P was an American alternative rock band formed in early 1993 by Butthole Surfers frontman Gibby Haynes (vocals), actor Johnny Depp (guitar/bass), actor Sal Jenco (percussion), and songwriter Bill Carter (guitar/bass).[1]

P
OriginHollywood, California, United States
GenresAlternative rock
Years active1993 (1993)–1995 (1995), 1997
LabelsCapitol
Past membersBill Carter
Johnny Depp
Gibby Haynes
Sal Jenco

History

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The band performed their first show at the Austin Music Awards in 1993, and released their eponymous debut album on November 21, 1995, under Capitol Records.[2] It was reissued on May 8, 2007 under Caroline Records. They often played the odd gig at The Viper Room, of which Depp used to be co-owner. One of these gigs was played on October 30, 1993, where the line-up included Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers. Haynes, along with other members of the line-up that night, was a good friend of actor River Phoenix. While the band were in the middle of their song "Michael Stipe", which includes the lines "I'm glad I met old Michael Stipe, I didn't get to see his car. Him and River Phoenix were leaving on the road tomorrow" and "but we didn't have a part, not a piece of our heart, not Michael, River Phoenix or Flea or me," Phoenix (unbeknownst to the band at the time) was outside the venue having seizures on the sidewalk.[3] Phoenix died in the early hours of October 31 of heart failure, brought on by an overdose of cocaine and heroin.[4]

Discography

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Studio albums
Singles
  • "Michael Stipe" (1995)[2]

References

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  1. ^ Strong, Martin C. (2003) The Great Indie Discography, Canongate, ISBN 1-84195-335-0, p. 248
  2. ^ a b c Colin Larkin, ed. (1999). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 336. ISBN 0-7535-0257-7.
  3. ^ Aaron, Charles (30 July 2007). "They Came from Hollywood". Spin. Retrieved 21 May 2011.
  4. ^ Spolar, Christine (November 14, 1993). "Autopsy Shatters Phoenix's Image". Chicago Sun-Times. The image of actor River Phoenix as a quiet, clean-cut member of Hollywood's youth fraternity has been shattered by autopsy results that showed he died from a mix of cocaine and heroin.
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