HEADBOARD - THE END IS NEAR

Headboard - The End Is Near

 

 In many ways, this is what started it all... 

 

After years of working in the concert promotion industry, Glenn Rubenstein decided to form

his own band, Headboard, in December of 1995 in Petaluma, CA. The group originated as a rap duo, consisting of Glenn Rubenstein, assuming the rap name "G-man," derived from his early 1990s BBS handle, and Jeff Gerstmann,

who went by the moniker "US Pipe," after a sign he had passed weekly on the 880 freeway. The two were joined on-stage by Brendan Ducousso, who went by "Gotti," contributing to the between song banter, commenting on what the duo rapped about.

The group added a live band and began touring around California in July of 1996, connecting musical styles mixed with elements of rap, ska, funk, alternative pop/rock, and punk. Female vocals were added to the group to compliment Gerstmann and Rubenstein's rapping. At one point the band expanded to a total of 11 people–including Christine Alexander of Little Tin Frog (vocals), Josh Gooch (guitar), Nate Meier (drums) and Dominic Davi (bass), who would later go on to form Tsunami Bomb, both of whom played on Headboard's first self-released CD, "Brendan Goes to College." The complete unit started running the California club scene, performing numerous shows and ultimately being the opening band for acts such as Run-D.M.C., Less Than Jake, or Bloodhound Gang. 

In early 1998, the band recorded their second self-released CD. "The End Is Near," leaving behind most traces of ska and funk in their new line-up and sound. Both Ducousso & Gerstmann had left the band the previous year to start their own rap group, the Suburban All-Stars, which featured a musical style more in line with Headboard's origins.  This was also around the time Dominic Davi left the band to start Tsunami Bomb, taking with him Kristin McRory (who had inherited Headboard's female vocal duties only months earlier). McRory became Tsunami Bomb's original female singer. 

Headboard's main breakthrough came during the rise of the MP3 format.  Headboard soon became one of the most requested bands in a series of Internet MP3 websites.   In 1999 Headboard was one of the first acts to achieve popularity on MP3.com where they reached the Top 40.  They also released "Crushing Blows", an EP containing some of their most requested themes.

Headboard's biggest break came in early 2000, when they were asked to appear on the first episode of Universal Music Group's television show Farmclub.com. Headboard performed its song "See You Around" live, followed shortly after Dr. Dre and Eminem's rendition of "Forgot About Dre". They also shared a bill with Xzibit and 98 Degrees. "It's really cool to be a part of something that is giving new and undiscovered talent a break," Drew Lachey of 98 Degrees said. The group performed its hit "I Do (Cherish You)" during the premiere for Farmclub's first episode, which was taped at Universal Studios in Universal City, CA. The show was co-hosted by Matt Pinfield and Ali Landry. Rubenstein said he received a call from the folks at Farmclub.com shortly after uploading his band's music to the site. "And the next thing you know, Matt Pinfield is showing up at my doorstep," the singer said, referring to the former MTV VJ who hosted the show.   The show featured a four-minute segment about Headboard, traveling to

Petaluma, CA and filmed in their hometown to film on-location segments chronicling Headboard's history and Matt Pinfield interviewed extensively with Glenn Rubenstein about the band. "It beats playing your local teen center," Headboard singer Glenn Rubenstein said. "I think going back to playing pizza places and coffee houses may be a little [bit] of a letdown after this." The episode was broadcast on January 31, 2000. This proved to be yet another important event in Headboard's career. 

 

Headboard's third CD, "Nothing is Static" was released in late 2000 on MDFL Records and Headboard's final show was on February 21, 2002, in Vacaville, CA.

Jeff Gerstmann continues with the Suburban All-Stars and his most recent project, Midnight Brown, in addition to writing for the popular video games website GameSpot (alongside former Headboard drummer Alex Navarro). In 2003, former bassist Dominic Davi launched his band, Love Equals Death.

