The Kent 3

Guitarist Viv Halogen, bassist Adam Grendon, drummer Tyler Long and vocalist Mike Pitts grew up together in Bellingham, WA. The four of them founded the Kent 3 in 1993, churning out music that blended elements of punk, surf and rock. They recorded four singles on various labels and their first LP, 1994's Screaming Youth Fantastic, on the Bag of Hammers imprint. The group dissolved later that year, but reunited in 1996 without Pitts. Since that time, they have recorded two LPs, Stories of the New West and Peasant Musik, on Super Electro Records as well as several other singles. Shortly after coming together in '93, the Kent 3 released a series of seven-inch singles before making a one album deal with the Bag of Hammers label in '94. The group recorded their first full-length CD, Screaming Youth Fantastic, at Seattle's Wedgewood Manor, a basement studio run by Jim Collier. Collier had been known for his work with underground Seattle bands like the Solid Statesmen, Steel Wool and Bloodloss. Shortly after the sessions, Grendon left the Kent 3 due to health problems. He was replaced by Jason Freeman, a friend of the group. Later that year, Long moved to Montana, and the band folded.

In '96, after Grendon had regained his health and Long returned to the area, the Kent 3 reunited. However, the band had now become a trio, due to the disappearance of Pitts. The group was signed by Super Electro later that year after label owner Steve Turner — known best as the lead guitarist of Mudhoney — caught the trio's second show. Halogen, Grendon and Long proceeded to record a six-song double seven-inch titled S/T for the label, before returning to Wedgewood Manor to record their second full-length disc, 1997's Stories of the New West. The trio ended the year by releasing The Kaiser single on My Fat Ass Records.

Taking up residence at Egg Studios in early 1998, the Kent 3 recorded Peasant Musik with Fastbacks guitarist Kurt Bloch producing. The album was released on Super Electro in October of '98.

In late 1999, Grendon was asked to leave the band, and Freeman returned to play bass.