Five Dollar Fee formed in Palmerston North in 2002 as a high school punk band. The founding line-up was Alma Signal, Sophie Burgess, Sarah Mudgeway and Ally Lamb. The name came from a teacher, Mrs Trethewey, who read “Five Dollar Fee” off a gig flyer and took it for a band name.

Their heavy sound has drawn comparisons to Canadian metal band Kittie and Detroit’s Walls of Jericho. They released the live CD Youth of Parliament in 2002, followed by the four-track EP Say No To Crack in 2003. That same year they appeared on the Remedial Class compilation.

The band built their following around Palmerston North and Wellington, playing Punkfest in 2003 and 2005. They also travelled to Auckland for Ladyfest 2003 and Underground Fest 2004. Later on, the band shortened their name to The Fee with Jo Mepham joining on bass, and Lana White on guitar and vocals.

Origin	Palmerston North, Wellington
Genre	hardcore punk
Years Active	2002-2007
Associated Acts	Carnys
AKA	The Fee
Past Members	Ally (drums) Alma (guitar, vocals) Lana White (guitar, vocals) Sarah Mudgeway (guitar) Sophie Burgess (bass) Joe Mepham (bass)