Oblivion (band)

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Oblivion was a seminal punked-out metal rock group from the Chicago area. The band was comprised of Pete Kourim on the bass guitar and lead vocals, Scott Ozark on guitar and back-up vocals, and Brian Czarnik on drums. The group started as a heavy metal cover band in 1988, but their style solidified to have more of a punk focus by the early 1990's. After more than a decade of playing together, the group disbanded in 2001.

1 Reunion show
2 Following
3 Trivia
4 Releases
5 Splits
6 Compilations
7 Sources

[edit] Reunion show

Oblivion played a reunion show on December 29th, 2006 at the Abbey Pub in Chicago, Illinois. They performed with Apocalypse Hoboken. This was the first show the band played in over five years.

[edit] Following

During the late 90's, Oblivion had a strong following in the Chicago/Midwest punk scene. Their musical stylings borrowed equal parts from punk, metal, and classic rock. They released a number of 7"s and full length albums primarily on Johann's Face Records, although they also released music on Dr. Strange, Underdog, and others. Songs often commented on social interactions, stories about troubled girls, and relationship issues seen from a cryptic moody perspective. The group sometimes made social commentary but mostly in an indirect and self-debasing way.

[edit] Trivia

Pete was in another group called Amish Vomit, with two others who would join The Vindictives, where the origins of the song "Stolen" came from.
Brian was also simultaneously in the band The Bollweevils.
In the band's later years, the members were sometimes known as Pete Oblivion, Scott Oblivion, and Bri-O.
After the group disbanded, Pete moved on to a group called Mexican Cheerleader, Scott formed The Nobs, and Brian moved to Florida and worked on a big cat (tigers/lions) sanctuary.
Brian was known for his occasional Elvis impressions.

[edit] Releases

S/T (cassette, 1st Demo) self-release 1989
Neighborhood (cassette, 2nd Demo) self-release 1990
Think Tightope Boobjob (cassette, 3rd Demo) self-release 1992 (self distributed at Lollapalooza)
Product (ep, 7") Johanns Face Records 1993
Full Blown Grover (ep, 7") Johanns Face Records 1994
Stop Thief (LP, 12"/CD) Johanns Face Records 1994
Shoot Me a Waco (LP, 12"/CD) Johanns Face Records 1995
Suckers From The Start (CD) Sinister Label 1998
Sweatpants U.S.A. (LP, 12"/CD) Suburban Home 1999

[edit] Splits

split with No Empathy (split, 7") Underdog Records 1995
split with Humble Beginnings (split, 7") Medio-Core 1997
split with Apocalypse Hoboken (split, 7") Harmless Records 1997
split with Gods Reflex (split, 7") Johann's Face Records 1997
split with Man Dingo (split CD) Dr Strange Records 1999

[edit] Compilations

A Very Punk Christmas (2x7") Rocco Records/Further Beyond 1993
Dumpsterland #7 (zine + 7") Dumpsterland Zine 1994
A Taste Of Chicago (CD) Strikeout Wreck-Chords 1995
Achtung Chicago! Drei (LP 12"/CD) Underdog Records1995
Punk: It's All About The Orchis Factor (CD) Suburban Home Records 1996
ABC's Of Punk (LP 12"/CD) Whirled Records 1997
Marc's A Dick And Gar's A Drunk (LP 12"/CD) Johann's Face Records 1997
The Check's In The Mail: The Rise And Fall Of The Rocco Empire (CD) Rocco Records 1998
Girls Kick Ass! (CD) Punk Rock Onion 1999
Capitol Radio (CD) Torque 1999
Playing 4 Square, Vol. 1 (CD) Subruban Home Records 2000