Murphy's Law (band)
Encyclopedia
Murphy's Law is an American hardcore
band from New York City, New York, formed in 1982. While vocalist Jimmy Gestapo
remains the only founding member of the band, the line-up has consisted of former members of bands such as Skinnerbox
, Danzig
, The Bouncing Souls
, Mucky Pup
, Dog Eat Dog
, Hanoi Rocks
, Agnostic Front
, and D Generation
.
Over the course of their career, Murphy's Law have released five full-length albums, of which the last was released in 2001. They have a sixth album in the works, slated for release in 2011 or later. Countless singles and covers have been recorded throughout the bands career which are listed on their website. Murphy's Law have been touring Japan
, Europe
and the USA for years despite lack of record label
support.
n punk sounds and even blues into the stomping New York hardcore anthems. Some of the songs on this album could also be credited as an influence on the burgeoning thrash metal
scene which had taken to incorporating elements of New York hardcore into their sound and general song structure – for instance, Anthrax
and S.O.D.
, whose Speak English or Die
album preempted this release. However, whilst they shared a common interest in the lyrical themes of drinking, smoking, and partying with the likes of Boston hardcore band, Gang Green
– another trait which separates them from the sociopolitical
leanings of fellow NYHC
bands, although on later albums they did diversify into experimenting with ska
.
This album spawned a few live favorites which were devised to "get the party going" – "Fun", "Beer", and "Care Bear" being just a small selection – but it also had a track which caused some controversy with "Skinhead Rebel". It was seen by some sectors of the community as a fascist infused song, but those in the know in the genre knew it was not a reference to Nazi skinheads, just the traditional skinheads, who enjoy listening to early ska and reaggae.
This album includes an Iggy Pop
cover of "I Got A Right".
Back With A Bong was released in 1989 on Profile Records
and subsequently re-released on Another Planet Records in 1994 with the previous self-titled album on the same disc. It came three years after the previous album and the band had undergone somewhat of a transformation with Jimmy Gestapo
the only remaining member. Alex Morris had been replaced on guitar by Todd Youth
– previously of fellow New York
hardcore bands, Agnostic Front
and Warzone, and later of Danzig. Chuck Valle replaced Pete Martinez on bass, and Doug E. Beans took over drumming duties from Petey Hines. In 1989, Murphy's Law opened for the Red Hot Chili Peppers
on their Mother's Milk tour
.
, reggae
, ska
, and hardcore into their own distinct brew, shedding any dogmatic restrictions applied to the standards of their genre in the '80s. Production by Fishbone
's John "Norwood" Fisher
and Philip "Fish" Fisher lends authenticity and diversity to The Best of Times, as does the added instrumentation by several members of Fishbone
. Covers of James Brown
and Stevie Wonder
provide some insight into Murphy's Law's sometimes controversial and misunderstood affiliation with the skinhead faction, finally putting to rest any allegations that racism
or fascism
have anything to do with the band's outlook. Although the group manages to shed this stereotype and expand musically on The Best of Times, the subject matter doesn't otherwise stray too far from earlier work. Songs about pot, beer, girls, and cars showcase the glorious immaturity and quest for fun that pretty much define Murphy's Law. When the band does get serious, which isn't very often, it's in the interest of unity and friendship. The title track is basically a fan tribute
, thanking a small but loyal group of followers for the support that's enabled Murphy's Law to continue the party. The ska-tinged but heavy "1%" revels in the outcast-minded punk rock ethos, giving nod to those who embrace the good and bad of surfing the fringe of culture
and society
. Classic Murphy's Law rage surfaces on "Harder Than Who," an attack on the mindless aggression and competition that sometimes rule the hardcore scene.
style hardcore punk songs for this. It is first studio album in five years since The Best Of Times
. The personnel differed from previous efforts, but Jimmy G's vocals still provide the sound's basis. As with prior albums, the lyrics revolve mainly around smoking, drinking, and partying. A blur of melodic hardcore
eventually gives way near the end to some saxophone-led ska. Dedication was released by Another Planet on March 19, 1996. The label had already picked up the rights to their previous material from Profile Records
and in 1994 had released a split CD with their self-titled and Back With A Bong albums on the same disc.
The album was produced by Daniel Rey
who had previously worked with The Ramones, The Misfits, and even Boston
hardcore punk band, Gang Green
– with whom Murphy's Law share a lyrical penchant. He also wrote one of the songs for this album, "Green Bud". It follows 1993's Good For Now EP
and the 1991 studio album, The Best Of Times. The band did not record another full-length album until The Party's Over in 2001, but had plenty of singles, compilation
, and split EPs with other bands in between. The album was dedicated to former bass player, Chuck Valle, who was killed in a knife related incident in 1994. His picture appears on the back page of the CD inlay and a picture of a tattoo
inscribed with the words "In Memory of Chuck" appears on the jewel case inlay.
