The Fever

by Heather PharesBeginning as garage rock/new wave revivalists and later expanding into more adventurous musical territory, the Fever formed in 2001 when singer Geremy Jasper and guitarist Chris Sanchez began collaborating on songs. The duo fleshed out the band's roster with bassist Pony, drummer/percussionist Achilles, and Sanchez's younger brother J. on the organ. After developing a strong live show, the Fever signed to Kemado Records and issued their debut EP, Pink on Pink, in 2002. They released a full-length, The Red Bedroom, the following year, and spent most of the following year on the road. By 2005, Chris Sanchez left the Fever, and with the addition of new organist J. Ruggiero, the remaining members of the group retooled their sound. Reaching beyond the sharp guitar pop of their previous releases, the band drew inspiration from the soundtracks of Fellini and David Lynch films and the work of Tom Waits for their 2006 album In the City of Sleep, which they recorded with the help of producer/engineer Steve Rivette. That fall, the Fever disbanded, playing a gig with Wolfbate as their last hurrah.