Tsunami Bomb
Encyclopedia
Tsunami Bomb was a punk rock
band from Petaluma, California
that was active between 1998 and October 2005 and released 2 studio albums and 4 EPs. They were founded by Dominic David who left in 2003. Their lineup upon disbanding consisted of Emily Whitehurst, Jay Northington, Matt Mckenzie, and Gabriel Lindeman.
Davi and McRory left Headboard in February 1998, and played their first show as Tsunami Bomb on June 26, 1998 at the Fatty Mocha in Merced, CA.
Tsunami Bomb's original lineup consisted of 5 people, including a female keyboard player named Oobliette Sparks who also contributed vocals (and remained with the band until 2001). Gabriel Lindeman played drums for the band's first few shows, but he did not join the band full-time until 1999. Kristin McRory left Tsunami Bomb in late 1998, and Davi recruited Emily Whitehurst shortly thereafter (Emily's brother, Logan Whitehurst
was Davi's roommate at the time). To add mystique and give her a more iconic presence, Davi and Whitehurst created the moniker "Agent M". Whitehurst was credited as Agent M almost exclusively until the breakup of the band.
Tsunami Bomb maintained a grueling tour schedule for most of its existence. In 1999 they released two limited edition 7" singles: B-Movie Queens was a split with Emily Whitehurst and Brian Plink's former band Plinky; Mayhem On The High Seas was released on Checkmate Records which was owned by Hunter Burgan
, bassist for AFI
. In 2000 they signed to Tomato Head Records
and released their first CD EP The Invasion from Within!
In 2002 they signed with Kung Fu Records
, and released their first full length album The Ultimate Escape
. Tsunami Bomb would appear on the Warped Tour
several times between 2001 and 2005. They have also toured Europe
and Japan
. Originally being booked by Dan Garcia at Royal Flush Booking, Tsunami Bomb had several tours including main support for the Vandals.
In 2003, after a split with Royal Flush Booking, the band signed with the William Morris Agency, one of the largest and distinguished names in the business. Under the direction of Ron Opeleski, the band launched their most successful tours since their inception including a full US headlining tour which sold out venues such as the Metro in Chicago, two nights at Slim's in San Francisco, and three nights at the Troubadour in L.A. They also played main support for the Bouncing Souls on a world tour.
In 2003, a decision led to Tsunami Bomb's Dominic Davi leaving the group. The remaining band members cited "personality and creative conflicts." He would go on to form the musical group Love Equals Death
on Fat Wreck Chords
. He was replaced by Matt McKenzie. A year later, in 2004, Mike Griffen, their guitarist and songwriter since 2000, left the band and was replaced by Jay Northington. Controversy surrounded the split with Davi mainly due to comments in his personal Myspace page. "I still find the things they are doing completely deplorable... the cruel things they continue to do to me."Myspace 05.02.2004 Dominic went on to allege that Tsunami Bomb had stolen his bass amp in another personal blog. Also in 2003, they covered the popular Rocky Horror Picture Show song "Planet, Schmanet, Janet" for the album The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show
.
The title song from their first CD release, The Invasion from Within!
, was used in Atlus
USA's translation of the Nippon Ichi Software strategy RPG Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
. Atlus
also used the song Russian Roulette from the band's first full length album The Ultimate Escape
in their collaboration with Spumco animation studios, a cartoon skateboarding game called Go! Go! Hypergrind
.
Their last releases as a band included their final album as Tsunami Bomb entitled The Definitive Act
which Sound Scanned over 33,000 copies and a live concert DVD entitled Live at the Glasshouse from the The Show Must Go Off! live music DVD series in 2005. Both were released on Kung Fu Records
.
In late 2005, after years of touring and numerous line-up changes Tsunami Bomb officially broke up, citing problems with the "business end of the music industry".
Emily Whitehurst and Matt McKenzie have gone on to form the musical group The Action Design
, while Jay Northington and Gabriel Lindeman have gone on to form Nothington.
On January 17, 2009, Tsunami Bomb performed a reunion show in their hometown of Petaluma, California
at the Phoenix Theatre
. Tsunami Bomb's MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/tsunamibomb stated:
"Hey everyone! Yes, the rumors are true: we have decided to come together as Tsunami Bomb one more time to help out a very close friend in need. Liz Beidelman was the drummer for Luckie Strike (1996-2002), a Sacramento band that took us under their wing in the early years. We played our very first shows with them, as well as our first tour. Luckie Strike gave us the knowledge and experience we needed to become the band everyone would eventually know as Tsunami Bomb. And most importantly, they let us steal their merch guy, one Mike Griffen, who became Tsunami Bomb's longest running guitar player. In short, there is a very good chance that Tsunami Bomb would never have reached the level it did without Liz and Luckie Strike.
