Fine China

Fine China was an American indie rock band from Phoenix, Arizona, comprising Rob Withem (vocals, guitar), Greg Markov (bass guitar) and Thom Walsh (drums). The band was formed in 1996 as a project by acquaintances Withem, Danny McWatters and Melissa Banks, but turned serious once the band started booking gigs. Banks shortly stepped down and was replaced by Withem's friend Markov, who remained a permanent member of the band until the end. The band played as a three-piece through the recording of the first EP No One Knows, but soon after recruited Joshua Block (at that time of The Blameshares) to play the keyboards. Block added a new texture to the band which propelled it to the next level. The band toured as a four-piece, but McWatters left in 1999. The band then recruited Walsh (also of The Blameshares) to be its drummer, and this line-up - Withem, Markov, Block and Walsh - became the line-up for the large part of the band's existence, and for two of its three LPs. After releasing two EPs on Velvet Blue Music, the band was signed to Seattle's Tooth and Nail records and released two LPs, When the World Sings and You Make Me Hate Music. The band did several tours and festival performances in support of its records. Josh Dooley of the Riverside band Map toured with Fine China as the second guitarist for the You Make Me Hate Music tour. Despite the fact that both releases gathered impressive critical success, the band was dropped from Tooth and Nail Records in 2003 after the second record. Fine China decided to take a short break, but reunited in 2004. At this time Block decided to leave the band. The band recorded its final record, Jaws of Life released on September 6, 2005, as a three-piece with guest appearances by Dooley, with a local label Common Wall Media. The record achieved more critical acclaim, including several TV show inclusions. However, the members felt that this was the time to end and the band informally dissolved following its Best of New Times performance in 2006. Withem went on to form the Foxglove Hunt with Ronnie Martin of Joy Electric, while the remaining members have stayed largely inactive in the music scene.