Gang Green

Last updated

Gang Green
Origin Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Genres Punk rock, hardcore punk, heavy metal, speed metal, crossover thrash, skate punk
Years active1980–1983, 1984–1992, 1996–1998, 2005–present
Labels Taang!, Roadrunner
Members Chris Doherty
Chris Donnelly
Sean Boyle
Matt Hemingway
Past membersDaren Hiller
Brian Betzger
Kevin Brooks
Mike Dean
Fritz Erickson
Joe Gittleman
Mike Lucantonio
Bill Manley
Tony Nichols
Josh Pappe
Chuck Stilphen
Glen Stilphen
Bob Cenci

Gang Green is an American punk rock band originally from Braintree, Massachusetts. Chris Doherty (guitar), Bill Manley (bass) and Mike Dean (drums) started the band in 1980 and broke up in 1983. Doherty reformed Gang Green the following year, and the band experienced numerous lineup changes until its dissolution for the second time in 1992. Doherty has been the band's only constant member and has kept Gang Green active from 2005 onwards. The band was influential in the formation of the East Coast hardcore punk scene, and went on to become one of the forerunners of crossover thrash and speed metal in the late 1980s. [1]

Contents

History

Formation and first hiatus (1980–1984)

The first incarnation of the band in 1980 consisted of 15-year-old Chris Doherty, Mike Dean, and Bill Manley, who contributed seven tracks to the This Is Boston, Not L.A. compilation in 1982, and one track to the follow-up Unsafe at Any Speed EP, also in 1982.

In mid-1983, the group disbanded, as lead singer Chris Doherty had already joined the band Jerry's Kids, [1] for their album Is This My World?. [2] In 1985, Gang Green released the 7" "Sold Out" on Taang! Records, the influential Boston label's first release. [3] All of the tracks recorded by the original line up of Gang Green were later released on the Preschool CD, released by Taang! Records.

First reunion and Another Wasted Night (1984–1986)

In late 1984, Chris Doherty reemerged with an all new Gang Green lineup consisting of former members of D.A.M.M. (Drunks Against Mad Mothers), The Freeze and Smegma And The Nunz. Chuck Stilphen (lead guitar), Glen Stilphen (bass, vocals) and Walter Gustafson (drums). This second lineup is the most famous nationally as it was both the first to tour and the one that recorded the songs "Alcohol" and "Skate to Hell". This edition of Gang Green released the debut album Another Wasted Night on Taang! Records in 1986. This record is considered to be the band's best recording and is regarded as one of the definitive hardcore punk records of its time.[ citation needed ] This line-up of Doherty, Stilphen, Stilphen and Gustafson only existed for one year from November 1984 until November 1985 before Gustafson quit to pursue The Outlets. The sound of the band changed again after this point.[ citation needed ] The brothers went on to form Mallet Head and Scratch. Glen was in The Northern Skulls from 2018-2021 with Jonah Jenkins (Only Living Witness, Milligram), Johnny Mullin and Michael Lefebvre. Glen is currently in Spiller with Jack Clark long-time drummer of Jerry's Kids, Greg Fiore and Chris Pearson from Green Magnet School.

The song "Alcohol" (C. Stilphen/C. Doherty) from Another Wasted Night has been covered by a number of bands. Tankard, a German thrash metal band, featured the song on their album Chemical Invasion . It was also covered by Impaled Nazarene, a black metal band from Finland. It appeared on their EP entitled Motörpenis which was released in 1996. Boston punk rock band Dropkick Murphys covered the song on their "Back to the Hub" 7 inch. It also appeared on their live compilation, Live on St. Patrick's Day from Boston, MA . Before The Meatmen covered "Alcohol", Tesco Vee's Hate Police featuring Keith Campbell and Tommy "Dog" Cohen, released it on a 7" on Sympathy For The Record Industry. Then it was also covered by The Meatmen on their album Pope on a Rope, and also by No Fun at All on their releases No Straight Angles (US edition), EP's Going Steady, and Master Celebrations, and by Australian band, Where’s The Pope? who released it on their PSI album released on Resist Records. Metallica also played the song live. The song was originally an instrumental entitled "The Drinking Song" before Doherty attached his lyrics. "Alcohol" also appears on the soundtrack to the 2010 film Jackass 3D.

