Nymphs (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1985 |
| Defunct | 1992, 2020 (final disbandment) |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
Key people | Inger Lorre (lead vocalist), Geoff Siegel, Sam Merrick, Alex Kirst, Cliff D. |
| Products | Music albums |
The Nymphs were an alternative rock group from the United States, primarily active during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with lead vocalist Inger Lorre at the forefront. After signing with Geffen Records, they launched their first album in 1991. The band gained recognition for their unpredictable live shows and defiant attitude toward the music industry. Established in 1985, they disbanded in 1992, briefly reunited in 2016, and reassembled again from 2017 until 2020.
Members (past and present)
- Inger Lorre – Vocals
- Geoff Siegel – Lead Guitar
- Sam Merrick – Guitar
- Cliff D. (also known as Cliff Jones) – Bass
- Alex Kirst – Drums
- Bobby Belltower – Guitar
- Mario Tremaine – Guitar
- Morpheus Black – Guitar
- Jordan Lawson – Bass
- Billy Donohue – Keyboards
- Aaron Cruz – Guitar
- Eric James Contreras – Drums
- Angelique Congleton – Bass
- Thomas "TJ" Jefferson – Guitar
Band history
Originating in New Jersey through the partnership of Lorre and Bobby Belltower in the mid-1980s, The Nymphs moved to Los Angeles to advance their musical ambitions. For a short period, punk legend Keith Morris managed them. The final lineup featured Geoff Siegel, Sam Merrick, Alex Kirst, and Cliff D. Although they initially sought deals with alternative labels such as Alternative Tentacles, their notoriety drew attention from major record companies despite their unpredictable conduct.
The band made an appearance performing live in the 1990 film Bad Influence. A highlight of their debut album includes vocals by Iggy Pop on the track "Supersonic."
Relations with Geffen Records deteriorated following a two-year postponement of their album release. Frontwoman Lorre battled substance abuse issues and became infamous for an incident where she urinated on A&R representative Tom Zutaut’s desk amid a conflict. In 1992, a contentious event on stage involving Lorre culminated in her being fired after refusing to perform at a concert opening for Peter Murphy. The group disbanded shortly afterward.
Following the breakup, Lorre collaborated with musicians such as Jeff Buckley and pursued solo endeavors. Drummer Alex Kirst joined forces with Iggy Pop. Geoff Siegel shifted his career toward A&R positions at Columbia and Giant Records. Sam Merrick briefly rejoined Leaving Trains and currently plays with Boise-based ensemble a.k.a. Belle.
Alex Kirst tragically died at age 47 in a hit-and-run accident in January 2011. He was the brother of guitarist Whitey Kirst, who also worked with Iggy Pop.
In 2016, Lorre announced a reunion of The Nymphs featuring new members Mario Tremaine, Jordan Lawson, Aaron Cruz, and Eric James Contreras. Although they rehearsed in the studio, recorded a cover of Dolly Parton's Hard Candy Christmas for Amazon, and performed once at Hollywood’s Viper Room, this formation quickly dissolved.
On November 18, 2016, Rock Candy Records released a remastered edition of the band’s only Geffen album to commemorate its 25th anniversary, including enhanced audio quality and additional liner notes.
By April 2017, the lineup had evolved to include Lorre (vocals/keyboards), Joe Perez (lead guitar), T.J. (rhythm guitar), Angelique Congleton (bass/vocals), and Eric James Contreras (drums). They began working on new songs and issued a live recording from their 2016 Viper Room appearance.
Inger Lorre died on October 16, 2024.
Discography
- The Nymphs (1991) released by Geffen – sales totaling 36,000 units
- A Practical Guide to Astral Projection (1992) under Geffen – 5,000 units sold
External links
- The Nymphs profile on AllMusic
- Nymphs artist page on Discogs
- Profile on IMDb