The Exploder
Encyclopedia
The Exploder was a hardcore punk
band from Richmond
, VA
. They are most noted for their fast-paced discordant songs and chaotic drumming and time signatures. They released one record and a panoply of singles and EPs.
lived on West Cary Street. At that show, the band was approached by Mick Winters of Jackpot Records to put out a 7 inch. After recording this 7-inch, the band did a summer tour with Griver with only t-shirts to sell (the 7 inch was held up at the pressing plant).
Soon after the band returned from their excursion, Jedd Wilcox left the band. The remaining members, Jesse Lyell and Dan Evans began looking for a new drummer. They found Eric Kane through a band that The Exploder had played with on occasion. Eric lived in Northern Virginia, but planned to move to Richmond to attend school. Once Eric had joined the band officially, Jedd visited a practice and suggested joining the band on second guitar, and the other members agreed.
The Exploder continued to play shows throughout 1998 and 1999, most frequently at 1208 W. Frankin Street, where some of the band members lived, along with members of Four Hundred Years
and some other Richmond artists. The band toured in late 1999 with Majority Rule
. After this, however, Eric Kane left the band, forcing Jesse, Dan, and Jedd to search for another drummer to join. They instead found Matt Smith (later of Strike Anywhere
) who was a guitarist, whereby Jedd moved back to playing the drums. The next tour that would be the final U.S. tour for the band was in January 2000. While in Tampa, FL, they recorded the West End Kids Crusade EP. It was on this tour that Jedd decided to leave the band for good.
At this point, the remaining members had mostly given up on continuing as The Exploder. However, Steve Aoki
of Dim Mak Records
invited the band to accompany his band, This Machine Kills, on a tour of Japan
. Jesse and Dan asked both former drummers, Eric Kane and Jedd Wilcox if they wanted to do the tour, but both declined. Steve Aoki then found drummer Scott Batiste (Saviours
, Yaphet Kotto
, The Pattern
) who ended up playing two sets per night during the tour, one with each band. Jesse, Matt, and Dan got along well with Scott and invited him to become a permanent member.
The band was able to get together for a few shows in Richmond and Baltimore and a final recording that produced three songs. The Letter was released on a split 7 inch with Cross My Heart
, Death to Traitors was later released on a Dim Mak compilation released in Japan, and Escrow 2000, an alternate version of one of the band's earliest songs was never officially released.
album which the band covered for the Cut the Cord EP, it is actually just a coincidence. The band name was originally coined by guitarist Jesse Lyell when he saw an overturned tractor trailer in flames while on a road trip with a friend.
, and are based out of Baltimore.
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 Richmond
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
, VA
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
. They are most noted for their fast-paced discordant songs and chaotic drumming and time signatures. They released one record and a panoply of singles and EPs.
History
The band played its first show in January 1997 in a basement of an apartment where Taylor Steele of Four Walls FallingFour Walls Falling
Four Walls Falling was an American political hardcore band from Richmond, Virginia from members of Unseen Force, Pledge Allegiance, Fed Up! and DC's TouchXDown. The band recorded four 7-inches & an EP. They played their first show with 7 Seconds and Justice League in 1987 and toured the United...
lived on West Cary Street. At that show, the band was approached by Mick Winters of Jackpot Records to put out a 7 inch. After recording this 7-inch, the band did a summer tour with Griver with only t-shirts to sell (the 7 inch was held up at the pressing plant).
Soon after the band returned from their excursion, Jedd Wilcox left the band. The remaining members, Jesse Lyell and Dan Evans began looking for a new drummer. They found Eric Kane through a band that The Exploder had played with on occasion. Eric lived in Northern Virginia, but planned to move to Richmond to attend school. Once Eric had joined the band officially, Jedd visited a practice and suggested joining the band on second guitar, and the other members agreed.
The Exploder continued to play shows throughout 1998 and 1999, most frequently at 1208 W. Frankin Street, where some of the band members lived, along with members of Four Hundred Years
Four Hundred Years
-History:Four Hundred Years began in Tucson, Arizona, following the break-up of Groundwork, and eventually found a home in Richmond, Virginia. The band's albums capture a frenzy of hardcore intensity, built around simultaneously emotional and political themes...
and some other Richmond artists. The band toured in late 1999 with Majority Rule
Majority rule
Majority rule is a decision rule that selects alternatives which have a majority, that is, more than half the votes. It is the binary decision rule used most often in influential decision-making bodies, including the legislatures of democratic nations...
