The Explosion
From Punkopedia - The Punk, Hardcore, and Indie Encyclopedia
| The Explosion | |
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| Music genre(s) | Punk Rock |
| Homebase | Boston, MA |
| Years active | 1998 - 2007 |
| Current Status | Disbanded |
| Notable Records | Black Tape |
| Label(s) | Tarantulas Records |
| Website | TheExplosion.net |
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The Explosion are a Five-Piece Punk Rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, who are signed to Tarantulas Records.
The band have been together since 1998, and released 4 albums (two Studio, two live) and at least Six EPs.
Contents |
[edit] Band History
The band have been signed to a few record labels since starting up. After being involved with Jade Tree Records and releasing the Demo-EP entitled "The Explosion" and the album "Flash Flash Flash", The band recorded their "Steal This" EP and released it with Revelation Records after the label had threatened to sue the bassist, Damian Genuardi.
After the success of Steal This, the band chose to record and release "Sick Of Modern Art" under their own label, Tarantulas. Virgin Records then became involved with the band, and helped to distribute the EP. Virgin Records were also the main label behind the band's "Black Tape" release, although Tarantulas Records is also credited in the album's booklet.
In February 2007, A few months after recording their third full-length studio album, and after a Seven Date UK tour with AFI, The band announced that Virgin Records, who had funded the new album, had released the band from the record label. Fortunately, the band were able to buy the album back off Virgin, and are now currently seeking to find another record label who will release the new album, entitled "Bury Me Standing". This release was due to be released in March 2007, but has now been put on hold indefinately.
The band have so far previewed a total of Seven new tracks from Bury Me Standing. These tracks have either been played live, added to the band's MySpace page, or played on Damian's radio show periodically. Mike Davies, DJ on BBC Radio 1's Punk Show in the UK, has continuously expressed his liking of "NYCD", and has played it almost every week on his show for around seven weeks.
[edit] Band Members
The Explosion have had a total of Seven members. Their current line-up consists of the following:
- ("Million Dollar") Matthew Hock (vocals)
- David ("Dav") Walsh (guitar, backing vocals)
- Damian Genuardi (bass guitar, backing vocals)
- Andrew Black (drums)
- Chris Gonzalez (guitar)
Andrew Black replaced Dan Colby on Drums in 2000, and Chris Gonzalez replaced Sam Cave on Guitar in 2005.
Most members of the band are multi-instrumentalists. Chris and Matt are both known to play the Bass Guitar and Dav can play Bass Guitar and Drums, while Damian is a DJ with East Village Radio, located in New York.
[edit] Side Projects and Other Bands
In Early 2006, Dav released a ten-track CD, entitled Dav's Endless Pleasures, on Tarantulas Records. The CD only reaches 17 minutes and 44 seconds in length, and is considered by some people to simply be an EP.
Dav recorded this CD in his home studio while his wife, Buick Audra, was away filming for a television show. He plays all the instruments himself. Dav was seen selling his CD at some UK shows with AFI in October 2006.
Dav and Chris went on tour with The Loved Ones in February and March 2007. Dav played Guitar, and Chris played Bass on the tour. Since the disbanding announcement, Dav and Chris have become full time members of The Loved Ones.
Damian is a DJ on East Village Radio, which broadcasts from "A Closet-Sized Space in New York". Damian plays a mix of Indie and Punk on his show, entitled Peer Pressure, which is sponsored by Tarantulas Records.
[edit] Music
The band have released Four albums (two studio, two live), and Six EPs/Singles, and have another (as of yet) un-released Full-Length Studio Album.
2000
- The Explosion (Demo/EP)
6 tracks. Released on 3rd April, 2000.
- Flash Flash Flash (Studio Album)
14 tracks. Released on 18th July, 2000.
- Steal This (EP)
5 tracks. Released on 31st October, 2000.
2003
- Sick of Modern Art (EP)
5 tracks. Released on 22nd April, 2003.
2004
- Black Tape (Studio Album)
12 tracks. Released on 5th October, 2004. (note: Was later Re-Released).
- Here I Am (Single)
4 tracks. Released on 31st October, 2004. (note: Was later Re-Released).
- Live in Boston (Live Album)
12 tracks. Released on 1st December, 2004.
2005
- Red Tape (EP)
5 tracks. Released on 1st January, 2005. (note: This is the "Here I Am" Re-Release).
- No Revolution (Single)
3 tracks. Released on July 5th, 2005.
- No Revolution (iTunes Exclusive Download EP)
5 tracks. Release date unknown.
- Live from the Troubadour (Live Album)
13 tracks. Released with DIW magazine, issue number 20.
2007
- Bury Me Standing (Studio Album)
Scheduled for release sometime in 2007.
It should be noted that Black Tape, Here I Am and No Revolution all had different European release dates.
[edit] Music Videos
To date, the band have had two Music Videos made - one for each their two Black Tape single releases, Here I Am and No Revolution.
There are a few other professional videos on YouTube, one of which is an EPK (Electronic Press Kit), which has two different lengths.
[edit] Touring and Shows
The band are well known for their high energy live performances, and have played live in many countries, supporting a large number of well known bands. It is very well known that The Explosion are good friends with a significant amount of bands, including Green Day (Billie-Joe Armstrong wore an Explosion shirt while playing on stage at the UK's Carling Weekend: Reading Festival in 2004), New Found Glory, Good Charlotte and Dropkick Murphys. It is these friendships that have lead to some of their large-scale tour slots.
The Explosion have played many festivals, including the Vans Warped Tour in America, and at the Carling Weekend: Reading and Leeds festivals in the UK in 2005, where they played the Lock-Up tent. After playing "NYCD" on his radio show, the BBC Radio 1 DJ Mike Davies stated that he "loved the new material, and wanted the band to play at his (The Lock Up) stage at Reading/Leeds 2007". Whether or not this happens, though, depends on the situation with the band's record label.
Virgin Records released The Explosion from their contract after playing a small number of American shows, after their short European tour with AFI.
The band are to play three final shows in America before disbanding completely.
[edit] Disbanding
On Monday, 30th April 2007, Dave Walsh (guitars) announced via the band's MySpace that they have disbanded. The Bulletin/Blog posted is as follows:
Thanks for the memories!
After nearly nine years of rocking and rolling with you all, we The Explosion have decided to disband. We would like to thank each and every one of our fans who have supported us through this time. We made some great friends along the way, a few mistakes, but all and all we had one hell of a great time doing it. Thanks again!"
Your friends, The Explosion
PS Look forward to a last show or two this summer. Also look out for the release of our final studio recording, "Bury Me Standing" on some label or another.
On Wednesday 2nd May 2007, Damian announced the reason for the band's breakup at the end of his "Explosion Tribute" two hour radio show. The reason for the break up was due to many members being tired from constant touring (especially Matt, who wanted to leave because of it). Because of this, the band have decided to part ways.
[edit] Future
It is unclear what the future of the Five Band Members will hold after Bury Me Standing is released. Damian has stated that the new album, Bury Me Standing, may be streamed online in the near future.
