Dramarama
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles, California , United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | John Easdale (lead vocalist and songwriter) |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Dramarama is a U.S.-based band known for its alternative rock and power pop sound, originally hailing from New Jersey before relocating to Los Angeles. Established in 1982, the group dissolved in 1994 but came back together in 2003 after their feature on VH1's Bands Reunited.
Since 1996, lead vocalist and songwriter John Easdale has steered various versions of the group, initially presenting it as a solo endeavor but frequently collaborating with former bandmates. The renewed attention following their VH1 appearance and a headline spot at KROQ-FM's Inland Invasion festival in 2003 led Dramarama to embark on a national tour and release the album Everybody Dies in October 2005. They followed this with the release of Color TV fifteen years later.[1]
1981–1994
Dramarama originated in 1982 in Wayne, New Jersey, forming in the basement of a record store owned by founding member Chris Carter. The original lineup featured singer/songwriter John Easdale, guitarist "Mr. E Boy" (Mark Englert), Carter himself, guitarist Peter Wood, and drummer Ron Machuga.
The band developed within North New Jersey’s alternative music scene alongside groups such as The Smithereens, playing venues including The Stone Pony. Their debut single, "You Drive Me," attracted national recognition in 1982.
In 1984, keyboardist Ted Ellenis and drummer Ken Moutenot joined the lineup, replacing Machuga. That same year, Dramarama independently financed their first EP, Comedy, which received critical praise and gained cult popularity in France. Moutenot was subsequently replaced by Jesse Farbman. Their inaugural full-length album, 1985’s Cinéma Vérité, was issued by France’s New Rose Records and later re-released in the U.S. after receiving airplay on Los Angeles’ influential KROQ-FM through DJ Rodney Bingenheimer.
The track "Anything, Anything (I'll Give You)" became one of KROQ’s top-requested songs during the mid-1980s, prompting the band’s move to Los Angeles and securing a more substantial advance from Chameleon. This song was also featured in the film A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master and covered for the East Timor Benefit Album.
As a tribute to Bingenheimer and producer Robbie Fields of Posh Boy Records/New Rose, Dramarama recorded a version of the New York Dolls’ "Private World" for the compilation The Best of Rodney on The Roq.
During sessions for Stuck in Wonderamaland, enough material was produced to fill three albums. Easdale and Carter released one such project titled Looking Through..., a 14-track album under the alias The Bent Backed Tulips aimed at European audiences; this was later expanded to 20 tracks for its U.S. release through eggBERT Records.
After signing with Elektra Records via Chameleon’s distribution, Dramarama launched their first major-label album, Vinyl, in 1991. This album received widespread radio play with singles like "Haven't Got a Clue"—also included with the Sega CD system—and "What Are We Gonna Do?". Produced by Don Smith, Vinyl featured guest appearances by Mick Taylor, Jim Keltner, Benmont Tench, and Brian Macleod.
Following this release, they put out a limited-edition fan club CD called The Days of Wayne and Roses (The Trash Tapes), which compiled early demos, unreleased songs, live recordings, and exclusive material.
Their last album on Elektra was 1993’s critically acclaimed Hi-Fi Sci-Fi, which included drummer Clem Burke, who joined during the Vinyl tour cycle, as well as backing vocals from Dwight Twilley and Sylvain Sylvain. After touring to support this record, Dramarama officially disbanded.[2]
1995–2005
Following a period of inactivity after the 1994 disbandment, John Easdale returned to performing live in 1996, forming ensembles occasionally billed as The John Easdale Group or The Newcomers. This roster featured Dramarama members Mark Englert and Peter Wood for shows on the East Coast, alongside collaborators such as Nick Celeste, Aimee Mann, Jules Shear, and Danny Roselle. Around 1996, consistent contributors Mike Davis, Tony Snow, and Craig Ballam joined the lineup.
In 1998, Easdale issued his solo album Bright Side through the eggBERT label, showcasing musicians connected to both Dramarama and the Newcomers, including Mark Englert and Clem Burke. A preliminary version intended exclusively for fans was released in 1996 and served as a foundational draft for the final record.
Prompted by renewed attention from VH1's Bands Reunited, a KROQ Inland Invasion appearance, and a Rolling Stone article spotlighting their politically charged rendition of "California über alles," Easdale reinstated the Dramarama name in late 2003. They delivered the EP Absolutely, 100% Made in N.J., recorded during a tour across New Jersey, featuring tracks that previewed their forthcoming album Everybody Dies. This full-length was launched on October 25, 2005, via California-based 33rd Street Records.
Dramarama also performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, presented as a birthday surprise by DJ Ted Stryker.
2006–present
The current Dramarama lineup consists of original members John Easdale and Peter Wood—the latter being the sole member residing in New Jersey—along with lead guitarist Mark Englert. The band is rounded out by Los Angeles-based musicians Tony Snow on drums and Mike Davis on bass. Snow fronts Tonio & The Change, while Davis plays bass for Rob Halford's solo project Halford and the metal supergroup Death Dealer.
Their track "Anything Anything" served as the theme song for New York City's radio program Anything Anything with Rich Russo on WRXP-FM. After the station's format shift, the show continued broadcasting on WXPK-FM and WDHA-FM, retaining the same theme music.
Since 2005, Dramarama has maintained an active touring schedule with notable appearances including Troy High School's Battle of the Bands (2009–2011), performances at House of Blues venues in Texas and California, shows at Six Flags Magic Mountain, and various concerts throughout New Jersey. A live rendition of "Last Cigarette" was recorded for the limited-edition vinyl release Anything Anything with Rich Russo on 101.9 RXP Presents Exclusive Live Performances (2010), which featured revised lyrics paying tribute to DJ Rich Russo.
