By All Means was a fast, melodic skatepunk band from Los Angeles, California, USA, that was active from 1999 to 2011 and again from 2016 to 2020.
Biography[]
From their inception, By All Means was recognized in the local scene for their high-octane, supercharged live shows fronted by main songwriter and guitarist Craig Petorella. The man responsible for the spastic beating of the drum kit was Brandon Anthony, which was a driving force in the entertainment value of their performances. Grant Woofter as the bassist and sporadic provider of backing vocals, mainly chants and quick jaunts at the microphone in between songs, wasn’t as intimately tied to the mic as his counterparts so he became a cog on stage exploring its entirety while the other members were fixed at their prospective posts. They established themselves as a band in 1999 which began with them as teenagers writing punk/pop numbers. Over the course of a few years with Craig at the helm of the songwriting and his ability to do so making a quantum leap, the group evolved their sound with more mature and polished song structures. Craig’s amassed proficiency contained high-speed intricate guitar production, a pounding rhythm section, and memorable melodies and harmonies which landmark only a few of their stand-out qualities. Their home base, the South Bay of Los Angeles, has produced other classic punk acts throughout the years such as Pennywise, the Deviates, Black Flag, Circle Jerks, and The Descendents. The group performed relentlessly around the LA and Orange County areas to build a cult-like regional fanbase.
Felony Records has had By All Means on their roster since 2006 with the release of “What You Make of It,” and subsequently with the release of “Cultivated Rhetoric.” However, this 2017 release offered a new line up in the band for the first time since 2005 after the departure of rhythm guitarist, Shaun Woo, who was part of the band from 2000-2005. New bassist but long-time contributor to the band with additional studio work, live performance vocals, and roadie duties while traveling, Matthew Kessler joined the ranks replacing original member Grant Woofter. The latest release from Felony Records came to fruition following a reunion show in 2016 after a nearly five-year hiatus.
Most of their recordings can be found on the Spotify streaming service. However, the early material and e.p. are not available through this medium.
Members and Former Members[]
- Craig Petorella - Vocals, Guitar
- Brandon Anthony - Drums, Backing Vocals
- Matthew Kessler - Bass, Backing Vocals
- Grant Woofter - Bass, Backing Vocals (1999-2011)
- Shaun Woo - Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vocals (2000-2005)
Discography[]
Albums[]
- 1999 - Full-length demo (self-released)
- 2003 - Bare Minimum (Clutch Records)
- 2006 - What You Make Of It (Felony Records)
- 2017 - Cultivated Rhetoric (Felony Records)
EPs[]
- 2008 - Hold Onto Your Grudge e.p. (Digital Release)