects

Carper, the son of surfboard designer John Carper, has been open about drug addiction and recovery, themes that often appear in his lyrics. The Kuehn brothers are sons of Greg Kuehn, keyboardist for T.S.O.L. Members often branch out: Carper has written and produced for Dune Rats, SWMRS, The Frights, and Tokyo Police Club. Schwartzel DJs as “DJ Basil” and performs in Los Bolos with Max Kuehn and members of Together Pangea. Max has played with several other projects, including The Squirmers, The Small Wigs, and Kitten.

Musical Style

FIDLAR’s sound mixes skate punk, garage, and surf-infused noise with thrash metal edges. Their debut dealt in slacker nihilism, while later albums stretched into heavier and more melodic directions. Comparisons range from Fear and Angry Samoans to blink-182, with lyrics that balance humor and burnout.

Band Members

• Zac Carper – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards (2009-present)
• Brandon Schwartzel – bass, backing vocals (2009-present)
• Max Kuehn – drums, percussion (2009-present)

Former Members

• Elvis Kuehn – guitar, backing and lead vocals, keyboards (2009-2022)

Discography

• FIDLAR (2013, Mom + Pop / Wichita / Dine Alone)
• Too (2015, Mom + Pop / Burger / Wichita / Hostess)
• Almost Free (2019, Mom + Pop / Liberator / Dine Alone)
• unplug (2023, self-released)
• Surviving The Dream (2024, self-released)