The 90's brought out bands like Sublime, Deftones and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones.  Coming from that same era and mindset, Headboard proves both unique and still very, very a product of the 90's. This album will either take you back to the 90's or give you a little sample of how music was done in that decade if you're new to discovering the 90s' genre of music.  There isn't a weak track on this album; it's a party from start to finish, so if you like what you've heard, it's a good bet you'll like the whole album.

 

Discography

* Zip! Plop! EP (1995)
* Stalkerz4Life (1996)
* Brendan Goes to College (1996)
* Happy Donuts (1997)
* The End Is Near (1997)
* Grab Bag EP (1998)
* Crushing Blows EP (1999)
* Nothing is Static (2000)
* (We Are) The Same EP (2002)

Headboard reunion live at Nostalgia Fest 2012 held at The Phoenix Theater in Petaluma, CA.   

 

Five local artists to watch (excerpt from The Bohemian)

By Patrick Sullivan 

Aug 19, 1999

Headboard
Pop Band

ANYBODY WHO thinks the Unabomber had a point about computer technology will not find a receptive audience in the members of Headboard.

Founded in 1994, the Petaluma-based pop/rap/ska band--which counts everyone from the Beach boys to Public Enemy among its influences--has engaged in serious flirtations with major label success at least twice in its tumultuous history. But now, the five-member outfit is riding to national exposure on the cresting wave of MP3 online music technology, which permits Internet users to download music to their computer.

According to Headboard's Glen Rubinstein, the band regularly places in MP3's top 40 lists and has had over a million downloads of their music since they first went online last December. That kind of exposure allowed the band to take a summer break from its usual heavy-duty touring schedule (the musicians played 150 shows last year). Instead of driving across the country, Headboard has been at Grizzly Studios in Petaluma recording a single for a small European label.

But the MP3 exposure does more than sell music: it also puts Headboard's name in the mouths of recording industry executives.

Headboard begins playing live shows again this fall, and the 23-year-old Rubenstein thinks a major label deal may again be in the works when they play a showcase gig next month at L.A.'s notorious Viper Room. Still, grim experience has taught Rubenstein not to pin his hopes on the mercurial music industry.

"That's not my primary goal--to get a record deal," he says. "If it happens, that's a thrill. If not, we know what we're doing." 

----------

• "5.0 out of 5 stars All the best of the 90's West Coast scene." -- Some Human
• "Solid effort from a constantly evolving alternative ensemble.  Headboard is an alternative music group from Petaluma. Formed in 1995, they've played 250 shows in and around California, including many shows within Sonoma County. Mixing male and female vocals, pop-rock harmonies and rap, and moody, introspective lyrics with upbeat tunes....most of the songs are so catchy and easy to listen to that you'll be pleased with the contrast of sounds. You can't help but tap your feet and bob your head to the beats... The key to Headboard is the balance between female vocalist Christine Alexander and Rubenstein. Rubenstein provides a rougher tone, while Alexander has a smoother, more refined sound. Alexander sings some absolutely beautiful melodies in the choruses. Most surprising, though, is how well their voices both blend into the Josh Gooch's guitar riffs and Nate Weiner's drum beats. If you're tired of bands who make one hit single and reproduce it as 12 different songs on their album (honestly, has Korn made more than 3 different songs?), then Headboard is the band for you. They provide a very fresh, energized sound and that will keep you interested from the beginning to the end of this album." -- Derek Slater
• "Headboard can flow!  I first found Headboard on MP3.com. There song "See You Around"...was at the top of the charts and I checked them out. The sound is kind of a softened Zebrahead with some two part harmony and it works well!" -- B. Loeb
• "Very good!  I like this musician's voice.  And, I like painful melody and melody that becomes energetic.  I want you to listen from a lot of people." -- Miu

Headboard ‎– The End Is Near
Label:  Pork N Beans Records ‎– PNB005CD
Format:  CD, Album
Country:  US
Released:  1998
Genre:  Hip Hop, Rock, Reggae, Pop
Style:  Alternative Rock

Tracklist

1.  Everybody Wants Something
2.  The Beginning Of The End
3.  Just Tell Me How
4.  Whatcha Gonna Do Now?
5.  Do Not Disturb (No Moleste)
6.  Addiction
7.  Things Could Be Better
8.  Summer Love
9.  See You Around
10.  Here With You
11.  Hold On
12.  The End Is Near

