Darkbuster
Encyclopedia
Darkbuster is a punk rock
band hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, known largely for their songs about the joys of heavy drinking, which have earned them a strong following in the American Northeast.
The band was formed by singer/guitarist Lenny Lashley, drummer Eric Edmonston, and bassist Mike Gurley in 1996 and developed a following around Massachusetts. In 1997 the band recorded a nine-song demo
tape, and in 1999 released their debut album, 22 Songs You'll Never Want To Hear Again!
The album instantly cemented their reputation in the Boston punk scene, filled with songs about beer, being a loser, and even a few juvenile-but-hilarious potshots at other local bands (and even the group's own members). Shortly after they released a split EP titled Skullbuster with the Skullys a high school punk band from Stoughton, MA they often gigged with. Songs include: "Waste of Life," "Join the NRA," and "Some Cunt Sneezed on my Sub."
In 2000 the band added a second guitarist, Paul Delano. In addition, Danny O'Halloran replaced Edmonston as the group's drummer a few months later, and it was this lineup of Lashley, Gurley, Delano, and O'Halloran which won the WBCN Rock & Roll Rumble
that year.
In 2001 the band recorded five songs for a split EP with Tommy and the Terrors. The new songs received mixed reviews from the group's fans, some of whom felt that the new songs were "too serious." Lashley decided to break up the band the same week, following a grinding month-long U.S. tour.
Lashley continued writing songs and formed a country band, Lenny and the Piss Poor Boys, in 2002, which developed an audience of its own and continues to perform. Gurley moved on to The U.S.M., then to The McGunks. O'Halloran joined The Marvels, and Delano joined Avoid One Thing
. Following his departure from the band, Edmonston formed a group called Linus
.
In 2003 all of the ex-members of the group (including Edmonston) reunited for a few shows, and began recording a new album in 2004, though Delano left the band shortly before recording commenced. The new album, A Weakness For Spirits
, strikes a balance between the more mature subject matter of the split EP and the cheap laughs of the first album, while displaying Lashley's knack for writing concise, catchy punk rock songs to fine effect. Indeed, Darkbuster embodies the concept that "brevity is the soul of wit" since many of the band's funniest songs clock in at under a minute in length.
In May 2005, Lashley injured his left hand in a construction accident at Boston University
, leaving him unable to play guitar for several months. The band temporarily brought Amy Griffin (Raging Teens/Avoid One Thing) onboard as a second guitarist. A DVD containing concert footage of Darkbuster and Lenny and the Piss Poor Boys was released shortly after the accident, with proceeds set aside to help Lashley with his medical bills. A 2005 benefit concert featuring both of Lashley's bands performing with guest singers also raised money to help cover his medical bills.
In July 2005 Gurley and Edmonston released an album - entitled 90 Miles From Launch To Target - from their side project band, Drago.
In December 2005 it was announced that Edmonston would again be leaving the band at the end of the year, with Griffin becoming a full member and Lashley returning to guitar duties.
In May 2006 the band signed with I Scream Records
, who re-released A Weakness For Spirits in August 2006. The band is also currently compiling footage for a 10th anniversary DVD.
In October 2006 Lashley's country band Lenny and the Piss Poor Boys released their eponymous debut album on Lude Boy Records.
Currently the band is on hiatus, although an official breakup has not been announced.
John Erik Johnson - bass player for Lenny and the Piss Poor Boys and the Bourbonaires passed away on Wednesday January 17, 2007.
Lenny still does shows by himself as "Lenny Lashley's Gang of One"
On December 27, 2009 Darkbuster played their first show in almost two years at Boston's House Of Blues for the 12th Mighty Mighty Bosstones' Hometown Throwdown.
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
band hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, known largely for their songs about the joys of heavy drinking, which have earned them a strong following in the American Northeast.
The band was formed by singer/guitarist Lenny Lashley, drummer Eric Edmonston, and bassist Mike Gurley in 1996 and developed a following around Massachusetts. In 1997 the band recorded a nine-song demo
Demo (music)
A demo version or demo of a song is one recorded for reference rather than for release. A demo is a way for a musician to approximate their ideas on tape or disc, and provide an example of those ideas to record labels, producers or other artists...
tape, and in 1999 released their debut album, 22 Songs You'll Never Want To Hear Again!
22 Songs You'll Never Want to Hear Again!
22 Songs You'll Never Want To Hear Again was the debut release by Boston-based punk band Darkbuster. The album was self released in 1999.- Track listing :...
The album instantly cemented their reputation in the Boston punk scene, filled with songs about beer, being a loser, and even a few juvenile-but-hilarious potshots at other local bands (and even the group's own members). Shortly after they released a split EP titled Skullbuster with the Skullys a high school punk band from Stoughton, MA they often gigged with. Songs include: "Waste of Life," "Join the NRA," and "Some Cunt Sneezed on my Sub."
