VOCALS & RHYTHM GUITAR: Shawn Fitzgerald
Biography
Shawn's musical career began in the early '90s in Tennessee as the rhythm guitarist for a band called Raze. Due to a series of strange events, Shawn was thrust into the vocalist role and the band changed their name to Soak Lucy. Soak Lucy released one full length album and one ep during their time together that ended in 2001. Shawn then took a fill in stint with the quickly rising Lappdog (now known as One Less Reason) before joining the band Rail. Rail became one of the hottest bands in Memphis. Being called the next big thing out of Tennessee, Rail opened for Disturbed, Chevelle, Taproot, and Unloco on the Music as a Weapon II tour. In 2003, Rail split up after personal differences drove the band apart.
In 2004, Shawn, with the former members of Soak Lucy formed Downpsycle, but with Shawn moving back to rhythm guitar and the band bringing in another singer. In 2005, Shawn left this project to form the band A Stones Throw. After a short stint as the rhythm guitarist, Shawn joined Surrender The Fall. In 2006, Shawn left Surrender The Fall to focus on other projects before joining Stiff Kitty (now 714) in 2008. After a freak accident where Shawn broke his neck (but still contributed guitars on two songs, Push and Red Light, on the Stiff Kitty record), Shawn took a break from playing to focus on regaining his health.
In 2013 the genesis of Collide Over Me began with himself, former Saving Abel bassist Daniel Dwight, and former Rail drummer Vince Hood. The first EP was recorded in 2015 and released that August. Shawn was then offered a touring rhythm guitar spot on tour with Harvest Mill before becoming a full time member, but in 2016 the band folded.
Late that year, Shawn began rebuilding Collide Over Me in Pensacola, Fl. But with no music scene (with the exception of cover bands) in the area, and a text from former Harvest Mill drummer Gary Dacus, Shawn relocated to Texas to finally bring Collide Over Me back to life with new bassist Kelly Robinson and guitarist Pete Franco.
Shawn's influences range from Stone Temple Pilots, Cold, Stone Sour, Oasis, Aerosmith, Deftones, Breaking Benjamin, 36 Crazyfists, Live, Finch, Finger Eleven, Monster Magnet, Silverchair, Motörhead, 10 Years, Tool, Chevelle, Seether, Poison The Well