Oblivion (punk band)

Oblivion was a punk rock group from the Chicago area. The band was composed of Pete Kourim on bass guitar and lead vocals, Scott Ozark on guitar and back-up vocals, and Brian Czarnik on drums.

History[]

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 1990s. During the late 90s, 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. After more than a decade of playing together, the group disbanded. They played a farewell show in March 2000.

Post-breakup[]

• After the group disbanded, Brian moved to Florida and worked on a big cat (tigers/lions) sanctuary. Scott played with the Nobs, while Pete continued to play in Mexican Cheerleader, a band that started while Oblivion still existed.

Reunion show[]

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

Discography[]

• 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) 1998
• Sweatpants U.S.A. (CD) 1999

Splits[]

• split with (split, 7") 1995
• split with Humble Beginnings (split, 7") 1997
• split with Apocalypse Hoboken (split, 7") 1997
• split with (split, 7") Johann's Face Records 1997
• split with (split CD) Dr Strange Records 1999

Compilation appearances[]

• A Very Punk Christmas (2x7") /Further Beyond 1993
• Dumpsterland No. 7 (zine + 7") 1994
• A Taste Of Chicago (CD) 1995
• Achtung Chicago! Drei (LP 12"/CD) 1995
• Punk: It's All About The Orchis Factor (CD) Suburban Home Records 1996
• ABC's Of Punk (LP 12"/CD) 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) 1998
• Girls Kick Ass! (CD) 1999
• Capitol Radio (CD) Torque 1999
• Playing 4 Square, Vol. 1 (CD) Suburban Home Records 2000
• Magnetic Curses (CD) Thick Records 2000

Related bands[]

• - Pete Kourim, with two others who would join The Vindictives, where the origins of the song "Stolen" came from.
• The Bollweevils - Brian Czarnik
• - Pete Kourim
• The Nobs - Scott Ozark

Sources[]

• Johanns Face Records
• Centerstage Chicago
• Knotmag.com Interview circa 2000
• Mexican Cheerleader on MySpace