Schoolyard Heroes
Encyclopedia
Schoolyard Heroes was a horror punk/alternative rock band from Seattle, Washington
, consisting of four members: Ryann Donnelly
(lead vocals), Jonah Bergman (bassist, back-up vocals), Steve Bonnell (guitar), and Brian Turner (drummer).
They first garnered attention in 2003, after winning second place in Experience Music Project
's Sound Off! Competition.
They continued on to make a debut album, The Funeral Sciences
. 2005 saw the release of their second effort, Fantastic Wounds
and a nationwide tour with Vendetta Red
. They have been featured in the Seattle
newspaper The Stranger
.
Singer Ryann Donnelly claims that the band has its roots in the year 2000, when she and the band attempted to play a cover of a Misfits song, "Last Caress", but were cut off due to offensive lyricism (they were playing a Christian Battle of the Bands
function).
The Heroes entered the studio on January 16, 2007, to record their third full-length record, titled Abominations
. Recording wrapped on February 3, 2007, and the album was released on September 18, 2007 on a major-label, Stolen Transmission
, for the first time. The band announced a nation-wide tour to showcase their new album.
On March 20, 2007, Schoolyard Heroes debuted a song on their PureVolume music page. "Dude, Where's My Skin?" went on to become the website's most downloaded song of the day. After a short 24-hour stint, the song was removed.
In early 2008, the band completed a nationwide tour, opening for the Seattle-based band Aiden
.
The band announced their breakup on November 20, 2009.
On December 30, 2009, the band posted an announcement on their Myspace about a "new project" that they called Blood Cells.This is a band featuring both Jonah Bergman and Ryann Donnelly, as well as two new members. Their musical style is extremely similar to that of the Schoolyard Heroes, and they had announced through their email newsletter that they are working on new material, but later said it was an error.
After a handful of Blood Cells shows, Ryann returned to playing dance pop solo shows and moved to New York. She has been releasing new songs through her own label The Lonely Hearts Singles Club.
In 2011, Jonah Bergman joined a resurrected Vendetta Red
.
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
, consisting of four members: Ryann Donnelly
Ryann Donnelly
Ryann Donnelly is a horror punk, shock rock and dance/pop songwriter and vocalist.Born in Olympia, Washington, although she moved to Seattle, Washington after attending Charles Wright Academy...
(lead vocals), Jonah Bergman (bassist, back-up vocals), Steve Bonnell (guitar), and Brian Turner (drummer).
History
They originated in Tacoma, Washington where Ryann, Steve, and Jonah attended Charles Wright Academy, a private school in University Place.They first garnered attention in 2003, after winning second place in Experience Music Project
Experience Music Project
The EMP Museum is a museum dedicated to the history and exploration of both popular music and science fiction located in Seattle, Washington...
's Sound Off! Competition.
They continued on to make a debut album, The Funeral Sciences
The Funeral Sciences
The Funeral Sciences is the debut album by Schoolyard Heroes. It was released in 2003 on Control Group/TCG. All songs are written by Schoolyard Heroes.-Track listing:# "Curse of the Werewolf" – 3:14# "All-You-Can-Eat Cancer" – 3:54...
. 2005 saw the release of their second effort, Fantastic Wounds
Fantastic Wounds
Fantastic Wounds is the second album by the Schoolyard Heroes. It was released in 2005 on Control Group/TCG.-Track listing:#"Body Shots" - 1:02#"Panic in the Year Zero" - 4:08#"Serial Killers Know How to Party" - 3:29...
and a nationwide tour with Vendetta Red
Vendetta Red
Vendetta Red is an American alternative rock band from Seattle, Washington that formed in 1998. They released an EP, 6 Kisses, A Blatant Reminder of Why We Are Alive, in 1999 and two albums, Blackout Analysis in 2000 and White Knuckled Substance in 2001, before signing their first major label deal...
. They have been featured in the Seattle
Seattle, Washington
Seattle is the county seat of King County, Washington. With 608,660 residents as of the 2010 Census, Seattle is the largest city in the Northwestern United States. The Seattle metropolitan area of about 3.4 million inhabitants is the 15th largest metropolitan area in the country...
newspaper The Stranger
The Stranger (newspaper)
The Stranger is an alternative weekly newspaper in Seattle, Washington, USA. It runs a blog known as Slog.-History:The Stranger was founded by Tim Keck, who had previously co-founded the satirical newspaper The Onion, and cartoonist James Sturm. Its first issue came out on September 23, 1991...
.
Singer Ryann Donnelly claims that the band has its roots in the year 2000, when she and the band attempted to play a cover of a Misfits song, "Last Caress", but were cut off due to offensive lyricism (they were playing a Christian Battle of the Bands
Battle of the Bands
Battle of Bands is a contest in which two or more bands compete for the title of "best band". The winner is determined by a panel of judges, the general response of the audience, or a combination. The winning band usually receives a prize in addition to bragging rights. Traditionally, battles of...
function).
