Ghoti Hook

ByLets Go Punk
Ghoti Hook (/ˈɡoʊti ˌhʊk/ GOH-tee huuk) was an American punk band from Fairfax

Ghoti Hook (/ˈɡoʊti ˌhʊk/ GOH-tee huuk) was an American punk band from Fairfax, Virginia. Formed in 1991, the band gained recognition for their unique style and went on to sign with Tooth & Nail Records in 1996. After a vibrant journey, Ghoti Hook disbanded in 2002.

History

Joel Bell, Adam Neubauer, and Justin Levy founded the band in 1991. Conrad Tolosa and Christian Ergueta joined shortly after. Developing a pop-punk sound in 1994, the group released two independent EPs in 1994 and 1995. They garnered a following, particularly in central Pennsylvania. Ghoti Hook signed with Tooth & Nail Records in 1996, releasing four albums: Sumo Surprise, Banana Man, Songs We Didn’t Write, and Two Years To Never.

Conrad Tolosa, a primary songwriter, left the band after the release of Banana Man in 1997 to focus on seminary and his accounting career. Mark Lacasse joined as lead guitarist in 1998, contributing to Two Years to Never. The band continued as a three-piece and released a six-song EP titled EP on Velvet Blue Music. Ghoti Hook’s final studio recordings were captured in this phase, leading to their eventual disbandment in 2002.

Farewell and Reunion

Ghoti Hook bid farewell with their last concert at Cornerstone Music Festival on July 6, 2002, recorded and released as a live album titled Rest In Peace. The band reunited for a benefit concert in 2009 and, as of November 2022, announced their participation in Furnace Fest in September 2023. They played a small-club reunion show on September 9, 2023, at Jammin’ Java in Vienna, VA.

Name

The band’s name, “Ghoti,” is a phonetic spelling of “fish,” created in the 19th century to illustrate English spelling irregularities. While it is pronounced as “fish” (GH as in “rouGH,” O as in “wOmen,” TI as in naTIon), the band opts for a more intuitive pronunciation.

Members

Current lineup:

  • Joel Bell: vocals, guitar (1990–2002, 2022-present)
  • Adam Neubauer (Chachi Manchu): drums (1990–2002, 2022-present)
  • Jamie Tolosa: guitar, backing vocals (1991–2002, 2022-present), bass (2000-2002, 2022-present)

Former members:

  • Justin Levy: guitar (1990–1991)
  • Conrad Tolosa: guitar (1991–1997)
  • Christian Ergueta: bass, backing vocals (1991–2000)
  • Mark Lacasse: guitar (1998-2000)

Discography

  • No Date (EP) (self-released, 1994)
  • Boca Grande (EP) (self-released, 1995)
  • Sumo Surprise (Tooth & Nail Records, 1996)
  • Banana Man (Tooth & Nail Records, 1997)
  • Songs We Didn’t Write (cover album) (Tooth & Nail Records, 1998)
  • Two Years to Never (Tooth & Nail Records, 2000)
  • Ep (Velvet Blue Music, 2002)
  • Retrospective (compilation album) (Tooth & Nail Records, 2002)
  • Rest in Peace (live album) (Tooth & Nail Records, 2003)

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