Chad Fischer

Chad Fischer
GenresAlternative rock, indie rock
Occupation(s)Musician, producer, songwriter
Instrument(s)Vocals, guitar, bass, drums, keyboard
Years active1991–present
LabelsFish of Death, Almo Sounds, Lookout Sound, Hollywood Records
Member ofLazlo Bane
Formerly ofSchool of Fish, A Don Piper Situation
Websitewww.chadfischermusic.com

Chad Fischer is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer from Santa Monica, California, also known as the frontman of the band Lazlo Bane.

Early years

[edit]
See also: School of Fish

Chad Fischer's early work was being a drummer for the band School of Fish founded by his college friend Josh Clayton-Felt. Fischer replaced the original drummer M.P. in 1991, however he did not play on the band's second album due to fallout with a producer and was replaced by Josh Freese.[1] Nevertheless, Fischer still stayed with the band to perform live.[2] The only official commercial School of Fish release that included his drumming was the single "Take Me Anywhere", which included two live tracks as b-sides.[3]

After School of Fish disbanded in 1994 Chad Fischer went on to build his own recording studio and started to write new material.[1] He signed to Almo Sounds label and formed the band Lazlo Bane, whose debut album, 11 Transistor was released in January 1997.[4]

During the early years Chad Fischer met Colin Hay with whom he became a close friend. Fisher played drums on Hay's 1994 album Topanga, while Hay contributed guitar and vocals to Lazlo Bane's cover of "Overkill" from their debut album. Since then Chad Fischer took part in recording most of Colin Hay's albums, with Fischer's role varying from session musician and songwriter to mixing engineer and co-producer.

Fischer was briefly a member of Don Piper's band A Don Piper Situation playing drums on the self-titled 1997 EP and producing and engineering the track "Ray Falls Down".[5]

Work with Lazlo Bane

[edit]
See also: Lazlo Bane

After Almo Sounds was bought by Universal Music Group[4] Lazlo Bane continued their career as an independent band.[1] Chad Fischer continued to produce Lazlo Bane albums with them being recorded in his own studio and released through the self-established label both named Lookout Sound.[6]

The band's second album All the Time in the World was released in 2002. It included the song "Superman", which became the Lazlo Bane's most recognizable song as it became a theme song for the popular American TV series Scrubs.[1] Chad Fischer along with Lazlo Bane members Tim Bright and Chris Link as songwriters of "Superman" and Scrubs' composer Jan Stevens won BMI TV Music Award of 2003[7] and 2004.[8]

Over the next decade Lazlo Bane released two more studio albums and one EP, all of them independently. Another album by the band, Big Spill, was released in 2013 and was credited to The Rage, Lazlo Bane's alter ego project.

Solo career

[edit]

In October 2019 Chad Fischer released his first non film and TV series related album of music titled National Parks which was dedicated to the American national parks and monuments.[9]

In April 2020 Chad Fischer started releasing videos of music covers[10] on a regular basis. The videos sometimes featured guest appearances by various musicians including long time Fischer's collaborators Larry Goldings,[11] Colin Hay,[12] and School of Fish band members [13] among others. As of October 2021 Fischer released a total of eight videos. Seven songs from these recordings were included on Lazlo Bane album Someday We'll Be Together, which was released on 30 October 2021.[14]

In early 2022 Chad Fischer participated in The Great Song Podcast[15] and Dig Me Out podcast[16] discussing his early musical career with School of Fish, Lazlo Bane, breakthrough of "Superman" as Scrubs theme song and recent video releases and Lazlo Bane reunion.

In July 2022 Fischer released a new video, the cover of The Jayhawks "Blue".[17]

In May 2023 Fishcer took part in Abandoned Albums podcast.[18]

Films and TV series scoring

[edit]

Films

[edit]
See also: Category:Films scored by Chad Fischer

In the beginning of 2000s Chad Fischer started providing music and songs for various films and TV shows.

