Goldfinger (band)

Goldfinger
Goldfinger live in Philadelphia in June 2008. From left to right: Darrin Pfeiffer, Kelly LeMieux, John Feldmann and Charlie Paulson
Background information
Origin	Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres	Ska punk, punk rock, pop punk, skate punk
Years active	1994–present
Labels	Universal, Mojo, Jive, Maverick, Side One Dummy
Associated acts	Electric Love Hogs, The Salads, Black President, Reel Big Fish, Bloodhound Gang
Website	goldfingermusic.com
Members	John Feldmann
Past members	Simon Williams Brian Arthur Matt Appleton Charlie Paulson Kelly LeMieux Darrin Pfeiffer

Goldfinger is an American punk rock band that formed in 1994 in Los Angeles, California. Currently, the band is composed of vocalist/guitarist John Feldmann, and is more or less a solo outlet for the singer. He often recruits other members to play with him from bands with which he previously has worked. The original band is widely considered to have been a contributor to the movement of third-wave ska, a revitalization in the popularity of ska music which occurred during the mid-1990s. However, the releases of Open Your Eyes and Disconnection Notice, have been more commonly placed in the punk rock genre. Apart from the band's music, Goldfinger is also noted for their political activism, particularly in the area of animal rights.

Goldfinger was formed by former Electric Love Hogs member John Feldmann on vocals and guitar, Simon Williams on bass, former drummer of Buffalo NY's Zero Tolerance Darrin Pfeiffer on drums, and Charlie Paulson on guitar. At the time the band was formed, Feldmann and Williams were working at the same shoe store where they were discovered by A&R Executive Patrick McDowell. Before they were signed to a major label, they released an EP titled Richter on the independent label Mojo Records, which received favorable reviews and a substantial amount of airplay on college radio, leading to Goldfinger and Mojo signing a major-label contract with Universal Records.

Many of the songs on Richter are demo versions of songs on the band's full-length debut, Goldfinger, which was produced by Jay Rifkin and released by Mojo Records on February 29, 1996. The song "Here in Your Bedroom" from the album was especially popular and helped the band gain a solid fanbase. In 2006, Alternative Press listed the self-titled Goldfinger album as one of the "10 Albums That Shaped 1996" alongside No Doubt, Weezer and others. The band released its second album, Hang-Ups, on September 9, 1997. Although the album was less successful than the band's debut, the band still maintained a devoted fan base in the hardcore community. Founding bassist Simon Williams left the band following Hang-Ups. During this time, Goldfinger released a popular cover of the song "More Today Than Yesterday" by Spiral Starecase, which also helped the band stay out of obscurity.