Finger

FINGER was a guitar-driven rock band from Raleigh, NC active in the first half of the 90’s evoking the musical styles and inspiration of The Rolling Stones, Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Johnny Thunders, and The Dream Syndicate. Well-crafted and catchy, their songs were built on the melodic guitar interplay between Ricky Hicks and Brad Rice as the two also alternated lead vocals. The band also benefitted from backing and occasionally lead vocals from drummer John Howie who, with Jon Singletary on bass, provided a solid foundation for their no-nonsense, unpretentious rock and roll. FINGER’s first 7” single “Everywhere” b/w “The Awful Truth” (which both appear here) was one of Merge Records earliest releases (MRG012) and was recently garnered one of their best by Ryan Adam’s in his forward to the novel “Our Noise: The Story of Merge Records” celebrating the label’s 20th Anniversary. Throughout the early 90’s FINGER gained some additional exposure and recognition with regular shows along the East coast and Midwest including support spots for Nirvana, Dinosaur Jr, Soul Asylum, Uncle Tupelo, My Bloody Valentine, Buffalo Tom, Lemonheads, Bash & Pop, among others. Howie left the band in 1992, and although the band continued to play and record regularly with various drummers, they never recovered from the loss of momentum. Shortly thereafter the remaining three original members decided to pursue other projects and interests. Howie went on to form alt-country heros The Two Dollar Pistols which helped launch the career of Tift Merritt. Rice has gone on to play guitar with the who’s who of Americana music for last 15 years including: Whiskeytown, Ryan Adams, Tift Merritt, The Backsliders and is the current full-time guitarist with country-pop star Keith Urban. Make no mistake however, FINGER is rock and roll, unabashed and unafraid. You've got the blues 'cause you really ain't got no soul.