His first full-length film for which he provided the scores was Garden State, released in 2004. Both the film and its soundtrack proved to be critically and commercially acclaimed. Garden State also featured Fischer's original song called "Motorcycle Ride with Sam." It hasn't been officially released, but it is available to listen in the DVD menu of the film and on his Myspace page.[19]

2005's Little Manhattan featured new songs, both by Fischer and Lazlo Bane, that were written especially for the film. It also featured a cover of The Beatles' song "In My Life" produced by Fischer and performed by Matt Scannell. No soundtrack album was ever released, although one of Fischer's songs, "Map of My Heart", is available to listen on his Myspace page.[19] However, promotional compilation of Chad Fischer's music from Garden State and Little Manhattan also featuring his production work was released circa 2005.[20]

For the 2008 film The Rocker Chad Fischer wrote the score[21] and a number of original songs which were performed by fictional bands A.D.D. and Vesuvius. The actual music was mostly performed by Chad Fischer himself with the vocals provided by Teddy Geiger (for A.D.D.) and Keith England (for Vesuvius). A soundtrack album that featured all the original material was also released in 2008.

In the 2009 film Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs, Chad sings a version of Gilbert O'Sullivan's "Alone Again (Naturally)".

Other films for which Fischer wrote the score are 10 Years, Loosies, The Babysitters, Black Cloud and Chasing Mavericks.[22]

In 2018, Fischer returned to film scores with Eat, Brains, Love directed by Rodman Flender.[23]

Wildflower, a new film with score by Chad Fischer, premiered in 2022.[24]

Aside from film scores Chad Fischer wrote and performed a number of songs for the films he worked on, however none of them were released on any soundtrack albums or elsewhere.[25]

TV series

[edit]

Chad Fischer's early work on TV scores include shows My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star and The Class.

In 2007 Chad Fischer and Lazlo Bane guitarist Tim Bright started scoring American medical drama series Private Practice.[26] During its run Fischer and Bright won BMI TV Music Award four times: in 2008,[27][28] 2009,[29] 2010[30] and 2012.[31] The show concluded after six seasons in 2013.

After Private Practice Chad Fischer started providing music for another ABC's show, Scandal.[32][33] For his work he won the BMI TV Music Award six times from 2013 to 2018.[34][35][36][37][38][39][40]

In early 2018 the show's score album was released, consisting entirely of Chad Fischer's music.[41][42][43] Scandal itself has also ended in 2018.

In 2016 Fischer started scoring yet another ABC's TV series The Catch.[44] The show ended in 2017.

After ABC shows Chad Fischer scored the first season of the YouTube Premium original anthology 2019 series Weird City.[45]

Record producer

[edit]

Chad Fischer started production work from the first Lazlo Bane album 11 Transistor and produced every subsequent album of the band.

After the death of Fischer's longtime friend and School of Fish bandmate Josh Clayton-Felt, he co-executive produced the release of Center of Six, the second Clayton-Felt's posthumous album. It included several tribute songs produced by Chad Fischer and recorded by Josh's friends.

Fischer's production career progressed as he produced the first recordings and helped develop the sound of Cary Brothers, Alexi Murdoch and Joshua Radin.[46] All of them later became successful musical acts.

The highly acclaimed Garden State soundtrack, released in 2004, subsequently winning a Grammy Award in 2005[47] and receiving platinum certification,[48][49] featured two songs produced by Chad Fischer: "Blue Eyes" performed by Cary Brothers and "Winding Road" performed by actress Bonnie Somerville.

Other musicians and bands Fischer did production for feature Everlast, Lisa Loeb, Colin Hay and The Good Luck Joes among others.