As of 2018, Dramarama continues to headline numerous concerts and participate in festival lineups. After a hiatus of fifteen years between studio albums, they released Color TV on May 1, 2020.
Post-Dramarama careers
Chris Carter, original bassist, producer, and co-founder of Dramarama, is currently based in Los Angeles as a disc jockey. He hosts America's longest-running Beatles-focused program Breakfast with the Beatles as well as "Chris Carter's British Invasion," a weekly four-hour eclectic show aired on satellite radio Sirius XM. Carter also produced and wrote the documentary film Mayor of the Sunset Strip, which received a nomination for Best Documentary Feature at the 19th Independent Spirit Awards in 2003 and includes appearances by Dramarama members. Following Dramarama’s dissolution in 1994, Carter established QM Management, overseeing acts such as The Wondermints, who now tour as backing musicians for Beach Boy Brian Wilson.
Drummer Jesse Farbman (also known as Anant Jesse) resided in Montreal where he taught spiritual healing practices until his passing in 2014. Former keyboardist Theodore Ellenis transitioned into finance and currently holds a senior executive position at a New York-area firm specializing in Government Arbitrage. Tom Mullaney—keyboardist and backing vocalist from 1987 to 1994 and longtime friend of Carter—died in June 2025. Mr. Stittle has remained out of public view since approximately 1986.
Studio albums
| Title | Chart Performance | Release Date |
|---|---|---|
| Cinéma Vérité | — | November 1, 1985 |
| Box Office Bomb | — | January 1, 1987 |
| Stuck in Wonderamaland | — | April 1, 1989 |
| Looking Through... (credited as The Bent Back Tulips) |
— | January 1, 1990 |
| Vinyl | — | October 15, 1991 |
| Hi-Fi Sci-Fi | 10 (Heatseekers Albums) | January 1, 1993 |
| Everybody Dies | — | October 25, 2005 |
| Color TV | — | May 1, 2020 |
Live / compilation albums
| Title | Category | Release Year | Record Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| Play New Rose for Me | Compilation | 1986 | New Rose |
| Best of Rodney on the Roq | Compilation | 1989 | |
| Days of Wayne & Roses | Compilation | 1992 | |
| Rock'n'Rose | Compilation | 1990 | |
| Live at the China Club | Live Recording | 1990 | Chameleon |
| Days of Wayne & Roses | Compilation | 1992 | Self-released |
| KBCO Studio C Vol. 2 | Compilation | 1992 | KBCO |
|
Compilation |
1993 |
||
|
Amongst Friends - Original Motion Picture Soundtrack |
Compilation |
1993 |
|
|
Compilation |
1993 |
||
|
Melody Fair |
Compilation |
1994 |
EGGBERT |
|
Compilation |
1995 |
EGGBERT | |
|
Compilation |
October 29, 1996 |
||
|
Blockbuster: A 70's Glitter Glam Rock Experience |
Compilation |
2000 |
Robison |
|
One Step Beyond: The Best of New Wave |
Compilation |
2002 |
Rhino |
|
Compilation |
2003 |
||
|
Anything Anything with Rich Russo Exclusive Live Performances |
Compilation |
2010 |
Extended plays
| Title | Release Date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Comedy | May 19, 1984 | Question Mark Records |
| Vinyl | 1992 | Chameleon |
Singles
1989 1989 1989 1991 1991 1993 1998 2003 2005| Year | Title | Chart Rankings | Associated Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Alternative Songs | AUS | |||
| 1983 | "You Drive Me" b/w "A Fine Example", "Femme Fatale" | style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3"|N/A | style="text-align:center;" | — | Non-album single |
| 1985 | "Anything, Anything (I'll Give You)" | style="text-align:center;" | — | Cinéma Vérité | |
| 1987 | "It's Still Warm" b/w "Private World" | style="text-align:center;" | — | Box Office Bomb | |
| "Last Cigarette" | style="text-align:center;" | 13 | style="text-align:center;" | — | rowspan=2 | Stuck in Wonderamaland | |
| "Wonderamaland" b/w "70's TV" | style="text-align:center;" | — | — | ||
| "Anything, Anything (I'll Give You)" b/w "I Wish I Was Your Mother" | style="text-align:center;" | — | style="text-align:center;" | 85 | A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master soundtrack | |
| "Haven't Got a Clue" | style="text-align:center;" | 6 | — | rowspan=2 | Vinyl | |
| "What Are We Gonna Do?" | style="text-align:center;" | 10 | style="text-align:center;" | 60 | ||
| "Work for Food" | style="text-align:center;" | 10 | — | Hi-Fi Sci-Fi | |
| "Tie Me Down" b/w "Last of the Famous International Playboys" | — | — | Looking Through... | |
| "California über alles" | — | — | Non-album single | |
| "Physical Poetry (A-B-C-D-1-2-3)" | — | — | Everybody Dies | |
- Note: "N/A" indicates the US Alternative Songs chart was not established until 1988.
- "—" signifies the track did not achieve chart placement.
Videography
- 70's TV (featured in the compilation Slipping Through the Cracks - An Uprising of Young Pacifics)
- Anything, Anything (I'll Give You) — released in 1987
- Last Cigarette — released in 1989
- Wonderamaland — released in 1989
- Anything, Anything (I'll Give You) — released again in 1990
- Haven't Got a Clue — released in 1991
- What Are We Gonna Do? — released in 1992
- Work 4 Food — released in 1993