Goldfinger

Goldfinger is a ska punk and punk rock group from Los Angeles, United States. Formed in 1994, the band is active from 1994 to the present and is associated with the third-wave ska movement of the 1990s. Its core lineup is built around John Feldmann, who forms the only constant member across the group’s history. Other members and former members include Simon Williams, Darrin Pfeiffer, Charlie Paulson, Kelly LeMieux, Phil Sneed, Travis Barker, Mike Herrera, Nick Gross and Brian Arthur.

Early releases and breakthrough

The band first records the EP Richter on Mojo Records before moving into a distribution arrangement with Universal Records. The EP attracts college radio play and favourable attention, and several songs later reappear in revised form on the debut album Goldfinger, produced by Jay Rifkin and released in 1996. One of its best-known songs, Here in Your Bedroom, becomes central to the band’s profile. The debut is later included by Alternative Press in a list of albums that shape 1996.

Goldfinger’s second album, Hang-Ups (1997), continues its ska-oriented sound, and Simon Williams leaves after its release. Around this period the band also releases a cover of Spiral Starecase’s More Today Than Yesterday. In 1999 it issues Darrin’s Coconut Ass: Live from Omaha, a cover-song collection.

Style and later albums

Stomping Ground appears in 2000 and performs more strongly in parts of Europe than in the United States, helped by the band’s version of Nena’s 99 Red Balloons, which includes German-language lyrics. During a tour of England in 2000, Goldfinger records material later issued as the live album Foot in Mouth. In 2001 Charlie Paulson leaves and is replaced by Brian Arthur.

The band’s later records move towards a heavier, more pop-punk-influenced sound. Open Your Eyes is released in 2002 through Jive/Zomba and includes animal rights themes, with the title track also addressing those issues in its video. Disconnection Notice follows in 2005 on Maverick Records and includes the single Wasted.

Line-up changes and activity in the 2000s and 2010s

After Disconnection Notice, Brian Arthur leaves and Charlie Paulson later returns to play with the band again on stage. Goldfinger signs with SideOneDummy in 2007 and releases Hello Destiny... in 2008. The band tours North America with Less Than Jake and plays the Reading and Leeds festivals in the United Kingdom that year.

John Feldmann also becomes known as a producer, working with Mest, The Used, Hilary Duff, Story of the Year and Good Charlotte, and artists from those circles contribute guest performances on Goldfinger recordings. In 2010 the group plays west coast shows with Reel Big Fish, with Branden Steineckert filling in on drums for the first performances without Darrin Pfeiffer. Simon Williams also appears as a guest during some of these shows.

Goldfinger releases the song Am I Deaf in 2013, and the band’s activity becomes less frequent during the early 2010s. The Knife follows in 2017 and features contributions from Mike Herrera, Travis Barker and Philip Sneed. Before its release, Darrin Pfeiffer, Kelly LeMieux and Charlie Paulson leave the group, although Paulson later returns for selected performances, including Back to the Beach in 2019 and the Vans Warped Tour 25th Anniversary concerts. Goldfinger’s live shows in this period often include guest musicians and horn players from other ska acts.

Recent work

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the band begins posting remotely recorded Quarantine Videos on YouTube, with each member recording at home and Feldmann handling the final mix and mastering. These include performances of Here in Your Bedroom, 99 Luftballons and Superman. Nick Gross plays drums on most of these recordings.

Never Look Back is released in 2020 with Feldmann, Charlie Paulson, Mike Herrera, Philip Sneed and Nick Gross. The band promotes it with an online livestream. A deluxe edition appears in 2022 with rerecorded versions of Here in Your Bedroom, Superman and 99 Red Balloons, plus additional tracks. Goldfinger then resumes touring, playing with groups including The Planet Smashers, Mustard Plug and Catch 22.

In 2024 Goldfinger and Less Than Jake release a cover of Morgan Wallen’s I Had Some Help. The single Freaking Out A Bit follows in 2025, co-written with Mark Hoppus and Travis Barker and featuring Hoppus on guest vocals, and Chasing Amy is also issued that year. The band’s ninth studio album, Nine Lives, arrives in 2026 and includes collaborations with Jim Lindberg, Spencer Charnas, Zac Carper, Iann Dior and El Hefe.

Associated themes and labels

Across its catalogue, Goldfinger is associated with ska, ska punk and pop-punk-influenced punk rock. Its recorded output appears on labels including Mojo, Universal, Jive/Zomba, Maverick and SideOneDummy. The band is also noted for its support of animal rights causes.