Listeners find former D Generation
guitarist Rick Bacchus, bassist Sal Villaneuva (Demonspeed), and drummer Eric Arce (Skarhead) joining forces with original Murphy's Law frontman Jimmy G and producer Daniel Rey
(The Ramones, The Misfits, and White Zombie
). The result of this 2001 collaboration is 15 tracks of blistering, rowdy, and fast club punk. The song, The Party's Over, refers to the Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's
intense "clean up" of the Big Apple
. There are few musical departures on this predominately speedy punk cd. "Walking Alone" incorporates a bit of a reggae vibe, while a saxophone line accents "Skinhead Girl," a cover song originally by Symarip
, that takes the tempo down a notch to a swaggering groove (but true to punk
form).
blog entry that they were working on a sixth studio album as well as DVD and vinyl reissues of their back catalog. On May 4, 2011, it was announced that Murphy's Law were signed to I Scream Records
, who will release the band's first studio album of original material since 2001's The Party's Over
, as well as reissues of their back catalog. All earlier albums will be reissued with previously unreleased bonus tracks, new artwork and will be available on CD, digital download, and vinyl.
film, Cremaster 3 along with Agnostic Front
.
In 2004, the song Vicky Crown appeared in a music video montage of "Sick" Nick Mondo
in the game Backyard Wrestling 2
In 2008, the Murphy's Law song, 'A Day In The Life' was featured, as well as Jimmy G. as the Liberty City DJ of Liberty City Hardcore (L.C.H.C) radio station in top-selling game Rockstar
videogame Grand Theft Auto IV
.
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
band from New York City, New York, formed in 1982. While vocalist Jimmy Gestapo
Jimmy Gestapo
James Drescher, better known as Jimmy G or Jimmy Gestapo and also known as Jimmy Spliff, is the lead singer for New York based hardcore punk band Murphy's Law....
remains the only founding member of the band, the line-up has consisted of former members of bands such as Skinnerbox
Skinnerbox
Skinnerbox is a third wave ska band formed in New York City in the early 1990s by King Django.-Full Length:*Instrumental Conditioning 1990)*Now & Then *Tales of the Red...
, Danzig
Danzig (band)
Danzig is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1987 in Lodi, New Jersey. The band serves as a musical outlet for the singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig. Danzig can be seen as the third stage in Glenn Danzig's musical career, preceded by the horror punk bands The Misfits and Samhain...
, The Bouncing Souls
The Bouncing Souls
The Bouncing Souls are a punk rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, formed in 1987. By the time of their acknowledgment by the national punk rock scene, they had reignited a "pogo" element to New Jersey punk rock by playing fast light-hearted songs, a model followed by various other local...
, Mucky Pup
Mucky Pup
Mucky Pup began as an American hardcore and crossover thrash band formed in Bergenfield, New Jersey in 1985, when brothers John and Chris Milnes joined up with Dan Nastasi and former Hades member, Scott LePage . The band went through various incarnations and several musical style changes while...
, Dog Eat Dog
Dog Eat Dog (band)
Dog Eat Dog, an American band originally from Bergen County, New Jersey, began in 1990 as part of the hardcore music scenes of New York City and New Jersey. With members now scattered through New Jersey, Washington D.C. and Europe, the band now refers to themselves as being based out all three areas...
, Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks was a Finnish rock band formed in 1979, whose most successful period came in the early 1980s. The band broke up in 1985 after the death of their drummer, Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley...
, Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front is an American hardcore band. The band began playing hardcore similar to their contemporaries, and were thrust to the forefront of the burgeoning New York hardcore scene in the mid-1980s with their widely regarded 1984 classic Victim in Pain before evolving to incorporate thrash...
, and D Generation
D Generation
D Generation are an American glam punk band formed in 1991 in New York City. The band broke up in 1999, but will reunite in 2011 for shows. During its history the band released three albums, to much critical acclaim...
.
Over the course of their career, Murphy's Law have released five full-length albums, of which the last was released in 2001. They have a sixth album in the works, slated for release in 2011 or later. Countless singles and covers have been recorded throughout the bands career which are listed on their website. Murphy's Law have been touring Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and the USA for years despite lack of record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
support.
Murphy's Law and Back With A Bong (1986–1990)
This album features fast paced, short songs with more mosh sections, but they also managed to blend in some laid-back CaliforniaCalifornia
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
n punk sounds and even blues into the stomping New York hardcore anthems. Some of the songs on this album could also be credited as an influence on the burgeoning thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
scene which had taken to incorporating elements of New York hardcore into their sound and general song structure – for instance, Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
and S.O.D.
Stormtroopers of Death
Stormtroopers of Death, better known as S.O.D., was a crossover thrash band formed in New York in 1985. They are commonly credited as being among the first bands to fuse hardcore punk with thrash metal into a style sometimes called "crossover thrash." The song "March of the S.O.D.," from their 1985...
, whose Speak English or Die
Speak English or Die
Speak English or Die is the first studio album by the crossover thrash band Stormtroopers of Death .After Anthrax finished recording Spreading the Disease, there was still some studio time left, so Scott Ian and Charlie Benante called some friends, practiced some songs, and recorded it all within...
album preempted this release. However, whilst they shared a common interest in the lyrical themes of drinking, smoking, and partying with the likes of Boston hardcore band, Gang Green
Gang Green
Gang Green is a band originally from Braintree, Massachusetts. Chris Doherty , Bill Manley and Mike Dean started the band in 1980 and broke up in 1984...
