Five Iron Frenzy

by Stephen Thomas Erlewine Five Iron Frenzy were one of the seemingly thousands of ska-punk bands that dominated the post-grunge mainstream modern-rock scene of the late 90s. The group — comprised of Reese Roper (vocals), Micah Ortega (guitar), Scott Kerr (guitar, backing vocals), Keith Hoerig (bass), Andrew Verdecchio (drums), Dannis Culp (trombone, backing vocals), Leanor Jeff Ortega (saxophone) and Nathanel Brad Dunham (trumpet) — formed in Denver during the mid-90s. After a few years of constant gigging, the band attracted a strong regional following and their 1996 debut album, Upbeats and Beatdowns, became a local hit. The record led to major label interest, and the band signed with the Warner subsidiary SaraBellum in 1997. SaraBellum reissued Upbeats & Beatdowns in the spring, paving the way for the November release of Our Newest Album Ever!, the bands second album. The live Proof That the Youth Are Revolting followed in 1999, and a year later Five Iron Frenzy returned with the studio album All the Hype That Money Can Buy.