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Year Album details
2019 National Parks: An Instrumental Album
  • Released: October 9, 2019

Soundtrack albums

[edit]
Year Album details
2018 Scandal: Original Television Series Soundtrack
[edit]
Year Song Album
2006 "Oye Como Va" My Super Ex-Girlfriend: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
2008 "The Rocker Score Suite" The Rocker: Music from the Motion Picture
2009 "Alone Again" Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
2012 "10 Years Score Suite" 10 Years: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
"Chasing Mavericks Score Suite" Chasing Mavericks: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Songs written and performed for films

[edit]
List of songs by Chad Fischer featured only in films and without a release anywhere else
Year Song Film Notes
2001 "Bright Shiny Theme Song" Bubble Boy Written by Kevin Hunter & Chad Fischer. Performed by Chad Fischer, Kevin Hunter and Rachel Robinson
2002 "See the Day" The First $20 Million Is Always the Hardest
2004 "Motorcycle Ride with Sam" Garden State Instrumental
2005 "Miserable Life" Little Manhattan Written and performed by Chad Fischer and Lyle Workman
"Map of My Heart" Available to listen at Chad Fischer's Myspace page[19]
2007 "Come On" Firehouse Dog
"Bye Bye Bye" The Babysitters Written and performed by Sia and Chad Fischer
2010 "Frank & Beans" Furry Vengeance
2012 "O'Hare Air Jingle" The Lorax

Music videos

[edit]
List of music videos, showing year released
Title Year Director Album
"Tomorrow Never Comes" 2008 Brooke Sasick N/A
"Yosemite" 2019 National Parks
"Yellowstone"
"Craters of the Moon"
"Shenandoah"
"Gates of the Arctic" 2020
"A Life of Illusion" Chad Fischer[50] Someday We'll Be together
"Nature's Way"
"Dear God"
"3 Strange Days"
"You've Got a Friend"
"I'll Do Everything"
"Big Shot"
"Our House" 2021
"Blue" 2022 N/A
As director
List of music videos, showing year released
Title Year Artist
"Send Somebody"[51] 2011 Colin Hay
"Love Is Eveywhere"[52] 2022

With Lazlo Bane

[edit]
Studio albums
Year Album details
1997 11 Transistor
2002 All the Time in the World
  • Released: September 27, 2002
  • Label: Self-released
2006 Back Sides
  • Released: April 11, 2006
  • Label: Self-released
2007 Guitly Pleasures
  • Released: July 10, 2007
  • Label: Lookout Sound
2013 Big Spill
(The Rage)
  • Released: April 23, 2013
  • Label: Lookout Mountain
2021 Someday We'll Be Together
(Lazlo Bane & Friends)
  • Released: October 30, 2021
  • Label: Self-released
EPs
Year Album details
1996 Short Style
  • Released: August 20, 1996
  • Label: Almo Sounds
2012 Guilty Pleasures the 80's Volume 1
  • Released: October 16, 2012
  • Label: Lookout Sound

With A Don Piper Situation

[edit]
EPs
Year Album details
1997 A Don Piper Situation
  • Released: 1997
  • Label: Scrimshaw Records

