Degenerates
Encyclopedia
Degenerates originated in Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan
in 1979, during the formative years of the Detroit hardcore scene. The group predated the Process of Elimination EP, which some reviewers view as the beginning of the Midwest hardcore scene. Members branched out to other bands, including Dualtone Records
recording artist Mike Mangione & the Union, and the Kalamazoo based band Spite
. Degenerates vocalist Scott Boman
became a much noted libertarian politician.
This group was composed of: Scott Boman
(Vocals & noise makers), John Butterfield (Bass & Vocals), Robin Corley (Guitar & vocals), Robert Vansile (Drums), as well as Guest Artists: Dana Wills (Drums) & John Collins (Stand-up Bass).
They did not release their work on CD until their self-titled release in 2006. Songs include: Pseudo Scientist, Armageddon , Let’s Start a War!, and Teenage Rockstar.
In 2004 Collins provided bass and vocals for the self-titled CD by the Pindrops. More recently, he was recorded on the CD “Tenebrae” by Mike Mangione and has been performing as a member of Mangione's group, “Mike Mangione & the Union,” which has recorded a self-titled work in 2010.
According to a bio on the Mike Mangione Page,
The Degenerates lead vocalist, Scott Boman
, went on to attend Western Michigan University
, and sing with the Kalamazoo band Spite
.
Most recently, Boman has been involved in spoken word performances. In 2009 he was featured in Detroit's Annual Erotic Poetry and Music Festival. This "eclectic celebration of the erotic arts" is a charitable event for Paws with a Cause. Paws with a cause pairs shelter dogs with disabled human companions.
Member Robert VanSile is brother of Grosse Pointe notable Norman B. VanSile.
Grosse Pointe Park, Michigan
Grosse Pointe Park is a city in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 11,555 at the 2010 census. Bordering on Detroit with frontage on southern Lake Saint Clair, it is the westernmost of the noted Grosse Pointe suburbs, with the oldest overall housing stock of the five cities...
in 1979, during the formative years of the Detroit hardcore scene. The group predated the Process of Elimination EP, which some reviewers view as the beginning of the Midwest hardcore scene. Members branched out to other bands, including Dualtone Records
Dualtone Records
Dualtone Music Group, Inc. is an independent entertainment companybased in Nashville, TN. The staunchly independent label has beennominated for thirteen GRAMMY awards, garnering three wins...
recording artist Mike Mangione & the Union, and the Kalamazoo based band Spite
Spite (punk band)
The Hardcore punk rock band, Spite, was an essential musical hub in the Michigan hardcore scene. It was made up of members from other notable bands, who branched out to play an essential role in the musical community, both inside and outside the region...
. Degenerates vocalist Scott Boman
Scott Boman
Scott Avery Boman has been one of Michigan’s most visible Libertarian politicians since the late 1990s...
became a much noted libertarian politician.
This group was composed of: Scott Boman
Scott Boman
Scott Avery Boman has been one of Michigan’s most visible Libertarian politicians since the late 1990s...
(Vocals & noise makers), John Butterfield (Bass & Vocals), Robin Corley (Guitar & vocals), Robert Vansile (Drums), as well as Guest Artists: Dana Wills (Drums) & John Collins (Stand-up Bass).
They did not release their work on CD until their self-titled release in 2006. Songs include: Pseudo Scientist, Armageddon , Let’s Start a War!, and Teenage Rockstar.
Later Projects of Members
The Degenerates upright bass player, John Collins also recorded with Spanking Bozo their song “I Don't Understand You” was recorded on the Wanghead With Lips compilation It came from the Garage I (1986), and their song “Tell Me something” was recorded on the compilation Maniacs from the Motor City which was produced on the 44 Caliber Records label in 1989 (later distributed by Headline Records), and featured the band Inside Out. While with Spanking Bozo Collins also recorded their first complete CD, McFly on the 44 Caliber Records label (1993).In 2004 Collins provided bass and vocals for the self-titled CD by the Pindrops. More recently, he was recorded on the CD “Tenebrae” by Mike Mangione and has been performing as a member of Mangione's group, “Mike Mangione & the Union,” which has recorded a self-titled work in 2010.
According to a bio on the Mike Mangione Page,
“When John was younger he wrote a substantial amount, and sang lead, of and on the material he was performing. Now, he gets even greater satisfaction from writing a part that augments and grounds the music of others.”
The Degenerates lead vocalist, Scott Boman
Scott Boman
Scott Avery Boman has been one of Michigan’s most visible Libertarian politicians since the late 1990s...
, went on to attend Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University
Western Michigan University is a public university located in Kalamazoo, Michigan, United States. The university was established in 1903 by Dwight B. Waldo, and as of the Fall 2010 semester, its enrollment is 25,045....
, and sing with the Kalamazoo band Spite
Spite (punk band)
The Hardcore punk rock band, Spite, was an essential musical hub in the Michigan hardcore scene. It was made up of members from other notable bands, who branched out to play an essential role in the musical community, both inside and outside the region...
.
Most recently, Boman has been involved in spoken word performances. In 2009 he was featured in Detroit's Annual Erotic Poetry and Music Festival. This "eclectic celebration of the erotic arts" is a charitable event for Paws with a Cause. Paws with a cause pairs shelter dogs with disabled human companions.
Member Robert VanSile is brother of Grosse Pointe notable Norman B. VanSile.
Discography
- Degenerates (2006)
- Armageddon (2008). A recently released Video of a performance recorded in 1981.
Discography featuring former members
- It came from the Garage I (Spanking Bozo, 1986)
- Maniacs from the Motor City (Spanking Bozo, 1989)
- McFly (Spanking Bozo, 1993)
- Pindrops (Pindrops, 2004)
- The Emotion Not The Point (Spite, 2007)
- Tenebrae (Mike Mangione, 2007)
- Mike Mangione & the Union (Mike Mangione & the Union, 2010)