– another trait which separates them from the sociopolitical
Political sociology
Contemporary political sociology involves much more than the study of the relations between state and society . Where a typical research question in political sociology might have been: "Why do so few American citizens choose to vote?" or even, "What difference does it make if women get elected?" ...
leanings of fellow NYHC
New York hardcore
New York hardcore refers to hardcore punk and metalcore music created in New York City and to the subculture associated with that music. New York hardcore grew out of the hardcore scene established in Washington, D.C., by bands such as Bad Brains and Minor Threat. Hardcore '81 is an album by the...
bands, although on later albums they did diversify into experimenting with ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
.
This album spawned a few live favorites which were devised to "get the party going" – "Fun", "Beer", and "Care Bear" being just a small selection – but it also had a track which caused some controversy with "Skinhead Rebel". It was seen by some sectors of the community as a fascist infused song, but those in the know in the genre knew it was not a reference to Nazi skinheads, just the traditional skinheads, who enjoy listening to early ska and reaggae.
This album includes an Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. Though considered an innovator of punk rock, Pop's music has encompassed a number of styles over the years, including pop, metal, jazz and blues...
cover of "I Got A Right".
Back With A Bong was released in 1989 on Profile Records
Profile Records
Profile Records was a record label that specialized in many types of urban-oriented music, such as hip hop, active until 1996..- History :In 1980, at 23 years old, after working briefly for MCA, Cory Robbins was looking to start a record label. He invited his songwriter friend Steve Plotnicki to be...
and subsequently re-released on Another Planet Records in 1994 with the previous self-titled album on the same disc. It came three years after the previous album and the band had undergone somewhat of a transformation with Jimmy Gestapo
Jimmy Gestapo
James Drescher, better known as Jimmy G or Jimmy Gestapo and also known as Jimmy Spliff, is the lead singer for New York based hardcore punk band Murphy's Law....
the only remaining member. Alex Morris had been replaced on guitar by Todd Youth
Todd Youth
-Biography:Youth grew up in New York and started playing as young as 12 years old in several New York City hardcore bands. He made his playing debut with Agnostic Front in 1983 but did not play on any recordings. Youth also appeared for New York City act Warzone until around 1986...
– previously of fellow New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
hardcore bands, Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front is an American hardcore band. The band began playing hardcore similar to their contemporaries, and were thrust to the forefront of the burgeoning New York hardcore scene in the mid-1980s with their widely regarded 1984 classic Victim in Pain before evolving to incorporate thrash...
and Warzone, and later of Danzig. Chuck Valle replaced Pete Martinez on bass, and Doug E. Beans took over drumming duties from Petey Hines. In 1989, Murphy's Law opened for the Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Red Hot Chili Peppers is an American rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1983. The group's musical style primarily consists of rock with an emphasis on funk, as well as elements from other genres such as punk, hip hop and psychedelic rock...
on their Mother's Milk tour
Mother's Milk tour
The Mother's Milk Tour was a worldwide concert tour by Red Hot Chili Peppers to support their fourth studio album Mother's Milk.Mother's Milk instantly garnered more attention than the band's previous records and, as such, the venues the band performed in were able to accommodate far larger crowds...
.
The Best of Times (1991–1992)
Murphy's Law usher in the '90s with a reinvigorated blast of their debauchery-laced brand of comedic punk. Stylistically, Murphy's Law makes quite a jump on The Best of Times. The band did dabble in skacore long before it exploded, but was always pretty much a flat-out hardcore unit in the '80s. The Best of Times finds Jimmy Gestapo and friends combining funkFunk
Funk is a music genre that originated in the mid-late 1960s when African American musicians blended soul music, jazz and R&B into a rhythmic, danceable new form of music. Funk de-emphasizes melody and harmony and brings a strong rhythmic groove of electric bass and drums to the foreground...
, reggae
Reggae
Reggae is a music genre first developed in Jamaica in the late 1960s. While sometimes used in a broader sense to refer to most types of Jamaican music, the term reggae more properly denotes a particular music style that originated following on the development of ska and rocksteady.Reggae is based...
, ska
Ska
Ska |Jamaican]] ) is a music genre that originated in Jamaica in the late 1950s, and was the precursor to rocksteady and reggae. Ska combined elements of Caribbean mento and calypso with American jazz and rhythm and blues...
, and hardcore into their own distinct brew, shedding any dogmatic restrictions applied to the standards of their genre in the '80s. Production by Fishbone
Fishbone
Fishbone is a U.S. alternative rock band formed in 1979 in Los Angeles, California, which plays a fusion of ska, punk rock, funk, hard rock and soul. Critics have noted of the band: "Fishbone was one of the most distinctive and eclectic alternative rock bands of the late '80s...
