Dramarama (band)
| Dramarama | |
|---|---|
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| Background information | |
| Origin | Wayne, New Jersey, United States |
| Genres | Alternative rock, power pop, indie rock |
| Years active | 1982–1994, 2003–present |
| Labels | Binky 101, Questionmark, New Rose, Chameleon (label), Eggbert, Harvey Star, 33rd Street |
| Associated acts | The Bent-Backed Tulips, John Easdale Band, The Newcomers |
| Website | Official Facebook Page |
| Members |
John Easdale Peter Wood Mark Englert Mike Davis Tony Snow |
| Past members |
Chris Carter Jesse Farbman Clem Burke Ted Ellenis Tom Mullaney Ronny Machuga Ken Moutenout Craig Ballam Morley Bartnoff Ray Barwick |
Dramarama is a Los Angeles, California-based alternative rock/power pop band. The band was formed in New Jersey in 1982 and disbanded in 1994. The band formally reunited in 2003 following an appearance on VH1's Bands Reunited reality show.
Since 1996, an evolving lineup of the band, always fronted by singer/songwriter John Easdale, has been performing in one incarnation or another (initially billed as Easdale solo but usually joined by former Dramarama band mates), and from then until 2003 played occasional shows in the L.A. area, as well as in New Jersey. However, amid renewed interest since the Bands Reunited episode in January 2004 and a large-scale appearance at KROQ-FM's annual Inland Invasion festival concert (attended by more than 78,000 fans) in September 2003, Dramarama then toured nationally and released a new, full-length studio CD titled Everybody Dies on October 25, 2005. The band has recorded new material that remains unreleased as of 2016.
The evolution and combined efforts prompted the emergence of the DPW (a local parody named in honor of their home town Department of Public Works) and re-incarnation, "The F&cks". In 1982, the band released its first single, "You Drive Me", attracting some national attention. In 1984, Dramarama released their first EP, Comedy, a self-funded five-track debut that garnered both critical and cult praise in the unexpected location of France. As such, Dramarama issued its first full-length release, 1985's Cinéma Vérité on France's New Rose Records. It was later re-released in the U.S. after receiving airplay on KROQ-FM radio from influential Los Angeles disc jockey Rodney Bingenheimer (who at first actually thought the band was French). Bingenheimer alerted Posh Boy Records at New Rose who gave Robbie Fields the green light to contact the band directly in New Jersey.
Subsequently, the track "Anything, Anything (I'll Give You)", perhaps Dramarama's most recognizable song, became a number-one hit on KROQ-FM, becoming a staple of alternative radio airplay, and even today is one of the most requested songs in KROQ-FM's history. Following the local L.A. success of "Anything, Anything", the band obtained a larger advance from Chameleon and permanently packed-up and relocated from New Jersey to Los Angeles. The song has been featured in the box office success A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master and was covered for the East Timor Benefit Album.
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