          Exclusive Bonus Track

13.  Whatcha Gonna Do Now? (Acoustic)

The acoustic version of Whatcha Gonna Do Now. (Previously unreleased)

Credits

    Bass – Dominic Davi
    Drums – Alex Navarro (3)
    Guitar – Ryan Lynch
    Lead Vocals, Producer – Glenn Rubenstein
    Trombone – Joe Ferraro
    Vocals – Christine Alexander, Kristin McRory, Robert Conklin

BONA★FIDE - DISENFORMULATED

CURRENTLY SPINNING ON THE 'OL HI-FI:  

Bona★Fide - Disenformulated

    

Review from "Under the Volcano 48 (1999)"

Bona Fide "Disenformulated 

(Transmission, 2931 West Central Ave. Suite E, Santa
Ana, CA 92704). 

Remember the band Scatterbrain? Well if you don't, they had this record called Here Comes Trouble and it was very good. It mixed Metal with Punk, Hardcore, Jazz, and Classical music. It was very groundbreaking. Scatterbrain became kind of well-know but their next record went nowhere, thus giving them an asterisk in the world of Metal. Bona Fide is basically trying to pick up where Scatterbrain left off. The lyrics are a bit political like Dead Kennedys, but not as intelligent. Musically, they have that Scatterbrain style, but it just bored me halfway through. I ended up listening to my Scatterbrain album instead.  (CD)-Jack 

Bona★Fide - Disenformulated
Label:  Transmission Records ‎– 31122 2
Format:  CD, Album, Stereo
Country:  US
Released:  1998
Genre:  Rock
Style:  Punk

Tracklist

1.  Monkey See, Monkey Do
2.  Butternut
3.  Wide Awake
4.  Addicted
5.  Mi Vida Loca
6.  Talk Show
7.  Compeater
8.  Front
9.  The Lesson (Hidden Track)

Special Guest Appearances by

Nels & Dave Leon of Vitamin L
Gabby Gaborno of Drive-Bye Smile
dubl-(OH!) of Dial-7
Keith & Nickelbag of the Mad Caddies

Barcode and Other Identifiers

    Barcode: 643773112220

• Stephen Smalls:  Sings
• Kevin Fuel:  Plays Guitar
• Thom Richards:  Plays Bass
• S. Hoke:  Plays Drums

BLAZIN' HALEY

 Blazin' Haley - Blazin' Haley (Demo)

 

Blazing Haley formed in 1996/1997 in Santa Barbara, California as a psychobilly/roots rock/punk band, combining these influences with other styles (garage, metal, lounge, etc.)  Notorious for their stage antics & straight up balls-out, full tilt, whiskey soaked, guitar driven, frenzied rock and roll live shows that included a fur-covered, skull-topped stand-up bass, rhinestone studded cowboy hats, crazy stage antics, sweat-drenched greased-back pompadours, with a huge following on the LA/OC scene. Or pretty much wherever they laid their hats! But Blazing Haley is a band of hoodlums that simply don't care what you think; they did this because they loved to. 

Vocalist Matt Armor croons the blues and belts out power rock with some deep, bassy howling like he was born with a pair of horns and a pitchfork, putting all other rock-a-billy front men to shame.
Guitarist Brian Lakey wields his super-charged six-string, starting with the typical blues-based rock-a-billy histrionics and finishing somewhere around ‘70s arena rock with hard rock pyrotechnics. 
The rhythm section of drummer Chris Story's hyper-hyperactive tempos and mad-dog stand-up bassist Dave Kruger pushes the tunes down the track like a runaway freight train.

