The Explosion
Encyclopedia
The Explosion was a punk rock
band from Boston
, Massachusetts
. On February 13, 2007 the band announced that they had left Virgin Records
. On April 30, 2007 the band announced that they were to split up. On June 5, the band announced plans for two last shows - 31 August in Philadelphia, and 1 September in New York.
. They started the band in the fall of 1998, with Cave and Colby eventually joining later.
They pressed 250 copies of a demo before going on tour with Kid Dynamite. A roadie gave the demo to indie rock label Jade Tree Records
, who signed the band and put out a self-titled EP containing all the demo tracks in 2000.
Their debut full-length, Flash Flash Flash
on Jade Tree, was released to glowing reviews. Spin Magazine named it as one of the best 20 albums of 2000, and later named the band one of the top 10 punk acts of 2001. The Explosion also came in 2nd for Best Local Punk Act in the Boston Phoenix. They began touring the U.S.
and Europe
with the likes of Sick of it All
, AFI (A Fire Inside), the Nerve Agents
, Avail
, Leatherface
, US Bombs, Alkaline Trio
, The Queers
, Social Distortion
, Tiger Army
, The International Noise Conspiracy, Rocket From the Crypt
and Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros. They were also featured on the 2001 and 2005 Warped Tour
.
Unfortunately, they quickly faced a problem. Genuardi's former straight edge
hardcore band, In My Eyes, had been signed to Revelation Records
. Revelation Records threatened to sue Genuardi if he was credited on any of The Explosion's records, believing that The Explosion's success with Jade Tree should belong to them. The Explosion settled the dispute by writing an EP for Revelation, sarcastically titled Steal This
.
In 2003, they released an EP called Sick of Modern Art
on their own label, Tarantulas Records
.
Seven major labels soon became involved in a bidding war over The Explosion. They were eventually signed to Virgin Records, who distributed Sick of Modern Art. Their album Black Tape was released on Virgin in the United States on October 5, 2004 and on March 15 in the UK.
The Explosion finished recording their second Virgin Records release in 2006, with intent to release on March 2007. However, this has been delayed indefinitely while the band searched for a new record label after being dropped by Virgin Records in February 2007. On March 2008 it has been announced that the record, titled Bury Me Standing
, will be released on the new label Paper + Plastick
. An official date has yet to be announced.
See: Billboard.com's artist chart history
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 from 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...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
. On February 13, 2007 the band announced that they had left Virgin Records
Virgin Records
Virgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
. On April 30, 2007 the band announced that they were to split up. On June 5, the band announced plans for two last shows - 31 August in Philadelphia, and 1 September in New York.
Biography
Matt Hock and Damian Genuardi met David Walsh through Rama Mayo, owner of indie label Big Wheel RecreationBig Wheel Recreation
Big Wheel Recreation was an independent record label based in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. It was formed in the fall of 1994 by Rama Mayo and Richard P. Cummings. Started as a hobby, Big Wheel became a fully functioning record label in 1999...
. They started the band in the fall of 1998, with Cave and Colby eventually joining later.
They pressed 250 copies of a demo before going on tour with Kid Dynamite. A roadie gave the demo to indie rock label Jade Tree Records
Jade Tree Records
Jade Tree International, Inc. was an independent record label formed by Darren Walters and Tim Owen in August 1991, out of Wilmington, Delaware....
, who signed the band and put out a self-titled EP containing all the demo tracks in 2000.
Their debut full-length, Flash Flash Flash
Flash Flash Flash
Flash Flash Flash is the first full-length album from The Explosion. It was released in 2000 on Jade Tree Records. Spin Magazine named it one of the top 20 albums of 2000.-Track listing:#"No Revolution" – 2:21#"God Bless The S.O.S." – 1:36...
on Jade Tree, was released to glowing reviews. Spin Magazine named it as one of the best 20 albums of 2000, and later named the band one of the top 10 punk acts of 2001. The Explosion also came in 2nd for Best Local Punk Act in the Boston Phoenix. They began touring the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and 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...
with the likes of Sick of it All
Sick of It All
Sick of It All is an American hardcore punk band from Queens, New York. Formed in 1986, the band consisted of brothers Lou Koller on vocals and Pete Koller on lead guitar, Rich Cipriano on bass, and Armand Majidi on drums. There have been only two member changes since their inception, with Max...
, AFI (A Fire Inside), the Nerve Agents
The Nerve Agents
The Nerve Agents were an American hardcore punk band formed by Andy Outbreak and Eric Ozenne .Their angry brand of music juxtaposed yelled, sometimes ranting vocals with distorted and often chorus laden chords, complex bass lines and fast-paced percussion...