. After this, however, Eric Kane left the band, forcing Jesse, Dan, and Jedd to search for another drummer to join. They instead found Matt Smith (later of Strike Anywhere
Strike Anywhere
Strike Anywhere is a punk rock/melodic hardcore band from Richmond, Virginia. Formed in 1999 after the demise of frontman Thomas Barnett's previous band, Inquisition, they took their name from the Inquisition song "Strike Anywhere". Their music is characterized by fast tempos, catchy melodies, and...
) who was a guitarist, whereby Jedd moved back to playing the drums. The next tour that would be the final U.S. tour for the band was in January 2000. While in Tampa, FL, they recorded the West End Kids Crusade EP. It was on this tour that Jedd decided to leave the band for good.
At this point, the remaining members had mostly given up on continuing as The Exploder. However, Steve Aoki
Steve Aoki
Steve Aoki is an American electro house musician, record producer and the founder of Dim Mak Records.-Early life:...
of Dim Mak Records
Dim Mak Records
Dim Mak Records is a record label founded in 1996 by Steve Aoki and based in Los Angeles, CA. Dim Mak's first release was a 7" by a little known hardcore band from southern California, Stickfigurecarousel.-Roster:Active* Steve Aoki* All Leather...
invited the band to accompany his band, This Machine Kills, on a tour of 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...
. Jesse and Dan asked both former drummers, Eric Kane and Jedd Wilcox if they wanted to do the tour, but both declined. Steve Aoki then found drummer Scott Batiste (Saviours
Saviours (band)
Saviours is an American stoner metal band. The band was formed in 2004 in Oakland, California. Since then, they have released four full-length albums and two EPs.-Members:*Austin Barber - vocals, lead & rhythm guitar...
, Yaphet Kotto
Yaphet Kotto
Yaphet Frederick Kotto is an African-American actor, known for numerous film roles , and his starring role in the NBC television series Homicide: Life on the Street .-Early life:Kotto was born in New York City, the son of Gladys Marie, a...
, The Pattern
The Pattern
In The Chronicles of Amber series of fantasy novels, The Pattern is an inscribed labyrinth which gives the multiverse its order.-The Pattern:The Pattern exists in a huge cavern, in the caves beneath the mountain Kolvir, deep under Amber Castle...
) who ended up playing two sets per night during the tour, one with each band. Jesse, Matt, and Dan got along well with Scott and invited him to become a permanent member.
The band was able to get together for a few shows in Richmond and Baltimore and a final recording that produced three songs. The Letter was released on a split 7 inch with Cross My Heart
Cross My Heart
Cross My Heart may refer to:*""Cross My Heart" , a 2010 song by Skepta*Cross My Heart: An Introduction to Phil Ochs, a compilation album of songs by Phil Ochs*"Cross My Heart" , a 1967 song by Phil Ochs...
, Death to Traitors was later released on a Dim Mak compilation released in Japan, and Escrow 2000, an alternate version of one of the band's earliest songs was never officially released.
Band members
- Jesse Lyell - Vocals, Guitar
- Dan Evans - Vocals, Bass
- Jedd Wilcox - Drums, Guitar, Vocals
- Matt Smith - Guitar, Vocals
- Scott Batiste - Drums
Reunion
Although no official reunion has been planned, some of the members have discussed the possibility of one, which would probably occur in Baltimore, MD. Though not the band's home town, Baltimore is the home of Reptilian Records, a label that released a number of the band's records, and a city where the band enjoyed a more enthusiastic response from fans.Band name origin
Although some believe the band's name came from the song S.S. Exploder from the second Nation of UlyssesNation of Ulysses
The Nation of Ulysses was an American punk rock band from Washington, D.C., formed in spring 1988 with four members. Originally known as simply "Ulysses," the first mark of the group consisted of Ian Svenonius on vocals and trumpet, Steve Kroner on guitar, Steve Gamboa on bass guitar, and James...
album which the band covered for the Cut the Cord EP, it is actually just a coincidence. The band name was originally coined by guitarist Jesse Lyell when he saw an overturned tractor trailer in flames while on a road trip with a friend.
Sick Weapons
In 2009 Jesse Lyell and Dan Evans formed the band Sick Weapons with vocalist Ellie Beziat formerly of Fascist Fascist and Peter O'Connell and Joey Sulkowski formerly of The Death SetThe Death Set
The Death Set is an art punk music group formed in 2005 in Sydney, Australia. Six months after its inception the band moved to the East Coast of the United States, living in Baltimore, Philadelphia and Brooklyn respectively, where the band found an audience for its style of experimental, cross...
, and are based out of Baltimore.