Fidlar

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title: "Fidlar" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["musical-groups-established-in-2009", "musical-groups-from-los-angeles", "musical-quartets-from-california", "american-garage-punk-groups", "skate-punk-groups", "rock-music-groups-from-california", "wichita-recordings-artists", "sibling-musical-groups", "2009-establishments-in-california", "dine-alone-records-artists", "mom-+-pop-music-artists", "punk-rock-groups-from-california", "burger-records-artists"] description: "American punk/garage rock band" topic_path: "arts" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fidlar" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary American punk/garage rock band ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox musical artist"]

Field	Value
name	FIDLAR
image	FIDLAR 2013.jpg
caption	FIDLAR performing in 2013
alt	FIDLAR performing in 2013
landscape	yes
origin	Los Angeles, California
genre	{{flatlist
*pop-punk{{cite web	title
label	{{flatlist
associated_acts
years_active	2009–present
website
current_members	* Zac Carper
past_members	* Elvis Kuehn
::

| name = FIDLAR | image = FIDLAR 2013.jpg | caption = FIDLAR performing in 2013 | alt = FIDLAR performing in 2013 | landscape = yes | origin = Los Angeles, California | genre = {{flatlist|

• Punk rock
• garage punk
• surf punk
• skate punk
• pop-punk | label = {{flatlist|
• Mom + Pop
• Wichita
• Dine Alone | associated_acts = | years_active = 2009–present | website = | current_members = * Zac Carper
• Brandon Schwartzel
• Max Kuehn | past_members = * Elvis Kuehn

Fidlar, stylized as FIDLAR, is an American punk and garage rock band from Los Angeles. The band's name is an acronym for Fuck It Dawg, Life's a Risk, a skate mantra stolen from singer Zac Carper's former roommates. Originally, FIDLAR went under the name 'Fuck The Clock', as referenced in their song "Cheap Beer". To date, the band have released four studio albums: FIDLAR (2013), Too (2015), Almost Free (2019) and Surviving the Dream (2024). The band are mostly known for short, fast songs that deal with partying and narcotics. In 2013, Pitchfork wrote that the band "don't make music you'll grow old with, and they won't get an "A" for originality, but that's not really the point".

Some journalists consider FIDLAR to be among the greatest pop-punk bands of all time.

History

Founding members Zac Carper and Elvis Kuehn met while working at a recording studio in which Carper was employed as an engineer and Kuehn was an intern. The two started recording songs when the studio was empty and posting the finished products online. The band began playing house shows, many of which resulted in authorities showing up.

Three years after recording their first songs, they stepped on stage together with the Black Lips and went on tour with the Hives.

In 2011, they released their debut EP, DIYDUI, produced by Lewis Pesacov. In 2012, FIDLAR were named one of Stereogum's 40 Best New Bands of 2012. In October 2012, the band made their television debut on Last Call with Carson Daly, where they performed "Whore" and "No Waves" from their then-upcoming album FIDLAR.

The band is currently signed to Mom + Pop Music in the US, Wichita Recordings in the UK and Dine Alone Records in Canada.

Musical style and influences

According to Jason Lymangrover of AllMusic, FIDLAR's music incorporates elements of "classic" skate punk, thrash metal, and "surfy" lo-fi indie rock. The instrumentation is described as "punchy, fast, loud." The band's influences include the Offspring and blink-182. The band's first studio album contains "slacker subject matter" pertaining to topics such as substance abuse, surfing and skateboarding. Yardbarker stated that "the band paid homage to the pillars of rock ‘n’ roll: hedonism, drugs, and booze." Stylistically, the album has drawn comparisons to Angry Samoans, Fear, Surf Punks, the Ramones and Circle Jerks. The band's music has been categorized as pop-punk.

Other projects

Each member of FIDLAR has been involved in at least one side project. Carper has produced albums or helped co-write songs by such bands as Dune Rats, SWMRS, The Frights, Sweet Thing, The Goldberg Sisters, Dirty Sweet, and Tokyo Police Club. Schwartzel also periodically performs DJ sets at Monty's Bar under the pseudonym of "DJ Basil". Schwartzel & Max Kuehn are in a band with members of Together Pangea called Los Bolos. Max Kuehn has released solo compositions online, as well as being a member of The Squirmers, The Diffs and The Head Hunters with his brother Elvis, The Small Wigs, and Kitten, with Carper prior to, and during their full time in FIDLAR.