The Heroes entered the studio on January 16, 2007, to record their third full-length record, titled Abominations
Abominations (album)
Abominations is the third studio album by Schoolyard Heroes. It was released in 2007 on Stolen Transmission. All songs are written by the Schoolyard Heroes.- Track listing :# "Dude, Where's My Skin?" – 2:45...
. Recording wrapped on February 3, 2007, and the album was released on September 18, 2007 on a major-label, Stolen Transmission
Stolen Transmission
Stolen Transmission was an American independent record label founded in 2005 by Sarah Lewitinn and Rob Stevenson. They have released albums from well-known artists such as Innerpartysystem, Monty Are I, and Schoolyard Heroes.-History:...
, for the first time. The band announced a nation-wide tour to showcase their new album.
On March 20, 2007, Schoolyard Heroes debuted a song on their PureVolume music page. "Dude, Where's My Skin?" went on to become the website's most downloaded song of the day. After a short 24-hour stint, the song was removed.
In early 2008, the band completed a nationwide tour, opening for the Seattle-based band Aiden
Aiden
Aiden is an American rock band from Seattle, Washington that formed in the spring of 2003. The members are WiL Francis , Nick Wiggins , and Angel Ibarra . wiL originally played bass but took over lead vocals when the original singer left...
.
The band announced their breakup on November 20, 2009.
On December 30, 2009, the band posted an announcement on their Myspace about a "new project" that they called Blood Cells.This is a band featuring both Jonah Bergman and Ryann Donnelly, as well as two new members. Their musical style is extremely similar to that of the Schoolyard Heroes, and they had announced through their email newsletter that they are working on new material, but later said it was an error.
After a handful of Blood Cells shows, Ryann returned to playing dance pop solo shows and moved to New York. She has been releasing new songs through her own label The Lonely Hearts Singles Club.
In 2011, Jonah Bergman joined a resurrected Vendetta Red
Vendetta Red
Vendetta Red is an American alternative rock band from Seattle, Washington that formed in 1998. They released an EP, 6 Kisses, A Blatant Reminder of Why We Are Alive, in 1999 and two albums, Blackout Analysis in 2000 and White Knuckled Substance in 2001, before signing their first major label deal...
.
Discography
- The Funeral SciencesThe Funeral SciencesThe Funeral Sciences is the debut album by Schoolyard Heroes. It was released in 2003 on Control Group/TCG. All songs are written by Schoolyard Heroes.-Track listing:# "Curse of the Werewolf" – 3:14# "All-You-Can-Eat Cancer" – 3:54...
(2003) - Fantastic WoundsFantastic WoundsFantastic Wounds is the second album by the Schoolyard Heroes. It was released in 2005 on Control Group/TCG.-Track listing:#"Body Shots" - 1:02#"Panic in the Year Zero" - 4:08#"Serial Killers Know How to Party" - 3:29...
(2005) - They Live, a two-track single released on vinyl and CD (2005)
- Dude, Where's My Skin?, a two-track single released on vinyl (2007)
- AbominationsAbominations (album)Abominations is the third studio album by Schoolyard Heroes. It was released in 2007 on Stolen Transmission. All songs are written by the Schoolyard Heroes.- Track listing :# "Dude, Where's My Skin?" – 2:45...
(2007) - I Want Your Soul for Christmas, a two-track holiday single (2008)
Videos
- "They Live" (2005) from Fantastic WoundsFantastic WoundsFantastic Wounds is the second album by the Schoolyard Heroes. It was released in 2005 on Control Group/TCG.-Track listing:#"Body Shots" - 1:02#"Panic in the Year Zero" - 4:08#"Serial Killers Know How to Party" - 3:29...
- "The Plastic Surgery Hall of Fame" (2007) Directed by: Brian and Brad Palmer (Surround) from AbominationsAbominations (album)Abominations is the third studio album by Schoolyard Heroes. It was released in 2007 on Stolen Transmission. All songs are written by the Schoolyard Heroes.- Track listing :# "Dude, Where's My Skin?" – 2:45...
- "Dude, Where's My Skin?" (2007) Directed by: Brian and Brad Palmer (Surround) from AbominationsAbominations (album)Abominations is the third studio album by Schoolyard Heroes. It was released in 2007 on Stolen Transmission. All songs are written by the Schoolyard Heroes.- Track listing :# "Dude, Where's My Skin?" – 2:45...
External links
- Official Site
- MySpace page
- A review in Seattle Weekly
- Interview at PopMatters
- A review at Blogcritics.org
- An interview at The Red Alert website
- A Spin "Band Of The Day," feature
- Feature in Seattle Weekly
- Feature in The Stranger
- Lyrics
- Review of Abominations on Three Imaginary GirlsThree Imaginary GirlsThree Imaginary Girls is a Seattle-based website that showcases the music of the Pacific Northwest. Self-described as "Seattle's sparkly indie-pop press", since its founding in 2002, the site has featured hundreds of reviews of albums, live music, film, theater, interviews, political commentary,...