"Liz's doctors discovered two masses in her brain which required immediate medical attention. As you would imagine, the cost of this is phenomenal and Liz and her family could use help. Even though Tsunami Bomb was laid to rest some time ago, we feel extremely fortunate that we are in a position to help, so we will be reuniting for this benefit show with new merch and a raffle for prizes. ALL proceeds will be going to Liz and her family.
"When Tsunami Bomb abruptly broke up, we never discussed the possibility of doing a farewell show and so we are honored to come together one last time and have our final notes go toward something so important. We will be playing on Saturday, January 17th at the Phoenix Theater, 201 Washington St. in Petaluma California. Also playing the show will be the Action Design (M and Matt's new band), Nothington (Gabe and J), and our good friends, the New Trust. You can purchase tickets for $12 starting Monday, November 3rd at noon PST at www.loudandclearprinting.com. Please help us help someone who made Tsunami Bomb possible. Thanks guys – much love, Mike, M, Gabe, and Matty."
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...
band from Petaluma, California
Petaluma, California
Petaluma is a city in Sonoma County, California, in the United States. In the 2010 Census the population was 57,941.Located in Petaluma is the Rancho Petaluma Adobe, a National Historic Landmark. It was built beginning in 1836 by General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, then Commandant of the San...
that was active between 1998 and October 2005 and released 2 studio albums and 4 EPs. They were founded by Dominic David who left in 2003. Their lineup upon disbanding consisted of Emily Whitehurst, Jay Northington, Matt Mckenzie, and Gabriel Lindeman.
History
The band was started by bassist Dominic Davi, who enlisted Kristin McRory as Tsunami Bomb's original female vocalist. Davi met McRory in late 1997, when she joined the band Headboard on female vocals.Davi and McRory left Headboard in February 1998, and played their first show as Tsunami Bomb on June 26, 1998 at the Fatty Mocha in Merced, CA.
Tsunami Bomb's original lineup consisted of 5 people, including a female keyboard player named Oobliette Sparks who also contributed vocals (and remained with the band until 2001). Gabriel Lindeman played drums for the band's first few shows, but he did not join the band full-time until 1999. Kristin McRory left Tsunami Bomb in late 1998, and Davi recruited Emily Whitehurst shortly thereafter (Emily's brother, Logan Whitehurst
Logan Whitehurst
Logan Whitehurst , was an American musician. His career began as the drummer for the band Little Tin Frog from 1995 until 2000, although he is best known as a founding member of Californian indie rock band The Velvet Teen and as a solo artist performing under the name Logan Whitehurst and the...
was Davi's roommate at the time). To add mystique and give her a more iconic presence, Davi and Whitehurst created the moniker "Agent M". Whitehurst was credited as Agent M almost exclusively until the breakup of the band.
Tsunami Bomb maintained a grueling tour schedule for most of its existence. In 1999 they released two limited edition 7" singles: B-Movie Queens was a split with Emily Whitehurst and Brian Plink's former band Plinky; Mayhem On The High Seas was released on Checkmate Records which was owned by Hunter Burgan
Hunter Burgan
Hunter Lawrence Burgan is an American multi-instrumentalist. He is the third and current bass guitarist of AFI.-Biography:Burgan grew up in Grass Valley, California. He is vegan.-Career:...
, bassist for AFI
AFI (band)
AFI is an American alternative rock band from Ukiah, California that formed in 1991. They have consisted of the same lineup since 1998: lead vocalist Davey Havok, drummer and backup vocalist Adam Carson, with bassist Hunter Burgan and guitarist Jade Puget, who both play keyboard and contribute...
. In 2000 they signed to Tomato Head Records
Tomato Head Records
Tomato Head Records was an independent record label started by Chuck Phelps after his split with the ska punk band Skankin' Pickle and Dill Records. The label most notably released the debut EP of Tsunami Bomb, The Invasion from Within! and the Luckie Strike EP, Future is Turning...
and released their first CD EP The Invasion from Within!
The Invasion from Within!
