Formed as Riverfenix in Houston

The band that would ultimately become Fenix TX was formed in late 1995 in Houston, Texas under the name Riverfenix by guitarists Damon DeLaPaz (also the drummer for 30 Foot Fall at the time), Will Salazar, drummer Donnie Reyes, and vocalist Carl Lockstedt. Carl’s tenure was short-lived and Salazar eventually took over vocal duties. The band then recruited bassist Adam Lewis and with this solidified line-up, the four piece immediately set to work by playing extensively on the Texas pop punk scene alongside such renowned bands as 30 Foot Fall , Good Riddance and Goldfinger . Popular venues included local clubs such as Fitzgerald’s (whose head of security earned an homage in the Riverfenix song “Skinhead Jessie”). In 1996, the band released their debut EP G.B.O.H. under the Houston-based record label Fuzzgun Records , which they then followed by playing the Mullets Across America Tour with Home Grown , Cousin Oliver and The Hippos . During this time the band would also concentrate on distributing copies of their demos to other record labels. Mojo Records showed interest in the band, however, due to procrastination and indecision the process never came to fruition. However, two Mojo interns Richard and Stefanie Reines, were on the brink of starting their own label, Drive-Thru Records , and agreed to sign Riverfenix as their first band.