F5 was a heavy metal band based out of Phoenix, Arizona, which featured ex-Megadeth bassist David Ellefson and ex-Megadeth drummer Jimmy DeGrasso.Meyer, Frank. KNAC. Mega-Exclusive! Interview With F5 Bassist Dave Ellefson. Retrieved on August 4, 2007.
History Before F5 was formed, David Ellefson was the bassist for thrash metal band Megadeth.F5 Official Site. F5-Biography. Biography. Retrieved on April 7, 2009. But in 2002, the band dissolved due to an injury to frontman Dave Mustaine's arm. Megadeth reformed in 2004, but Ellefson was unable to come to an agreement with Mustaine on terms for rejoining the band. Ellefson went on to produce a local band called Lifted, where he met guitarist Steve Conley and drummer Dave Small.Dave. Heavy Metal Resource Interviews. F5's Dave Ellefson. Retrieved on August 4, 2007. After recruiting guitarist John Davis and vocalist Dale Steele, F5 was then formed.
In 2005, F5 released their debut album A Drug for All Seasons recorded with producer Ryan Greene, who had worked with Megadeth, Bad Religion, and NOFX. The record was released worldwide in 2005 via JVC (Japan/Asia), Mascot (Europe), and Cleopatra Records (North America). F5 toured in support of the album, including opening for Staind for one tour date on the Jägermeister Music Tour in 2006.Sidney Frank Importing Company. Jägermeister Music Tour. Spring 2006 Jägermeister Music Tour featuring Staind. Retrieved on October 9, 2007. MTV premiered the music video of F5's song "Dissidence". The song "Dissidence" is included on the compilation CD Unleashed 3.Blabbermouth . F5 Featured On Unleashed Compilation CD. Retrieved on October 31, 2007.
In March 2013, the album was reissued exclusively on iTunes with a new bonus track, "Sleeping Giants".
In 2008, F5 released their second studio album entitled The Reckoning, with Ellefson's former Megadeth band-mate Jimmy DeGrasso joining on drums after Small left in 2007, and Ryan Greene again producing. The album was released via OarFin Distribution (Koch), licensed to Nightmare Records in North America and Silverwolf Productions in Europe. A video emerged for the album's title track "The Reckoning", followed by one for an unreleased non-album cover of Fight's "Nailed to the Gun".
In 2009, drummer Jimmy DeGrasso returned to Alice Cooper's band. In early 2010, David Ellefson left to rejoin Megadeth, leaving the future of F5 unknown. In May 2013, Steve Conley left to join Flotsam and Jetsam.
Band members Dale Steele – vocals (2003–2013) Steve Conley – guitars (2003–2013) John Davis – guitars (2003–2013) David Ellefson – bass (2003–2010) Dave Small – drums (2003–2007) Jimmy DeGrasso – drums (2007–2010)
Discography Albums A Drug for All Seasons (released September 13, 2005, via Cleopatra Records, produced by Ryan Greene) 01 – Faded 02 – Dissidence 03 – Fall to Me 04 – A Drug for All Seasons 05 – Bleeding 06 – What I Am (Edie Brickell and Kenny Withrow) 07 – Dying on the Vine 08 – Hold Me Down 09 – Defacing 10 – X'd Out 11 – Look You in the Eyes 12 – Forte Sonata The Reckoning (released August 19, 2008, produced by Ryan Greene) 01 – No Excuse 02 – I Am the Taker 03 – The Reckoning 04 – Rank and File 05 – Love Is Dead 06 – Through Hell 07 – Wake Up 08 – Cause for Concern 09 – My End 10 – Control 11 – Final Hour
Videos Live for All Seasons "Dissidence" "The Reckoning" "Nailed to the Gun"
References
External links
F5 official site F5 official MySpace page David Ellefson official site Jimmy DeGrasso official site Dave Small official site
Reviews F5 review at BC Music F5 review at Billboard F5 review at Blabbermouth
F5 review at Rock Eyez
Interviews F5 interview at Garage Radio F5 interview at Hard Music Magazine F5 interview at Heavy Metal Resource F5 interview at Knac F5 interview at Metal Temple F5 interview at Shockwaves Magazine David Ellefson interview at Alternative-Zine.com