Biography

St. Paul, MN-based punk group Dillinger Four were formed in 1994 by guitarist Erik Funk and bassist Patrick Costello; the group's original line-up, also including guitarist Sloan and drummer Lane Pedersen, held together long enough to record the debut 7" Higher Aspirations: Tempered and Dismantled before Sloan exited to join Man Afraid. After recruiting ex-Scooby Don't guitarist Bill Morrisette, Dillinger Four resurfaced in 1996 with the EP The Kids Are All Dead; a split single with fellow Twin Cities band the Strike followed a year later, as did a series of compilation appearances. This Shit is Genius, a collection of songs taken from compilations and various other releases, came out in 1999 on No Idea.

After signing to Hopeless, Dillinger Four issued their full-length debut, Midwestern Songs of the Americas, in 1998; Versus God appeared two years later. Tour dates around the world followed, including a stint in Japan for the first time, traveling with Green Day. Their third full-length release, Situationist Comedy, was released in the summer of 2002 on Fat Wreck. First Avenue Live, recorded on December 16, 2001, at ~First Avenue in Minneapolis, was issued on LSD Records in February 2005. The end of the year found the guys with a slot at Gainesville's fourth annual ~The Fest, playing alongside bands like Ted Leo, Against Me!, Bouncing Souls, and a reunited Radon. Funk also co-owns the popular Minneapolis bar and music venue, the ~Triple Rock Social Club. ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide