Scott Mickelson - vocals, guitar, banjo
Robin Hildebrant – bass, background vocals, Moog
Dave Tavel – drums, percussion

Lead by singer/songwriter Scott Mickelson, Bay Area band FAT OPIE continues to reinvent what can be termed “Americana”. From the modern, electrified dynamics of their third release Airstream to the all acoustic, live-performance record Otis, FAT OPIE continues to paint both musical and lyrical portraits of contemporary life as an American.

Successes include their song Bullets in My Briefcase winning a national band search sponsored by 7UP/SONICNET(MTV). This included a prize of $15,000. The song Mouth Like a Trucker was featured in the motion picture ALONG THE WAY.

The music stopped for several years when singer/songwriter Scott Mickelson became seriously ill. During that time bassist Robin Hildebrant began building his own recording studio. Inspired by the new possibilities, Mickelson started writing their strongest material to date. The first new single released New Orleans, led to an international distribution deal and a re-release of their growing catalogue.

Their critically acclaimed fifth cd Victoryville was released in Summer of 2012 and is their best work yet. 

MEDIA QUOTES

“It's American folk-Rock with a post punk edge, rustic but scarred.” - Alternative Press Magazine

 “Fat Opie's music is so catchy and tight, it's surprising the band is still playing venues as small as this one.” - San Francisco Weekly

“When punks do folk music: Fat Opie is Scott Mickelson, Robin Hildebrant, and Dave Tavel, and punk-folk, if that’s even possible, is how they sound. And by that I mean not just a punk band that went unplugged, but one that actually forged the gap into front-porch Americana and retained attitude.” - San Diego Reader

“While Fat Opie’s sweet-sounding American folk-rock hits are undeniably catchy, it’s the profound messages within them that have struck a chord with the band’s loyal followers. Like a modern day Woody Guthrie, Mickelson tackles America’s polarizing views of illegal immigration in “Crying in Spanish,” discusses living with depression in “Monster In The Room,” and even sings from the perspective of a window washer working in New York City after 9/11 in “Nicorette.” - Good Times Weekly (Santa Cruz)

“Music has been described as Thom Yorke and Jeff Tweedy had a baby and named it Mumford.” - New Times (San Luis Obispo)

“Fat Opie completes this trio of national-quality acts with a set of tunes that is more overtly rock even if they make use of banjos and mandolin. They successfully translate a modern sensibility.” - Willamette Weekly (Portland)

 Hipsters, Freaks, Fags & Homeboys by Fat Opie.      Rating:5

This album entwines precision percussion, searing guitar, playful mandolin and banjo, meaty bass and soothsayer lyrics into a story of life. Could be anyone's life. Probably is yours. Fat Opie followed up with an even more masterful endeavor - “Airstream”.

- www.woodstock.com

“Tight, catchy and tangy with twangy.” - Tucson Weekly

DISCOGRAPHY

Victoryville
Said + Done (single)
New Orleans (single)
Otis
Airstream
Hipsters, Freaks, Fags & Homeboys
Biscuits
A&R Unlimited’s Special Edition CD
Hurricane Healing Vol. 70
Hurricane Healing Vol. 67