D Generation
Encyclopedia
D Generation are an American
glam punk
band formed in 1991 in New York City. The band broke up in 1999, but will reunite in 2011 for shows. During its history the band released three albums, to much critical acclaim. The group's sound blurred the lines between punk rock
, glam rock
and garage rock
.
(who had previously played with New York band Heart Attack
during the late 1980s), guitarists Danny Sage
(also an ex-Heart Attack member) and Richard Bacchus, John Carco on bass, Howie Pyro
on guitar, and drummer Michael Wildwood. The band had not yet been named, although much of the material would later be performed and recorded by D Generation. The line up did not last. After bassist John Carco quit (later to join forces with Dee Dee Ramone
), Malin and Pyro (who had switched to bass) continued to play, naming the band, and Sage and Wildwood left briefly to finish up their previous projects and were replaced for a brief time by Georgie Seville and Belvy K respectively. Sage and Wildwood soon returned, and this is the line-up D Generation is best known for.
, with whom they released their debut album D Generation
. Despite a generally favourable critical reaction, the album failed to garner high sales. The band, however, did earn a spot on the Airheads
soundtrack in 1994 (with a cover of "Degenerated" by Reagan Youth
), but the movie's director felt Jesse Malin's voice did not fit the face of Brendan Fraser
, so Brendan was asked to overdub his vocals.
, releasing their second album, No Lunch
on the label in 1996. The Cars
frontman Ric Ocasek
produced the record. Around this time D Generation played shows supporting such bands as Social Distortion
, Ramones
, and KISS
. Shortly after, Bacchus left the band, and was replaced by ex-Murphy's Law
and Agnostic Front
member Todd Youth
. The band toured Europe with Green Day
in early 1998.
, this time with David Bowie
and T.Rex producer Tony Visconti
. However, once again the album failed to reach the sales that were hoped for, despite scoring the lead-off single on the soundtrack of the film The Faculty
just a few months prior.
Just prior to the tour in support of that album, Youth and Wildwood left to form the short-lived but critically acclaimed Chrome Locust
with bassist Jim Heneghan (formerly of Richard Bacchus's Vásquez), and released one self-titled album. For the tour, the band recruited drummer Joe Rizzo and Richard Bacchus briefly returned on guitar, and was then replaced during the band's last few dates by Jim Wallerstein. The band toured the US with The Offspring
and The Living End
, before playing their final show in their hometown at Coney Island High on April 24, 1999. This show was recorded by Greg Di Gesu from the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio
, and has since remained unreleased. After this, D Generation broke up.
with guitarist Todd Youth
and bassist Jim Heneghan, releasing only one self-titled record. Wildwood then toured with New Jersey's Monster Magnet
and played on their album Monolithic Baby!
. In 2005, Wildwood joined Atomic#76. The group disbanded in 2007.
Both Wildwood and Sage lent their hands to help Hurricane Katrina victims, backing up Deborah Harry
at a benefit in 2005.
Danny Sage recorded a solo album self-titled Danny Sage and Don't Look Down, and has performed live.
Jesse, Howie and Joe Rizzo formed the band PCP Highway with guitarist Esko Poldvere. The band recorded a number of demo tracks and toured the east coast of the United States. During the beginning of 2000, Howie Pyro was invited to join Glenn Danzig
's band (which then included former D Generation member Todd Youth
on guitar). Pyro accepted and PCP Highway disbanded; a planned album, titled Dreamless, was never released.
Meanwhile, Bacchus was performing with his new project, Vasquez, which included Eric Kuby on drums and former Hanoi Rocks
bassist Sami Yaffa
. This group released an independent EP
, entitled Two Songs.
Malin began playing a series of solo shows and released a self-produced EP titled 169 in 2000. However, by the end of that year, Malin had re-teamed up with Esko and Joe Rizzo, along with bassist Johnny Pisano, to form a new band which was initially called Tsing-Tsing (a handful of shows were played under that name) and then re-christened Bellvue. Together they released one album, To Be Somebody in April 2001 on Goldenseal Records. This album was re-released in October 2001 with a slightly different tracklist. The following year, Bellvue disbanded, and Jesse revived his solo career, releasing the Ryan Adams
-produced The Fine Art of Self Destruction in late 2002, followed by The Heat
in 2004. He released his third album, Glitter in the Gutter
, on March 20, 2007. The fourth album, "On Your Sleeve", was released on April 2008. It consists entirely of famous rock covers, such as "Wonderful World" by Sam Cooke
and "Walk on the Wild Side" by Lou Reed
.
