Best Kissers in the World

Best Kissers in the World is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington,[1] formed in 1989 in Phoenix, AZ.

Best Kissers in the World
OriginPhoenix, Arizona, U.S.
GenresPost-grunge, pop punk
Years active1991 (1991)–1996
LabelsSub Pop, MCA
Past membersGerald Collier
Danny Bland
Andy Spath
Sten Olson
Dave Swafford
Tim Arnold
Jimmy Paulson
Jeff Stone
Paul Schurr

History

The original lineup consisted of Gerald Collier (lead vocals, guitar) and Danny Bland[2] (bass, also of Cat Butt and Dwarves) who relocated to Seattle in 1990 where they added Sten Olson (guitar) and Andy Spath (drums) shortly before signing to Sub Pop records. In 1991, the band released their eponymously named debut EP[3] (Produced by Jon Auer of The Posies and Big Star) and toured with L7, Social Distortion, and Pegboy. After replacing Bland, Olson, and Spath with Dave Swafford, Jimmy Paulson (The Lemons), and Tim Arnold (Cherry Poppin' Daddies) the band signed with MCA Records[4][5] and, in early 1993, released a second EP, entitled Puddin.[6][7] After touring in support of the MCA EP, Jimmy Paulson left the band to return to his former band The Lemons and was replaced by guitarist Jeff Stone in time to record their first full-length album Been There.[8][9]

In 1995, after touring with School of Fish, Chainsaw Kittens,[10] and X[11] Dave Swafford left and was replaced by Paul Schurr (of Flop) who toured with the band and recorded on their final MCA album, Yellow Brick Roadkill. In 1995, the band was dropped from MCA's lineup just weeks before Yellow Brick Roadkill was to be released.[12][13] The record was finally released with additional demo and alternate versions of the songs by the small label Hail the Sound in May 2012[14] Collier reformed the band briefly in 2007[15][16] and again in 2010 and played shows in Portland, OR and Seattle, WA.

Band members
Former members
  • Gerald Collier – guitar, lead vocals (formation-2007)
  • Danny Bland – bass (formation–1992)
  • Sten Olsen – lead guitar (1991–1993)
  • Andy Spath – drums (1991-1992)
  • Dave Swafford – bass (1993-1995)
  • Jimmy Paulson – lead guitar (1993)
  • Jeff Stone – lead guitar (1993–1996)
  • Tim Arnold – drums (1993–1996)[17]
  • Paul Schurr – bass (1995–1996)
  • Mark Kent - lead guitar (2010)
  • Andy Nelsen - bass (2010)
  • Kevin Byers - drums (2010)

Discography
Studio albums
  • Been There (MCA 1993)[18][19]
  • Yellow Brick Roadkill (Recorded 1996, Hail the Sound Records 2012)
EPs
  • Best Kissers in the World (Sub Pop 1991)
  • Puddin (MCA 1993)
Singles
  • Goldfish Bowl (Sub Pop 1991)
  • Take me Home (Lucky Records 1992)
  • Broke my Knee (Crackpot 1992)
  • Sweet Pea (Lucky Records 1993)
  • Bleeder (MCA 1994)
  • Skinned My Heart, Broke My Knee (Hail The Sound Records 2011)
Compilations
  • Pick up the Tempo Twisted Willie, Tribute to Willie Nelson[20] (1996)

References
  1. "Gerald Collier, How Can There Be Another Day? (In Music We Trust, 2007)". Green Man Review
  2. Everybody Loves Our Town: An Oral History of Grunge By Mark Yarm
  3. Best Kissers in the World EP Review on AllMusic
  4. "PUCKER UP FOR POP SHUNNED IN THE VALLEY, FORMER PHOENICIANS BEST KISSERS IN THE WORLD GOT SLOBBERED OVER IN SEATTLE" By Fred Mills, Phoenix New Times, Apr 21 1993
  5. "Major Label Signings this Year (12/93)", New on the Charts, 12/1993
  6. William Ruhlmann. Puddin EP Review on AllMusic
  7. SPIN Media LLC (May 1993). SPIN. SPIN Media LLC. pp. 4–. ISSN 0886-3032.
  8. SPIN Media LLC (December 1993). SPIN. SPIN Media LLC. pp. 33–. ISSN 0886-3032.
  9. Been There Review on AllMusic
  10. "Best Kissers Have Been There, And Now They're Back Again". November 13, 1993| by FRANK PEARN JR. The Morning Call interview with Gerald Collier]
  11. Locey, Bill. Ready to Pucker Up in Ventura : The Best Kissers in the World may be from Seattle, but they don't do the grunge thing. They'll open for X on Saturday." September 16, 1993 Los Angeles Times
  12. "INTERVIEW: Gerald Collier One of the most underrated singer-songwriters (Isota Records)". Alex Steininger, Oct. 2012 In Music We Trust ]
  13. "Gerald Collier Shares Unreleased Covers, Demos, and B-Sides". Obscure Sound.
  14. Hartward, Randy. "RESURRECTING ROADKILL Best Kissers in the World". Blurt Online..
  15. May 2007 Seattle Weekly interview with Gerald Collier
  16. "Gerald Collier: Still the Best Kisser in the World?". Nada Music, December 5th, 2007 By Julia Montagnet.
  17. Ruhlmann, William. "Best Kissers in the World". EZ Rock 800.
  18. "Reject Roundup: Stop, Drop, and Roll". by Rick Levin The Stranger
  19. "Around The Sound -- There's More To Northwest Rock Than Nirvana". By Patrick Macdonald Seattle Times.
  20. Willie Nelson /still writing songs" Portsmouth Daily Times - Aug 26, 1995
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