80's fresno punk history - capitol punishment

                                                                                                                       Eric Tsuda-vocals
                                                                                                                       Dale Stewart-guitar
                                                                                                                       Joceylin Fedrau-bass
                                                                                                                       Keith Johnson-drums


The first band Jocey and I played in together was a new wave band called ALTERED FEATURES. That was in 1980 and it lasted just a few
months. We really wanted to play punk not wave. We looked for a new project and hooked up with Eric Tsuda. He wanted to try his hand at
singing and he knew a drummer, 16 year old Keith Johnson. Eric thought up the name of the band and we practiced in his living room. A few
months later we played our first gig, July 4, 1981 with the DEAD KENNEDYS, THE FIX and 7 SECONDS at the Belmont Ballroom in Fresno.
That original line-up was short-lived and by '82 Eric was replaced with Ralph Lotspeich on vocals and a few months later Mike Branum took over
drumming duties from Keith. Eric went on to play drums for DEATH OF GLORY and The UNFIT from San Luis Obispo. Keith moved up to San
Francisco.

From 1982 to 1987 we kept that same lineup, which is a long time in punk band years. And what an incredible time those years were! We had a
lot of fun from time to time and achieved goals every band strives for.
In the years to come we would record and release 5 studio LPs,
3 7-inchers, a couple videos, lotsa demos and compilation tracks for several different labels. We were on a few labels here in the U.S. Mainly We
Bite America in Chicago and Unclean Records in Austin, Texas. In Germany were were on Destiny Records, Berlin and We Bite Records in
Tubingen.
We had the pleasure of touring the U.S. 3 times; in '85, '86 and '89 and Europe twice; in '87 and '91. We played all over California including many
times in San Francisco and the bay area. We got to play with some of the really cool punk/hardcore bands of the day:
THE DEAD KENNEDYS, BLACK FLAG, MINOR THREAT, BAD BRAINS, DISCHARGE, etc. In our earlier tours we played mostly in the midwest; Chicago,
Memphis, Houston, Omaha, Milwaukee, etc. Our '89 US tour took us to the east coast for the first time and we were so thrilled to play at the
legendary CBGB in New York.

After signing to We Bite Records in Germany in '86, they set up a European tour for us in '87 and again in '91. We Bite did such a wonderful job
booking those tours. We Bite discography
Thomas and Margit also took great care putting out a top quality product. Playing for appreciative audiences, singing along with our songs in
Germany, Belgium, Denmark and Austria was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We played a few 500+ halls, but It was mostly small halls and
Jugendzentrums. It was very meaningful and outrageously fun!

But, all things must come to an end and the so-called "first line-up",
which was actually the second line-up broke up at the end of that first European tour in '87. The band was coming apart at the seams anyway.
The enormous stress of that tour was the proverbial straw. We five worked together as a team for 6 years. I say five because Jimi Haze our
roadie/driver/confidant was very much a part of the band. We couldn't have done it without him. Jimi is now vocalist for STRYCHNINE, a band
from Oakland CA.They've been one of thee most European touring bands and have tons of great tour stories.
In '87 the demise seemed eminent with many band member squabbles. So, we kinda saw it coming. When it finally happened it was quite painful,
like a divorce, if you have any idea what that's like.
Mike went up to the bay area to play drums for FANG. Later he played in HELLS KITCHEN with Jimi Haze on vocals. After that Mike drummed for
Smelly in PLAINFIELD.
Joceylin and I continued on under the name CAPITOL PUNISHMENT from '88 to '95. We had several different singers and drummers over the years
(line-up changes and tours). In '93-'94 we played a few reunion shows with Mike and Ralph. It was fun and they went over quite well. In '95 we
finally laid ole CP to rest. Joceylin and I are still happily together. And after a 7-year hiatus she has come back to playing bass guitar. We're
currently (JUL '09) playing folk-rock. ds

CAPITOL PUNISHMENT

DISCOGRAPHY
1--El Salvador--Not So Quiet Compilation--1982--Alternative Tentacles #14
2--Jody is my Bloody Love--4 song 7-inch EP--1983--Stagedive #1
3--When Putsch comes to shove--10 song LP--1985--Stagedive #2
4--Slum with a View--10 song LP--1986--Unclean Records #9
5--Glutton for Punishment--4 song 7-inch EP--1988--We Bite #39
6--Zip yer Pants up--Live in Berlin Germany LP--1987--Destiny Records #16
7--Super Glutton--8 song 12-inch EP--1989--Duckbutter Records #9
8--Jacknifed Rig--Thing that ate Floyd Compilation 2LP--1989--Lookout #11
9--Bulwarks against Oppression--12 song LP/CD--1989--We Bite #55
10--Liquor Store--Shredder 7-inch EP Compilation--1989--Shredder Volume 3
11--Bury my heart--Built on Blood Compilation 2-LP--1991--WTF Records
12--1982 Demo--8 song 7-inch EP--1993--Selfless Records #14
13--Messiah Complex--12 song LP/CD--1993--We Bite America #5
14--Three Chord Pile-U p--12 song LP/CD--1995--We Bite America #13

Jody 7-inch, Putsch LP, Slum LP all reissued on We Bite, Germany. Putsch also reissued on
Destiny Records, Germany. Messiah Complex reissued on SPV Poland. There's also a few other
compilation and video tracks.

click here for
CAPITOL PUNISHMENT
Line-up changes and tours