The Explosion

Infobox musical artist
Name = The Explosion


Img_capt = The Explosion performing at Tabenacle in Atlanta, Georgia October 2004
Img_size =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genre = Punk rock Pop punk Alternative rock
Years_active = 1998–2007
Label = Jade Tree Revelation Tarantulas Virgin Paper + Plastick
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.theexplosion.net www.theexplosion.net]
Current_members = Matt Hock David Walsh Damian Genuardi Andrew Black Chris Gonzalez
Past_members = Dan Colby Sam Cave

"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 5th, the band announced plans for two last shows - 31st August in Philadelphia, and 1st September in New York.

Biography

Matt Hock and Damian Genuardi met David Walsh through Rama Mayo, owner of indie label Big Wheel Recreation. 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, and Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros. They were also featured on the 2001 and 2005 Warped Tour.

Unfortunately, they quickly faced a problem. Genaurdi's former straight edge hardcore band, In My Eyes, had been signed to Revelation Records. Revelation Records threatened to sue Genaurdi 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 [ [http://paperandplastick.bigcartel.com Paper + Plastick — Home ] ] .

On April 30, 2007 The Explosion announced via MySpace blog that they have disbanded and politely thanked their fans for all of the memories.

Members

Current members

*Matt Hock- vocals (1998-2007) (Currently singing w/ The Blind Spiders)
*David Walsh- Guitar (1998-2007) (Currently playing guitar w/ The Loved Ones)
*Damian Genuardi- Bass (1998-2007) (Currently playing bass w/ Blonde Acid Cult)
*Andrew Black- drums (2000-2007) (Currently playing drums w/ Georgie James)
*Chris Gonzalez- Guitar (2005-2007) (Currently playing bass w/ The Loved Ones)

Past members

*Sam Cave- Guitar (1999-2004)
*Dan Colby- drums (1998-2000)

Discography

tudio Albums

*"Flash Flash Flash" (July 18, 2000 Jade Tree)
*"Black Tape" (October 4, 2004 Virgin Records)
*"Bury Me Standing" (May 13, 2008 Paper + Plastick)

Live Albums

*"Live in Boston" - (2005 Virgin Records)
*"Live from the Troubadour" - (2005 Tarantulas) "Only available in DIW Magazine #20. Hand numbered to 1000"

EPs

*"The Explosion (EP)" (April 2000 Jade Tree)
*"Steal This" (October 31, 2000 Revelation)
*"Sick of Modern Art" (April 22, 2003 Tarantulas)
*"Red Tape" (January 1, 2005 Tarantulas)
*"Here I Am" (2004 Virgin Records)
*"No Revolution" (July 5, 2005 Tarantulas)

ingles

See: [http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=386761&model.vnuAlbumId=651310 Billboard.com's artist chart history]

Compilations

*"2005 KROQ New Music" (November 9,2004 KROQ)

Disbanding

On April 30, 2007, Dave (guitars) posted a bulletin/blog on the band's myspace stating the following:

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.

References

External links

* [http://www.latenightwallflower.com/site/2007/08/23/interview-with-dave-walsh-the-explosion-the-loved-ones/ August 2007 Interview with The Explosion on LateNightWallflower.com]
* [http://www.truepunk.com/interviews/the_explosion/ Interview with The Explosion on TruePunk.com]
* [http://www.furious.com/perfect/explosion.html The Explosion Explode, Perfect Sound Forever]
* [http://www.timmcmahan.com/explode.htm Lazy-i Interview: November 2002]