, Avail
Avail
Avail is a punk band from Richmond, Virginia. Originally from Northern Virginia, the band formed in 1987, its members including Joe Banks, Doug Crosby, Brian Stewart, and Mikey Warstler. The only original remaining member, guitar player Joe Banks, teamed up with rival band LDK's Tim Barry...
, Leatherface
Leatherface
Leatherface is the main antagonist in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre horror-film series and its spin-offs. He wears masks made of human skin and engages in murder and cannibalism alongside his inbred family. He is considered by many to be one of the first major slasher film villains alongside Michael...
, US Bombs, Alkaline Trio
Alkaline Trio
Alkaline Trio is an American punk rock band that formed in McHenry, Illinois, in 1996. The band's line-up consists of Matt Skiba , Dan Andriano , and Derek Grant...
, The Queers
The Queers
The Queers are a punk band formed in 1981 by Portsmouth, New Hampshire native Joe King . The band originally broke up in 1984, but reformed with Joe Queer and a new line-up in 1986. In 1990, the band signed with Shakin' Street Records and released their first album Grow Up...
, Social Distortion
Social Distortion
Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness , Jonny Wickersham , Brent Harding and David Hidalgo, Jr...
, Tiger Army
Tiger Army
Tiger Army is an American psychobilly band that was formed in 1995 in Berkeley, California. Its constant member and lead song writer is Nick 13. The band have released a total of four studio albums.-History:...
, The International Noise Conspiracy, Rocket From the Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt
Rocket from the Crypt was an American rock band led by John Reis, formed in 1989 in San Diego, California and disbanded in 2005.The band gained critical praise and the attention of major record labels after the release of their 1992 album Circa: Now!, leading to a recording contract with Interscope...
and Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros. They were also featured on the 2001 and 2005 Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
.
Unfortunately, they quickly faced a problem. Genuardi's former straight edge
Straight edge
Straight edge is a subculture of hardcore punk whose adherents refrain from using alcohol, tobacco, and other recreational drugs. It was a direct reaction to the sexual revolution, hedonism, and excess associated with punk rock. For some, this extends to not engaging in promiscuous sex, following a...
hardcore band, In My Eyes, had been signed to Revelation Records
Revelation Records
Revelation Records is an independent record label focusing originally and primarily on hardcore punk. The label is known for its role in the evolution of hardcore and metallic post-hardcore with important releases by bands such as Youth of Today, Warzone, Sick of It All, Quicksand, Side By Side,...
. Revelation Records threatened to sue Genuardi if he was credited on any of The Explosion's records, believing that The Explosion's success with Jade Tree should belong to them. The Explosion settled the dispute by writing an EP for Revelation, sarcastically titled Steal This
Steal This
Steal This is an EP by The Explosion. It was released in 2000 on Revelation Records. Its title is a sarcastic jab at the legal troubles resulting in the EP's recording....
.
In 2003, they released an EP called Sick of Modern Art
Sick of Modern Art
Sick of Modern Art is an EP by The Explosion. It was released on April 22, 2003 on The Explosion's label, Tarantulas Records.The first 10,000 copies of the EP came with a limited edition bonus CD...
on their own label, Tarantulas Records
Tarantulas Records
Tarantulas Records was a punk rock record label generally owned by the band The Explosion and run by their then manager Rama Mayo . It was officially established in 2002, as an art movement and a protest against record labels constantly signing bands that are merely rehashes of what has already...
.
Seven major labels soon became involved in a bidding war over The Explosion. They were eventually signed to Virgin Records, who distributed Sick of Modern Art. Their album Black Tape was released on Virgin in the United States on October 5, 2004 and on March 15 in the UK.
The Explosion finished recording their second Virgin Records release in 2006, with intent to release on March 2007. However, this has been delayed indefinitely while the band searched for a new record label after being dropped by Virgin Records in February 2007. On March 2008 it has been announced that the record, titled Bury Me Standing
Bury Me Standing
Bury Me Standing is the third and final full-length album from The Explosion.The album was scheduled to be released on May 13, 2008 on Paper + Plastick records; however, as of November 2010, it remains unreleased officially, although it has been leaked online..-Track listing:#"It Ain't Right" –...
, will be released on the new label Paper + Plastick
Paper + Plastick
Paper + Plastick is an indie record label, founded by Vinnie Fiorello, best known as the drummer for ska punk band Less Than Jake, but also co-founder of the label Fueled By Ramen.-History:Announced on March 21, 2008, the label launched on May 30, 2008....
. An official date has yet to be announced.
Current members
- Matt Hock - vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments...
(1998–2007) - David Walsh - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
(1998–2007) (Currently playing guitar with The Loved OnesThe Loved Ones (American band)The Loved Ones is a punk band based out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in late 2003, the band currently consists of Dave Hause , David Walsh , Chris Gonzalez , and Mike Sneeringer...