Personal life

Elvis Kuehn (guitar/vocals) and Max Kuehn (drums) are the sons of Greg Kuehn, keyboardist for Long Beach punk legends, T.S.O.L. while Zac Carper (vocals/guitar) is the son of famed surfboard designer John Carper. Carper struggled with drug addiction and spent time in rehab for it, inspiring the song "No Waves". Bassist Brandon Schwartzel was Carper's friend before joining the band, with the two bonding over drugs and homelessness. The four have been performing together as FIDLAR since 2009. Carper was born in Hawaii, while the Kuehn brothers were born in Los Angeles, and Schwartzel was born in San Diego.

Band members

• Zac Carper – lead vocals, guitar, keyboards (2009–present)
• Brandon Schwartzel – bass, backing vocals (2009–present)
• Max Kuehn – drums, percussion (2009–present)

Former members

• Elvis Kuehn – guitar, backing and lead vocals, keyboards (2009–2022)

Former touring musicians

• Danny Nogueiras – drums (2009–2010)
• Alice Baxley – bass (2010)
• Andy Miller – bass (2010–2011)
• Mikki Itzigsohn – bass (2009–2010)

Discography

Studio albums

::data[format=table]

Title	Album details	Fidlar	Too	Almost Free	unplug	Surviving The Dream
::

Extended plays

::data[format=table]

Title	Extended play details	DIYDUI	Don't Try...	Shit We Recorded in Our Bedroom	Don't Fuck With Vol. 01	That's Life	Don't Fuck With Vol. 02	Don't Fuck With Vol. 03
::

Certified singles

::data[format=table title="List of singles, with selected chart positions"]

Title	Year	Certification
"By Myself"	2019
::

Music videos

::data[format=table]

Year	Song	Director
February 2012	Wait for the Man	Ryan Baxley
Max Can't Surf
Oh
June 2012	No Waves
October 2012	Cheap Beer
November 2012	Gimme Something
February 2013	Max Can't Surf (Fidlar Version)
July 2013	Cocaine
May 2015	40oz On Repeat
July 2015	West Coast
August 2015	Drone
Leave Me Alone
January 2016	Why Generation
April 2016	Punks
August 2018	Are You High?	FIDLAR
September 2018	Too Real	Jonathan Atchley
January 2019	By Myself	Brandon Schwartzel
Can't You See	Jonah Ray
June 2019	Flake	FIDLAR
August 2022	FSU	Alice & Ryan Baxley
October 2022	Sand on the Beach
November 2022	Taste The Money	Ryan Baxley
February 2023	Centipede	Ryan Baxley
June 2024	FIX ME	Ryan Baxley & Brandon Schwartzel
::

Appearance in media

The band also played on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2015, where they performed "West Coast" and "Why Generation" from their second album Too. The band was also featured on Conan, in 2016, where they performed "West Coast”"

• "No Waves" appeared in the video games Saints Row IV and The Crew and also in Netflix series "Love".
• "White on White" was featured in the video game Sunset Overdrive.
• "Cheap Beer" was featured in the film Neighbors, the TV show iZombie and in Plan B's skateboarding film "True" during Pat Duffy's part.
• "Cocaine" was featured in the TV show Finding Carter and video game Grand Theft Auto V.
• "5 to 9" is played in the 16th episode of the fourth season of The Vampire Diaries
• "Wait For the Man" and "Oh" appeared on an episode of Shameless (US).
• "Cheap Beer" and "No Waves" both appeared on the soundtrack to The Crew.
• "Punks" appeared in the "Embrace Your Dark Side" promo for the fourth season of Arrow.
• "Drone" appeared on the soundtrack to the video game WWE 2K17.
• The band's cover version of the song "Red Right Hand" featured in the opening episode of series 4 of the BBC series Peaky Blinders.
• The band's cover of the Nirvana track "Frances Farmer Will Have Her Revenge On Seattle" was released on the Mom+Pop-exclusive Record Store Day 2018 3xLP compilation 10 Years of Mom+Pop.
• "Flake" appeared in the 11th episode of the third season of Thirteen Reasons Why
• "Flake" appeared in the 1st episode of Locke & Key
• "Breaker" appeared on the soundtrack to the 2020 film Bill & Ted Face the Music.
• "West Coast" appeared on the soundtrack to the 2020 video game Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2.
• “Move On” is a single featured in the video game NHL 24
• "Low" appeared in the video game Skate

