Hubcap City (From Belgium) is a band from Atlanta, Georgia that formed in 2000 after the end of Bill Taft and Will Fratesi's previous band, Smoke.
History The group played their first show at the Benjamin Smoke celebration, when Bill asked Will to play percussion on some of Bill's guitar and vocals-based songs. These raucous, acoustic guitar-driven songs harkened back to the style of Bill's first band, The Chowder Shouters. They continued as a duo for several years under the name Hubcap City, releasing several homemade CDs. In 2003, they changed their name to Hubcap City (From Belgium), despite being Americans. The name hubcap city is taken from a Deacon Lunchbox poem. They integrated this concept into their concerts, with Bill claiming to be named Leopold, and Will claiming to be named Wilhelm. Bill also introduced original songs as "The Belgian National Anthem.". Also in 2003, Matthew Proctor joined the band (playing additional percussio, second guitar often lead and also contributing songs. The song Sally on the Ponce 7 inch is a Proctor composition) while Will was playing drums on tour with Cat Power. When Will returned, Hubcap City (From Belgium) became a trio. In 2005, Kat Hairston and Terry Boling joined the band, playing violin (also vocals) and saw, respectively. Kat Hairston left the band in the spring of 2007. In 2006, HC(FB) released its first 7", the Deerhunter/Hubcap City Split on Rob's House Records. Later that year, they released their first full 7", "Sally" b/w "Five More Minutes (recorded a benefit for Todd Butler a close friend of Mr. Taft who also started Smoke)" on Ponce de Leon Records. In 2007, Hubcap City (From Belgium) released their first nationally distributed CD, Superlocalhellfreakride. They continue to perform as a five-piece. Their next release is through the Ashton Velvet Rock Club Recording Company. It will be a tape only release which is a split with Melissa Lonely. www.Myspace.com/avrcrc
Discography EP 1 CD (2001, Self-released) Day Job My Punk Ass Paul's Boot My Wasted Friends Weegee Live: 2001-2002 CD (2002, HIG Records 004) Action! Breakfast at Taxi Driver's The Man Who Never Forgets Hubcap City Paul's Boot Reservoir Some Things Stomp/Atomic Fireball Faulkner's Typewriter Debby Vital Pimp Flash Ready to Serve Rahab Jack Henry The Top of the Hill Sandbox Beautiful and Fucked Up Tracks 1-8 recorded at WREK radio on 11/13/01. Tracks 9 and 12 recorded outside at Railroad Earth Studios 5/19/01. Track 10 recorded at Eyedrum 3/10/01. Track 11 recorded 12/30/01 at The Earl. Tracks 13-17 recorded 8/02/02 at Earthshaking Music.
EP 2 CD (2002, self-released) Reservoir Breakfast at Taxi Driver's Action Atomic Fireball Hubcap City
EP 3 CD (2004, self-released) Jack Henry Kiss Me, Arturo Left Eye Went the Wrong Way Sandbox Cat Hair on Rockabilly Dress Slug Party Door
More Songs For Dead Children CD (2004, self-released) Will's 4-Track Damaged Fried Hold On Slough of Despond Court Dumped Sassy Magazine Record Review #2: Dear Madonna One-Eyed Rapists Attack Unfinished Film Festival Song Beautiful and Fucked Up
Super Local 13 CD (2005, self-released) Staircase Hurrah Hurrah U Don't Know Me Stomp Message Received 2:34 AM Thursday Guest of Honor Five Slugs More Party Minutes 7 Zebra Heads 2 Plastic Skulls Yippie Yeah Yeah Message Received 2:51 AM Thursday Preacher Blackout Ham on Rye Snarl Baby Snarl
NOTE: All of the above CDs are only available through trade. All of the following recordings are or were also available for sale.
Deerhunter/Hubcap City Split 7" (2006, Rob's House Records) Hubcap City - Mad House Deerhunter - Grayscale
Five More Minutes b/w Sally 7" (2006, Ponce de Leon Records) Five More Minutes Sally
Superlocalhellfreakride CD (2007, Xeric 112) Get Rid of Now Unexpected Guest Ring Around the Rosie Wind Blowing on a Sick Man Deer Hunting Sticks in the Graveyard Valley of Bones No Return When the President Sez Bottle of Rum He Brings the Hatchet in the Evening Rahab 2:39 Boxcar Gamelan Guy on Street Hippest Trick More Guy on Street Arabella Sabotage The Anti-Christ is Alive...
References
External links Official Hubcap City (From Belgium) Myspace Hubcap City Official website Stylus Magazine review of Superlocalhellfreakride 2007 Interview with Bill Taft Hubcap City (From Belgium) recordings available at Stickfigure Distribution