The Explosion
| Company type | Punk rock group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1998 |
| Headquarters | Boston , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
The Explosion is a punk rock group originating from Boston, Massachusetts, USA. On February 13, 2007, they announced their exit from Virgin Records, and by April 30, 2007, they declared their disbandment. Their farewell performance took place in New York on September 4, 2007; however, they have since reunited for various shows.
History
In the autumn of 1998, Matt Hock and Damian Genuardi connected with David Walsh through Rama Mayo, proprietor of the indie label Big Wheel Recreation. The trio formed the band, later joined by Cave and Colby.
They produced 250 demo copies prior to embarking on a tour with Kid Dynamite. A roadie distributed the demo to the independent label Jade Tree Records, which subsequently signed them and released a self-titled EP in 2000.
Their first full-length album, Flash Flash Flash, issued through Jade Tree, earned widespread critical praise. Spin Magazine included it among the top 20 albums of 2000 and ranked the band within the top ten punk acts of 2001. Additionally, The Explosion secured second place as "best local punk act" in the Boston Phoenix. They toured extensively across both the United States and Europe alongside notable bands such as Sick of it All, AFI (A Fire Inside), Alkaline Trio, and Social Distortion. The Explosion also participated in the 2001 and 2005 editions of the Warped Tour. Their song Points West was featured in the PC video game True Crime: Streets of L.A.
A legal conflict emerged when Genuardi’s previous straight edge band In My Eyes, signed to Revelation Records, asserted rights linked to The Explosion’s achievements. To address this issue, The Explosion issued an EP entitled Steal This under Revelation Records.
In 2003, they independently launched the Sick of Modern Art EP via their own label, Tarantulas Records.
After a competitive bidding process involving seven major labels, The Explosion signed with Virgin Records, which handled distribution for Sick of Modern Art. Their album Black Tape, recorded at Cider Mountain Recorders by C. Phillips and J. Hehn, was released in October 2004 in the US and March 2005 in the UK. Songs from this record appeared in video games including Tony Hawk's Underground, its follow-up title, Midnight Club 3: Dub Edition, and NFL Street 2.
On October 21, 2004, they delivered a live performance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
Their sophomore Virgin Records album, completed in 2006 but initially unreleased and titled Bury Me Standing, was slated for release on Paper + Plastick in March 2008 but faced delays. In December 2011, it was confirmed that Chunksaah Records—operated by friends The Bouncing Souls—would release it on February 14, 2012.
The band reunited for a one-time appearance alongside The Bouncing Souls on December 28, 2011, in Asbury Park, New Jersey, as part of the Souls' annual "Home For The Holidays" event.
They performed at the This Is Hardcore Festival held in Philadelphia in April 2014 and staged another reunion concert in Asbury Park on July 29, 2016.
On May 8, 2019, Bad Religion announced that The Explosion would join them as support on their forthcoming tour.
Final line-up
- Matt Hock - vocals (1998–2007) (Currently performing with Space Cadet)
- David Walsh - guitar (1998–2007) (Currently part of The Loved Ones and Space Cadet)
- Damian Genuardi - bass (1998–2007) (Currently with My Best Fiend)
- Andrew Black - drums (2000–2007) (Currently involved with Domino Team and Team Vibes)
- Christopher Gonzalez - guitar (2005–2007) (Now playing bass for The Loved Ones; also vocals and guitar for Team Vibes)
Former members
- Sam Cave – guitar (1999–2004)
- Dan Colby – drums (1998–2000)
Studio albums
- Flash Flash Flash (released July 18, 2000, on Jade Tree)
- Black Tape (issued October 4, 2004, through Virgin Records)
- Bury Me Standing (initial release May 13, 2008 by Paper Plastick Records; reissued February 14, 2012 via Chunksaah Records)
Live albums
- Live in Boston (2005, Virgin Records)
- Live from the Troubadour (2005, Tarantulas Records; limited edition featured in DIW Magazine No. 20)
EPs
- The Explosion (April 2000, Jade Tree)
- Steal This (October 31, 2000, Revelation Records)
- Sick of Modern Art (April 22, 2003, Tarantulas)
- Red Tape (January 1, 2005, Tarantulas)
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart Rankings | Album | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Modern Rock | UK Singles Chart | |||
| 2004 | "Here I Am" | 37 | 75 | Black Tape |
| 2005 | "No Revolution" | — | 107 | Black Tape |
Music videos
- "Here I Am" (2004)
- "No Revolution" (2005)
Compilation albums
- Tarantulas 2003 Sampler (April 22, 2003)
- 2005 KROQ New Music (November 9, 2004, KROQ)
Soundtracks
| Song | Year | Album | Video Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| "No Revolution" | 2003 | Flash Flash Flash | Tony Hawk's Underground |
| "Here I Am" | 2004 | Black Tape | Burnout 3: Takedown |
| "Here I Am" | 2004 | Black Tape | Tony Hawk's Underground 2 |
| "No Revolution" | 2004 | Black Tape | NFL Street 2 |
| "No Revolution" | 2005 | Black Tape | Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition |
| "Here I Am" | 2006 | Black Tape | Cars |