Currently, Bacchus is recording and touring with his band The Luckiest Girls. He released an album produced by Hanoi Rocks / New York Dolls bassist Sami Yaffa titled Jet Black and Beautiful on Stay Gold Records and an independent CD titled The Bicycle Diaries.
Howie Pyro and Todd Youth have also both left Danzig.
, Los Angeles
and Spain
. The band will also perform at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, TX in November 2011 and the 2011 Riot Fest Chicago in October 2011. As a warmup for their New York City shows, the band will perform on September 15th at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, NJ.
Former members
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
glam punk
Glam punk
Glam Punk is a music genre that mixes elements of glam rock with protopunk or punk rock ....
band formed in 1991 in New York City. The band broke up in 1999, but will reunite in 2011 for shows. During its history the band released three albums, to much critical acclaim. The group's sound blurred the lines between punk rock
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
, glam rock
Glam rock
Glam rock is a style of rock and pop music that developed in the UK in the early 1970s, which was performed by singers and musicians who wore outrageous clothes, makeup and hairstyles, particularly platform-soled boots and glitter...
and garage rock
Garage rock
Garage rock is a raw form of rock and roll that was first popular in the United States and Canada from about 1963 to 1967. During the 1960s, it was not recognized as a separate music genre and had no specific name...
.
History
The original line-up for D Generation consisted of vocalist Jesse MalinJesse Malin
Jesse Malin is a rock musician. He has played with Heart Attack and D Generation. He is currently a solo recording artist.-Biography:...
(who had previously played with New York band Heart Attack
Heart Attack (band)
Heart Attack was an early New York hardcore band, formed in 1980 and active until 1984.-History:Formed in the suburban area of Whitestone, Queens, they were probably the youngest punk band in the NYC area at the time, according to some flyers and fanzines, as the first line up was formed by people...
during the late 1980s), guitarists Danny Sage
Danny Sage
Danny Sage is an American singer, songwriter and guitarist. He is most recognised for having played lead guitar in 1990s American glam punk band D Generation....
(also an ex-Heart Attack member) and Richard Bacchus, John Carco on bass, Howie Pyro
Howie Pyro
Howie Pyro on 28 June 1960 is a Queens, New York City based rock musician and bass player. He is a founding member of D Generation.-With D Generation:*No Way Out - Single - **Re-released in 1994 and 1996....
on guitar, and drummer Michael Wildwood. The band had not yet been named, although much of the material would later be performed and recorded by D Generation. The line up did not last. After bassist John Carco quit (later to join forces with Dee Dee Ramone
Dee Dee Ramone
Dee Dee Ramone was an American songwriter and musician, best known as founding member, bassist and main songwriter of the punk rock band the Ramones....
), Malin and Pyro (who had switched to bass) continued to play, naming the band, and Sage and Wildwood left briefly to finish up their previous projects and were replaced for a brief time by Georgie Seville and Belvy K respectively. Sage and Wildwood soon returned, and this is the line-up D Generation is best known for.
Debut release
The band first signed with Chrysalis RecordsChrysalis Records
Chrysalis Records was a British record label that was created in 1969. The name was both a reference to the pupal stage of a butterfly and a combination of its founders names, Chris Wright and Terry Ellis...
, with whom they released their debut album D Generation
D Generation (album)
D Generation is the self-titled debut album, released by New York City glam punk band D Generation. The tracks "No Way Out" and "Wasted Years" were taken from the record as singles.-Track listing:...
. Despite a generally favourable critical reaction, the album failed to garner high sales. The band, however, did earn a spot on the Airheads
Airheads
Airheads is a 1994 American comedy film written by Rich Wilkes and directed by Michael Lehmann. It stars Brendan Fraser, Steve Buscemi and Adam Sandler as a band of loser musicians called "The Lone Rangers" who take a radio station hostage, just so that their song would get played on the radio...
soundtrack in 1994 (with a cover of "Degenerated" by Reagan Youth
Reagan Youth
Reagan Youth is an American punk rock band formed by singer Dave Rubinstein and guitarist Paul Bakija in Queens, New York in early 1980. They are known for introducing the style of hardcore punk to the East Coast punk scene, but were also a part of the peace punk movement...
