Champion (band)
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- For other uses, see Champion (disambiguation).
Champion was a straight edge hardcore band that was formed by vocalist Jim Hesketh, and guitarist Chris Williams, in the spring of 1999 in Seattle, Washington. A second guitarist, bassist, and drummer were soon added.
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[edit] History
After a few months of shows, the band released its first demo on cassette, and a short West Coast summer tour followed.
Although both the demo and the trip were well-received, the band was eventually plagued with constant line-up changes. Despite struggling with a revolving cast of members, Champion was able to regroup in 2000, and release its second demo, Come Out Swinging, released on Phyte Records, and Platinum Recordings (Germany).
Champion then signed up with Bridge 9 Records, and recorded another EP, entitled Count Our Numbers, followed by the re-release of Come Out Swinging. Constant touring with bands, such as Comeback Kid, Terror and Sick Of It All road-tested their sound.
Champion's full-length LP, Promises Kept, was released on Bridge 9 Records, and was well-received. After a second European tour and an Australian leg, Champion toured the United States in early 2005. 2005 also saw the band re-release their previous two EPs on one CD, entitled Time Slips Away.
The band announced through Bridge 9 on January 31, 2006 that they were disbanding, with a final show that occurred on May 27th, 2006 at the El Corazon in their hometown of Seattle, Washington. Their reasoning for breaking up can be found on their MySpace page. Here is a small excerpt:
With all the pressure to do another record and to tour, it wasn't what we "wanted" to do anymore; it was what we "had" to do. So before making any commitments that we would be bound to, we decided to end it now, while everyone in the band was still friends and still loved everything we did together as a band. NO ONE SOLD OUT.
After Champion broke up guitarist Aram Arslanian did vocals for Betrayed and currently plays guitar in The Vows. Chris Williams also plays guitar in The Vows. Todd Preboski also played drums in Betrayed.
As an interesting side note, Jim Hesketh's younger brother Danny is currently the vocalist of Sinking Ships, who are signed to Revelation Records.
[edit] Band Members
- Jim Hesketh — vocals
- Aram Arslanian — guitar
- Chris Williams — guitar
- Todd Preboski — drums
- Andy Norton — bass
[edit] Discography
- Come Out Swinging (Phyte Records, 2000)
- Count Our Numbers (Bridge 9 Records, 2002)
- Promises Kept (Bridge 9 Records, 2004)
- Time Slips Away (Bridge 9 Records, 2005)
