Federation X or "FED X" is an American rock band, originally formed in Bellingham, Washington, though it now shares members between Bellingham, Seattle, and New York, New York. Founded by Ben Wildenhaus, Bill Badgley, and Beau Boyd in 1998. The band has toured the US, and has had two European tours.
Career
In 1999, the band released a self-titled LP on its own Molasses Manifesto Records, then followed it in 2001 with American Folk Horror, recorded by Tim Green at Louder Studios in San Francisco and released by Bellingham's Estrus Records. In 2003, Estrus released X Patriot, recorded by Steve Albini at Electrical Audio in Chicago. In 2005, Estrus released Rally Day, recorded by Ryan Anderson at MARS Studio in Bellingham. Wantage USA released Rally Day on vinyl. In March 2013, Federation X recorded its fifth studio album with Deaf Nephews recording and producing at Entourage Studios in Los Angeles. Entitled We Do What We Must, it was expected to be released this year on Recess Records and the band's own Molasses Manifesto. The band has been compared to such heavy acts as Melvins, Karp, and Black Sabbath. In 2006, Josh Holland of Dog Shredder joined the band for a West Coast tour and at a recording session at MARS Studio, which produced the songs "Only Fool" and "Chinese Food and Vietnam," released as a 7-inch on Recess Records in 2012. All three members have their own solo projects: Wildenhaus has 'Ben von Wildenhaus', Boyd has 'Zorbatron', while Badgley owns and operates Molasses Manifesto, a company that produces films, books, music, and art and is responsible for the film Kill All Redneck Pricks: A Documentary Film about a Band Called KARP. Badgley also owns and operates The Documentary Center in Bellingham, Washington, and performs with the electronic band Part Wolf.
Discography
Albums
Fighting Words, Cassette-Only, Molasses Manifesto
Federation X, LP-Only, Molasses Manifesto Records
American Folk Horror, CD/LP, Estrus Records, 2001
Z Montany +2, Tour-Only CD, Self-Released with Irritant Records
X Patriot, CD/LP, Estrus Records
Rally Day, CD/LP, Estrus Records, Wantage USA, 2005
We Do What We Must, LP, Recess Records/Molasses Manifesto Records via Carrot Top Distribution, 2013
Singles
Federation X/ROX split, Molasses Manifesto Records
Federation X/Fleshies split, Molasses Manifesto Records
"Nighttrain", Tapes Records, 2001
"Nude Disintegrating Parachutist Woman", Wantage USA
"Only Fool" / "Chinese Food and Vietnam", Recess Records
Compilations
Fear of the Nothing CD
Double Dynomite Sampler CD, Estrus Records
Wäntage USA's 21st Release Hits Omnibus CD, Wantage USA
The Estrus Kamikaze Ass Chomp n' Stomp CD, Estrus Records