Fastball

Fastball Artistfacts

  • 1994-
    Tony ScalzoVocals, bass, keyboards, guitar
    Miles Zuniga Vocals, guitar
    Joey ShuffieldDrums, percussion
  • Fastball formed in the early '90s in Austin, Texas. The band was originally called Magneto U.S.A. but changed their name after signing with Hollywood Records.
  • Fueled by the success of first single "The Way," Fastball's 1998 album All the Pain Money Can Buy went platinum after only six months of release and stayed on the Billboard 200 chart for an entire year.
  • Fastball guitarist Miles Zuniga told Entertainment Weekly that the band's name came from their favorite pornographic film. Zuniga called it "a typical porno movie" and explained that "it's about baseball. It's like a really raunchy Bill Durham."
  • As of January 2008, the members of Fastball still had side jobs to make ends meet. Lead singer Tony Scalzo worked the midnight shift at The Bagel Manufactory in Austin, Texas. Six months later, the band was playing the late-night TV circuit and their album All the Pain Money Can Buy had sold over a million copies.
  • Frontman Tony Scalzo wrote Fastball's song "The Way" about an elderly couple that went missing in Texas. Although the woman had Alzheimer's and her husband was recovering from brain surgery, the couple decided to drive to a music festival. Two weeks later, the pair was found dead in a ravine near Hot Springs, Arkansas, hundreds of miles from their intended route.
  • Fastball's 2000 album The Harsh Light of Day featured two notable collaborations. Billy Preston, who played with Ray Charles and The Beatles, played piano on lead single "You're An Ocean," while swing-rock bandleader Brian Setzer played Latin guitar on "Love is Expensive and Free."
  • Fastball singer Tony Scalzo says singer/songwriters "grow on trees" in the band's hometown of Austin, Texas, so he prefers to listen to music from the '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s. As for new artists, Scalzo says he digs what MGMT and Yeah Yeah Yeahs are doing.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Alan Merrill of The Arrows

Alan Merrill of The ArrowsSongwriter Interviews

In her days with The Runaways, Joan Jett saw The Arrows perform "I Love Rock And Roll," which Alan Merrill co-wrote - that story and much more from this glam rock pioneer.

Dave Mason

Dave MasonSongwriter Interviews

Dave reveals the inspiration for "Feelin' Alright" and explains how the first song he ever wrote became the biggest hit for his band Traffic.

Peter Lord

Peter LordSongwriter Interviews

You may not recognize his name, but you will certainly recognize Peter Lord's songs. He wrote the bevy of hits from Paula Abdul's second album, Spellbound.

Rock Stars of Horror

Rock Stars of HorrorMusic Quiz

Rock Stars - especially those in the metal realm - are often enlisted for horror movies. See if you know can match the rocker to the role.

Bill Withers

Bill WithersSongwriter Interviews

Soul music legend Bill Withers on how life experience and the company you keep leads to classic songs like "Lean On Me."

Al Kooper

Al KooperSongwriter Interviews

Kooper produced Lynyrd Skynyrd, played with Dylan and the Stones, and formed BS&T.