's John "Norwood" Fisher
John Norwood Fisher
John Norwood Fisher is the bass player and founder for the band Fishbone. Fisher has played bass in the band throughout its history, even as other members have departed and returned...
and Philip "Fish" Fisher lends authenticity and diversity to The Best of Times, as does the added instrumentation by several members of Fishbone
Fishbone
Fishbone is a U.S. alternative rock band formed in 1979 in Los Angeles, California, which plays a fusion of ska, punk rock, funk, hard rock and soul. Critics have noted of the band: "Fishbone was one of the most distinctive and eclectic alternative rock bands of the late '80s...
. Covers of James Brown
James Brown
James Joseph Brown was an American singer, songwriter, musician, and recording artist. He is the originator of Funk and is recognized as a major figure in the 20th century popular music for both his vocals and dancing. He has been referred to as "The Godfather of Soul," "Mr...
and Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
provide some insight into Murphy's Law's sometimes controversial and misunderstood affiliation with the skinhead faction, finally putting to rest any allegations that racism
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
or fascism
Fascism
Fascism is a radical authoritarian nationalist political ideology. Fascists seek to rejuvenate their nation based on commitment to the national community as an organic entity, in which individuals are bound together in national identity by suprapersonal connections of ancestry, culture, and blood...
have anything to do with the band's outlook. Although the group manages to shed this stereotype and expand musically on The Best of Times, the subject matter doesn't otherwise stray too far from earlier work. Songs about pot, beer, girls, and cars showcase the glorious immaturity and quest for fun that pretty much define Murphy's Law. When the band does get serious, which isn't very often, it's in the interest of unity and friendship. The title track is basically a fan tribute
Tribute
A tribute is wealth, often in kind, that one party gives to another as a sign of respect or, as was often the case in historical contexts, of submission or allegiance. Various ancient states, which could be called suzerains, exacted tribute from areas they had conquered or threatened to conquer...
, thanking a small but loyal group of followers for the support that's enabled Murphy's Law to continue the party. The ska-tinged but heavy "1%" revels in the outcast-minded punk rock ethos, giving nod to those who embrace the good and bad of surfing the fringe of culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
and society
Society
A society, or a human society, is a group of people related to each other through persistent relations, or a large social grouping sharing the same geographical or virtual territory, subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations...
. Classic Murphy's Law rage surfaces on "Harder Than Who," an attack on the mindless aggression and competition that sometimes rule the hardcore scene.
Good for Now, death of Chuck Valle and two more albums (1993–2009)
Murphy's Law collected a bunch of stomping, fast and anthemAnthem
The term anthem means either a specific form of Anglican church music , or more generally, a song of celebration, usually acting as a symbol for a distinct group of people, as in the term "national anthem" or "sports anthem".-Etymology:The word is derived from the Greek via Old English , a word...
style hardcore punk songs for this. It is first studio album in five years since The Best Of Times
The Best of Times
Best of Times or The Best of Times may refer to:* The Best of Times , a 1991 album by Murphy's Law* The Best of Times , a film starring Robin Williams and Kurt Russell...
. The personnel differed from previous efforts, but Jimmy G's vocals still provide the sound's basis. As with prior albums, the lyrics revolve mainly around smoking, drinking, and partying. A blur of melodic hardcore
Melodic hardcore
Melodic hardcore is a subgenre of hardcore punk with a strong emphasis on vocal melody. The genre is commonly defined with fast hardcore drum beats, complex guitar riffs and melodic singing with occasional screaming and shouting.-History:...
eventually gives way near the end to some saxophone-led ska. Dedication was released by Another Planet on March 19, 1996. The label had already picked up the rights to their previous material from Profile Records
Profile Records
Profile Records was a record label that specialized in many types of urban-oriented music, such as hip hop, active until 1996..- History :In 1980, at 23 years old, after working briefly for MCA, Cory Robbins was looking to start a record label. He invited his songwriter friend Steve Plotnicki to be...
and in 1994 had released a split CD with their self-titled and Back With A Bong albums on the same disc.
The album was produced by Daniel Rey
Daniel Rey
Daniel Rey is an American musician, music producer and songwriter from New York City best known for his work with the Ramones....
who had previously worked with The Ramones, The Misfits, and even Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
hardcore punk band, Gang Green
Gang Green
Gang Green is a band originally from Braintree, Massachusetts. Chris Doherty , Bill Manley and Mike Dean started the band in 1980 and broke up in 1984...
– with whom Murphy's Law share a lyrical penchant. He also wrote one of the songs for this album, "Green Bud". It follows 1993's Good For Now EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
and the 1991 studio album, The Best Of Times. The band did not record another full-length album until The Party's Over in 2001, but had plenty of singles, compilation
Compilation album
A compilation album is an album featuring tracks from one or more performers, often culled from a variety of sources The tracks are usually collected according to a common characteristic, such as popularity, genre, source or subject matter...
, and split EPs with other bands in between. The album was dedicated to former bass player, Chuck Valle, who was killed in a knife related incident in 1994. His picture appears on the back page of the CD inlay and a picture of a tattoo
Tattoo
A tattoo is made by inserting indelible ink into the dermis layer of the skin to change the pigment. Tattoos on humans are a type of body modification, and tattoos on other animals are most commonly used for identification purposes...
inscribed with the words "In Memory of Chuck" appears on the jewel case inlay.
