Dead Boys

Dead Boys
Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1975
Founder	Stiv Bators, Jimmy Zero, Jeff Magnum, Cheetah Chrome, Johnny Blitz
Headquarters	Cleveland, United States
Products	Punk rock music, albums

The Dead Boys are a punk rock group originating from Cleveland, Ohio, recognized as pioneers in the early punk movement due to their fierce and rebellious sound. Established in 1975 by vocalist Stiv Bators, rhythm guitarist Jimmy Zero, bassist Jeff Magnum, lead guitarist Cheetah Chrome, and drummer Johnny Blitz—the latter two previously part of Rocket from the Tombs—the band produced two studio albums: Young, Loud and Snotty and We Have Come for Your Children.

Their initial run spanned from 1975 until 1980, with brief reunions occurring during the mid-1980s and again between 2004 and 2005, this time without Bators, who passed away in 1990. In September 2017, Chrome and Blitz revived the band with a fresh lineup to celebrate their 40th anniversary tour, releasing Still Snotty: Young, Loud and Snotty at 40, a re-recorded version of their debut album. This formation featured Chrome, Blitz, vocalist Jake Hout, guitarist Jason "Ginchy" Kottwitz, and bassist Ricky Rat. In November 2024, Hout departed amid disputes regarding the intended use of an AI-generated Bators vocal track on an upcoming album.

Origins and the punk scene of the 1970s

Late in 1974, Chrome and Blitz became members of the Cleveland proto-punk outfit Rocket From The Tombs. In August 1975, Chrome invited Steve Bator (later known as Stiv Bators) to perform vocals on stage, which led to the group's dissolution. Shortly thereafter, Bators, Chrome, and Blitz formed Frankenstein alongside Magnum and Zero; they recorded demos in October but disbanded by January 1976.

By July 1976, inspired by Joey Ramone's encouragement, the group moved to New York City and adopted the name Dead Boys, drawn from a Rocket From The Tombs song title. They rapidly built a reputation for their confrontational live performances, frequently playing at CBGB under the brief management of owner Hilly Kristal. Their debut album released in 1977, Young, Loud and Snotty, was produced by Genya Ravan and included "Sonic Reducer," which has since become a seminal punk anthem.

The band's sophomore effort, We Have Come for Your Children, was recorded in Miami during early 1978 with producer Felix Pappalardi and released later that year. The pressure from Sire Records to adopt a more commercial sound contributed significantly to their breakup in 1979.

Following their return from Miami, drummer Johnny Blitz suffered a stabbing incident in Manhattan; during his recovery period, a benefit concert was held featuring Dead Boys with John Belushi and Jerry Nolan stepping in on drums. Several shows from 1979 were captured in the 1980 movie D.O.A. Not long after disbanding, they reconvened briefly to record a live album to satisfy contractual requirements. Bators intentionally sang off-microphone to undermine the recording; when it was eventually released on Bomp! Records, he had re-recorded his vocals separately in the studio. A planned tour spanning 1979–80 fell apart as members gradually quit one after another until only Bators remained from the original lineup; he then proceeded to record his first solo album with this final Dead Boys ensemble.

Careers of Bators and Chrome after Dead Boys

In 1979, Bators put out singles including a rendition of "It's Cold Outside" alongside his solo album Disconnected under BOMP! Records. He subsequently joined the Wanderers with former members of Sham 69, then formed Lords of the New Church with Brian James from The Damned and Dave Tregunna of Sham 69. This group released multiple albums through IRS Records, featuring hits like "Open Your Eyes" and a cover version of "Like a Virgin".

Following Dead Boys’ dissolution, Cheetah Chrome performed in New York City with The Stilettos as well as leading his own band named Cheetah Chrome and the Casualties. He recorded the single "Still Wanna Die" / "Take Me Home" for ORK Records alongside Atlantic Records co-founder Herb Abramson, also contributing to Ronnie Spector’s debut album Siren. Throughout the 1980s he appeared on various recordings and participated in Dead Boys reunion shows during that decade.

After releasing The Day the Earth Met the Rocket from the Tombs in 2003, Chrome reassembled Rocket from the Tombs featuring David Thomas, Craig Bell, Steve Mehlman (Pere Ubu) on drums, and Richard Lloyd (Television) stepping in for the late Peter Laughner. The band toured in both 2003 and 2006.

During that summer they recorded previously unreleased material for Rocket Redux. In 2005 Rocket from the Tombs headlined Germany’s International Punk Kongress event held in Kassel. By 2006 they had composed new songs back in Cleveland which culminated in releasing the single "I Sell Soul"/"Romeo and Juliet" (2010) followed by their album Barfly (2011).