Roadrunner years (1987–1989)

By 1987, when Gang Green were signed by Roadrunner Records the band's musical style had come to lean more toward heavy metal and the personnel of the band had changed completely after the Stilphen brothers departed at the end of 1986. This incarnation of Gang Green consisted of Doherty, Fritz Erickson (guitar), Joe Gittleman (bass) and former Jerry's Kids drummer Brian Betzger. In 1989, Gittleman was fired by Doherty and was replaced by Josh Pappe, formerly of Dirty Rotten Imbeciles. Gittleman returned to The Mighty Mighty Bosstones. The band's Older... Budweiser album was named so the band could attract sponsorship from the brewery of the same name. [4]

Second hiatus (1990–1995)

After touring the United States with Social Distortion in 1990, Gang Green experienced a few more lineup shuffles before being dropped by Roadrunner and going on hiatus for several years in which Doherty founded the bands Klover (Mercury Records) and Hamerd.

Second reunion (1996–2004)

In 1996, Chris Doherty, Chuck Stilphen, Glen Stilphen and Walter Gustafson re-formed to play five East Coast dates including shows at The Rat and CBGB's. Later in 1996, Gang Green surfaced yet again with Walter Gustafson returning on drums, along with newcomers Mike Earls (guitar, vocals) and Matt Sandonato (bass, vocals). They re-signed with Taang! Records and in 1997 released Back & Gacked (EP) and Another Case of Brewtality . These records saw the band returning to their punk roots and even moving in a pop direction.[ citation needed ] Gang Green toured Europe and the U.S. extensively in 1997 and 1998. Doherty moved from Boston to Cincinnati shortly afterwards and, in the early 2000s, Gang Green played only once or twice a year in Boston and New York.

Third reunion (2005–2011)

In 2005, Doherty and a new Gang Green lineup supported the Dropkick Murphys' West Coast leg of their US tour.

In early 2007, the band toured through Florida and up the east coast of the US with bands such as Lucky Scars before heading out for a European tour scheduled for spring 2007 that included UK and Irish dates. The Irish dates were filmed for a live DVD by punk filmmaker, Lewis Smithingham.

Lineup of 2013–2018

In 2013, Doherty teamed up with local Cincinnati music veterans Chris Donelly, Dale Kishbaugh and Sean Boyle.

Band members

Current

Former and touring

  • Ray Jeffrey – guitar
  • Chuck Stilphen – guitar (1984–1986, 1996)
  • Tony Nichols – guitar (1986–1987)
  • Fritz Erickson – guitar (1987–1990)
  • Mike Lucantonio – guitar (1990–1992)
  • Molly Flanagan – guitar and vocals (1991, 1992)
  • Mike Earls – guitar (1996–1998, 2007–2011)
  • Bryan Hinkley – guitar (1999)
  • Bob Cenci – guitar (2005–2007)
  • Bill Manley – bass (1980–1983)
  • Glen Stilphen – bass (1984–1986, 1996)
  • Joe Gittleman – bass (1986–1989)
  • Josh Pappe – bass (1989–1991; died 2020)
  • Kevin Brooks – bass (1991–1992)
  • Matt Sandonato – bass (1996–1998, 2005–2011)
  • Dusty Bryant - bass (2009)
  • Mike Dean – drums (1980–1983)
  • Brian Betzger – drums (1986–1991, 1991–1992)
  • Nate Rubright – drums and vocals (1991, 1992)
  • Walter Gustafson – drums (1984–1985, 1991, 1996–1998, 2005–2011)
  • Troy Bryant- drums (2009)
  • Davis Gunter – keyboards (2001)
  • Chris Donnelly – vocals, guitar (2013–2019)
  • Sean Boyle – vocals, bass (2013–2017)
  • Matt Hemingway – drums (2014–2019)

Discography

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Mighty Mighty Bosstones</span> American ska punk band

The Mighty Mighty Bosstones were an American ska punk band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1983. From the band's inception, lead vocalist Dicky Barrett, bassist Joe Gittleman, tenor saxophonist Tim "Johnny Vegas" Burton and dancer ("Bosstone") Ben Carr remained constant members. The band's final line-up also included drummer Joe Sirois, saxophonist Leon Silva, guitarist Lawrence Katz, keyboardist John Goetchius, and trombonist Chris Rhodes.

SSD was a straight edge hardcore band from Boston. They released two records as SS Decontrol and then formally changed their name to SSD. As SSD they released two more records with a heavy metal influenced sound. However, the group is often simply referred to, including all its periods, as SSD.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poison Idea</span> American punk rock band

Poison Idea was an American punk rock band formed in Portland, Oregon, in 1980.

The F.U.'s are a hardcore punk band from Boston, Massachusetts. They formed in 1981 as a three-piece band, released three records and appeared on the compilation This Is Boston, Not L.A. before changing their name to Straw Dogs in 1986 to market themselves as a heavy metal act. In 2010 The F.U.'s reformed under their original moniker.

