Houseboy

Biography,

Houseboy began in 1992 with Brett Friesen meeting Dan Garcia through a local newspaper article in Santa Cruz, California. They began jamming together, but never had anything permanent. Although they were never a well known group, they were still ripping up the East Bay scene, opening for bigger acts like Green Day and Samiam. In late '92 Brett and Dan decided to relocate to Chicago due to the fact that Dan had good friends there. They tried it out for a while, but nothing was happening for them so in early '94 Brett moved back to California and continued to play while Dan chose to stay in Chicago. In the summer of '94 is when Houseboy, the name, really began with Brett meeting Ace Cowden at a local punk rock show. Ace and Brett hit it off and with Dan still in Chicago they were still trying to get it together. Playing lots of shows and through two bassists, Brett and Ace remained a three piece.

From the summer of '94 through November of '94 they recorded two demos and began opening up for bigger acts such as Fact to Face (Face to Face?), Guttermouth and Rhythm Collison. The two demos remain unreleased to this day. Through all of this Brett still remained in touch with his best friend, Dan. They made a pact that if something good, musically, was happening for either one of them, they would once again hook up. This was the one. So once again Brett moved back to Chicago, this time with Ace right next to him and they both joined up with Dan and new bassist Thom Lemke in November of '94.

In '95 Houseboy began to play a lot in the Chicago area with bands like Slapstick and the Bollweevils and once again found themselves in the studio recording six songs. One song was used for the "Achtung Chicago! Drei" Compilation (Underdog Rec.), four songs for their first 7" titled "Last Friday's Selfless Allstars" on Watching Records, and one song still unreleased. Houseboy was still looking for a label, but with no luck.

In late '95 tension began to build within the band. Ace left Chicago and moved back to California. Houseboy looked for a replacement, but finally decided not to get one. Brett was offered a drumming position in the Bollweevils and took it. In June of '96, after a short break, Ace moved back to Chicago and Houseboy was back in full effect. Now with Thom on bass, Dan on guitar, Ace on guitar and vocals, and Brett on drums they were ready to record. The band recorded 19 songs, 14 of which would make their debut album, "Ya Right!" which would be released in '98 on Stiff Pole Records. The 5 songs that didn't make the cut are still unreleased, but after recording, their search for a permanent label was unsuccessful.

Houseboy recruited Alan of Watching Records, the label that released their first 7". Alan then went on to release a second Houseboy 7" titled, "Ciao," which was limited to 300 copies. Now with this lineup Houseboy continued with their second tour of the east coast, with Brown Lobster Tank. That tour was then followed up with a U.S. tour of 9 Weeks with Mandingo. In '97 things settled after touring. The band decided to head back to California, Ace first, then Brett. The Bollweevils decided to call it quits wile Brett was still in the band which made it a perfect opportunity to move back home. Alan decided not to come because of School and Dan was planning to come out later, so once again Houseboy was stuck looking for a new bass player. Through all of this they were mailing out tapes to labels in hopes of putting out their full length.

Tragedy strikes! Dan passed away in Chicago. Houseboy was in shambles and decided to call it quits. Brett and Ace started a new band called Driver Eleven and did a single tour in the Summer of '97. During this time, ironically, Houseboy found a label, Stiff Pole Records. Stiff, owner of SPR, called and wanted to put out Ya Right! After the record was released Houseboy was reborn and Driver Eleven was put on the shelf. They recruited a new bass player, Steve Katzel from Tricky Dick (Chicago), and second guitar player Joel Burkhard (South Dakota). Houseboy was on the road once again for their west coast tour and they recorded a new album, "1465 Tamarack Street Press Room." Just as things were looking good and they were ready to go on their summer tour, Steve quit and Houseboy got a fill in.

During their summer tour, Houseboy decided to become full-time, touring as much as possible. Brett then met Patrice, his current Wife during their summer of '98 tour of the east coast and the band decided to move to the New Jersey/Pennsylvania area. 1465 was released and Houseboy recruited Brian Granik as new bassist and Phil Milia on second guitar. Another tour soon followed in February of '99 and Houseboy was back into the studio, this time with close friend and engineer Dave Patino. In a weeks time Houseboy finished their 3rd full length release entitled "Myriadevent" soon to be released on Stiffpole Records in Fall of '99. But with Myriadevent we see a different side of Houseboy tracing back to Brett and Ace's days with Driver Eleven which seems more musical and elaborative, as if to say, "this is who we really are." Brett and Ace decided they were just going to write what comes natural and not try to stay in the "pop punk" genre of things.

