Gama Bomb

Infobox musical artist | | Name = Gama Bomb


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Img_capt = Philly Byrne and Domo Dixon of Gama Bomb live in London June 2008.
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Origin = Northern Ireland & Republic of Ireland
Genre = Thrash metal
Speed metal
Heavy metal
Years_active = 2002 – Present
Label = Earache Records
URL = [http://myspace.com/gamabomb Official site]
Current_members = Philly Byrne
Luke Graham
Joe McGuigan
Paul Caffrey
Domo Dixon

Gama Bomb are an Irish thrash metal band mainly based in the UK and Europe.

History

Beginnings: 2002-2005

Gama Bomb formed in 2002 and soon built up a loyal following in their native Ireland and the UK, which they consolidated with a rigorous touring schedule and frequent forays into self-released recordings. The band first gained attention with their demo "The Survival Option" in the same year. Relentlessly touring was paired with 2003's "The Fatal Mission" single with frontman Philly Byrne dressing as a chef, a priest, a pirate and an unhinged scientist in an ever more outrageous live stage show, which, interestingly, frequently included a Thrash Metal version of 80's TV show Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles' theme tune.

"Survival of the Fastest": 2005-2007

Gama Bomb released their full-length debut "Survival of the Fastest" through European music label Witches Brew in early 2006. The album, which had originally been independently released in a limited edition format in late 2005, included many of the bands then live staples of which many, aside from those present on previous EP releases, had never been commercially available. The 2006 version of the album features the bonus tracks "M.A.D." and "The Survival Option" from their 2004 "Fatal Mission" single.

"Zombi Brew EP"

In May 2007, Gama Bomb released their first EP; "Zombi Brew". The EP featured new tracks "Zombi Brew" and "Frightmare On Hell St" together with a cover of punk band The Dangerfields' song, "Maniac". The EP was released exclusively on 7" vinyl and limited to 200 copies in conjunction with Problem? Records.

Earache and "Citizen Brain": 2007-Present

In September 2007, Gama Bomb announced that they signed a recording contract with Earache Records. The band lent the song "Zombi Brew" to the "Thrashing Like A Maniac" compilation released by Earache Records, alongside other new Thrash artists such as Evile, Municipal Waste, Short Sharp Shock and Send More Paramedics.
In April 2008 Earache confirmed the release of Gama Bomb's Earache debut Citizen Brain for early June 2008. cite web |url = http://earachenews.blogspot.com/2008/04/gama-bomb-post-tour-report.html |title = "Gama Bomb Album Release" |accessdate = 2008-01-07 |date = 2008-29-04 |publisher = earache Records ]

Musical Influences

Stylistically rooted in 1980s Thrash metal the band have stated influences include acts such as Nuclear Assault, Kreator, Agent Steel, Sodom, old Slayer, and early Megadeth.

Themes And Lyrics

Gama Bomb's lyrics often refer to the horror, action and sci-fi movies, cartoons and computer games of the 1980s, as well as paying tribute to many classic heavy metal themes. They also write topical songs on social issues like racism and global warming. The band are known for injecting their own sense of humour into their lyrics, with bizarre song concepts which lampoon classic thrash metal topics. Recurrent themes to be found in Gama Bomb songs are cannibalism, war, zombies, human sacrifice, ghosts and technological revolt.

Band Members

Members

*Philly Byrne: Vocals
*Joe McGuigan: Bass
*Luke Graham: Guitar
*Domo Dixon: Lead Guitar
*Paul Caffrey: Drums

Discography

Albums

*Survival of the Fastest (2006)
*Citizen Brain (2008)

ingles & EPs

*The Survival Option (2002)
*The Fatal Mission (2004)
*Zombi Brew (2007)

References

External links

* [http://www.myspace.com/gamabomb Official site]
* [http://www.gamabomb.com/ GamaBomb.com, in development]
* [http://www.earache.com/ Earache Records]
* [http://www.metalfan.ro/articol.php?sectiune=2&id_doc=3360&lng=2 Luke Graham interview @ Metalfan.Ro - English]