Fragile Gang

Fragile Gang
Fragile Gang
Origin	El Paso, Texas, U.S.
Genres	Indie rock, noise pop, shoegaze
Years active	Early 2000s–present
Labels	Western Breed Records, Golly Jane, Hellhole Supermarket, Thru the Flowers, independent
Members	Arlo Klahr; Aisling Cormack; Matthew Schmitz;
Past members	Beto O'Rourke; Mike Stevens; Ailbhe Cormack;

Fragile Gang is an American indie rock band originally formed in El Paso, Texas, and currently based in Los Angeles, California.^[1]^[2] Formed in the early 2000s, Fragile Gang is notable for its ties to the El Paso punk rock scene, serving as a successor to the band Foss and featuring early contributions from politician Beto O'Rourke.^[1]^[3]

History

The initial lineup of the band reunited Foss co-founder Beto O'Rourke with his former bandmates Arlo Klahr and Mike Stevens, alongside musician Aisling Cormack.^[1] Klahr, a Toronto-born singer and multi-instrumentalist, met Irish-born musician Cormack while attending high school together in the El Paso punk scene.^[2] O'Rourke performed in and contributed to several of Fragile Gang's earliest recordings and live shows before leaving the group to focus on his career in politics. He was featured on the cover art of the band's 2007 release.^[1]^[4]

In late 2014, the band released For Esme, a studio album written as a memorial tribute to Austin local music icon Esme Barrera.^[2]^[5]

The band released their studio album, Summertime in the City, in December 2022 on Western Breed Records, the same label started by Klahr and O'Rourke in the 1990s.^[6]

Musical style and influences

As in Foss, Klahr, a fan of punk and indie music from Australia and New Zealand, introduced his bandmates to bands like The Saints, The Clean, and The Scientists.^[7]

Band members

Current members

Arlo Klahr – vocals, multiple instruments
Aisling Cormack – vocals, multiple instruments
Matthew Schmitz – drums

Past members

Beto O'Rourke – drums, guitar
Mike Stevens - drums
Ailbhe Cormack - bass, vocals

Discography

Studio albums and LPs

Valley of Static (2003)
On the Other Side of the Love We Hear (2005)
Aisling & Arlo (2009)
Twister in the Ocean (2010)
The World is New (2011)
For Esme (2014)
A Plausible and Desirable Future (2019)
Summertime in the City (Western Breed Records, 2022)
Make Me One with Everything (2026)

EPs and singles

Blue Pills & What's in Alaska? b/w James Joyce & Chicks on Bikes (EP, 2007)
Sharkadian Rhythm (EP, 2011)
Sharkbaby Songs (EP, 2013)
"Sun + Moon" / "I Love All My Friends (Demo)" (7" Lathe Cut, Golly Jane Records, 2021)
"I Love The Rain" b/w "End of The Night (Demo)" (2022)

References

1 2 3 4 Murphy, Tim (January 23, 2019). "Here's Video of Beto O'Rourke Singing 'Blitzkrieg Bop' in a Sheep Mask and Onesie". Mother Jones. Archived from the original on February 3, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
1 2 3 Young, Adria (August 21, 2015). "Interview with L.A. Rock Band Fragile Gang on Love and Loss". The Coast. Retrieved August 1, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
↑ Grubbs, Eric (August 31, 2018). "Beto O'Rourke's Former Bandmate Calls O'Rourke 'A Cool Motherfucker'". Dallas Observer. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
↑ Aggeler, Madeleine (January 23, 2019). "Of Course Beto O'Rourke's Band Was Called Fragile Gang". The Cut. New York Media, LLC. Archived from the original on February 9, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
↑ Hanover, Nick (November 5, 2014). "Don't Even Think About Tomorrow: Fragile Gang's For Esme is a Gorgeous Tribute to a Fallen Friend". Loser City. Retrieved August 1, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
↑ Sanders, Sam (February 6, 2018). "Congressman Beto O'Rourke [transcript]". It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders (Podcast). National Public Radio. Archived from the original on February 9, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
↑ Cush, Andy (October 4, 2017). "A Chat With Beto O'Rourke, the Ex-Punk Bassist Running for Ted Cruz's Senate Seat". Spin. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved August 29, 2026.

External links

[Murphy-1] 1 2 3 4 Murphy, Tim (January 23, 2019). "Here's Video of Beto O'Rourke Singing 'Blitzkrieg Bop' in a Sheep Mask and Onesie". Mother Jones. Archived from the original on February 3, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2026.

[Young-2] 1 2 3 Young, Adria (August 21, 2015). "Interview with L.A. Rock Band Fragile Gang on Love and Loss". The Coast. Retrieved August 1, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[Grubbs-3] Grubbs, Eric (August 31, 2018). "Beto O'Rourke's Former Bandmate Calls O'Rourke 'A Cool Motherfucker'". Dallas Observer. Archived from the original on September 1, 2018. Retrieved August 29, 2026.

[Aggeler-4] Aggeler, Madeleine (January 23, 2019). "Of Course Beto O'Rourke's Band Was Called Fragile Gang". The Cut. New York Media, LLC. Archived from the original on February 9, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2026.

[Hanover-5] Hanover, Nick (November 5, 2014). "Don't Even Think About Tomorrow: Fragile Gang's For Esme is a Gorgeous Tribute to a Fallen Friend". Loser City. Retrieved August 1, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

[NPR-6] Sanders, Sam (February 6, 2018). "Congressman Beto O'Rourke [transcript]". It's Been a Minute with Sam Sanders (Podcast). National Public Radio. Archived from the original on February 9, 2019. Retrieved August 29, 2026.

[Cush-7] Cush, Andy (October 4, 2017). "A Chat With Beto O'Rourke, the Ex-Punk Bassist Running for Ted Cruz's Senate Seat". Spin. Archived from the original on November 30, 2018. Retrieved August 29, 2026.

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