Another tour soon followed with Joel back on second guitar and the boys decided they had had enough. With Joel back the musical outlook wasn't the same, and Ace decided he liked California much better than the east coast, so that was it. It's a done deal. No more Houseboy.

Source: Houseboy website and http://skatepunkmemories.blogspot.com/search?q=Houseboy

But wait![]

But don't fret. If you like the new Houseboy record (Myriadevent) then the boys got something new for you. Soon after Ace returned Brett started shopping around the Join'r album, a project that him and Ace did with friends Carlos and Craig, and got a really cool label to release it, and after talking it out with everyone they decided that Join'r was what they all really wanted to do. So back to California with Brett and Join'r is now the future. If you love Houseboy, you'll love Join'r. Check it out...

Discography,[]

So What (1994) "Unreleased" Demo Tape
Who Cares? (1994) Cassette
Day Olds (1995) "Unreleased" E.P.
Last Fridays Selfless Allstars (1995) 7"
Oh God How I Love Superheroes (1996) Cassette
Department Store (1996) Cassette
Ciao! (1996) 7"
Ya Right! (1997) CD
1465 tamarack Street Press Room (1998) CD
Houseboy/Nooner Split (1998) CD
Easy There Turbo (1999) CD
For Today And Tomorrow (1999) CD
I Am Not Myriadevent.. (2021) Digital

Albums/Tracklist,[]

So What (1994)[]

LDP001, 1st press 10/1/94 100 copies on Cassette Tape released on our Loser Dork Productions label. First ten copies had hand made numbered covers with the original Houseboy logo and were only gave to our close friends at the time. 90 copies with the picture of the baby were sold at shows and through mail-order. 2nd press 2/1/95 100 copies on Cassette Tape blue cover with the no handed boxer on the front cover this version also included 5 bonus trax from the "Who? Cares" Cassette. These were also sold mostly at shows and through mail-order. Released October 1, 1994, Ace Cowden - Vox/Guitar, Brett Friesen - Drums/Vox, Jessie - Bass/Vox. Recorded, Mixed, and Mastered at Pus Cavern North by Joe Johnston September 12, 1994 Sacramento, CA. Cover art and layouts by Brett Friesen

Tracklist:[]

Free From You
It Won't Be Long
Memory
Wonder
Big Trip
Cyco
Nice Little Love Song
Mortisha

Who Cares? (1994)[]

LDP003 Who Cares? was recorded October 24, 1994 and was never officially released. We made 20 or so copies that we gave away to some close friends and club promoters for shows. 5 songs would appear on the repress of So What and all these songs were remastered and released on Houseboy "Easy There Turbo". Released November 1, 1994, Ace Cowden - Vox/Guitar, Brett Friesen - Drums/Vox, Jessie Cotrell - Bass/Vox, *Jeremiah, Ben, and Eric for back-ups on Ciggarettes. Recorded, mixed, and mastered by Joe Johnston at Pus Cavern North October 24, 1994. LoserDork Productions 003.

Tracklist:[]

Blink
Substancial Shrills
Going To Santa Cruz
Roundhouse
Point Of View
MyLife
Don't Walk Away
For Me
Ciggarettes

Day Old (1995)[]

Released in March of 1995 on our own LoserDork Productions label, the Day Olds Cassette EP contains 5 songs recorded at the famous Chicago Trax Studio. It was produced and originally mixed all in one very late night by Danny Garcia's good friend English Alex. Though we were not completely happy with the original mix we were in a hurry to get new music to our fans so we quickly printed up some covers and 100 limited edition cassettes that we sold at shows and through our mail-order. All of the tracks would be remixed at a different studio at a later date and 4 of the newly remixed tracks would be released as the Last Friday's Selfless Allstars 7" on Watching Records.

Tracklist:[]

My Pall Seans Pez
Playground
My Frustration
Playdough
Sleep

Last Fridays Selfless Allstars (1995)[]

1st Press - 2500 copy's Hand colored by band and friends w/ inserts Black Vinyl, released summer "95" (OOP). 2nd Press - 1000 copy's with "Man" pic and different back cover printed just for tour. w/inserts Black Vinyl released summer "96"(OOP). 3rd Press - 500 copy's with "Man" pic and original back cover, NO inserts, Black Vinyl released summer "98' Released April 1, 1995. Daniel Louis Garcia, Brett "Freese" Friesen, Ace Cowden, Thomas Lemke.