), but the movie's director felt Jesse Malin's voice did not fit the face of Brendan Fraser
Brendan Fraser
Brendan James Fraser is a Canadian-American film and stage actor. Fraser portrayed Rick O'Connell in the three-part Mummy film series , and is known for his comedic and fantasy film leading roles in major Hollywood films, including Encino Man , George of the Jungle , Dudley Do-Right , Monkeybone ,...
, so Brendan was asked to overdub his vocals.
No Lunch and touring
Feeling that Chrysalis was not supporting them and their debut release properly, the band abandoned their contract and moved to Columbia RecordsColumbia Records
Columbia Records is an American record label, owned by Japan's Sony Music Entertainment, operating under the Columbia Music Group with Aware Records. It was founded in 1888, evolving from an earlier enterprise, the American Graphophone Company — successor to the Volta Graphophone Company...
, releasing their second album, No Lunch
No Lunch
No Lunch is the second album released by New York City glam punk band D Generation. It was their first with Columbia Records after leaving their previous record company. The album was produced by The Cars frontman Ric Ocasek....
on the label in 1996. The Cars
The Cars
The Cars are an American rock band that emerged from the early New Wave music scene in the late 1970s. The band consisted of lead singer and rhythm guitarist Ric Ocasek, lead singer and bassist Benjamin Orr, guitarist Elliot Easton, keyboardist Greg Hawkes and drummer David Robinson...
frontman Ric Ocasek
Ric Ocasek
Ric Ocasek is an American musician and music producer. He is best known as lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist for the rock band, The Cars....
produced the record. Around this time D Generation played shows supporting such bands as Social Distortion
Social Distortion
Social Distortion is an American punk rock band formed in 1978 in Fullerton, California. The band currently consists of Mike Ness , Jonny Wickersham , Brent Harding and David Hidalgo, Jr...
, 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...
, and 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,...
. Shortly after, Bacchus left the band, and was replaced by ex-Murphy's Law
Murphy's Law (band)
Murphy's Law is an American hardcore band from New York City, New York, formed in 1982. While vocalist Jimmy Gestapo remains the only founding member of the band, the line-up has consisted of former members of bands such as Skinnerbox, Danzig, The Bouncing Souls, Mucky Pup, Dog Eat Dog, Hanoi...
and Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front is an American hardcore band. The band began playing hardcore similar to their contemporaries, and were thrust to the forefront of the burgeoning New York hardcore scene in the mid-1980s with their widely regarded 1984 classic Victim in Pain before evolving to incorporate thrash...
member Todd Youth
Todd Youth
-Biography:Youth grew up in New York and started playing as young as 12 years old in several New York City hardcore bands. He made his playing debut with Agnostic Front in 1983 but did not play on any recordings. Youth also appeared for New York City act Warzone until around 1986...
. The band toured Europe with Green Day
Green Day
Green Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
in early 1998.
Through The Darkness and band split
D Generation then recorded their third album, Through the DarknessThrough the Darkness
Through The Darkness is the third and final album released by New York City glam punk band D Generation. It was their second released via Columbia Records. This was also the only D Generation album without founding member and guitarist Richard Bacchus, who was replaced by Todd Youth. The album was...
, this time with David Bowie
David Bowie
David Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
and T.Rex producer Tony Visconti
Tony Visconti
Anthony Edward Visconti is an American record producer and sometimes a musician or singer.Since the late 1960s, he has worked with an array of performers; his lengthiest involvement with any artist is with David Bowie: intermittently from Bowie's 1969 album Space Oddity to 2003's Reality, Visconti...
. However, once again the album failed to reach the sales that were hoped for, despite scoring the lead-off single on the soundtrack of the film The Faculty
The Faculty
The Faculty is a 1998 science fiction horror film written by Kevin Williamson and directed by Robert Rodriguez...
just a few months prior.
Just prior to the tour in support of that album, Youth and Wildwood left to form the short-lived but critically acclaimed Chrome Locust
Chrome Locust
Chrome Locust were an American stoner rock band formed in New York city that was active between 1998 and 1999."In the Summer of 1998, while New York punk kings D Generation went on hiatus, drummer Michael Wildwood and guitarist Todd Youth began work on a side project that evolved out of a jam...
with bassist Jim Heneghan (formerly of Richard Bacchus's Vásquez), and released one self-titled album. For the tour, the band recruited drummer Joe Rizzo and Richard Bacchus briefly returned on guitar, and was then replaced during the band's last few dates by Jim Wallerstein. The band toured the US with The Offspring
The Offspring
The Offspring is an American punk rock band from Huntington Beach, California, formed in 1984. Known as Manic Subsidal until 1986, the band consists of lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Dexter Holland, lead guitarist Kevin "Noodles" Wasserman, bassist Greg K. and drummer Pete Parada...
and The Living End
The Living End
The Living End are an Australian rock band from Melbourne, Victoria, formed in 1994. The current lineup consists of Chris Cheney , Scott Owen and Andy Strachan...
