D Generation
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1991 in New York City, United States |
| Founder | Jesse Malin, Danny Sage, John Carco, Howie Pyro, Michael Wildwood |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
D Generation, also referred to as DGen, is a glam punk group originating from New York City in 1991. Over the course of their initial run, they produced three albums and multiple EPs that garnered favorable reviews before disbanding in 1999. The band reunited for performances in Europe and the United States in 2011, and again in 2016, when they released their fourth studio album, Nothing Is Anywhere, on July 29, 2016. Their musical style is a fusion of punk rock, glam rock, and garage rock influences.
History
The founding members included vocalist Jesse Malin, formerly of Heart Attack, guitarist Danny Sage (also ex-Heart Attack), bassist John Carco, guitarist Howie Pyro, and drummer Michael Wildwood, who is Sage’s brother. After Carco left (later collaborating with Dee Dee Ramone), Malin and Pyro shifted Pyro to bass duties, named the band, and brought in guitarist Richard Bacchus. Although Sage and Wildwood briefly exited the group, they returned shortly thereafter, solidifying the lineup that would define much of the band's career.
Debut album, No Lunch, and touring
D Generation secured a contract with Chrysalis Records and released their self-titled debut album, D Generation. Despite receiving positive critiques, promotional efforts ceased after a change in label management led to diminished support. The band parted ways with Chrysalis in early 1995 and signed with Columbia Records by April. Their sophomore release, No Lunch (1996), was produced by Ric Ocasek, known as the frontman of The Cars. During this era, they toured alongside prominent acts such as Social Distortion, Ramones, and Kiss. Following Richard Bacchus's departure, Todd Youth—formerly of Murphy's Law and Agnostic Front—joined as guitarist. In early 1998, D Generation embarked on a European tour supporting Green Day.
Through The Darkness and disbandment
Their third album, Through the Darkness, was produced by renowned producer Tony Visconti, famous for his collaborations with David Bowie and T.Rex. Although the album featured a lead single included on the soundtrack for The Faculty, it did not achieve significant commercial success.
Prior to commencing the supporting tour, Todd Youth and Michael Wildwood exited to form the critically praised group Chrome Locust alongside bassist Jim Heneghan, releasing one self-titled album. For touring purposes, drummer Joe Rizzo was recruited, while Richard Bacchus briefly rejoined before being replaced by Jim Wallerstein. D Generation toured across the United States with bands like The Offspring and The Living End, culminating in a final performance at Coney Island High on April 24, 1999. Although this show was recorded, it has yet to be officially released. Following this event, the band dissolved.
Activities following D Generation
After D Generation’s dissolution in 1999, Michael Wildwood formed Chrome Locust with Todd Youth and Jim Heneghan; this group issued a single album. Wildwood later toured with New Jersey’s Monster Magnet and contributed to their Monolithic Baby! album. In 2005, he joined Atomic#76, a band that disbanded two years later.
Both Wildwood and Sage participated in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts by performing alongside Debbie Harry at a benefit concert in 2005.
Danny Sage recorded an unreleased solo album in 2002 and subsequently released two EPs: Danny Sage (2003) and Don't Look Down (2007), maintaining an active presence through live shows.
Jesse Malin, Howie Pyro, and Joe Rizzo formed PCP Highway with guitarist Esko Poldvere; they toured along the US East Coast and recorded demos. However, after Pyro joined Glenn Danzig’s band in 2000, PCP Highway disbanded without releasing their planned album Dreamless.
Richard Bacchus collaborated with Vásquez—a band featuring Eric Kuby and former Hanoi Rocks bassist Sami Yaffa—which independently released an EP titled Two Songs.
Following Bellvue’s breakup in 2002—a band that had issued To Be Somebody (2001) on Goldenseal Records—Jesse Malin embarked on a solo career. His solo discography includes The Fine Art of Self Destruction (2002), produced by Ryan Adams; The Heat (2004); Glitter in the Gutter (2007); and On Your Sleeve (2008), an album consisting entirely of rock covers.
Currently active with The Luckiest Girls, Bacchus records and tours while having released Jet Black and Beautiful, produced by Sami Yaffa, alongside independent works such as The Bicycle Diaries and a split 7-inch on Old Grey Cat Records.
After parting ways with Danzig, Howie Pyro hosted the weekly Intoxica Radio show on LuxuriaMusic Internet Radio. Todd Youth continued his musical career performing with artists including Ace Frehley, occasionally joining Jesse Malin on tour until his passing in 2018.
Reunion and Nothing Is Anywhere
On April 17, 2008, the lineup consisting of Mailn, Pyro, Bacchus, Sage, and Wildwood came together again for a singular event at the John Varvatos store in New York City, the former site of CBGB. This appearance was part of a VH1 Save The Music fundraiser, during which they performed a brief three-song set.