Awards

• 2013: O Music Awards, Best Web-Born Artist
• 2013: Association of Independent Music, AIM Independent Music Awards, Best Live Act

References

References

1. (June 5, 2019). "The 100 Best Pop Punk Bands of All Time".
2. (8 January 2019). "The Underground Sounds Of America: FIDLAR". [[Kerrang!]].
3. (18 December 2012). "Band to Watch: FIDLAR".
4. [https://pitchfork.com/features/rising/8967-fidlar/ FIDLAR], ''[[Pitchfork (magazine). Pitchfork]]''
5. "FIDLAR: FIDLAR Album Review". Pitchfork Media.
6. Staff, Consequence. (2019-06-05). "The 100 Best Pop Punk Bands of All Time".
7. (28 October 2014). "An Interview with Zac Carper from FIDLAR". Janky Smooth.
8. (24 July 2013). "Band Portrait: FIDLAR The Party Punks". artistxite.
9. (11 September 2012). "Stereogum's 40 Best New Bands Of 2012". [[Stereogum]].
10. (13 August 2012). "FIDLAR – "No Waves" + "Whore" 10/10 Last Call".
11. [http://www.momandpopmusic.com/2012/02/fidlar-free-up-new-song-join-our-loving-mompop-family/ FIDLAR Free Up New Song, Join Our Loving Mom+Pop Family] {{Webarchive. link. (2014-01-02 , ''[[Mom + Pop Music]]'')
12. [https://www.wichita-recordings.com/posts/fidlar FIDLAR] {{Webarchive. link. (2019-09-20 , ''Wichita Recordings'')
13. [http://dinealonerecords.com/artists/fidlar/ FIDLAR] {{Webarchive. link. (2019-09-20 , ''Dine Alone Records'')
14. "FIDLAR Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More {{!}} Al...".
15. "FIDLAR - FIDLAR {{!}} Album {{!}} AllMusic".
16. (2017-01-27). "The Kids Will Know It's Bullshit - Dune Rats | Credits". AllMusic.
17. (2016-02-12). "Drive North - SWMRS | Credits". AllMusic.
18. (2016-02-12). "You Are Going to Hate This - The Frights | Credits". AllMusic.
19. (2016-11-02). "The Frights & Zac Carper: The Making of 'You Are Going To Hate This'". [[YouTube]].
20. "Sweet Thing - Sweet Thing | Credits". AllMusic.
21. (2011-04-11). "The Goldberg Sisters - The Goldberg Sisters | Credits". AllMusic.
22. "American Spiritual - Dirty Sweet | Credits". AllMusic.
23. "Champ - Tokyo Police Club | Credits". AllMusic.
24. "Basil // Beaker // Brother (@dontfeartheweird) • Instagram photos and videos".
25. "Max Kuehn on Instagram: "The Bolos are playing 3 times this weekend. Members of FIDLAR, Together Pangea, The Memories, The Ryan Baxley Experience, and No Parents…"".
26. "Max Kuehn".
27. "THE SQUIRMERS - TAMPICO 7" | WINK AND SPIT".
28. (2015-08-19). "Tampico - The Squirmers". [[YouTube]].
29. "Max Kuehn : Conn-Selmer, Inc".
30. "Hunter's Anthem - Head Hunters".
31. "Small Wigs - Home". [[Facebook]].
32. (2011-01-11). "Interview with Chloe Chaidez & Max Kuehn of "Kitten"".
33. [http://blogs.ocweekly.com/heardmentality/2012/03/tsols_greg_kuehn_talks_about_h.php T.S.O.L.'s Greg Kuehn Talks About His Punk Rock Progeny FIDLAR] {{Webarchive. link. (2012-03-25, ''[[OC Weekly]]'')
34. [http://www.redbullusa.com/cs/Satellite/en_US/Article/Interview-With-Los-Angeles-Garage-Punk-Band-Fidlar-021243222145413 Interview With Los Angeles Garage Punk Band FIDLAR], ''[[Red Bull]]''