In early 2010 Chrome established Batusis alongside Syl Sylvain of the New York Dolls, recording at least ten tracks though only four appeared on an EP. Later that year in September he published his memoir titled Cheetah Chrome: A Dead Boy's Tale from the Front Lines of Punk Rock. After completing a Rocket from the Tombs tour in December 2011 he announced he would reduce extensive touring after 2012. Presently he is employed at Plowboy Records located in Nashville, Tennessee, concentrating on production work and artist promotion.

Reunion, Bators' Passing, and 40th Anniversary Tour

During the 1980s, the Dead Boys regrouped for a series of performances and reissued their debut album under the title Younger, Louder and Snottier in 1989. This release was mastered from early rough mixes credited to a young Bob Clearmountain.

In June 1990, Bators tragically passed away in France after being struck by a taxi. The band came together once more for a singular show in Cleveland in September 2004, followed by benefit concerts supporting CBGB and a Halloween reunion event in 2005.

On April 25, 2017, Chrome and Blitz embarked on six Canadian shows commemorating the 40th anniversary of Young, Loud and Snotty, performing the entire album live. Subsequently, they announced a comprehensive reunion tour.

The album Still Snotty: Young, Loud and Snotty at 40 was released on September 8, 2017. This marked the Dead Boys' first studio album in 39 years and featured a re-recording of their original debut. The lineup consisted of Chrome, Blitz, Jason "Ginchy" Kottwitz (Bulemics), Ricky Rat (Trash Brats), and lead vocalist Jake Hout from the tribute band the Undead Boys.

Chrome explained that with the anniversary nearing and having assembled a capable band to preserve the band's essence, he contacted Blitz to initiate what became Still Snotty. Having performed Dead Boys material himself for two decades, Chrome commended Hout's vocal compatibility, expressing confidence that Stiv Bators would have approved.

Additionally, on September 29, 2017, a photobook titled Dead Boys 1977: The Lost Photographs of Dave Treat was published.

In Popular Culture

The biographical drama film CBGB, centered on the legendary New York music venue, premiered in 2013. Actor Justin Bartha—known for roles in The Hangover and National Treasure—portrayed Bators. Rupert Grint, recognized for his work in the Harry Potter franchise, played Cheetah Chrome and also made a cameo appearance.

Band Members

Current Members

Cheetah Chrome (Gene O'Connor) – lead guitar (1976–1979, 1987, 2004–2005, 2017–present), vocals (2004–2005)
Mark Thorn – vocals (2025–present)
Scott Churilla – drums (2019–present)
Monk Burris – rhythm guitar (2019–present)
Sam Hariss – bass (2023–present)

Former Members

Stiv Bators (Steve Bator) – vocals (1976–1979, 1987)
Johnny Blitz (John Madansky) – drums (1976–1979, 1987, 2004–2005, 2017–2019)
Jimmy Zero (William Wilden) – rhythm guitar (1976–1979, 1987, 2004–2005)
Jeff Magnum (Jeff Halmagy) – bass (1976–1979, 1987, 2004–2005)
Jason "Ginchy" Kottwitz – rhythm guitar (2017–2019)
Ricky Rat – bass (2017–2020)
Jake Hout – vocals (2017–2024)

Timeline

Studio Albums

Young, Loud and Snotty (1977, Sire Records)
We Have Come for Your Children (1978, Sire)
Still Snotty: Young, Loud and Snotty at 40 (2017, Plowboy Records)
- A re-recorded version of Young Loud and Snotty

Alternate Mix Albums

Younger, Louder and Snottier (1997, Bomp!)
- Early rough mixes of Young, Loud and Snotty
3rd Generation Nation (1999, Bad Boy Production)
- Premix version of We Have Come for Your Children

Live recordings

Night of the Living Dead Boys (1981, Bomp! Records)
The Return of the Living Dead Boys (1987, Revenge Records) (Import/France)
- Captured live on July 22, 1977, at CBGB
Liver Than You'll Ever Be (1988, Various Labels) (Import/Various)
- Recorded during the December 26, 1987 performance at the Ritz in New York City
Twistin' on the Devil's Fork: Live At CBGB's (1998, Hell Yeah Records / Bacchus Records)
- Live sessions from October 2, 1977, and August 31, 1978, at CBGB
All This and More (1998, Bomp!)
- Compilation of recordings from 1977 at San Francisco and CBGB

7" releases

"Sonic Reducer" (1977, Sire)
"Tell Me" (1978, Sire)
"Search and Destroy" (1979, live, Revenge) (Import/France)
"Buried Gems" (2000, Cold Front Records)

12" releases

"All The Way Down/Nights Are So Long" (1987, Relativity Records 8165) (not issued on CD)

Video releases

Return Of The Living Dead Boys! Halloween Night 1986 (2008, MVD Visual)
Live At CBGB's 1977 (2009, MVD Visual)