As producer, engineer, composer or session musician

[edit]
See also: Category:Albums produced by Chad Fischer
See also: Category:Song recordings produced by Chad Fischer
Year Subject Collaborator Comment
1994 Topanga Colin Hay drums, tambourine[53]
1995 Sins of Our Fathers Andy Prieboy drums, percussion, vocals
1996 Xtended Play Star 69 song "Girl from Mars" recorded and mixed by Chad Fischer (also b-side to "I'm Insane" single)"[53][54]
1997 Eating February song "Rotten Punch" recorded and mixed by Chad Fischer, also credited as additional musicican[53][55]
1998 Transcendental Highway Colin Hay Drums, Percussion, Guitar, Backing Vocals[53][56]
1999 Another True Fiction Jeremy Toback co-writer of the song "You Make Me Feel"
2000 The Notorious One Man Orgy Josh Freese recorded and mixed by Chad Fischer[53][57]
2001 Complicated '00 Andras Jones Chad Fischer co-written, produced, played drums and guitar on "Mystery Behind", drums on "Complicated O"
Going Somewhere Colin Hay mastering, co-writer of the song "Lifeline"
Ali: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Everlast Chad Fischer co-produced the song "The Greatest" with Everlast and Keefus Ciancia
The Dog Days of Summer GIVE mixing[58]
King Of Yesterday Jude co-writer of "Everything's Alright (I Think It's Time)", guitars on "King Of Yesterday", backing vocals on "The Not So Pretty Princess", co-producer on "Oh Boy"[59]
2002 Spirit Touches Ground Josh Clayton-Felt Chad Fischer plays drums and does mixing
Company of Strangers Colin Hay co-writer of the songs "No Win Situation", "How Long Will It Last", "Lifeline", piano, drums, percussion, background vocals, engineer, mixing
Hello Lisa Lisa Loeb co-writer of the song "Take Me Back"
Four Songs Alexi Murdoch Bass, Drums, Percussion, Keyboards, Со-Producer
2003 Man @ Work Colin Hay Chad Fischer provides percussion, drums, recorder, background vocals, loops and drum programming, and also acts as engineer and does mixing
"Don't Bring Me Down" Sia co-writer of the b-side "Broken Biscuit"; later included on the 2006 US reissue of the album Colour the Small One
2004 Modern Drummer Presents Drum Nation Volume One Josh Freese recorded and mixed the song "Lagerborg"[60]
Garden State: Music from the Motion Picture Bonnie Somerville Fischer produced the song "Winding Road"
Riding the Wave The Blanks The cover of Lazlo Bane's "Superman" is produced by Fischer
Fast Too Slow Samsara drums, rhodes and additional recording on the cover of Lazlo Bane's "Trampoline"
2005 Sky High: Original Soundtrack Cary Brothers producer of the cover of Spandau Ballet's "True"
2006 We Were Here Joshua Radin piano
2007 Best Days Matt White bass, drums, guitar, keyboards, percussion, engineer, co-writer of the song "Just What I'm Looking For"
Are You Lookin' at Me? Colin Hay drums on "This Time I Got You" and "Me and My Imaginary Friend", percussion on "This Time I Got You", co-producer on "This Time I Got You" and "I Wish I Was Still Drinking", engineer, mixing
Better for the Metaphor Cantinero drums
Hopeful Romantic Renee Stahl drums
The Ten: Film Soundtrack Peter Salett Fischer produced the song "The End of the End of the Ten"
Long Story Short Larry Goldings percussion on "Northeast Direct" and "Foot", producer, recording, mixing, cover art[61]
Here Right Now Graham Colton co-writer of the song "Forget About You"
2008 Wilderness Mad Buffalo drums on the "Rainy Day"
2009 American Sunshine Colin Hay bongos on "Prison Time", backing vocals on "The End of Wilhelmina"
2011 Gathering Mercury Colin Hay drums, percussion, piano, backing vocals, bass guitar, xylophone, bells, mellotron, mixing, additional engineering
2012 10 Years: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack Oscar Isaac producer of the song "You Ain't Going Nowhere" (film credit also stated Chad Fischer as a performer along with Kate Mara)
2015 Next Year People Colin Hay drums, tambourine, bass, piano; co-producer of the song "Are We There Yet", engineer on the songs "Are We There Yet" and "Lived in Vain"
Left Brained, Right Hearted Michelle Citrin shakers, tambourines and conga[62]
2017 "Satisfaction" GIVE mixing, dates to 2001[63]
Salma Har Tom Rossi recording and mixing[64]
"You and Me" GIVE recording, mixing, dates to 2002[65]
2019 "Holding It Down" recording, mixing, dates to 2002[66]
December Wildfire Ian Bowers mixing[67]