35. (2015-06-09). "No Win: The FIDLAR Side Project That Sounds Nothing Like FIDLAR - Noisey".
36. (2011-02-19). "The Spazmaster's Domain Presents: FIDLAR!". [[YouTube]].
37. United States. (2011-05-31). "FIDLAR | Free Music, Tour Dates, Photos, Videos".
38. (20 August 2018). "FIDLAR Live Show 2010". [[YouTube]].
39. (22 January 2013). "FIDLAR by FIDLAR on Apple Music".
40. "FIDLAR - FIDLAR".
41. (4 September 2015). "Too by FIDLAR on Apple Music".
42. "FIDLAR - Too".
43. (2018-10-12). "SINGLE BIO: FIDLAR - Can't You See (Liberator Music/Mom+Pop)". Mushroom Promotions.
44. (5 December 2018). "FIDLAR To Release Almost Free LP on Dine Alone in Canada".
45. link
46. Blistein, Jon. (2024-06-10). "Fidlar Tease First Album in Five Years 'Surviving the Dream' With Two New Singles".
47. (12 April 2011). "Diydui - EP by FIDLAR on Apple Music".
48. "FIDLAR {{!}} RING THE ALARM".
49. (10 April 2012). "Don't Try - EP by FIDLAR on Apple Music".
50. "Shit We Recorded In Our Bedroom EP".
51. "Don't Fuck With Vol. 01".
52. "FIDLAR - That's Life - Diggers Factory".
53. "FRIDAY. That's Life".
54. "Don't Fuck with Vol. 02".
55. "Don't Fuck with Vol. 03".
56. Yourself, Brace. (9 January 2019). "The new single from @FIDLAR is the Hottest Record in the World with @AnnieMac TONIGHT on @BBCR1! Tune in from 7pm pic.twitter.com/f0cmRe4nCu". [[Twitter]].
57. {{cite certification
58. (21 February 2012). "FIDLAR - Wait For The Man".
59. (21 February 2012). "FIDLAR - Max Can't Surf".
60. (22 February 2012). "FIDLAR - Oh".
61. (12 June 2012). "FIDLAR - No Waves".
62. (25 October 2012). "FIDLAR - Cheap Beer".
63. (27 November 2012). "FIDLAR - Gimmie Something".
64. (25 February 2013). "FIDLAR - Max Can't Surf II: The Zuk Trip".
65. (2 July 2013). "FIDLAR - Cocaine (Feat. Nick Offerman)".
66. (8 May 2015). "FIDLAR - 40oz On Repeat".
67. (9 July 2015). "FIDLAR - West Coast".
68. (14 August 2015). "FIDLAR - Drone".
69. (30 August 2015). "FIDLAR - Leave Me Alone".
70. (11 January 2016). "FIDLAR - Why Generation".
71. (12 April 2016). "FIDLAR - Punks".
72. (2018-08-13). "FIDLAR - Are You High? (ft. The 90s)". YouTube.
73. (2018-09-13). "FIDLAR - Too Real". YouTube.
74. "Home".
75. (9 January 2019). "FIDLAR - By Myself". [[YouTube]].
76. (24 January 2019). "FIDLAR - "Can't You See"". [[YouTube]].
77. (2019-06-25). "FIDLAR - Flake". [[YouTube]].
78. (29 September 2015). "FIDLAR make TV debut with a rousing performance on Kimmel Live!".
79. (10 November 2016). "Fidlar Air 'West Coast' on Conan".
80. "Peaky Blinders playlist".
81. "10 Years of Mom + Pop".
82. "RSDBF '18 Special Release: Various Artists - Mom+Pop 10 Year Anniversary Compilation".
83. Louise, Katie. (2019-08-24). "13 Reasons Why season 3 soundtrack: Every song featured on the show".
84. (8 February 2020). "Locke and Key Season 1 Netflix Soundtrack List".
85. "New Music Videos, Reality TV Shows, Celebrity News, Pop Culture - MTV".
86. "AIM Best Live Act 2013".

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