Nearly twelve years after their last concert, in April 2011 the group announced a reunion with scheduled performances in September across New York City, Los Angeles, and Spain. They also achieved a sold-out show in London on September 5, participated in the 2011 Riot Fest Chicago event in October, and appeared at Fun Fun Fun Fest in Austin, Texas that November. Prior to these dates, they played a warmup gig on September 15 at the Wonder Bar located in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Later that year, they supported Guns N' Roses as an opening act for two US tour dates in Auburn Hills, Michigan and Cincinnati, Ohio.
On December 13, 2011, Jesse Malin announced intentions to begin rehearsals for a new album starting January 2012. The band entered recording sessions with producer Ryan Adams, although these recordings have never been officially released.
D Generation issued a 10-inch single titled "Queens of A" on April 18, 2015, coinciding with Record Store Day. This release featured two fresh tracks—their first new material since 1999. Their first full-length album in seventeen years, Nothing Is Anywhere, arrived on July 29, 2016. Produced by guitarist Danny Sage, the band supported the album with performances along the East Coast in Ringwood, New Jersey; Philadelphia; and New York City during late July 2016. Subsequently, they embarked on West Coast dates culminating with an August 30 show at Doug Fir Lounge in Portland, Oregon—marking their most recent live appearance.
In December 2021, reports indicated that Howie Pyro was recuperating following a liver transplant. To assist with Pyro's medical expenses and living costs during his recovery period, Jesse Malin organized a benefit concert in January 2022; further benefit events were held afterward. Pyro passed away in May 2022 due to pneumonia linked to COVID-19, compounded by ongoing liver complications.
On June 14, 2023, Jesse Malin disclosed that he had experienced a rare spinal stroke in May 2023 during a memorial event honoring Pyro’s death. The stroke resulted in paralysis; he is anticipated to be discharged from the hospital by late June. A fundraising campaign has been initiated by his manager alongside fellow musicians to help cover medical expenses.
Members
Current members
- Jesse Malin – lead vocals (1991–1999, 2011–present)
- Richard Bacchus – guitar and backing vocals (1991–1997, 1999, 2011–present)
- Danny Sage – guitar and backing vocals (1992–1999, 2011–present)
- Michael Wildwood – drums (1992–1999, 2011–present)
Former members
- Howie Pyro – bass guitar (1991–1999, 2011–2022; deceased 2022)
- Georgie Seville – guitar (1991–1992)
- Belvy K – drums (1991–1992)
- Todd Youth – guitar (1997–1999; deceased 2018)
- Joe Rizzo – drums (1999)
- Jim Wallerstein – guitar (1999)
Albums
| Album Title | Release Information | Peak Chart Positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Heatseekers | |||
| D Generation |
|
— |
|
| No Lunch |
|
— |
|
| Through the Darkness |
|
— |
|
| Nothing Is Anywhere |
|
18 | |
| A dash ("—") indicates albums that did not chart or were not released in that region. | |||
EP
- Prohibition – (1998)
Singles
- "No Way Out" backed with "Guitar Mafia" – (1993)
- "Wasted Years" backed with "Waiting For The Next Big Parade" – (1993)
- "Degenerated" backed with "No God" – (1994)
- "No Way Out" – (1994; featured on D Generation)
- "She Stands There" – (1996)
- "No Way Out" – (1996; included on No Lunch)
- "Capital Offender" – (1997)
- "Helpless" – (1998; reissued in 1999)
- "Queens Of A" backed with "Piece of The Action" – (2015)
Compilations
- "No Way Out" appeared on the Airheads soundtrack (1994) and later on Loaded: Volume 1 (1995)
- "Scorch" featured in an alternate version on the Flipside: R.A.F.R. Compilation (1995)
- "No God" included in A Small Circle of Friends: A Tribute To The Germs (1996)
- "I Got Nuthin'" contributed to We Will Fall (A Tribute to Iggy Pop) (1997)
- "Dying For A Living" appeared on the Old Skars and Upstarts compilation (1998)
- "Helpless" was part of Columbia's sampler Explore and also featured on The Faculty soundtrack (1998)
- "Hatred" included in the soundtrack for Universal Soldier II: The Return (1999)
- "Prohibition" presented in an alternate take on A Fistful Of Rock N Roll: Volume 4 (2000)
Demo tapes
- D-Generation – (1992) [Cassette-only release with 13 tracks, distributed in limited numbers by the band. Four tracks from this demo were subsequently released as singles in 1993; several were later re-recorded for their debut album].