Tracklist:[]

My Pal Seans Pez
Playground
My Frustration
Playdough

Department Store Catalogue (1996)[]

LDP006 27 track Mix Tape 100 hand numbered cassettes released on our LoserDork Productions Label in February 1996 mostly sold at shows and through mail-order. This kinda served as a pre-production for "Ya Right cd" and "Oh God How I Love Superheroes cassette" which were recorded a few months later. These Lo-Fi versions of these songs were never re-released anywhere else until now. Recorded live to 4trax in January of 1996 at Thom's loft in downtown Chicago, IL.Mixed and produced by Brett Friesen, Art and layout by Brett FriesenReleased February 1, 1996. Danny Garcia - Guitar/Vox, Brett Friesen - Drums/Vox, Ace Cowden - Vox/Guitar, Thom Lemke - Bass.

Tracklist:[]

Fitting In
Remember, Remember
Breakfast At Tiffany's
This One Goes Like This "Duh Duh, Da Da, Duh Duh, Da Da, Do Do"
Market Girl
Playground
Mylife
Cake
The Sheri Song
Season Salt
Kissy Love Girls
Mortisha
One Night I Stopped Breathing
Yearbook
Fly Casual
It Won't be Long
Maybe
Goodaway
90210 Bettys
For Me
My Frustration
Cyco
Clay Louder Milk
Skreech
Ciggarettes

Oh God How I Love Superheroes (1996)[]

LDP007 Released in July of 1996, "Oh God How I Love Superheroes" was a cassette only release of the very first mix of selected songs that ended up being Re-Mixed and Re-Mastered for Ya Right! We released 100 copies of these on our own LoserDork Productions label right before our summer tour with Brown Lobster Tank. Alan Tarkowski was credited as our touring Bass player but did not actually play on these recordings. These were mostly sold on our tour and through our mail-order. *Authentic copies were made on Sony 60min clear HF type 1 cassettes and were had hand written titles. Released July 1, 1996, Ace Cowden - Vox/Guitar, Brett Friesen - Drums/Vox, Danny Garcia - Guitar/Vox, Thom Lemke - Bass/Vox, *Alan Tarkowski is credited as touring bass player but did not actually appear on the recording. Recorded and Mixed by Matt Allison At Atlas Studios in Chicago, IL spring of 1996. Artwork by Daniel Clowes. Layout and design by Brett Friesen.

Tracklist:[]

Breakfast At Tiffany's
Remember, Remember
Market Girl
This One Goes Like Like This "Duh Duh, Da Da, Duh Duh, Da Da, Do Do"
Stomped Silly On Nine
Picture Promise
Cake
Brett's In Love With Drew Barrymore
90210 Betty's

Cioa! (1996) 7"[]

Limited Edition of only 300 copy's pressed on Chicago's Watching Records. Recorded July 12 1996 at Atlas Studio in Chicago, Il. Released August 1, 1996. Brett "Freese" Friesen - Drums, Ace Cowden - Vox / Guitar, Alan Tarkowski - Bass, Ken Bollweevil Fitzner - Produced, Matt Allison - Twisted Knobs.

Tracklist:[]

Another Day
All Fall Down
Department Store Catalogues

Ya Right! (1997) CD[]

Edited with the correct track listing...1st Pressings of the cd on Stiff Pole Records contained the wrong track listing on the back of the disk. Released June 1, 1997. Brett "Freese" Friesen - Drums/Vox, Daniel Louis Garcia - Guitars/Vox, Ace Cowden - Vox/Guitar, Thom Lemke - Bass. Recorded by Matt Allison At Atlas Studios in Chicago, Il spring of 1996, Mastered by Peter Benjamin At Ragnarock Studios, Astoria, NY, Layout and Printing done by Walt at Imprint, Venice, Fl.

