Fine China is an indie rock band from Phoenix, Arizona comprised of Rob Withem (vocals, guitar), Greg Markov (bass) and Thom Walsh (drums). Flag Seal Nickname: Valley of the Sun Location Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates , Government Country State Counties United States Arizona Maricopa Incorporated February 25, 1881 Mayor Phil Gordon (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,230. ... Official language(s) None Capital Phoenix Largest city Phoenix Area  Ranked 6th  - Total 113,998 sq mi (295,254 km²)  - Width 310 miles (500 km)  - Length 400 miles (645 km)  - % water 0. ... A music genre is a category (or genre) of pieces of music that share a certain style or basic musical language (van der Merwe 1989, p. ... Indie rock is a subgenre of rock music often used to refer to bands that are on small independent record labels or that arent on labels at all. ... Indie pop refers to indie music which is considered to be based on the conventions of pop music. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A Independent record label founded in 1997 by Jeff Cloud (formerly of Joy Electric, Starflyer59 and other independent bands. ... Tooth and Nail is a 1984 album by heavy metal band Dokken. ... Indie rock is a subgenre of rock music often used to refer to bands that are on small independent record labels or that arent on labels at all. ... Flag Seal Nickname: Valley of the Sun Location Location in Maricopa County and the state of Arizona Coordinates , Government Country State Counties United States Arizona Maricopa Incorporated February 25, 1881 Mayor Phil Gordon (D) Geographical characteristics Area     City 1,230. ...

Introduction

The art of writing the perfect pop song will never go out of style, and only a small handful of musicians are truly dedicated enough to their craft to achieve moments that can be ranked among the true auteurs The Smiths, The Jam and New Order. Fine China have consistently put out records that you can view in light of these legends' work and it is apparent that each album contains these flawless moments frozen in time.

Each album has been a constant progression for the band, and they've proven over the course of their three full-lengths that what they have shown us is no fluke. As what Fine China have achieved is the product of four distinctly skilled musicians who have polished their sound in the studio with the masterful production talent of Starflyer 59; and live with amazing bands such as The Faint, Joy Electric and Pedro The Lion. In concert they reveal the truly dynamic range of their albums and show a tenderness and intensity that only the truly seasoned pop-savants possess.

Their previous album "You Make Me Hate Music" was so well received by fans and critics alike that it guarantees them a permanent place in the hearts and the record shelves of pop lovers everywhere. Last fall the band returned to the studio to record its follow-up and what is to be their most important statement on the art of pop, entitled "The Jaws of Life". An album that is so grand in scope and rich with melody that only the truly jaded will be able to overlook its shimmering hooks and brilliant song-structure. A lot of people try to classify what they do and what they will become, but the best answer to their questions, is, that they make the best kind of music. The kind that gets you excited about being in love with music, the kind that fuels the dance-floor and gently tugs at your heart.^[1]

Biography

The indie rock three-piece Fine China have been honing their keyboard-laden style since signing to Velvet Blue Music in 1997. That same year Fine China made their debut with the release of their 7 inch entitled, "The Beautiful" and an E.P. entitled, "No One Knows". In 1998 the band released their second E.P. known as "Rialto Bridge". These first two E.P.s were a mixture of rock and synth-pop. During the span of 1997-1998 the band started gigging in and around their hometown of Phoenix, building a name for themselves while sharing tour dates with fellow space rockers like Starflyer 59 and electronic group Joy Electric. In 2000 the band released their first full length, the synth-pop oriented "When the World Sings" on Tooth & Nail Records. In 2001 Fine China released their second full length and and fifth album all together entitled "You Make Me Hate Music". While their first full-length was synth heavy this album was much more rock oriented . It received great reviews and pushed the band further into the indie rock spotlight. Indie rock is a subgenre of rock music often used to refer to bands that are on small independent record labels or that arent on labels at all. ... A Independent record label founded in 1997 by Jeff Cloud (formerly of Joy Electric, Starflyer59 and other independent bands. ... 7 may mean: A seven-inch single gramophone record A seven-inch extended play (EP) gramophone record This number-oriented article is a disambiguation page — a list of pages that otherwise might share the same title. ... A vinyl EP from Crop Circles. ... A vinyl EP from Crop Circles. ... Starflyer 59 is an indie Christian rock band from Riverside, California that was founded in 1993 by Jason Martin, brother of Ronnie Martin of Joy Electric. ... Joy Electric is a one-man electropop/synth pop group consisting of Ronnie Martin. ... Tooth and Nail is also the name of an album by Dokken. ...