The Invasion from Within! is the first EP released by Tsunami Bomb, and their third release overall.-History:The Invasion from Within! would be the band's only release on Tomato Head Records but is the label's best selling album. After this release, the band signed to the larger independent label,...
In 2002 they signed with Kung Fu Records
Kung Fu Records
Kung Fu Records is an American independent record label founded in 1996 by Joe Escalante and Warren Fitzgerald of the punk rock band The Vandals. Founded in order to release a record by the Riverside, California band Assorted Jelly Beans, the label soon grew to include a roster of notable artists...
, and released their first full length album The Ultimate Escape
The Ultimate Escape
The Ultimate Escape is the first full length album by Tsunami Bomb, released in 2002. "Take the Reins" was the first single from the album. It also has enhanced CD-ROM features including a live video of the band playing their song "No Good Very Bad Day"...
. Tsunami Bomb would appear on the Warped Tour
Warped Tour
The Warped Tour is a touring music and extreme sports festival. The tour is held in venues such as parking lots or fields upon which the stages and other structures are erected. The BMX/skateboarding shoe manufacturer Vans, among others, has sponsored the tour every year since 1995, and it is...
several times between 2001 and 2005. They have also toured Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
and Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
. Originally being booked by Dan Garcia at Royal Flush Booking, Tsunami Bomb had several tours including main support for the Vandals.
In 2003, after a split with Royal Flush Booking, the band signed with the William Morris Agency, one of the largest and distinguished names in the business. Under the direction of Ron Opeleski, the band launched their most successful tours since their inception including a full US headlining tour which sold out venues such as the Metro in Chicago, two nights at Slim's in San Francisco, and three nights at the Troubadour in L.A. They also played main support for the Bouncing Souls on a world tour.
In 2003, a decision led to Tsunami Bomb's Dominic Davi leaving the group. The remaining band members cited "personality and creative conflicts." He would go on to form the musical group Love Equals Death
Love Equals Death
Love Equals Death was a punk rock band from Petaluma, California whose music drew influence from classic rock and horror punk.. The group formed in 2003 and released two EPs, one compilation album, and one studio album, 2006's Nightmerica...
on Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords
Fat Wreck Chords is a San Francisco, California based independent record label, focused on punk rock. It was started by Fat Mike and his ex-wife, Erin, in 1990....
. He was replaced by Matt McKenzie. A year later, in 2004, Mike Griffen, their guitarist and songwriter since 2000, left the band and was replaced by Jay Northington. Controversy surrounded the split with Davi mainly due to comments in his personal Myspace page. "I still find the things they are doing completely deplorable... the cruel things they continue to do to me."Myspace 05.02.2004 Dominic went on to allege that Tsunami Bomb had stolen his bass amp in another personal blog. Also in 2003, they covered the popular Rocky Horror Picture Show song "Planet, Schmanet, Janet" for the album The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show
The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show
The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show is an album featuring the soundtrack of the 1975 cult film The Rocky Horror Picture Show as performed by modern punk rock bands...
.
The title song from their first CD release, The Invasion from Within!
The Invasion from Within!
The Invasion from Within! is the first EP released by Tsunami Bomb, and their third release overall.-History:The Invasion from Within! would be the band's only release on Tomato Head Records but is the label's best selling album. After this release, the band signed to the larger independent label,...
, was used in Atlus
Atlus
is a Japanese computer and video game developer, publisher, and distributor based in Tokyo, Japan, best known for developing the console role-playing game franchise Megami Tensei. The first Megami Tensei was a Nintendo Entertainment System video game published by Namco based on a trilogy of...
USA's translation of the Nippon Ichi Software strategy RPG Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness
is a tactical role-playing video game developed by Nippon Ichi Software and published by Nippon Ichi Software in Japan, Atlus USA, Inc. in North America, and Koei in Europe for the Sony PlayStation 2 video game console...
. Atlus
Atlus
is a Japanese computer and video game developer, publisher, and distributor based in Tokyo, Japan, best known for developing the console role-playing game franchise Megami Tensei. The first Megami Tensei was a Nintendo Entertainment System video game published by Namco based on a trilogy of...
also used the song Russian Roulette from the band's first full length album The Ultimate Escape
The Ultimate Escape
The Ultimate Escape is the first full length album by Tsunami Bomb, released in 2002. "Take the Reins" was the first single from the album. It also has enhanced CD-ROM features including a live video of the band playing their song "No Good Very Bad Day"...
in their collaboration with Spumco animation studios, a cartoon skateboarding game called Go! Go! Hypergrind
Go! Go! Hypergrind
Go! Go! Hypergrind is a skateboarding video game for the Nintendo GameCube that was developed by Poponchi and published by Atlus Co. Animation studio Spümcø of Ren & Stimpy fame contributed character designs and animations to the game.-Plot:...