Listeners find former D Generation
D Generation
D Generation are an American glam punk band formed in 1991 in New York City. The band broke up in 1999, but will reunite in 2011 for shows. During its history the band released three albums, to much critical acclaim...
guitarist Rick Bacchus, bassist Sal Villaneuva (Demonspeed), and drummer Eric Arce (Skarhead) joining forces with original Murphy's Law frontman Jimmy G and producer Daniel Rey
Daniel Rey
Daniel Rey is an American musician, music producer and songwriter from New York City best known for his work with the Ramones....
(The Ramones, The Misfits, and White Zombie
White Zombie
White Zombie was a Grammy Award-nominated American heavy metal band. Based in New York City, White Zombie was originally a noise rock band. White Zombie are better-known for their later heavy metal-oriented sound...
). The result of this 2001 collaboration is 15 tracks of blistering, rowdy, and fast club punk. The song, The Party's Over, refers to the Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's
Rudy Giuliani
Rudolph William Louis "Rudy" Giuliani KBE is an American lawyer, businessman, and politician from New York. He served as Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001....
intense "clean up" of the Big Apple
Big Apple
"The Big Apple" is a nickname for New York City. It was first popularized in the 1920s by John J. Fitz Gerald, a sports writer for the New York Morning Telegraph...
. There are few musical departures on this predominately speedy punk cd. "Walking Alone" incorporates a bit of a reggae vibe, while a saxophone line accents "Skinhead Girl," a cover song originally by Symarip
Symarip
Symarip were a ska and reggae band from the United Kingdom, originating in the late 1960s, when Frank Pitter and Michael Thomas founded the band as The Bees. The band's name was originally spelled Simaryp, which is an approximate reversal of the word 'pyramids'...
, that takes the tempo down a notch to a swaggering groove (but true to punk
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...
form).
New album (2010–present)
On April 12, 2010, Murphy's Law announced in a MySpaceMySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
blog entry that they were working on a sixth studio album as well as DVD and vinyl reissues of their back catalog. On May 4, 2011, it was announced that Murphy's Law were signed to 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 will release the band's first studio album of original material since 2001's The Party's Over
The Party's Over (Murphy's Law album)
The Party's Over is an album by hardcore punk band, Murphy's Law. It was released in 2001 .-Track listing:#"Maximum Lie" - 2:31#"Vicky Crown" - 2:53#"Stressed Out" - 1:37#"Hypocrite" - 1:27#"Bitch" - 1:39#"Redemption Time" - 1:53...
, as well as reissues of their back catalog. All earlier albums will be reissued with previously unreleased bonus tracks, new artwork and will be available on CD, digital download, and vinyl.
Media
In 2002, the band appeared in Matthew Barney'sMatthew Barney
Matthew Barney is an American artist who works in sculpture, photography, drawing and film. His early works were sculptural installations combined with performance and video...
film, Cremaster 3 along with Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front is an American hardcore band. The band began playing hardcore similar to their contemporaries, and were thrust to the forefront of the burgeoning New York hardcore scene in the mid-1980s with their widely regarded 1984 classic Victim in Pain before evolving to incorporate thrash...
.
In 2004, the song Vicky Crown appeared in a music video montage of "Sick" Nick Mondo
Nick Mondo
Matthew "Matt" Burns better known by his ring name "Sick" Nick Mondo is a retired American professional wrestler. Burns is best known for his appearances with Combat Zone Wrestling...
in the game Backyard Wrestling 2
In 2008, the Murphy's Law song, 'A Day In The Life' was featured, as well as Jimmy G. as the Liberty City DJ of Liberty City Hardcore (L.C.H.C) radio station in top-selling game Rockstar
Rockstar Games
Rockstar Games is a major video game developer and publisher based in New York City, owned by Take-Two Interactive following its purchase of UK video game publisher BMG Interactive. The brand is mostly known for Grand Theft Auto, Max Payne, L.A...
videogame Grand Theft Auto IV
Grand Theft Auto IV
Grand Theft Auto IV is a 2008 open world action video game published by Rockstar Games, and developed by British games developer Rockstar North. It has been released for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 video game consoles, and for the Windows operating system...
.
Members
Murphy's Law has had many lineup changes and Jimmy Gestapo has been the band's only constant member.Current members
- Jimmy Gestapo (Jimmy Drescher) - vocals
- Tim Miller - guitar
- Raven (Seaton "Chuck" Hancock III) – sax
- Felipe Lithgow - bass
- Chris Ara - drums
Guitar
- Sean Kilkenny (Dog Eat DogDog Eat Dog (band)Dog Eat Dog, an American band originally from Bergen County, New Jersey, began in 1990 as part of the hardcore music scenes of New York City and New Jersey. With members now scattered through New Jersey, Washington D.C. and Europe, the band now refers to themselves as being based out all three areas...