After a brief hiatus the band returned to the studio in 2004 to begin work on their third full length. In 2005 it was released as the critically acclaimed "Jaws of Life". That same year they also released a 7 inch titled "Don't Frown" on Velvet Blue Music. 7 may mean: A seven-inch single gramophone record A seven-inch extended play (EP) gramophone record This number-oriented article is a disambiguation page — a list of pages that otherwise might share the same title. ... A Independent record label founded in 1997 by Jeff Cloud (formerly of Joy Electric, Starflyer59 and other independent bands. ...

Fine China recently announced plans of a new record to be released later this year.^[2]

Goodbye, Fine China

This is a message from Rob Withem that was posted April 21, 2006 on myspace.com:

better to burn out than to fade away

Hello everyone,

This is Rob from FC. My first post on this site will also be my last post. After 9 years of being and doing Fine China the day has come to call it quits. We are burnt out, we are tired, and we are ready to move on to the next stage in our lives. We have loved being in this band, and making music that we thought/hoped/wondered if it meant anything to anyone, and the response on this site alone has been wonderful. Thank you for your generous and kind words, and thank you for listening.

In the days to come, we will finally post the video for Rated-R Movie, as well as some live and rare tracks, as a farewell to you, our friends.

Peace be with you.

6:14 AM

Other info

• Fine China has shared the stage with many bands including Pony Express, MAP, LN, Calico Sunset, Pedro the Lion, The Faint, Joy Electric, Starflyer 59 and many more.

• In 2005 Fine China's song "My Worst Nightmare" (from "Jaws of Life") was featured on the high rating television drama, The O.C. ^[3]

MAP is an indie pop band from Riverside, CA that consists of Josh Dooley (guitar, Voice, Harmonica), Paul Akers (Keyboards) and Trevor Monks (drums). ... Calico Sunset is a Bakersfield-based electro-pop band, comprising Joseph Andreotti and Jenny Andreotti (nee Alvis). ... Pedro the Lion were an indie rock/slowcore band from Seattle, Washington, and, for twelve years, the main creative outlet of singer/songwriter David Bazan. ... Todd Fink The Faint is an indie rock/synth pop band. ... Joy Electric is a one-man electropop/synth pop group consisting of Ronnie Martin. ... Starflyer 59 is an indie Christian rock band from Riverside, California that was founded in 1993 by Jason Martin, brother of Ronnie Martin of Joy Electric. ... The O.C. is an American television comedy-drama program broadcast on the Fox Network in the US and on various networks around the world. ...

Members

• Rob Withem - Vocals, Guitar
• Greg Markov - Bass
• Thom Walsh - Drums

Releases

Full Length Albums

• When The World Sings (Tooth & Nail Records, 2000)
• You Make Me Hate Music (Tooth & Nail Records, 2002)
• Jaws of Life (Common Wall Media, 2005)

Tooth and Nail is also the name of an album by Dokken. ... Tooth and Nail is also the name of an album by Dokken. ...

EPs

• No One Knows (Velvet Blue Music, 1997)
• Rialto Bridge (Velvet Blue Music, 1998)

A Independent record label founded in 1997 by Jeff Cloud (formerly of Joy Electric, Starflyer59 and other independent bands. ... A Independent record label founded in 1997 by Jeff Cloud (formerly of Joy Electric, Starflyer59 and other independent bands. ...

Singles (7 inches)

• The Beautiful (Velvet Blue Music, 1996)
• Dont Frown (Velvet Blue Music, 2005)

A Independent record label founded in 1997 by Jeff Cloud (formerly of Joy Electric, Starflyer59 and other independent bands. ... A Independent record label founded in 1997 by Jeff Cloud (formerly of Joy Electric, Starflyer59 and other independent bands. ...

See also

• List of bands from Arizona

This is a list of artists/bands from the U.S. state of Arizona. ...

External links

• Fine China - Official Site