What happened to the old bio?
We were bored with it and thought that this would be more fun.

How would you describe the Conniption Fits sound?
I wouldn't. But if I had to try I would say that they take a basic foundation of old school punk and layer it with splashes of pop, pinches of metal, hints of new wave, and big heaps of garage rock and roll. But this could all change with the next song that they write.

Who plays what and stuff?
Justin writes about 60% of the songs, sings about the same percent, and plays drums on all of them. Patrik writes the remaining 40% of the words, sings that much of them, writes 90% of the music, plays guitar (and bass on one song.) Dylan plays the bass and keyboards and has just recently started bringing in his own songs.

How did you all meet?
Short version of the story - we met at work. At one time all three of us worked for a photography company called SharpShooter Spectrum. Dylan and Patrik still work there, Justin has moved on.

When did the Conniption Fits start?
Patrik and Justin first started playing together in August of 2000. They spent several months trying to find other people to complete the band but they never did, so early 2001 was really when they decided to be a real band. It was just the two of them for a long time until Dylan DeBenedictis (from the seminal death metal band Self-Inflicted) saw them perform and begged them to be in the band. The current line up has existed since December 2001.

Did the Conniption Fits have any other names?
Officially - The Ruttigers. Unofficially - The Double Fisters, Justin Esquer and The Esquerlators, Jesus Was A Crossdresser, Testicular Manslaughter, Preparation H-Bomb.

What bands have influenced the Conniption Fits?
The big three - The Ramones, The Clash, Rancid. The Conniption Fits would not exist if it weren't for those bands. But on only a slightly smaller scale Black Flag, the Misfits, Le Shok, Thug Murder, Elvis Costello, Rocket From The Crypt, Scared of Chaka, Dead Kennedys, 60's Jamaican and 70's British ska, The Briefs, Gary "U.S." Bonds, ESL!?, Del Shannon, Buddy Holly and Chuck Berry have all shaped the Conniption Fits sound.

What music have Conniption Fits released?
"Live In Your Living Room", a D.I.Y. CD demo recorded in February 2002 on a four track, is available via mail order or at AAA Electra 99 in Anaheim. Check the "Discography" section for more details.

What bands have the Conniption Fits played with?
Notion, Three-Sixty, Miracle Chosuke, Punk As A Doornail, ESL!?, The Hanks, Bar Exam, Pip, La Banda Skalavera, The Bikini Bumps, Nolan, Deville, Pinhead Circus and more.

Have there been any other members of the Conniption Fits?
Yes. Francis Castanon played bass with the Conniption Fits for a few months, until the musical gods decreed that they rocked a little too hard with three people and they had to get rid of one.

Who is that really awesome guy that always introduces The Conniption Fits when they play live?
That's the official band photographer Robert Gay. He's been Justin's best friend for years. He takes really fucking good pictures.

How come we never get to see any of Rob's pictures?
Because Patrik (who runs the website) doesn't have a scanner or know anyone who does. But trust us, they look really good. Actually, you can see some if you buy the Conniption Fits CD. Oh and while we're on the subject - mad props to Patrick Trott, Cat Viet and Will Bryant, who have also captured the Conniption Fits in various multimeida formats.

I'm a girl/guy. When I saw the Conniption Fits, Patrik/Justin promised me sex. When do I get to collect?
At the next show you come to.

What is the song ______________ about?
Wow, thanks. No one usually asks us that.

"Dead Man on the Third Floor" is about a guy that died in Justin's apartment complex. He lived on the same floor as him, right down the hall. Freaky huh?

"Radio Song" is about that feeling that everything the majority of people listen to is just geriatric coffee table dog shit. Obviously the verses are meant to be sarcastic. (This song was written before The Hives were on the radio, the Conniption Fits like them a lot.)

"America At War" is pretty self explanatory.

"Orange County's Burning" is about things that Patrik loves - driving his car, punk rock etc. - and escaping into them.

"Hair of the Dog" is about drinking! In case you haven't heard it, 'hair of the dog that bit you' is an expression that means drinking when you wake up in the morning to fight off a hangover. Oi.

"The Honeymooners" is about two people who were Patrik's best friends until he realized that all they did was talk shit about people, including him. One of the Honeymooners, Marcus, volunteered to record the initial Conniption Fits demo. Then, not only did it take him three months to mix it, not only were the results rather shoddy, but he had the NERVE to print out a fucking CONTRACT for us to sign! For a crappy little four song PUNK demo, he made us sign a contract saying how much we could sell it for and that if we sold it for over a certain amount he would get part of the profits. Hence the line "Made me sign for a slap in the face." This was a long time ago and Patrik has since gotten over the incidents, but the song captures how he felt on a certain day at a certain moment.

"Song Unknown" is about struggling with addiction. It happens to be Patrik's favorite song of Justin's.

"Would It Be Alright?" was written fairly shortly after September 11. Every TV channel, newspaper, magazine and radio station was talking about the tragedy and the impending war. This song is about Patrik's way of dealing with that fear. It was also a love letter of sorts to a certain person who shall remain nameless. (but she knows who she is.)

"Bus Stop CasaNowhere" is about Justin's dream girl that he saw at the bus stop once but never talked to and has always regretted it.

Are the Conniption Fits a political band?
No. Why not? I've always loved Glenn Danzig's response to this question. "I'm not saying there shouldn't be political bands, we just aren't one."

Have you guys been in any other bands before?
Justin has been playing for years in bands that never made it out of the garage. Dylan was in the band Self-Inflicted. Patrik has been in the bands Chiquita Nutcase, Les Sexuals and Civil Unrest.


How can I contact the Conniption Fits?
The best way is through Patrik. Justin doesn't have a phone and Dylan doesn't really have a place to live right now. You can reach Patrik by email: patrikstatik@hotmail.com

I want to book the Conniption Fits to play a show.
Well god bless you! We'll play anywhere as long as it's not the Shack and preferably an all ages show.