Tracklist:[]

Fitting in
Brett's In Love With Drew Barrymore
Remember Remember
Breakfast At Tiffany's
Marketgirl
This One Goes Like This "Duh Duh, Da Da, Duh Duh, Da Da Do DO"
One Night I Stopped Breathing
Season Salt
Maybe
Cake
The Sheri Song
Yearbook
Dramarama Song
Skreech

1465 Tamarack Street Press Room (1998) CD[]

Released January 1st, 1998. Brett "Freese" Friesen - Drums, Ace Cowden - Vox / Guitar, Joel "Jolt" Burckhard - Vox / Guitar, Steve Katzel - Bass, Recorded At PUS CAVERN Sacramento, CA By Joe Johnston

Tracklist:[]

Values
Rejection
Okay
First Class Trip To Mars
No Purchase Necessary
Tastes Like Pennies
Would You Like A Sip Of My Pop
Ring Around The Convert
About A Kid
Aberdeen
Blanket
Pulling Teeth
Recollection
Fallen

Houseboy/Nooner Split (1998) 7''[]

Imperfekt Records 008, released June 1, 1998. Brett "Freese" Friesen - Drums, Ace Cowden - Vox / Guitar, Joel "Jolt" Burckhard - Vox / Guitar, Steve Katzel - Bass.

Tracklist:[]

Values
No Purchase Necessary

Easy There Turbo (1996) CD[]

Compilation of our Rare first two Cassette Releases as well as DEMO and Live Tracks. Released December 1, 1996. Daniel Louis Garcia - Guitar, Brett "Freese" Friesen - Drums, Ace Cowden - Vox / Guitar, Jesse Cotrell, Thomas Lemke, Alan Tarkowski - Bass.

Tracklist:[]

Free From You
It Won't Be Long
Memory
Wonder
Big Trip
Psycho
Nice Little Love Song
Mortisha
Blink!
Substancial Shrills
Going To Santa Cruz
Roundhouse
Point Of You
My Life
Don't Walk Away
For Me
Cigarettes
Lost
Hands
Audrey
Petrolium Distillation
Gainesville
Goodaway
Clay Loudermilk
My Brain Is Out Of Order
Litebrite
Never Another
Phone Me Bone Me
Tuesday

For Today And Tomorrow (1999) CD[]

Compilation of 7 inch singles, Comp tracks, Demo's, and unreleased album tracks that did not make the cut. Released December 1, 2000. Brett "Freese" Friesen, Ace Cowden - all tracks, Daniel Louis Garcia, Thomas Lemke - tracks 1-14, Alan Tarkowski - tracks 15-17, Nolan Mcguire - tracks 18-20, Brian Granik, Phil "Beercan" Melia - tracks 21-27

Tracklist:[]

Puke Is On The Way
My Pal Seans Pez
Playground
My Frustration
Playdough
Puke Is On The Way
Sleep
Stomped Silly On Nine
Picture Promise
90210 Betty's
Tuesday
Kissy Love Girls
Count Me In
Hourglass Lake
Another Day
All Fall Down
Department Store Catalogues
Fly Casual
Rejection
Tastes Like Pennies
In Days Infinity
Oh So Guilty Of Boy Meets Girl 2
A Brief History Of Sailor Duct
My Frustration
Growing Up
A Kids Hate
Johnny Wonder

I Am Not Myriadevent... (2021) Digital[]

This Is the unreleased very last album Houseboy recorded in its entirety for the first time. It was recorded in 1998 by Dave Patino at his studio in New Jersey. A few of the tracks were released on the For Today And Tomorrow comp., while the others remained unreleased due to the fact that they were reworked as Join'r songs while Sailor Duct and Johnny Wonder were originally Driver Eleven Songs. intended for release on Stiff Pole Records in 1999, the album was shelved due to the band calling it quits for good playing their final show at the Fireside Bowl in Chicago Il Saturday August 14, 1999. YNB30.0. Released December 10, 2021. Brett "Freese"Friesen - Drums/Vox, Ace Cowden - Vox/Guitar, Brian Granik - Bass/Vox, Phil "Beercan" Milia - Guitar/Vox, Recorded By Dave Patino, Mixed And Produced By Dave Patino and Brett Friesen, Artwork By Fross B. Freese.