.
Their last releases as a band included their final album as Tsunami Bomb entitled The Definitive Act
The Definitive Act
The Definitive Act was the second and final album by Tsunami Bomb, released in 2004.-Track listing:# "Dawn on a Funeral Day" – 3:08# "Being Alright" – 3:03# "5150" – 2:44# "Safety Song" – 2:12# "I Bought You" – 3:13...
which Sound Scanned over 33,000 copies and a live concert DVD entitled Live at the Glasshouse from the The Show Must Go Off! live music DVD series in 2005. Both were released on Kung Fu Records
Kung Fu Records
Kung Fu Records is an American independent record label founded in 1996 by Joe Escalante and Warren Fitzgerald of the punk rock band The Vandals. Founded in order to release a record by the Riverside, California band Assorted Jelly Beans, the label soon grew to include a roster of notable artists...
.
In late 2005, after years of touring and numerous line-up changes Tsunami Bomb officially broke up, citing problems with the "business end of the music industry".
Emily Whitehurst and Matt McKenzie have gone on to form the musical group The Action Design
The Action Design
The Action Design is a rock band from California which was formed after the breakup of the former punk band Tsunami Bomb. Emily Whitehurst and Matt McKenzie came together to produce a new band, self-described as "a refreshing mix of the band's punk rock roots infused with hard hitting dance...
, while Jay Northington and Gabriel Lindeman have gone on to form Nothington.
On January 17, 2009, Tsunami Bomb performed a reunion show in their hometown of Petaluma, California
Petaluma, California
Petaluma is a city in Sonoma County, California, in the United States. In the 2010 Census the population was 57,941.Located in Petaluma is the Rancho Petaluma Adobe, a National Historic Landmark. It was built beginning in 1836 by General Mariano Guadalupe Vallejo, then Commandant of the San...
at the Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix Theatre
Phoenix Theatre may refer to:*Phoenix Arts Centre, former name was Phoenix Theatre in Leicester, UK*Phoenix Theatre , a West End theatre*Phoenix Theatre , a professional alternative theatre*Phoenix Theatre , a regional theatre...
. Tsunami Bomb's MySpace page http://www.myspace.com/tsunamibomb stated:
"Hey everyone! Yes, the rumors are true: we have decided to come together as Tsunami Bomb one more time to help out a very close friend in need. Liz Beidelman was the drummer for Luckie Strike (1996-2002), a Sacramento band that took us under their wing in the early years. We played our very first shows with them, as well as our first tour. Luckie Strike gave us the knowledge and experience we needed to become the band everyone would eventually know as Tsunami Bomb. And most importantly, they let us steal their merch guy, one Mike Griffen, who became Tsunami Bomb's longest running guitar player. In short, there is a very good chance that Tsunami Bomb would never have reached the level it did without Liz and Luckie Strike.
"Liz's doctors discovered two masses in her brain which required immediate medical attention. As you would imagine, the cost of this is phenomenal and Liz and her family could use help. Even though Tsunami Bomb was laid to rest some time ago, we feel extremely fortunate that we are in a position to help, so we will be reuniting for this benefit show with new merch and a raffle for prizes. ALL proceeds will be going to Liz and her family.
"When Tsunami Bomb abruptly broke up, we never discussed the possibility of doing a farewell show and so we are honored to come together one last time and have our final notes go toward something so important. We will be playing on Saturday, January 17th at the Phoenix Theater, 201 Washington St. in Petaluma California. Also playing the show will be the Action Design (M and Matt's new band), Nothington (Gabe and J), and our good friends, the New Trust. You can purchase tickets for $12 starting Monday, November 3rd at noon PST at www.loudandclearprinting.com. Please help us help someone who made Tsunami Bomb possible. Thanks guys – much love, Mike, M, Gabe, and Matty."