, before playing their final show in their hometown at Coney Island High on April 24, 1999. This show was recorded by Greg Di Gesu from the Rolling Stones Mobile Studio
Rolling Stones Mobile Studio
The Rolling Stones Mobile Studio is a mobile recording studio owned by the musical group the Rolling Stones. Numerous bands and artists have recorded music using it, including Led Zeppelin, Deep Purple, Lou Reed, Bob Marley, Horslips, Fleetwood Mac, Bad Company, Status Quo, Iron Maiden, Mola Mola...
, and has since remained unreleased. After this, D Generation broke up.
Post-D Generation
After the demise of D Generation in 1999, Michael Wildwood formed the critically acclaimed Chrome LocustChrome Locust
Chrome Locust were an American stoner rock band formed in New York city that was active between 1998 and 1999."In the Summer of 1998, while New York punk kings D Generation went on hiatus, drummer Michael Wildwood and guitarist Todd Youth began work on a side project that evolved out of a jam...
with guitarist Todd Youth
Todd Youth
-Biography:Youth grew up in New York and started playing as young as 12 years old in several New York City hardcore bands. He made his playing debut with Agnostic Front in 1983 but did not play on any recordings. Youth also appeared for New York City act Warzone until around 1986...
and bassist Jim Heneghan, releasing only one self-titled record. Wildwood then toured with New Jersey's Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet
Monster Magnet is an American stoner rock band. Hailing from Red Bank, New Jersey, the group was founded by Dave Wyndorf , John McBain and Tim Cronin...
and played on their album Monolithic Baby!
Monolithic Baby!
Monolithic Baby! is the sixth studio album by Monster Magnet, released in 2004. It is a follow up to 2000's God Says No. It would also be the first album featuring bassist Jim Baglino...
. In 2005, Wildwood joined Atomic#76. The group disbanded in 2007.
Both Wildwood and Sage lent their hands to help Hurricane Katrina victims, backing up Deborah Harry
Debbie Harry
Deborah Ann "Debbie" Harry is an American singer-songwriter and actress, best known for being the lead singer of the punk rock and new wave band Blondie. She has also had success as a solo artist, and in the mid-1990s she performed and recorded as part of The Jazz Passengers...
at a benefit in 2005.
Danny Sage recorded a solo album self-titled Danny Sage and Don't Look Down, and has performed live.
Jesse, Howie and Joe Rizzo formed the band PCP Highway with guitarist Esko Poldvere. The band recorded a number of demo tracks and toured the east coast of the United States. During the beginning of 2000, Howie Pyro was invited to join Glenn Danzig
Glenn Danzig
Glenn Danzig Glenn Danzig Glenn Danzig (born Glenn Allen Anzalone; June 23, 1955 is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, entrepreneur, and a progenitor of the horror punk subgenre of music. He is a founder of bands the Misfits, Samhain, and Danzig...
's band (which then included former D Generation member Todd Youth
Todd Youth
-Biography:Youth grew up in New York and started playing as young as 12 years old in several New York City hardcore bands. He made his playing debut with Agnostic Front in 1983 but did not play on any recordings. Youth also appeared for New York City act Warzone until around 1986...
on guitar). Pyro accepted and PCP Highway disbanded; a planned album, titled Dreamless, was never released.
Meanwhile, Bacchus was performing with his new project, Vasquez, which included Eric Kuby on drums and former Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks
Hanoi Rocks was a Finnish rock band formed in 1979, whose most successful period came in the early 1980s. The band broke up in 1985 after the death of their drummer, Nicholas "Razzle" Dingley...
bassist Sami Yaffa
Sami Yaffa
Sami Yaffa is a bass guitarist best known for his time in Hanoi Rocks during the 1980s. He is currently the bassist for the New York Dolls and the Michael Monroe band. He also plays guitar in his own band "Mad Juana".-Biography:Yaffa first began playing music when only fourteen years old in 1977...
. This group released an independent EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
, entitled Two Songs.