2020 "Feeling Good" GIVE mixing, dates to early 2000's[68]
"Standing in the Rain" recording, mixing, dates to 2002[69]
2021 I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself Colin Hay guitar, bass, piano, drums, percussion, harmonica, banjo, harmoniuum, mellotron, vocals, mixing, engineer, orchestration
2022 Now and the Evermore backing vocals and mixing on "The Sea Of Always" and "Starfish And Unicorn", mixing on "Love Is Everywhere"
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "Lazlo Bane wants to be your 'Superman'". Pauseandplay.com. Archived from the original on October 21, 2013. Retrieved October 20, 2013.
  2. ^ "School of Fish: The Best Lesson Learned". 2ndfirstlook.com. December 27, 2010. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
  3. ^ "Take Me Anywhere" CD single liner notes
  4. ^ a b "Almo Sounds History". onamrecords.com. Retrieved July 14, 2014.
  5. ^ "A Don Piper Situation music". adonpipersituation.net. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  6. ^ "CHAD FISCHER BIO". lookoutsound.com. Archived from the original on June 2, 2006. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  7. ^ "2003 BMI Film/TV Awards: Song List". bmi.com. May 14, 2003. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  8. ^ "2004 BMI Film/TV Awards: Song List". bmi.com. May 12, 2004. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  9. ^ "About National Parks". chadfischermusic.com. Retrieved October 21, 2019.
  10. ^ "A Life Of Illusion (Joe Walsh)". youtube.com. April 18, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  11. ^ "Big Shot (performed by GoldFisch) featuring Ron Burgundy". youtube.com. October 15, 2020. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  12. ^ "You've Got A Friend (QC)". youtube.com. June 20, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  13. ^ "3 Strange Days (2020)". youtube.com. May 21, 2020. Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  14. ^ "Someday We'll Be Together - Lazlo Bane". music.apple.com. October 30, 2021. Retrieved November 1, 2021.
  15. ^ "I'm No Superman (Theme from "Scrubs") w Chad Fischer of Lazlo Bane". greatsongpodcast.com. February 16, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  16. ^ "Chad Fischer of School of Fish talks with us about the shifting tides of the 90s, becoming friends with Colin Hay, and making a music living". digmeoutpodcast.com. April 8, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  17. ^ "Blue (The Chads)". youtube.com. July 16, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
  18. ^ "Episode 410: Chad Fischer - Musician, Composer, Frontman of". abandonedalbums.podbean.com. March 15, 2023. Retrieved October 10, 2023.
  19. ^ a b c Chad Fischer, on Myspace
  20. ^ "The Film Music of Chad Fischer". discogs. Retrieved December 27, 2017.
  21. ^ Mikael Carlsson (May 13, 2008). ""The Rocker" Assigned to Chad Fischer". filmmusicmag.com. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  22. ^ "Chad Fischer Scoring 'Chasing Mavericks'". filmmusicreporter.com. August 31, 2012. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  23. ^ "Chad Fischer to Score Rodman Flender's 'Eat, Brains, Love'". filmmusicreporter.com. August 14, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  24. ^ "Chad Fischer Scoring Matt Smukler's 'Wildflower'". filmmusicreporter.com. September 11, 2022. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  25. ^ "Chad Fischer on IMDB". IMDb. Retrieved August 26, 2016.
  26. ^ "RIP Private Practice". serenadaconceicao.com. December 10, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  27. ^ "2008 BMI Film/TV Awards - Winners List". bmi.com. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  28. ^ "Private Practice : Season 4". Metacritic. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  29. ^ "2009 BMI Film & Television Music Awards Winners". bmi.com. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  30. ^ "2010 BMI Film/TV Award Winners". bmi.com. May 20, 2010. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  31. ^ "Rolfe Kent Receives Richard Kirk Award at BMI Film & TV Awards". bmi.com. May 17, 2012. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  32. ^ "Chad Fischer To Score ABC's 'Scandal'". filmmusicreporter.com. September 16, 2011. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  33. ^ "Best of 2012 (Behind the Scenes): Music Supervisor Alexandra Patsavas scores with 'Scandal'". Entertainment Weekly. December 13, 2012. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  34. ^ "Cliff Martinez and Top Composers Honored at the 2013 BMI Film & TV Awards". bmi.com. May 16, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  35. ^ "Mychael Danna Honored at BMI Film & TV Awards". filmmusicreporter.com. May 15, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  36. ^ "Mychael Danna and Top Composers Honored at 2014 BMI Film/TV Awards". bmi.com. May 15, 2014. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  37. ^ "Oscar-Winning Composer Alexandre Desplat Honored as BMI Icon at 2015 Film/TV Awards". bmi.com. May 14, 2015. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  38. ^ "Composer James Newton Howard Honored as BMI Icon at 2016 Film/TV Awards". bmi.com. May 12, 2016. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  39. ^ "Alan Silvestri Receives BMI Icon Award at 2017 BMI Film, TV and Visual Media Awards". bmi.com. May 11, 2017. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  40. ^ "John Williams Honored With Special Award at 34th Annual BMI Film, TV & Visual Media Awards". bmi.com. May 10, 2018. Retrieved May 7, 2019.
  41. ^ "Score Album for ABC's 'Scandal' to Be Released". filmmusicreporter.com. January 18, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  42. ^ Media Gazelle (January 28, 2018). "Out on Spotify: 'Scandal (Original Television Series Soundtrack)' by Chad Fischer". crank11.news. Retrieved August 12, 2018.[permanent dead link]
  43. ^ Mihnea Manduteanu (March 26, 2018). "Soundtrack review: Scandal (Chad Fischer – 2018)". soundtrackdreams.com. Archived from the original on July 29, 2018. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  44. ^ "Chad Fischer Scoring ABC's 'The Catch'". filmmusicreporter.com. March 17, 2016. Retrieved August 12, 2018.
  45. ^ "YouTube Premium's 'Weird City' to Feature Original Score by Chad Fischer". filmmusicreporter.com. January 28, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  46. ^ "Josh Radin". waycoolmusic.net. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  47. ^ "Nominations and wins". Grammy. Retrieved March 5, 2019.
  48. ^ Paoletta, Michael (September 22, 2007). "One Man, One Soundtrack". Billboard. p. 32. Retrieved April 22, 2013.
  49. ^ "American certifications – Garden State". Recording Industry Association of America.
  50. ^ "Chad Fischer Music". chadfischermusic.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  51. ^ "Colin Hay – Send Somebody". June 13, 2011. Retrieved January 21, 2018 – via Vimeo.
  52. ^ "Colin Hay – Love Is Eveywhere". 2022. Retrieved April 4, 2022 – via Vimeo.
  53. ^ a b c d e "Chad Fischer credits". AllMusic. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  54. ^ "Star 69 – Xtended Play". discogs. 1996. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  55. ^ "Star 69 – Eating February". discogs. 1997. Retrieved November 13, 2017.
  56. ^ "Colin Hay – Transcendental Highway". discogs. 1998. Retrieved November 10, 2017.
  57. ^ "Josh Freese – The Notorious One Man Orgy". discogs. July 8, 2000. Retrieved November 14, 2017.
  58. ^ "Give". lollipop.com. Retrieved March 7, 2018.
  59. ^ "Jude - King Of Yesterday". discogs.com. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  60. ^ "Josh Freese – Lagerborg". bandcamp.com. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  61. ^ "Larry Goldings - Long Story Short". discogs.com. Retrieved November 18, 2020.
  62. ^ "Left Brained, Right Hearted by Michelle Citrin". bandcamp.com. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  63. ^ "Satisfaction by Give". bandcamp.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  64. ^ "Salma Har by Tom Rossi". bandcamp.com. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
  65. ^ "You and Me by Give". bandcamp.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  66. ^ "Holding It Down by Give". bandcamp.com. Retrieved October 3, 2018.
  67. ^ "December Wildfire". instagram.com. Archived from the original on December 25, 2021. Retrieved December 26, 2019.
  68. ^ "Feeling Good by Give". bandcamp.com. Retrieved April 23, 2020.
  69. ^ "Standing in the Rain by Give". bandcamp.com. Retrieved June 22, 2020.
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