In 2000 the band added a second guitarist, Paul Delano. In addition, Danny O'Halloran replaced Edmonston as the group's drummer a few months later, and it was this lineup of Lashley, Gurley, Delano, and O'Halloran which won the WBCN Rock & Roll Rumble
WBCN Rock & Roll Rumble
The WBCN Rock 'n' Roll Rumble, begun in 1979, is a Greater Boston "battle of the bands" competition co-sponsored by WBCN-FM and its local music show Boston Emissions....
that year.
In 2001 the band recorded five songs for a split EP with Tommy and the Terrors. The new songs received mixed reviews from the group's fans, some of whom felt that the new songs were "too serious." Lashley decided to break up the band the same week, following a grinding month-long U.S. tour.
Lashley continued writing songs and formed a country band, Lenny and the Piss Poor Boys, in 2002, which developed an audience of its own and continues to perform. Gurley moved on to The U.S.M., then to The McGunks. O'Halloran joined The Marvels, and Delano joined Avoid One Thing
Avoid One Thing
Avoid One Thing was started as a side project by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones' bassist Joe Gittleman. The Boston-based group's first album, titled Avoid One Thing, was released in 2002 on Side One Dummy Records. The album was written and recorded almost solely by Gittleman. Gittleman assembled a...
. Following his departure from the band, Edmonston formed a group called Linus
Linus
-People:*Pope Linus , the second Pope of the Catholic Church*Linus B. Comins, member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Massachusetts in 1857–59*Linus Yale, Jr., American mechanical engineer...
.
In 2003 all of the ex-members of the group (including Edmonston) reunited for a few shows, and began recording a new album in 2004, though Delano left the band shortly before recording commenced. The new album, A Weakness For Spirits
A Weakness for Spirits
A Weakness For Spirits was a studio album released in 2005 by the American punk rock band Darkbuster. The album was re-released in 2006 after the band signed with I Scream Records.- Track listing :#"We Are Darkbuster" – 1:43...
, strikes a balance between the more mature subject matter of the split EP and the cheap laughs of the first album, while displaying Lashley's knack for writing concise, catchy punk rock songs to fine effect. Indeed, Darkbuster embodies the concept that "brevity is the soul of wit" since many of the band's funniest songs clock in at under a minute in length.
In May 2005, Lashley injured his left hand in a construction accident at Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
, leaving him unable to play guitar for several months. The band temporarily brought Amy Griffin (Raging Teens/Avoid One Thing) onboard as a second guitarist. A DVD containing concert footage of Darkbuster and Lenny and the Piss Poor Boys was released shortly after the accident, with proceeds set aside to help Lashley with his medical bills. A 2005 benefit concert featuring both of Lashley's bands performing with guest singers also raised money to help cover his medical bills.
In July 2005 Gurley and Edmonston released an album - entitled 90 Miles From Launch To Target - from their side project band, Drago.
In December 2005 it was announced that Edmonston would again be leaving the band at the end of the year, with Griffin becoming a full member and Lashley returning to guitar duties.
In May 2006 the band signed with I Scream Records
I Scream Records
I Scream Records is a label founded by Laurens Kusters in 1994 in Brussels, Belgium. The label has an extensive catalogue and is one of the leading punk and hardcore labels in Western Europe.- History :...
, who re-released A Weakness For Spirits in August 2006. The band is also currently compiling footage for a 10th anniversary DVD.
In October 2006 Lashley's country band Lenny and the Piss Poor Boys released their eponymous debut album on Lude Boy Records.
Currently the band is on hiatus, although an official breakup has not been announced.
John Erik Johnson - bass player for Lenny and the Piss Poor Boys and the Bourbonaires passed away on Wednesday January 17, 2007.
Lenny still does shows by himself as "Lenny Lashley's Gang of One"
On December 27, 2009 Darkbuster played their first show in almost two years at Boston's House Of Blues for the 12th Mighty Mighty Bosstones' Hometown Throwdown.
Discography
- 22 Songs You'll Never Want To Hear Again!22 Songs You'll Never Want to Hear Again!22 Songs You'll Never Want To Hear Again was the debut release by Boston-based punk band Darkbuster. The album was self released in 1999.- Track listing :...
(1999) - SkullbusterSkullbusterSkullbuster is the name of three comic book super villains all of which exist in Marvel Comics' main shared universe. The original Skullbuster first appeared in Uncanny X-Men #229 and was created by Chris Claremont and Marc Silvestri....
(1999) - Darkbuster Vs. Tommy & The Terrors (2001)
- A Weakness For SpiritsA Weakness for SpiritsA Weakness For Spirits was a studio album released in 2005 by the American punk rock band Darkbuster. The album was re-released in 2006 after the band signed with I Scream Records.- Track listing :#"We Are Darkbuster" – 1:43...
(2005)