Counterfit was an American rock band from San Diego, California, formed in September 1999 and disbanded in November 2004. They released two EPs and one album on San Diego label Alphabet Records and San Francisco based Negative Progression Records.

Over the band's lifespan they toured the United States extensively. Their music is best described as fitting into the indie rock, post hardcore, and emo genres.

Band History

Formation

Counterfit formed in September 1999 in Fairfield County, Connecticut, but soon relocated to San Diego, California to pursue a career in music. The band's lineup at this time consisted of Justin Rodriguez on bass guitar and lead vocals, Adam Allen and James Dennis on guitars, and Allen's brother Marc Allen on drums. The band's first EP, On the Downside, was released in 2000 on local label Alphabet Records. Shortly after its release Dennis left the band to attend college, and Daniel Reed was brought in to fill the vacant guitar position.

Album and tours

Their second EP, From Finish to Starting Line, was released the following year on Negative Progression Records. That summer the band played on the 2001 Warped Tour. Their first full-length album, Super Amusement Machine for Your Exciting Heart, followed in 2002, along with a second stint on that year's Warped Tour. On these tours Counterfit played alongside such bands as Tsunami Bomb, Saves the Day, Hot Rod Circuit, New Found Glory, Superdrag, The Mars Volta, Recover, and Finch.

Disbanding

In November of 2004 the group decided to disband, and played their last show on December 11, 2004 at Ground Zero in El Cajon with the band Noise Ratchet, who were also playing their final show. Reed went on to play in First Wave Hello, while the Allen brothers launched their own project the Helen Earth Band. Marc Allen also joined Finch, drumming for them until the group's indefinite hiatus in 2006. In the winter of 2006 Rodriguez began recording and performing under the name Silverbird. A posthumous DVD/CD package of Counterfit material was released in 2007 entitled Managing the Details of an Undertaking. The DVD includes a documentary of their final tour, the entire farewell performance, and additional content. The CD portion includes rare and unreleased songs including demos and live recordings.