Champion - video clips, songs, albums online

Champion was a hardcore punk band that was formed by vocalist Jim Hesketh, and guitarist Chris Williams, in the spring of 1999 in Seattle, Washington. A second guitarist, bassist, and drummer were soon added. After a few months of shows, the band released its first demo on cassette and partook in a lengthy West Coast tour of the United States. Although both the demo and the trip were well-received, the band was plagued with constant line-up changes. Despite struggling with a revolving cast of members, Champion were able to regroup in 2000 and release the Come Out Swinging EP on Platinum Recordings (Germany). Champion then signed with Bridge 9 Records and recorded another EP, entitled Count Our Numbers, followed by the re-release of Come Out Swinging. Constant touring with bands such as Comeback Kid, Terror and Sick Of It All road-tested their sound. They toured all over the US and even made it to Europe. Champion's full-length LP, Promises Kept, was released on Bridge 9 Records, and was well received. After a second European tour and an Australian leg, Champion toured the United States in early 2005. "In the spring they were to became one of the first Western independent act to visit the famous country of South Korea where Kill Your Idols and Ensign also played around 2001." 2005 also saw the band re-release their previous two EPs on one CD, entitled Time Slips Away. The band announced through Bridge 9 on January 31, 2006 that they were disbanding, with a final show that occurred on May 27, 2006 at El Corazon in their hometown of Seattle, Washington.