The Bags (1985)
Encyclopedia
The Bags are a hard rock/punk rock band from Lexington, Massachusetts — formed in 1985 — and are not to be confused with The Bags
, a punk rock band formed in 1977. The band is composed of members Jon Hardy, Jim Janota, and Crispin Wood. Though a couple of early recordings were released on the Crawling from Within multi-artist compilation, their debut album, entitled Rock Starve
, was released in 1987. An article by Charles M. Young written in Playboy magazine best describes the band's sound: "The Bags fall somewhere among the Ramones
, Hüsker Dü
, and early KISS
. Their debut, Rock Starve, consists of thrilling guitar-bash riffs that pound like the sound of a herd of giant woolly mammoths going over a cliff, just enough melody rasping though shredded vocal cords and lyrics wholly unbesmirched by any panty-waist college-poetry influence."
The band began touring in 1988, releasing an album under the alias of "Swamp Oaf" and later releasing an actual self-titled LP. Their next album, Night of the Corn People, came in 1991, though the band broke up shortly thereafter. Though having gone their separate ways for over a decade (discounting a single reunion show in 1996), they reassembled in 2003 to page their latest achievement, Sharpen Your Sticks
, one track of which ("Cavemen Rejoice") eventually found its way onto the PlayStation 2
game, Guitar Hero. Later, in April 2007, The Bags released a follow-up to Sharpen Your Sticks: the 14-track opus, Mount Rockmore
. This latest original album was produced by Carl Plaster (Sebadoh
, Buffalo Tom
, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
, etc.).
The Bags
The Bags were an American rock band formed in 1977. They were one of the first generation of punk rock bands to emerge out of Los Angeles, California.-Career:...
, a punk rock band formed in 1977. The band is composed of members Jon Hardy, Jim Janota, and Crispin Wood. Though a couple of early recordings were released on the Crawling from Within multi-artist compilation, their debut album, entitled Rock Starve
Rock Starve
Rock Starve is The Bags' debut album. Though preceded by early releases of "Try It" and "Egg" — songs found on the multiple-artist compilation, Crawling from Within — this album features re-recorded versions.-Track listing:...
, was released in 1987. An article by Charles M. Young written in Playboy magazine best describes the band's sound: "The Bags fall somewhere among the Ramones
Ramones
The Ramones were an American rock band that formed in the New York City neighborhood of Forest Hills, Queens, in 1974. They are often cited as the first punk rock group...
, Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü
Hüsker Dü was an American rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist Bob Mould, bassist Greg Norton, and drummer Grant Hart....
, and early KISS
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
. Their debut, Rock Starve, consists of thrilling guitar-bash riffs that pound like the sound of a herd of giant woolly mammoths going over a cliff, just enough melody rasping though shredded vocal cords and lyrics wholly unbesmirched by any panty-waist college-poetry influence."
The band began touring in 1988, releasing an album under the alias of "Swamp Oaf" and later releasing an actual self-titled LP. Their next album, Night of the Corn People, came in 1991, though the band broke up shortly thereafter. Though having gone their separate ways for over a decade (discounting a single reunion show in 1996), they reassembled in 2003 to page their latest achievement, Sharpen Your Sticks
Sharpen Your Sticks
Sharpen Your Sticks is the fifth album by The Bags. The album's title track, "Cavemen Rejoice", is also featured as a playable track on PlayStation 2 music game, Guitar Hero.-Track listing:...
, one track of which ("Cavemen Rejoice") eventually found its way onto the PlayStation 2
PlayStation 2
The PlayStation 2 is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Sony as part of the PlayStation series. Its development was announced in March 1999 and it was first released on March 4, 2000, in Japan...
game, Guitar Hero. Later, in April 2007, The Bags released a follow-up to Sharpen Your Sticks: the 14-track opus, Mount Rockmore
Mount Rockmore
-Track listing:...
