The Hope Bombs
Encyclopedia
The Hope Bombs were a self-proclaimed "geekcore" band, existing from 1994 to 1997. They helped pioneer the development of alternative punk scenes in the San Francisco East Bay.
, previously of Blatz
and editor of the long running zine
Absolutely Zippo
, Eric Hsu and Ben Morss. Drummers included Joe Presci, Brad From Walnut Creek, Dylan Selegue and Kerwin So.
The band had instant access to the Gilman scene due to the connection with Blatz
(which in its day was considered a peer of Green Day
and Operation Ivy
). However, the band music and performances ran contrary to the conventions of the Gilman scene. Indeed, Eggplant had already reacted against the egotism of his experiences in Blatz, Hsu championed geeky aspects of live performance (puzzles, contests, prize giveaways and encouragement of audiences hurling stuffed animals through the show), and Morss had a highly respectable amount of formal classical music training. Though the band played numerous shows in the SF East Bay punk scene with well-known punk bands such as AFI
and Screw 32
, their eccentricity and geek
y, anti-macho persona would always prevent any large following.
, they inspired the creation of a number of bands dissatisfied with the perceived orthodoxy and rigidity of the punk scene surrounding 924 Gilman Street
, and due in part to their involvement, a new scene arose, with its own sound and aesthetic.
These bands proliferated enough to sustain a geekcore record label, S.P.A.M. Records.
After The Hope Bombs parted ways, Ben Morss went on to play with The Pilgrims, Eric Hsu played with Hungry Hungry Hippos, and Robert Eggplant played guitar with Harbinger
.
History
The founding members were Robert EggplantRobert Eggplant
Robert Burnett, better known as Robert Eggplant, is a writer, publisher, musician and activist from California.- background :Born in 1973, Robert Eggplant has been the editor and publisher of Absolutely Zippo fanzine since 1987. The zine has documented the East Bay punk subculture from a...
, previously of Blatz
Blatz (band)
Blatz was a punk band formed in 1989 in Berkeley, California. Blatz came out of the 924 Gilman Street Project scene during the late '80s, and early '90s along with bands like Operation Ivy, Filth, and Green Day.-History:...
and editor of the long running zine
Zine
A zine is most commonly a small circulation publication of original or appropriated texts and images. More broadly, the term encompasses any self-published work of minority interest usually reproduced via photocopier....
Absolutely Zippo
Absolutely Zippo
Absolutely Zippo is a punk rock fanzine created by Robert Eggplant to document the happenings of the East Bay Berkeley punk scene during its heyday in the late 1980s/early 1990s...
, Eric Hsu and Ben Morss. Drummers included Joe Presci, Brad From Walnut Creek, Dylan Selegue and Kerwin So.
The band had instant access to the Gilman scene due to the connection with Blatz
Blatz (band)
Blatz was a punk band formed in 1989 in Berkeley, California. Blatz came out of the 924 Gilman Street Project scene during the late '80s, and early '90s along with bands like Operation Ivy, Filth, and Green Day.-History:...
(which in its day was considered a peer of Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
and Operation Ivy
Operation Ivy
Operation Ivy was the eighth series of American nuclear tests, coming after Tumbler-Snapper and before Upshot-Knothole. Its purpose was to help upgrade the U.S. arsenal of nuclear weapons in response to the Soviet nuclear weapons program...
). However, the band music and performances ran contrary to the conventions of the Gilman scene. Indeed, Eggplant had already reacted against the egotism of his experiences in Blatz, Hsu championed geeky aspects of live performance (puzzles, contests, prize giveaways and encouragement of audiences hurling stuffed animals through the show), and Morss had a highly respectable amount of formal classical music training. Though the band played numerous shows in the SF East Bay punk scene with well-known punk bands such as AFI
AFI (band)
AFI is an American alternative rock band from Ukiah, California that formed in 1991. They have consisted of the same lineup since 1998: lead vocalist Davey Havok, drummer and backup vocalist Adam Carson, with bassist Hunter Burgan and guitarist Jade Puget, who both play keyboard and contribute...
and Screw 32
Screw 32
Screw 32 was a Berkeley/East Bay area US punk rock band.Their name has many supposed origins, the most popular states that it is derived from an anti-skateboarding measure on the ballots in Concord, California. They were noted for self-publicity. For example, they ordered stickers by the thousands...
, their eccentricity and geek
Geek
The word geek is a slang term, with different meanings ranging from "a computer expert or enthusiast" to "a carnival performer who performs sensationally morbid or disgusting acts", with a general pejorative meaning of "a peculiar or otherwise dislikable person, esp[ecially] one who is perceived to...
y, anti-macho persona would always prevent any large following.
Influence
Nevertheless, the band did have a surprising influence. As one of the bands who played regularly at GeekfestGeekfest
Geekfest is the name of a series of free, all-ages concerts organized by California indie label S.P.A.M. Records during the 1990s. The first Geekfest was held in June 1996 on the shoreline at Point Molate in Richmond, California...
, they inspired the creation of a number of bands dissatisfied with the perceived orthodoxy and rigidity of the punk scene surrounding 924 Gilman Street
924 Gilman Street
924 Gilman Street is an all-ages, not for profit, collectively organized music club usually referred to by its fans simply as "The Gilman." It is located in the West Berkeley area of Berkeley, California about a mile and a half west of the North Berkeley BART station and a quarter-mile west of San...
, and due in part to their involvement, a new scene arose, with its own sound and aesthetic.
These bands proliferated enough to sustain a geekcore record label, S.P.A.M. Records.
After The Hope Bombs parted ways, Ben Morss went on to play with The Pilgrims, Eric Hsu played with Hungry Hungry Hippos, and Robert Eggplant played guitar with Harbinger
Harbinger (band)
Harbinger is a band formed in 1997 in Berkeley, California featuring three prominent members from the East Bay punk scene:* Robert Eggplant , formerly of Blatz, The Hope Bombs, and editor of the zine Absolutely Zippo....
.
Discography
- Sex With Euclid, 7" single. Pug Records, 1995
- More Songs About Riots, Arson and Jaywalking, cassetteCassette cultureCassette culture, or the cassette underground , refers to the practices surrounding amateur production and distribution of recorded music that emerged in the late 1970s via home-made audio cassettes...
release, Pug Records, 1995 - If You Can't Laugh At Yourself...We'll Do It For You, compilation CD, S.P.A.M. Records, 1996