) - Damian Genuardi - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
(1998–2007) (Currently playing bass with My Best Fiend) - Andrew Black - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
(2000–2007) (Currently playing drums with Domino Team & Team Vibes) - Christopher Gonzalez - guitar (2005–2007) (Currently playing bass with The Loved Ones, and singing/guitar for Team Vibes)
Studio albums
- Flash Flash FlashFlash Flash FlashFlash Flash Flash is the first full-length album from The Explosion. It was released in 2000 on Jade Tree Records. Spin Magazine named it one of the top 20 albums of 2000.-Track listing:#"No Revolution" – 2:21#"God Bless The S.O.S." – 1:36...
(July 18, 2000 Jade TreeJade TreeJade tree may refer to:*the jade plant, Crassula ovata*the dwarf jade plant, Portulacaria afra*Jade Tree...
) - Black TapeBlack TapeBlack Tape is the second full-length album from The Explosion. It was released in the United States on October 15, 2004 on Virgin Records.-Track listing:#"Deliver Us" – 1:42#"Filthy Insane" – 3:08#"Here I Am" – 2:47#"I Know" – 3:34...
(October 4, 2004 Virgin RecordsVirgin RecordsVirgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
) - Bury Me StandingBury Me StandingBury Me Standing is the third and final full-length album from The Explosion.The album was scheduled to be released on May 13, 2008 on Paper + Plastick records; however, as of November 2010, it remains unreleased officially, although it has been leaked online..-Track listing:#"It Ain't Right" –...
(TBA 2009 Paper + PlastickPaper + PlastickPaper + Plastick is an indie record label, founded by Vinnie Fiorello, best known as the drummer for ska punk band Less Than Jake, but also co-founder of the label Fueled By Ramen.-History:Announced on March 21, 2008, the label launched on May 30, 2008....
)
Live albums
- Live in Boston - (2005 Virgin RecordsVirgin RecordsVirgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
) - Live from the Troubadour - (2005 TarantulasTarantulas RecordsTarantulas Records was a punk rock record label generally owned by the band The Explosion and run by their then manager Rama Mayo . It was officially established in 2002, as an art movement and a protest against record labels constantly signing bands that are merely rehashes of what has already...
) Only available in DIW Magazine #20. Hand numbered to 1000
EPs
- The ExplosionThe Explosion (EP)The Explosion is the self-titled debut EP from The Explosion. It was released in 2000 on Jade Tree Records. All the tracks featured were originally part of a demo sold on The Explosion's tour with Kid Dynamite.-Track listing:#"These Times"#"Hero"...
(April 2000 Jade TreeJade TreeJade tree may refer to:*the jade plant, Crassula ovata*the dwarf jade plant, Portulacaria afra*Jade Tree...
) - Steal ThisSteal ThisSteal This is an EP by The Explosion. It was released in 2000 on Revelation Records. Its title is a sarcastic jab at the legal troubles resulting in the EP's recording....
(October 31, 2000 RevelationRevelationIn religion and theology, revelation is the revealing or disclosing, through active or passive communication with a supernatural or a divine entity...
) - Sick of Modern ArtSick of Modern ArtSick of Modern Art is an EP by The Explosion. It was released on April 22, 2003 on The Explosion's label, Tarantulas Records.The first 10,000 copies of the EP came with a limited edition bonus CD...
(April 22, 2003 Tarantulas) - Here I Am (2004 Virgin RecordsVirgin RecordsVirgin Records is a British record label founded by English entrepreneur Richard Branson, Simon Draper, and Nik Powell in 1972. The company grew to be a worldwide music phenomenon, with platinum performers such as Roy Orbison, Devo, Genesis, Keith Richards, Janet Jackson, Culture Club, Lenny...
) - Red Tape (January 1, 2005 Tarantulas)
- No Revolution (July 5, 2005 Tarantulas)
Singles
| Year | Song | Chart positions | Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... |
US Modern Rock | US Main- stream Rock | UK Singles Chart UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
|||
| 2004 | "Here I Am Here I Am (The Explosion song) "Here I Am" is a song by the band The Explosion. It reached the 37th position in the US chart and 71st in the UK single album list. The song was also featured in the soundtracks of the Burnout 3 racing video game and the Tony Hawk's Underground 2 Soundtrack... " |
- | 37 | - | 75 | Black Tape |
| 2005 | "No Revolution" | - | - | - | 107 | Black Tape & Flash Flash Flash |
See: Billboard.com's artist chart history
Compilation albums
- Tarantulas 2003 Sampler (April 22, 2003)
- 2005 KROQ New Music (November 9, 2004 KROQKROQ-FMKROQ-FM — branded 106.7 KROQ — is a commercial modern rock radio station licensed to Pasadena, California serving the Greater Los Angeles. The call sign is pronounced "kay rock." It is the flagship station of Loveline hosted by Dr...
)