, Mucky PupMucky PupMucky Pup began as an American hardcore and crossover thrash band formed in Bergenfield, New Jersey in 1985, when brothers John and Chris Milnes joined up with Dan Nastasi and former Hades member, Scott LePage . The band went through various incarnations and several musical style changes while...
) - Todd YouthTodd Youth-Biography:Youth grew up in New York and started playing as young as 12 years old in several New York City hardcore bands. He made his playing debut with Agnostic Front in 1983 but did not play on any recordings. Youth also appeared for New York City act Warzone until around 1986...
(DanzigDanzig (band)Danzig is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1987 in Lodi, New Jersey. The band serves as a musical outlet for the singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig. Danzig can be seen as the third stage in Glenn Danzig's musical career, preceded by the horror punk bands The Misfits and Samhain...
, Chrome LocustChrome LocustChrome Locust were an American stoner rock band formed in New York city that was active between 1998 and 1999."In the Summer of 1998, while New York punk kings D Generation went on hiatus, drummer Michael Wildwood and guitarist Todd Youth began work on a side project that evolved out of a jam...
, Agnostic FrontAgnostic FrontAgnostic Front is an American hardcore band. The band began playing hardcore similar to their contemporaries, and were thrust to the forefront of the burgeoning New York hardcore scene in the mid-1980s with their widely regarded 1984 classic Victim in Pain before evolving to incorporate thrash...
, WarzoneWarzone (band)Warzone was an American hardcore punk band formed on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in 1982. The band helped develop the New York hardcore sound, the hardcore skinhead style and the youth crew subgenre...
, D GenerationD GenerationD Generation are an American glam punk band formed in 1991 in New York City. The band broke up in 1999, but will reunite in 2011 for shows. During its history the band released three albums, to much critical acclaim...
, Glen CampbellGlen CampbellGlen Travis Campbell is an American country music singer, guitarist, television host and occasional actor. He is best known for a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as for hosting a variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS television.During his 50 years in show...
) - Dan Nastasi (Dog Eat DogDog Eat Dog (band)Dog Eat Dog, an American band originally from Bergen County, New Jersey, began in 1990 as part of the hardcore music scenes of New York City and New Jersey. With members now scattered through New Jersey, Washington D.C. and Europe, the band now refers to themselves as being based out all three areas...
, NastaseeNastaseeNastasee was a hardcore band formed in New Jersey, by former Mucky Pup, Dog Eat Dog, Murphy's Law guitar player, Dan Nastasi. Nastasee recorded two albums featuring collaborations with members of Mucky Pup, Dog Eat Dog, Non-Fiction, Hades and Murphy's Law....
, Mucky PupMucky PupMucky Pup began as an American hardcore and crossover thrash band formed in Bergenfield, New Jersey in 1985, when brothers John and Chris Milnes joined up with Dan Nastasi and former Hades member, Scott LePage . The band went through various incarnations and several musical style changes while...
) - Rick Bacchus
- Alex "Uncle Al" Morris
- Larry "the Hunter" Nieroda (SubzeroSubzeroSubzero literally means "beneath zero." As such, it is usually used for negative numbers; the most common usage refers to negative temperature.Subzero can also refer to:-Fictional characters:...
, Stigma, Son of Skam, Loved & Hated, InhumanInhuman (album)Inhuman is the fourth album by death metal band Desecration, though the band considers it their first properly released album.-Track listing:#"Insane Savagery"#"Turning Black"#"Dig Up, Dig In"#"Asphyxiate on Blood"#"Life Of Gore"#"Inhuman"...
) - Chris "Redd" Kerrigan (Revenge of the Dragon, Year of the Locust, Black Market Hero)
- Jack Flanagan (The Mob)
- Erick "Epic" Hartz
- Ace Von Johnson (Madcap, The GeneratorsThe GeneratorsThe Generators are a punk rock band, formed in Los Angeles in 1997 by members of the defunct band Schleprock. They released seven full-length albums, and went on European and North American tours....
, Duane Peters Gunfight) - Jason Burton
- Vc Nyc
- Chris Shannon (Demonspeed)
- Felipe (U.F.C., Zombie Vandals)
- Tim Miller (Blanks 77Blanks 77Blanks 77 is an American street punk band active from 1990–2001, and again from 2004 onward. Originally based in Hillside, New Jersey, they are currently located in Denville....
, Broken Heroes)
Bass
- Sami YaffaSami YaffaSami Yaffa is a bass guitarist best known for his time in Hanoi Rocks during the 1980s. He is currently the bassist for the New York Dolls and the Michael Monroe band. He also plays guitar in his own band "Mad Juana".-Biography:Yaffa first began playing music when only fourteen years old in 1977...
(Hanoi RocksHanoi RocksHanoi Rocks was a Finnish rock band formed in 1979, whose most successful period came in the early 1980s. The band broke up in 1985 after the death of their drummer, Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley...
, New York DollsNew York DollsThe New York Dolls is an American rock band, formed in New York in 1971. The band's protopunk sound prefigured much of what was to come in the punk rock era; their visual style influenced the look of many new wave and 1980s-era glam metal groups, and they began the local New York scene that later...