Members
- Kristin McRory (vocals 1998)
- Dominic Davi (bass 1998-2003)
- Tim Chaddick (guitar 1998)
- Oobliette Sparks (keyboards 1998-2001)
- Rob Read (drums 1998-1999)
- Emily Whitehurst (vocals 1998-2005)
- Justin Brioso (guitar 1998)
- Brian Plink (guitar 1998-2000)
- Gabriel Lindeman (drums 1999-2005)
- Mike Griffen (guitar 2000-2004)
- Matt McKenzie (bass 2003-2005)
- Jay Northington (guitar 2004-2005)
EPs
- B-Movie Queens (1999)
- Mayhem on the High SeasMayhem on the High SeasMayhem on the High Seas is an EP by the punk rock band Tsunami Bomb. Mayhem on the High Seas was the second album released on the Checkmate Records label, founded by AFI bassist Hunter Burgan. The album was the first complete record released by the band, after their split-EP B-Movie Queens with...
(1999) - The Invasion from Within!The Invasion from Within!The Invasion from Within! is the first EP released by Tsunami Bomb, and their third release overall.-History:The Invasion from Within! would be the band's only release on Tomato Head Records but is the label's best selling album. After this release, the band signed to the larger independent label,...
(2001) - Prologue (2004)
Compilations
- You Call This Music?! Volume 1 (2000)
- Warped Tour 2001 Tour CompilationWarped Tour 2001 Tour CompilationThe Warped Tour 2001 Tour Compilation is the sixth installment in the annual compilation series accompanying the Warped Tour. It was the last of the series to be a single disc; subsequent installments would all include two CDs of music.- Track listing :...
(2001) - Punk Rock Is Your FriendPunk Rock is Your FriendPunk Rock is Your Friend is the third compilation album by the Seal Beach, California record label Kung Fu Records, released in 2002. It features artists signed to the label at the time. It also features songs by artists who were not signed to the label though who have contributed songs to some of...
: Kung Fu Records Sampler (2002) - Warped Tour 2002 Tour Compilation (2002)
- Warped Tour 2003 Tour CompilationWarped Tour 2003 Tour CompilationThe Warped Tour 2003 Tour Compilation is the eighth installment in the annual compilation series accompanying the Warped Tour. The album's cover is a photograph of Eric Melvin of NOFX performing on the 2002 tour.-Track listing:...
(2003) - Punk Rock is Your Friend: Kung Fu Records Sampler No. 4Punk Rock is Your Friend: Kung Fu Records Sampler No. 4Punk Rock is Your Friend: Kung Fu Records Sampler #4 is the fourth compilation album by the Seal Beach, California record label Kung Fu Records, released in 2003. It features artists signed to the label at the time, as well as others who were not signed to the label but had participated in some of...
(2003) - The Rocky Horror Punk Rock ShowThe Rocky Horror Punk Rock ShowThe Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show is an album featuring the soundtrack of the 1975 cult film The Rocky Horror Picture Show as performed by modern punk rock bands...
(2003) - Punk Rock is Your Friend: Kung Fu Records Sampler No. 5Punk Rock is Your Friend: Kung Fu Records Sampler No. 5Punk Rock is Your Friend: Kung Fu Records Sampler #5 is the fifth compilation album by the Seal Beach, California record label Kung Fu Records, released in 2004. It features artists signed to the label at the time, as well as others who were not signed to the label but had participated in some of...
(2004) - The Razor - Vol. 10Metal HammerMetal Hammer is a monthly heavy metal music magazine published in the United Kingdom by Future Publishing, and in several other countries by different publishers. Metal Hammer articles feature both mainstream bands and more unusual acts from the whole spectrum of heavy metal music...
(2004) - Warped Tour 2005 Tour Compilation (2005)
- Punk Rock is Your Friend: Kung Fu Records Sampler No. 6Punk Rock is Your Friend: Kung Fu Records Sampler No. 6Punk Rock is Your Friend: Kung Fu Records Sampler No. 6 is the sixth compilation album by the Seal Beach, California record label Kung Fu Records, released in 2005. It features artists signed to the label at the time, as well as others who were not signed to the label but had participated in some...
(2005) - Punk Rock Strike (1997)
External links
- Tsunami Bomb Official Page
- Tsunami Bomb Fan Site
- Tsunami Bomb Purevolume Page
- Ariel Mile - Matt Mckenzie and Jay Northington's current band
- Go Mexico - Jay Northington's current altcountry band
- The Action Design - Emily Whitehurst and Matt Mckenze's current band
- One night with Tsunami Bomb - Santa Rosa Press Democrat
- Interview with the band on final tour