. This latest original album was produced by Carl Plaster (Sebadoh
Sebadoh
Sebadoh is an American indie rock band, formed in 1986 in Westfield, Massachusetts by Eric Gaffney and Dinosaur Jr bass player Lou Barlow. Along with such bands as Pavement and Guided by Voices, Sebadoh helped pioneer lo-fi music, a style of indie rock characterized by low-fidelity recording...
, Buffalo Tom
Buffalo Tom
Buffalo Tom is an alternative rock band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1986. Its principal members are guitarist Bill Janovitz, bassist Chris Colbourn, and drummer Tom Maginnis. The band's name is derived from the band Buffalo Springfield and the first name of the drummer.-Career:Dinosaur Jr...
, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
The Mighty Mighty Bosstones are an American ska punk band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1983. Since the band's inception, lead vocalist Dicky Barrett, bassist Joe Gittleman, tenor saxophonist Tim "Johnny Vegas" Burton and dancer Ben Carr have remained constant members...
, etc.).
Albums
- Rock StarveRock StarveRock Starve is The Bags' debut album. Though preceded by early releases of "Try It" and "Egg" — songs found on the multiple-artist compilation, Crawling from Within — this album features re-recorded versions.-Track listing:...
(Nov. 1987, Restless RecordsRestless RecordsRestless Records was started in El Segundo, California in 1981 by Enigma Records and primarly released alternative, metal and punk records. Restless also licensed and released records from Bar/None Records, Metal Blade Records and Mute Records...
) - Swamp Oaf (June 1989, Stanton Park)
- The BagsThe Bags (album)The Bags, often referred to as The Bags LP due to its untitled cover and spine, is the third album by The Bags. This album was later re-released on Compact Disc in 2008 by the Oaf Records and Heartworm Music labels, with additional tracks from the Stanton '89 single, "I Know"/"Hide and Seek", and a...
- (Mar. 1990, Stanton Park) the original, untitled LP
- (2008, Oaf Records) a CD version, entitled The Bags '89, which also features 1989 Stanton Park single ("I Know"/"Hide and Seek"), and a couple of previously unreleased tracks
- Night of the Corn PeopleNight of the Corn PeopleNight of the Corn People is the fourth album by The Bags. Released on first Compact Disc and then on a color-vinyl Double LP, the latter done by Helter Skelter, both feature a sort of "main disc" which comprises the first twelve tracks and then seven track rock opera, "Waiting for Maloney"...
- (Aug. 1991, Stanton Park) a CD featuring the main album, the "Waiting for Maloney" opus, and the "Dr. Lb."/"Frilly Underwear" single
- (Jan. 1992, Helter Skelter) a colored-vinyl Double-LP release featuring the above, but with five unreleased tracks added instead of the single's
- Sharpen Your SticksSharpen Your SticksSharpen Your Sticks is the fifth album by The Bags. The album's title track, "Cavemen Rejoice", is also featured as a playable track on PlayStation 2 music game, Guitar Hero.-Track listing:...
(Feb. 2005, Oaf Records) - Mount RockmoreMount Rockmore-Track listing:...
(April 2007, Oaf Records)
Singles
- "I Know" / "Hide and Seek" (Mar. 1989, Stanton Park) 7" vinyl 45
- "L. Frank Baum" / "Max Roach" (June 1991, Stanton Park) 7" vinyl 45
- "Dr. Lb." / "Frilly Underwear" (Aug. 1991, Helter Skelter) 7" vinyl 45
- "2 Songs Live" ("Ivan the Terrible" / "Hide and Seek") (June 2004, Oaf Records) a CD single featuring live versions of the two tracks, recorded at Middle East DownstairsThe Middle East (nightclub)The Middle East is a live music venue, bar and restaurant in the Central Square area of Cambridge, Massachusetts. Having featured a huge variety of musicians since 1987, the establishment, with its upstairs and downstairs rooms, "is the nexus of metro Boston's rock-club scene for local and touring...
during a comeback tour in Feb., 2004