The Methodists

The Methodists are a band that was started by girlfriend situation gone bad....a story that would take too long to tell. Let's just be happy that Chad Channing, Dan McDonald , John Hurd, and Erik Spicer decided to make a go at it. Here's a brief history:Dan McDonald and Erik Spicer had played together in a couple of different bands throughout the '80's, which gave them a familiarity with each other's musical feel and style. Chad Channing and John Hurd were also playing in bands together during the '80's...until Chad joined Nirvana in 1988. Dan and Chad eventually ended up playing in a band called Fire Ants (circa 1991) with former Malfunkshun guitarist Kevin Wood and his brother Brian Wood (on vocals). In 1995, Dan got a call from his old bandmate, Erik Spicer. Erik had a whole repetoire of songs written and Dan was quite impressed with the cool punk/pop feel to the songs. Erik had asked Dan if he knew a drummer who might be interested in playing with them...well, Dan could only think that Chad would love the songs Erik was churning out. Dan was right! Chad immediately threw his hat in the ring...and offered up a couple of his songs to play as well...it all fit!John Hurd happened to be outside of the reheasal room during Chad's tryout, and let's just say John wanted in too! Within a few weeks the band was sounding quite tight and even had a show and a recording date lined up...but no name.John and Chad were driving along one day...then as they went past a Methodist church, they were hit with an epiphany! The Methodists had a name...praise fucking god!! Their first show was opening for Krist Novoselic's band "Sweet 75"....the Methodists, with their tight hard hitting pop sound, proved to be a difficult band to follow! The Methodists recorded over 30 songs in their 3 year career, and they decided in 1997 to release a 13 song CD on their own label (Mock Records) titled "Cookie". Their songs "Max Capacity" and "What She Said" went into the top 10 on college radio across the U.S., and in 1998, they went on a small West-coast tour. When they played the Whiskey A-Go-Go in Holywood, their entire set was filmed...so I guess they have a "live" video as well!The Methodists attracted labels and larger management companies and it seemed they were destined for great amounts of diabolical insanity...or some sort of success at least! The one thing the Methodists had against them was that they were just another punkish-pop band from Seattle with an ex-Nirvana drummer..."Damn them all to Hell!!!" Well, at least we have the music to listen to...this was a very good band and they should not vanish into thin air...so listen to the tunes and enjoy the sounds of beer driven rock and roll!!