Dan Colby (Drums), Damian Genuardi (Bass), Dave Walsh (Guitar),
Matt Hock (Vox), Sam Cave (Guitar) They’re
loud and fast and it’s easy to get swept away in their
intensity. They are The Explosion. A throw back to the classic
punk rock sounds of days long gone by, The Explosion bring something
new and uniquely theirs to the music. This is not just a regurgitation
but a culmination of sounds you’re already be familiar
with. There is a sense of urgency here that is lacking in most
of today’s music. Emerging from the diverse Boston scene,
The Explosion formed in the fall of 1998. The energy that drives
their music is also driving their career path full speed ahead.
The band signed to Jade Tree, who released their six song demo
and more recently their first full length Flash Flash Flash.
But they are also set to have another EP out this fall, this
one on Revelation. In what could be described as less than punk
rock in spirit, although legally binding, Damian Genuardi’s
earlier commitment to a Revelation contact with his former band,
In My Eyes, forced this upcoming EP, which the band found themselves
writing songs for while on tour in support of their full length.
The Explosion show no signs of slowing things down. They are
ambitiously trying to break through the barriers that have sprung
up around virtually every sound, be it hardcore, punk, emo or
indie rock and are willing to put themselves out there where
most bands fear to tread in hopes of both appealing to a wider
audience and opening the scene back up again. They’ve played
dates with such diverse acts as; The Promise Ring, Alkaline
Trio, Snapcase, Jets To Brazil, Hot Snakes and have spent various
stretches of the summer on tour with Cave In, Grade, The Queers
and Avail. “We’re really big fans of music. We’re
not just fans of punk rock or big fans of hardcore. We think
it all comes from the same place and that’s what’s
most important. And, it needs to be returned to that.”
proclaims Damian.
“We’ve been doing this tour on two or three hours
sleep cause we’re in a new town every night and we’re
going out and just enjoying it and taking it for what it’s
got.” relates an impassioned Genuardi.
“I think it’s possible to be inspired to do as much
as you can in as short a time as you can do it. And that’s
just seizing the moment.” adds Sam. It’s this attitude
of keeping their eyes open to the world around them that comes
through in their music. There’s an honestly that exists
and you can tell this isn’t just a job, and it’s not
just a band for the sake of being a band. Says Damian, “We’re
five friends that hang out all the time and call each other
everyday just to see what’s going on.”
“The band is just an extension of our friendship and that’s
what makes it so great.” finishes Matt.
You know how when a new movie premiers every critic out there
is busy formulating an opinion that you can read in your local
weekly or witness on some entertainment program. But I’ve
always been a fan of those clips that they show of people walking
out of the theater where they ask them what they really thought.
You know, the real movie goers opinion. So in that same spirit
I did a random sampling of the crowd after The Explosion played
a show at the Cocodrie in San Francisco where they were the
first band on a bill that also consisted of Cave In, Grade and
Nerve Agents.
“I think they were rad! They have a great energy. This
was actually my first punk show.” -Emily Hodge
“Loud and fast but clear and strong. I thought they were
good.” Had you heard anything by The Explosion before tonight?
“No, not at all. I’m here to see Grade.” -Emily
Best
“This was the first time I heard their music and if I was
a person passing by on the street, I would have come in.”
- Conner Spencer
“I think they had a pretty good sound. They reminded me
of old, early punk. Reminiscent of the Sex Pistols. They had
a good stage presence. Good show.” -Nigel Martin
“I thought basically the same thing, that they sounded
like early punk. The singer kinda reminded me of Johnny Rotten’s
style. They had a good sound to them. I thought they had a lot
of energy. Not a lot of people are doing that… doing the
early punk style stuff so I thought it was cool.” - Ian
Martin
I did encounter one girl that refused to go on the record. She
was there just to see Grade and made it was clear that The Explosion
simply wasn’t her thing. But other than that everyone else
gave them at least a thumbs up for their energy and intensity.
Even if the music was a little too punk for some of the crowd.
“The band is just an extension of our friendship and that’s
what makes it so great.”
They’re
loud and fast and it’s easy to get swept away in their
intensity. They are The Explosion. A throw back to the classic
punk rock sounds of days long gone by, The Explosion bring something
new and uniquely theirs to the music. This is not just a regurgitation
but a culmination of sounds you’re already be familiar
with. There is a sense of urgency here that is lacking in most
of today’s music. Emerging from the diverse Boston scene,
The Explosion formed in the fall of 1998. The energy that drives
their music is also driving their career path full speed ahead.
The band signed to Jade Tree, who released their six song demo
and more recently their first full length Flash Flash Flash.
But they are also set to have another EP out this fall, this
one on Revelation. In what could be described as less than punk
rock in spirit, although legally binding, Damian Genuardi’s
earlier commitment to a Revelation contact with his former band,
In My Eyes, forced this upcoming EP, which the band found themselves
writing songs for while on tour in support of their full length.