Malin began playing a series of solo shows and released a self-produced EP titled 169 in 2000. However, by the end of that year, Malin had re-teamed up with Esko and Joe Rizzo, along with bassist Johnny Pisano, to form a new band which was initially called Tsing-Tsing (a handful of shows were played under that name) and then re-christened Bellvue. Together they released one album, To Be Somebody in April 2001 on Goldenseal Records. This album was re-released in October 2001 with a slightly different tracklist. The following year, Bellvue disbanded, and Jesse revived his solo career, releasing the Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams
David Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
-produced The Fine Art of Self Destruction in late 2002, followed by The Heat
The Heat (Jesse Malin album)
The Heat is Jesse Malin's second album, self-produced by Malin and released on June 29, 2004 in the United States.-Track listing:#"Mona Lisa"#"Swinging Man"#"Silver Manhattan"#"Arrested"#"Since You're In Love"#"Going Out West"#"Scars Of Love"...
in 2004. He released his third album, Glitter in the Gutter
Glitter in the Gutter
Glitter in the Gutter is singer-songwriter Jesse Malin's third studio album, released on Adeline Records on March 20, 2007. Glitter in the Gutter includes Malin's cover of The Replacements' "Bastards of Young," and the album features guest appearances from Bruce Springsteen , Jakob Dylan , Josh...
, on March 20, 2007. The fourth album, "On Your Sleeve", was released on April 2008. It consists entirely of famous rock covers, such as "Wonderful World" by Sam Cooke
Sam Cooke
Samuel Cook, , better known under the stage name Sam Cooke, was an American gospel, R&B, soul, and pop singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur. He is considered to be one of the pioneers and founders of soul music. He is commonly known as the King of Soul for his distinctive vocal abilities and...
and "Walk on the Wild Side" by Lou Reed
Lou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
.
Currently, Bacchus is recording and touring with his band The Luckiest Girls. He released an album produced by Hanoi Rocks / New York Dolls bassist Sami Yaffa titled Jet Black and Beautiful on Stay Gold Records and an independent CD titled The Bicycle Diaries.
Howie Pyro and Todd Youth have also both left Danzig.
Reunion
In April 2011, almost 12 years after their final show, the band announced that they would re-form to play shows in September of that year in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. The band will also perform at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, TX in November 2011 and the 2011 Riot Fest Chicago in October 2011. As a warmup for their New York City shows, the band will perform on September 15th at the Wonder Bar in Asbury Park, NJ.
Albums
- D GenerationD Generation (album)D Generation is the self-titled debut album, released by New York City glam punk band D Generation. The tracks "No Way Out" and "Wasted Years" were taken from the record as singles.-Track listing:...
- (1994) - No LunchNo LunchNo Lunch is the second album released by New York City glam punk band D Generation. It was their first with Columbia Records after leaving their previous record company. The album was produced by The Cars frontman Ric Ocasek....
- (1996) - Through The DarknessThrough the DarknessThrough The Darkness is the third and final album released by New York City glam punk band D Generation. It was their second released via Columbia Records. This was also the only D Generation album without founding member and guitarist Richard Bacchus, who was replaced by Todd Youth. The album was...
- (1999)
Singles
- No Way Out - (1993)
- Re-released in 1994 and 1996.
- Wasted Years - (1993)
- No God / Degenerated - (1994)
- She Stands There - (1996)
- Capital Offender - (1997)
- Helpless - (1998)
- Re-released in 1999.
Members
Current members- Jesse MalinJesse MalinJesse Malin is a rock musician. He has played with Heart Attack and D Generation. He is currently a solo recording artist.-Biography:...
— vocals (1991–1999, 2011) - Howie PyroHowie PyroHowie Pyro on 28 June 1960 is a Queens, New York City based rock musician and bass player. He is a founding member of D Generation.-With D Generation:*No Way Out - Single - **Re-released in 1994 and 1996....
— bass (1991–1999, 2011) - Richard Bacchus — guitar, vocals (1991–1997, 1999, 2011)
- Danny Sage — guitar, vocals (1992–1999, 2011)
- Michael Wildwood — drums (1992–1999, 2011)
Former members
- Georgie Seville — guitar (1991–1992)
- Belvy K — drums (1991–1992)
- Todd YouthTodd Youth-Biography:Youth grew up in New York and started playing as young as 12 years old in several New York City hardcore bands. He made his playing debut with Agnostic Front in 1983 but did not play on any recordings. Youth also appeared for New York City act Warzone until around 1986...
— guitar (1997–1999) - Joe Rizzo — drums (1999)
- Jim Wallerstein — guitar (1999)