Tracklist:[]

Patricenme
Vanessa Nicole
Amniotic Seperation
In Days Infinity
Argyle St. Corner
Travel
Oh So Guilty Boy Meets Girl 2
Mine Interstates
A Brief History Of Sailor Duct
My Frustration 2
Growin' Up
A Kid's Hate
Johnny Wonder

Source: https://houseboy1.bandcamp.com/

Album Covers[]

Lyrics,[]

Another Day:[]

Tomorrow is just another day I have to spend without you thinking how you shrugged when you looked at me and I'm sick of all the lies and all the times you made me cry and I just want to tell you that I miss you. Now it's raining inside and I can't get you off my mind. I'm feeling so alone and it's no ones fault but mine. Do you remember when you held my hand and looked me in the eyes and said that I can't live another day without you. I only wish that you could see that you belong right here with me. So I can rest my head in your arms. Now it's raining inside and I can't get you off my mind. I'm feeling so alone and it's no ones fault but mine. Another stary November I wanna be more than nothing in your eyes. Tomorrow is just another day I have to spend without you. Smiled when you're looking at me and I'm sick and tired of all the lies And I don't 3ant to say goodbye and I just want to tell you that I miss you. Now it's raining inside and I can't get you off my mind. I'm feeling so alone and it's no ones fault but mine.

All Fall Down:[]

Just do what you like, because I can't pretend to go on thinking you were once my friend. Sometimes we all fall down sometimes. So you don't like to much this empty feeling in your gut but just do what you like because I don't think that's cool. Sometimes we all fall down sometimes. Whatever happened to the way you were because I'm not gonna wait no more always criticizing never compromising but your always sitting in the corner.

Department Store Catalogues:[]

Annoying notes they're all the same. Closed the window the weather doesn't return. You color my world. Existing loneliness it denies my feelings, try not to hate but you speak crazy charm. You color my world. Yesterdays twenty yawns uncanny in my pocket. Buzzcut you look so cool.

My Pal Seans Pez:[]

(2-9-7-6) Chestnut avenue to pick him up, front doors open so we walk right in. The aroma of cat shit fills the air. Milo (the cat) peeks around with green dyed hair, the door is locked hey Sean let us in open the door there he is drawing on his clothes again, listening to NOFX smoking a bugler cigarette. He looks up and says I wanna go get drunk. He's my pal Sean. Go to the village (liquor store) to fish for some beer then we head for the playground, sipping on beer and smoking cigarettes. Sean passes a bowl around grab our boards and try to skate then decide to scam on girls for a while. He's my pal Sean. I never hesitated to stand by his side even if everyone hated him it wouldn't change my mind and when it was time to leave we went over to say goodbye same shit as before it made me want to cry even though we're far away. I know we'll be together someday.

Playground:[]

Let's run around in a circle, maybe pass a ball around. Let's swing on the swings, lets slide down the slide. It puts a smile on my face, let's run and race. Climb to the top of the jungle gym, I just hope I don't fall down, let's sit around and tell secrets, Oh look here they come. What's that I hear sounds like the bell is ringing let's go to class. Hey something next recess.

My Frustration:[]

Walking alone I see my shadow standing in the sun, I don't feel as one. You went away, I can't live another day without you. Just another day that's said and done I know there's something wrong. I won't stand in my way of my frustration there's nothing you can say, frustration. You ask me do you know the reason it's not the season it's warm enough outside. I want you to decide if I'm right or wrong so I'll just sing my song. Just another day that's said and done I know there's something wrong I won't stand in my way of my frustration there's nothing you can say, frustration. Walking in the sand walking hand in hand, my head was in demand I never walk alone. I called you on the phone and you weren't there and I don't care.

Playdough:[]

I'm so nervous she hates me I'm sure it's over for me I'm out the door feeling groggy am I in to deep or is it just my imagination, again and again she don't know what I'm all about. She's stepping out of my circle and into my dreams now she has to think twice and now we must wait, again and again, she don't know what I'm all about. Well I don't know what she wants and I can't read her mind she always seems so sad, I just can't keep her out of my head. Round and round here we go again am I just dumb I think I am, wondering how long we'll sit in the cold her green eyes glaring at me so bold again and again she don't know what I'm all about.

No Purchase Necessary V1:[]

Resistance. And nothing's for sale. Except existence. What does it mean. interaction needs. not this role playing disease. Casted and Lasted. Tradition or foundation. The old church wall and nothing's there. Interesting. Social testing. Comfortable. Affordable. What's the frequency. Freedom? Taking part. Some people think they can own anything.

Values:[]

Do you believe in structured values. Not a fashion or a trend. Do you pretend, do you pretend. Condescend your undeveloped values condescend you. What are you waiting for values that you endure, is happiness reality or just a game it's not too late to make a change. No values -> no meaning -> no being.

*Some lyrics might be incorrect. These were referenced from album inserts.