   They churn out songs about hot-rod culture, girls, dive bars, and road trips, backed by a balls-out rhythm section and cool-injected guitars.  The fiery style of the 1st song on this demo, "V-12 Ford", shoots out of the gates roaring with a bump and grind fury of a revved up Ford, preaching anti-Chevy sentiments to the perverted, "I'm looking to kick that Chevy's a**!" followed by the sexy swagger, slow-mover croon of "Vegas".  A ballad  necessary to cool the fiery jets of the previous track, "Vegas" is a truly classic tearjerker, recanting the tragic tale of a lovelorn 14-year-old with a burnin' need to get his doll to Vegas, but no drivers license to do it. The third track on this demo, "Sleeper" is that kind of rock'n'roll shindig that your parents spent the night 'til dawn hip swingin' their asses to. The demo ends with a real scorcher, "Back For No Good Reason", suggesting that the Reverend Horton Heat had some heat comin' that coulda passed him on the right, if he didn't keep his eye on the road ahead.

 

Equal parts of The Supersuckers' white trash punk and the frantic psycobilly, punk-a-billy sounds of The Reverend Horton Heat's top-fuel dragster rock, Santa Barbara’s Blazing Haley raised some serious hell.  Fans of The Blasters, The Reverend Horton Heat, Hillbilly Hellcats, Jason and the Scorchers and even admirers of Brian Setzer will find this to their personal satisfaction.  

David Kruger:     double stand-up bass.
Chris Story:     drums, bongos
Brian Lakey:     guitars
Matt Armor:     vocals

This demo was made sometime in 1997/1998.  Their debut album titled "Sleeper" followed and was self-released in January 1999, followed by the release of their sophmore album "Mas Chingon" in 2002. 

"All you greased-back, chain-walleted, 'cool cats' take notice-
this is how you WISH your band would sound" -- Flipside Magazine

"Blazing Haley plays loud and fast with an intensity level up there with the Reverend Horton Heat and The Cramps" -- Los Angeles Times

"...for fast driving on a open road with either your girl by your side or your drunk friends thrown in the back of your truck." -- Norma J.

"Heavy, upbeat , rockabilly punk...... kind of a punkmetal Stray Cats." -- Tom B.

Blazin' Haley - Blazin' Haley (Demo)

Track Listing

1.  V-12 Ford

2.  Vegas 

3.  Sleeper 

4.  Back For No Good Reason 

 

SHADOWFAX - THE DREAMS OF CHILDREN

 Shadowfax - The Dreams Of Children

The name Shadowfax may refer to:

•     Shadowfax, a fictional horse ridden by Gandalf the White in J. R. R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings  
  
  
  
  
•     Shadowfax (band), a new age/electronic musical group  
  

Shadowfax was a New Age/electronic musical group formed in Chicago in 1972 and disbanded after 1995 when Lyricon player and leader Chuck Greenberg died of a heart attack.  
The group takes its name from Gandalf the White's horse Shadowfax in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.

 Shadowfax was the "lord of all horses", capable of comprehending human speech and was noted for its speed, said to run faster than the wind, "like an arrow".

 When a suspicious Théoden, the 17th king of Rohan asked Gandalf to take any horse and be gone, Gandalf chose Shadowfax (much to the King's displeasure), tamed him, and used the great steed's speed to cross the vast wilderness between Rohan and the Shire in only six days.

 

“The Dreams of Children” is the fourth studio album by new-age group Shadowfax,

 

on the Windham Hill Records label released in 1984.  They incorporate the musics of India, Africa, and Asia into their sound, as well as Western Classical, jazz, and rock.

The combination of "New Age" and "Jazz Fusion" style could be called World Music.  The dominant voices are Jamii Szmadzinski's violin and the intriguing percussion of reed instruments with melodies from Chuck Greenberg on saxes and flutes, though keyboards and G.E. Stinson on guitar provide solid contributions throughout. 

Shadowfax ‎– The Dreams Of Children
Label:  Windham Hill Records ‎– WD-1038
Country:  US
Released:  1984
Genre:  Jazz, Folk, World, & Country
Style:  New Age, Contemporary Jazz, Neofolk

Tracklist

1.  Another Country  4:20
2.  Snowline      4:30

3.  The Big Song     4:00
4.  The Dreams Of Children     4:50
5.  Word From The Village  4:40
6.  Kindred Spirits     4:15
7.  Shaman Song  5:20
8.  Above The Wailing Wall  4:50

PANGEA - PANGEA

 Pangea - Pangea

Once upon a time, at the beginning of earth, all was one continent.

