The Fluid

I first heard the Fluid in 1988, on the Sub Pop 200 comp. I remember liking the song (“Is It Day I’m Seeing?”), but I didn’t truly get it till I saw them. The dual guitar attack, crushing rhythm section, and John Robinson’s frenetic and physical live performance evokes The Stooges, but The Fluid put their own spin on things with tight riffing; aggressive, melodic vocals (including great backups by the four- and six-stringers); and clever song writing and arrangements. They get associated with the G word, but that doesn’t really fit, in my book. For one thing, they’re from Denver, not Seattle. And while they slotted in stylistically with other Sub Pop bands, they were tighter than a lot of them. I’d say The Fluid was more of an influence on the “Seattle Sound” than the other way around. Not that it really matters. In any event, if I had to describe The Fluid I’d call it an amalgam of punk glam cut with rock n roll and R&B. But descriptions don’t do them justice.

I only saw them live once, which is unfortunate, but the performance is etched in my mind—one of those early shows that informed my sensibility for how a band should play. I can’t remember what show it was, exactly—those years are pretty blurry—but I think it was the Skin Yard / Girl Trouble / The Fluid / Nirvana show at the Hub Ballroom on 25 February 1989. Regardless, the energy, recklessness, and galvanizing effect they had on the crowd stuck in my brain, and I count it as one of those shows that had a lasting influence on how I went about playing music. As such, it’s an honor to do this collaboration, and I hope it does singer John Robinson, guitarists James Clower and Rick Kulwicki (rest in peace), drummer Garrett Shavlik, and bassist Matt Bischoff the justice they deserve. -Abe Brennan 

LIMITED TO 300. Printed on BellaCanvas soft cotton tees. Ladies’ sizes printed on BellaCanvas Slim fit ladies cut apparel. Ladies’ sizes run very small so check the size chart on those.