The Phenomenauts

The Phenomenauts
The Phenomenauts playing in San Francisco in 2005. Photo by Neil Motteram.
Background information
Origin	Oakland, California, United States
Genres	Psychobilly, punk rock, new wave, surf rock
Years active	2000–present
Labels	Arlington Lab, Springman
Associated acts	Epoxies, Devo, Peelander-Z
Website	phenomenauts.com
Members	Commander Angel Nova Leftenant AR-7 Major Jimmy Boom Lunar Captain Ripley Clipse Sanitation Administrator Atom Bomb
Past members	Corporal JoeBot Corporal JoeBot 2.0 Fritz M. Static Captain Chreehos Deck Chief Nick Wayzar Professor Greg Arius Chaos Agent Ion O'Clast

The Phenomenauts is a band from Oakland, California that combines elements of rock and roll, punk, glam, garage rock and new wave along with a futuristic science fiction theme, dubbing their style "Rocket Roll".

The Phenomenauts were formed in 2000 in Oakland, California (which the band, as part of their fictional band biography, refers to as "Earth's capital"), from the band Space Patrol, a 1980s cover band which played on homemade instruments. Two years later, they released their first CD, Rockets And Robots on their own Arlington Lab Records. That year critical success came in the form of being chosen as California's Best Live Band by the East Bay Express and by being called the Best Lifestyle Music artist by the SF Weekly.

The band signed with Springman Records in 2002, and gained notoriety in 2003 for unofficially sneaking onto Warped Tour, from which they were officially invited to play again in 2004 and 2005. The band declined the 2005 offer, opting to instead tour with The Aquabats and the Epoxies.

For The Phenomenauts, "Science And Honor" isn't just a catchy slogan, but a way of life. "We like having a good time," said Commander Angel Nova, "But it is especially great when we can trick someone into learning something."

Conceived in the amazing year 2000, The Phenomenauts got early recognition as the East Bay's "Craftiest and bravest band" (East Bay Express) for their now infamous commando-style performances in which they would set up in front of large music venues such as the legendary Fillmore and perform rollicking sets powered by car batteries for unsuspecting crowds. These early "missions" landed them on the cover of multiple bay area publications, including The San Francisco Weekly, The East Bay Express and Independent Musician Magazine.