Its name:  Pangea

Dan Lacksman (Daniel Pierre Lanckmans) was the founding producer of the group Deep Forest and this is a great album by him, but digging deeper into the vinyl crate archives, Dan Lacksman was originally a member of the Belgian all-electronic disco pop band, Telex,

 

formed in 1978 by radio DJ/jazz musician Marc Moulin, programmer/sound engineer Dan Lacksman and vocalist Michel Moers. The group's first three singles ("Twist A Saint Tropez", "Moskow Diskow" and "Rock Around The Clock") became hits in the UK and in the rest of Europe, and a number of Telex 12"s were popular in dance clubs, especially in the USA. He also released three classic LPs with electronic "space music" in 1973-74.

"Pangea is (a) project from Dan Lacksman, the man behind the new age studio dance troupe, Deep Forest. Like Deep Forest, Pangea attempts to fuse danceable polyrhythms with worldbeat textures and synthesizers. On the whole, Pangea has a stronger world music influence than Deep Forest, which means it isn't quite as accessible. Nevertheless, Lacksman's knack is for making foreign musics palatable to Western tastes and, at its best, Pangea fulfills that promise quite effectively." -- Rodney Batdorf

   

The co-creator of DEEP FOREST, Dan Lacksman, returns with Pangea, an album of stunning voices and world rhythms that takes his mesmerizing vision a step forward.  Jacksman ventured to the source of music as we know it today - Africa, which at the dawn of Earth lay at the center of the original continent, Pangea - to capture the unique sounds of the central African vallages and bush.  The resulting tracks carry distinct tempos and moods, creating a symphony of polyrhythms, textures and some of the most surprising voices you've ever heard.  This is the 1st Pangea album from 1996. In 2008, Pangea released 'Resurrection' on CD-R.

 

"With Pangea, Deep Forest svengali Dan Lacksman picks up the same tribal beat that made the first Deep Forest album so popular.  With Sacha Chaty, he marries insistent electronic dance grooves to vocal melodies and sampled instruments from across Africa, all sliced, diced, and reconfigured in the digital blender.  The pop techno-tribal sound of Pangea is sure to have the same appeal as Deep Forest, and "Memories Of Pangea" and "Water & Fire" could equal the impact of "Sweet Lullaby." -- Billboard Magazine  

• "...great piece of work..absolutely incredible..and very addicting!" -- Nigel P
• "Amazing!" -- Klara K.
• " One of my alltime favorite albums." -- Kathleen L.
• "Deep Forest did for African tribal melodies what Enigma did for Gregorian chants. Pangea is a delightful and inspiring album that maintains the spirit, wonder, and innocence of an early Deep Forest." -- M. C.
• "Since it was first put on the CD drawer a week ago it's been played continually - I can't get enough of it. Reminiscent of Deep Forest, Enigma and plenty of other bands whose names escape me, it's haunting, beautiful, catchy, and addictive." -- Nicole T.
• "From the producer of Deep Forest, Dan Lacksman, this is a must for any Deep Forest fan." -- Glenn S.
• "It has a beautiful haunting and atmospheric feel to the album and the vocals are divine. I'm so pleased to have this album in my music collection and even people who say they don't like African tribal music find themselves intrigued by the sounds." -- Sam

Pangea ‎– Pangea
Label:  Eastwest ‎– 61947-2
Country:  UK & US
Released:  1996
Genre:  Electronic, Folk, World, & Country
Style:  New Age

Tracklist

1.  Introduction To Pangea     0:27
2.  Memories Of Pangea     4:10
3.  M'ganga's Devotion     4:24
4.  Tanganyika Secret     5:06
5.  Mangbetu Girl     3:42
6.  Sanza's Spirit     4:19
7.  Back To Kirisoke     4:17
8.  Happy Threshing     3:34
9.  River Dawn     3:48
10.  Kiranga Beat     3:07
11.  Water And Fire     4:51
12.  Outro     0:45