Jerry's Kids is a Boston, Massachusetts, hardcore punk band, formed in 1981, from Braintree, Massachusetts, United States.

<i>More Noise and Other Disturbances</i> 1992 studio album by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

More Noise and Other Disturbances is the second studio album by the American band the Mighty Mighty Bosstones. It was released in 1992 by Taang! Records. It was a hit on college radio. "Where'd You Go" was released as a single.

<i>Whered You Go?</i> (EP) 1991 EP by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones

Where'd You Go? is an EP by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones released in 1991 by Taang! Records. It features the title track, "Where'd You Go?" which also appeared on their 1992 LP, More Noise and Other Disturbances. The video for the song was shot in Boston and received minor MTV airplay. The EP also features cover versions of Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion", Metallica's "Enter Sandman", and Van Halen's "Ain't Talkin' 'bout Love", the last of which was ranked the 27th best punk cover song by Paste in 2017. The EP also has an updated version of "Do Something Crazy", which previously appeared on The Mighty Mighty Bosstones' debut album, Devil's Night Out.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Slapshot (band)</span> American hardcore punk band

Slapshot is an American hardcore punk band from Boston, Massachusetts. The band has been active for over 30 years, releasing eight studio albums and a number of singles and EPs over that time period. Though there have been constant line-up changes, founding member Jack "Choke" Kelly has remained a constant member of the band and its primary vocalist and leader.

Attitude Adjustment is an American crossover thrash band from the San Francisco Bay Area. Their debut album, American Paranoia, is considered to be an early "crossover" between hardcore punk and thrash metal.

The Freeze is an American punk rock band from Cape Cod, Massachusetts, United States, formed by a group of teenagers in 1978. They released the first single, "I Hate Tourists" in 1980 and contributed eight songs, including the title track to the 1982 hardcore punk compilation This Is Boston, Not L.A.

<i>You Got It</i> (album) 1987 studio album by Gang Green

You Got It was the second full-length album from Boston, Massachusetts hardcore punk/speed metal band, Gang Green.

<i>I81B4U</i> 1988 EP by Gang Green

I81B4U was an EP from Boston hardcore punk / speed metal band, Gang Green. It was released in 1988, after the previous year's debut for Roadrunner Records, You Got It and before 1989's release, Older... Budweiser.

<i>Older... Budweiser</i> 1989 studio album by Gang Green

Older... Budweiser is the third full-length album by Gang Green.

<i>Cant Live Without It</i> Only live album release from American hardcore punk/speed metal band, Gang Green

Can't LIVE Without It was the only live album release from American hardcore punk/speed metal band, Gang Green.

<i>King of Bands</i> 1991 compilation album by Gang Green

King of Bands is a compilation album from American hardcore punk and speed metal band, Gang Green.

<i>Back & Gacked</i> 1997 EP by Gang Green

Back & Gacked was an EP released by American hardcore punk band, Gang Green. It was released on May 6, 1997 on Taang Records.

<i>Another Case of Brewtality</i> 1997 studio album by Gang Green

Another Case of Brewtality was the fourth full-length album from American hardcore punk band, Gang Green. It was released on October 7, 1997, by Taang Records.

<i>Preschool</i> (album) 1997 compilation album by Gang Green

Preschool is a compilation album of early material from American hardcore punk band, Gang Green.

<i>Hate Your Friends</i> 1987 studio album by The Lemonheads

Hate Your Friends is the debut album of the American alternative rock band The Lemonheads. Produced and released on Boston-based indie label Taang Records and licensed for simultaneous release to several other labels worldwide, the album showcases the band's early sound and punk roots. Hate Your Friends is also one of only three albums to feature the Lemonheads' original lineup with Evan Dando, Ben Deily and Jesse Peretz.

<i>Another Wasted Night</i> 1986 studio album by Gang Green

Another Wasted Night was the first full-length album from Boston, Massachusetts hardcore punk/speed metal band, Gang Green. It is perhaps best remembered for their punk cover of the tune "Voices Carry", written by Aimee Mann for her band 'Til Tuesday.

References

  1. 1 2 Colin Larkin, ed. (1995). The Guinness Who's Who of Heavy Metal (Second ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 143. ISBN   0-85112-656-1.
  2. ↑ "GangGreen". TrouserPress.com . Retrieved January 7, 2007.
  3. ↑ "Taang! Records". Taang.com. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  4. ↑ "METALLIAN – Gang Green". Metallian. Retrieved June 11, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.