) - Sal VillanuevaSal VillanuevaSal Villaneuva is an Italian-American record producer. A stalwart of the music scene for years, Villaneuva cut his teeth in the New York hardcore scene, playing in various bands including Demonspeed and Murphy's Law...
- Pete Martinez
- Chuck Valle (LudichristLudichristLudichrist was an American hardcore punk/speed metal band formed in the 1980s in New York. Their musical style broke from traditional New York hardcore roots by adding aspects of rock, heavy metal and jazz, like extended guitar solos and musical interludes...
, Dripping Goss) - Adam Mucci
- Tommy Kennedy
- Eddie Cohen
- Russel Iglay (Underdog)
- "Genghis" Jon Carrier
- Dean Rispler
- Ben "Tucks" Orenstein (U.N. Posse)
- J.R.
- Aaron (SkarheadSkarheadSkarhead is a hardcore punk band from New York City. The band is a side project from lead singer Lord Ezec aka Danny Diablo of Crown of Thornz, and includes members of Madball and Subzero. It is considered the originators of thugcore music, a subgenre of hardcore punk "full of relentless breakdowns...
) - Tim Miller (Blanks 77Blanks 77Blanks 77 is an American street punk band active from 1990–2001, and again from 2004 onward. Originally based in Hillside, New Jersey, they are currently located in Denville....
, Broken Heroes) - Brian Ellingham aka "Pico Da Bass" (F.O. the Smack Magnet, Colombian Ga-Ga Diaper Dealer)
- Anthony Di Masi (The Unopposed)
Drums
- Eric "Goat" Arce (Crown of Thornz, Skarhead, MerauderMerauder-History:The group formed in 1990, establishing itself on the eastern U.S. hardcore/metal scene through frequent touring and a few demo releases. In 1995, the band released an EP after vocalist Jorge joined, and toured with Biohazard...
, The Misfits) - Harley FlanaganHarley FlanaganHarley Frances Flanagan is the founder of the Cro-Mags, an influential 1980s hardcore punk band. Flanagan was the drummer for The Stimulators in 1980, when he was 12...
(Cro-MagsCro-MagsCro-Mags are a hardcore punk turned crossover thrash band from New York City. The band, which had a strong cult following, released many records, their first two considered the most influential...
, The Stimulators) - Michael McDermott (SkinnerboxSkinnerboxSkinnerbox is a third wave ska band formed in New York City in the early 1990s by King Django.-Full Length:*Instrumental Conditioning 1990)*Now & Then *Tales of the Red...
, The Bouncing SoulsThe Bouncing SoulsThe Bouncing Souls are a punk rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey, formed in 1987. By the time of their acknowledgment by the national punk rock scene, they had reignited a "pogo" element to New Jersey punk rock by playing fast light-hearted songs, a model followed by various other local...
) - Petey Hines (Cro-MagsCro-MagsCro-Mags are a hardcore punk turned crossover thrash band from New York City. The band, which had a strong cult following, released many records, their first two considered the most influential...
) - J. Colangelo (American Standard)
- Donny Didjits (Time Bomb 77, Anti Heros, A.P.A, Liberty)
- Nick Angeleri
- Doug Beans (The Functional Idiots, Mearth, The Montalbans, Hellride 102, Aggravated Assault, Defiance)
- Dan Lettieri
- John Sullivan
- Quincy (GravesGravesGraves is an important subregion of the Bordeaux wine region. Graves is situated on the left bank of the Garonne river, in the upstream part of the region, southeast of the city Bordeaux and stretch over...
, Broken Heroes, Headwound) - Steve Barna (Fake Your Death)
- Tucker Rule (ThursdayThursday (band)Thursday were an American rock band from New Brunswick, New Jersey. Formed in 1997, the group has released six full-length albums, their most recent being No Devolución, which was released in April 2011 on Epitaph Records...
)
Horns
- Ben Jaffe ( the Diamond Mines, Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the True Loves, Skavoovie and the EpitonesSkavoovie and the epitonesSkavoovie and the Epitones is a ten piece third wave ska band that formed in Wellesley, Massachusetts in 1994.Skavoovie and the Epitones have a traditional 1960s ska sound with heavy jazz and big band influences. The band was signed to Moon Ska Records before the members had finished high school,...
) – sax - Joseph Bowie – trombone
- Jeff "Django" BakerKing DjangoJeff Baker, better known as King Django, is a New Brunswick, NJ-based ska musician. He was the leader of Skinnerbox and Stubborn All-Stars....
(SkinnerboxSkinnerboxSkinnerbox is a third wave ska band formed in New York City in the early 1990s by King Django.-Full Length:*Instrumental Conditioning 1990)*Now & Then *Tales of the Red...
, Stubborn All-StarsStubborn All-StarsStubborn All-Stars are a New York City ska band led by King Django, front man of Skinnerbox and owner of Stubborn Records.By early 1994, Django's original ska roots began to tug at him, and he assembled Stubborn All-Stars for a studio session which resulted in the 4-song Old's Cool 7" EP...
