80's fresno punk history - capitol punishment

In the years to come we would 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
my own label, Stagedive Records in Fresno, We Bite Records
and Destiny Records in Germany and Unclean Records in
Austin, Texas.

We had the pleasure, (sometimes not so pleasurably) 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!

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.

CAPITOL PUNISHMENT Line-up changes and tours

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 (2012) playing folk-rock. ds

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 and 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 at the
Punk Palace. 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.

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

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.

Stagedive Records Mailorder Page

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Our friend, Keith
Johnson passed away on
January 31, 2012. He
leaves behind his
children and a loving
family. Kellae was in
touch with him and so
were his kids. He told
Kellae to contact his
old friends and to tell
them to remember the
good things of his youth
and those friendships
that were so meaningful
to him. He laid down
that raging punk beat
that propelled us to our
first bunch of gigs and
our early success.
Goodbye old friend, we
had fun playing in the
band with you in the
early days of the punk
scene.

"Living is a Lie"
featuring
Keith on drums
rehearsal 1981

CP1 Living is a lie 1981 by Capitol Punishment Fresno

Pics of Keith from 1980-1981