) – trombone - Danny Dulin (SkinnerboxSkinnerboxSkinnerbox is a third wave ska band formed in New York City in the early 1990s by King Django.-Full Length:*Instrumental Conditioning 1990)*Now & Then *Tales of the Red...
, Stubborn All-StarsStubborn All-StarsStubborn All-Stars are a New York City ska band led by King Django, front man of Skinnerbox and owner of Stubborn Records.By early 1994, Django's original ska roots began to tug at him, and he assembled Stubborn All-Stars for a studio session which resulted in the 4-song Old's Cool 7" EP...
) – trumpet - Drunk Robb (Drunk Robb and The Shots) – trombone
- John Mulkerin – trumpet
- Johnny Banks – trumpet
Albums
- Bong Blast demo (1983) Spliff Records
- Murphy's LawMurphy's Law (Murphy's Law album)Murphy's Law is the second album from American Rock band, Murphy's Law.It was released in 1986 on Profile Records which was attempting to broaden its horizons from the rap genre it was generally known for at that time....
(1986) Profile RecordsProfile RecordsProfile Records was a record label that specialized in many types of urban-oriented music, such as hip hop, active until 1996..- History :In 1980, at 23 years old, after working briefly for MCA, Cory Robbins was looking to start a record label. He invited his songwriter friend Steve Plotnicki to be... - Back with a BongBack With A BongBack With A Bong is the third album from New York hardcore punk band, Murphy's Law.It was released in 1989 on Profile Records and subsequently re-released on Another Planet Records in 1994 with the previous self-titled album on the same disc....
(1989) Profile Records - The Best of TimesThe Best of Times (album)The Best of Times is the fourth album from New York hardcore punk band, Murphy's Law. It was released in 1991 .-Track listing:#"Intro" - 1:05#"The Best of Times" - 2:23#"Big Spliff" - 2:27#"Freaktown" - 2:37#"Tight" - 2:10...
(1991) Relativity RecordsRelativity RecordsRelativity Records, often branded just Relativity, is an American record label founded by Barry Kobrin at the site of his company, Important Record Distribution in metro New York. Early on, as an indie label, Relativity released music in a variety of styles, including dance, jazz, punk, and... - Good for Now EP (1993) We Bite Records
- Murphy's LawMurphy's Law (Murphy's Law album)Murphy's Law is the second album from American Rock band, Murphy's Law.It was released in 1986 on Profile Records which was attempting to broaden its horizons from the rap genre it was generally known for at that time....
/ Back With A BongBack With A BongBack With A Bong is the third album from New York hardcore punk band, Murphy's Law.It was released in 1989 on Profile Records and subsequently re-released on Another Planet Records in 1994 with the previous self-titled album on the same disc....
(1994) Another Planet – split CD re-issue - Dedicated (1996) Another Planet
- The Best of Times / Good for Now (2000) Artemis Records – split CD re-issue
- The Party's OverThe Party's Over (Murphy's Law album)The Party's Over is an album by hardcore punk band, Murphy's Law. It was released in 2001 .-Track listing:#"Maximum Lie" - 2:31#"Vicky Crown" - 2:53#"Stressed Out" - 1:37#"Hypocrite" - 1:27#"Bitch" - 1:39#"Redemption Time" - 1:53...
(2001) Artemis Records - Beer, Smoke, And Live (2002) P.O.P. Records
- The Best (2005) NYHC Tattoos Records
- Covered (2005) NYHC Tattoos Records
Singles
- Monster Mash (1991) Relativity RecordsRelativity RecordsRelativity Records, often branded just Relativity, is an American record label founded by Barry Kobrin at the site of his company, Important Record Distribution in metro New York. Early on, as an indie label, Relativity released music in a variety of styles, including dance, jazz, punk, and...
– 7" single - My Woman from Tokyo (1995) – Japan only 7" split single
- What Will The Neighbors Think? (1996) Another Planet – 7" single
- Genkika (1996) – Japan only 7" split single
- Kansai Woman (1996) – Japan only 7" single
- Quality Of Life (1998) NG Records – 7" split single
Compilation albums
- How To Start A Fight (1996) Side One Dummy Records
- Show & Tell - A Stormy Remembrance Of TV Themes (1997) Which? Records
- Creepy Crawl Live (1997) Another Planet
- Music To Kill For (1998) Triple Crown RecordsTriple Crown RecordsTriple Crown Records is a New York-based record label. It is home to Hit the Lights, The Receiving End of Sirens, The Dear Hunter, Moving Mountains, and As Tall as Lions, among others...
- City Rockers: A Tribute To The Clash (1999) Side One Dummy Records
- Never Mind The Sex Pistols: Here's The Tribute (2000) Radical Crown Records
- Under The Influence - A Tribute To The Clash, The Cure, and The Smiths (2001) Triple Crown Records
- The World Wide Tribute to the Real Oi Volume 2 (2002) I Scream RecordsI Scream RecordsI 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 :...
- Jager Music Volume 2 (2002) jagermusic.com Records
- Warped Tour Compilation (2002) Side One Dummy Records