The Generators
| Company type | Punk rock band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1997 in Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Defunct | May 30, 2024 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums, EPs |
The Generators was a punk rock group originating from Los Angeles in 1997. The founding members included lead singer Doug Dagger (Doug Kane), guitarists Mike Snow and Sir Doosky (Eric Ortega), drummer "Dirty" Ernie Berru, and bassist Rich Richards (Rich Santia).
History
After the dissolution of the 1990s punk outfit Schleprock, The Generators came together in Los Angeles in 1997. Their first album, Welcome to the End, was released in 1998 through the local label Triple X Records. In 1999, they put out a seven-track EP titled Ninety Nine on the German label Outcast. By September 2000, they had launched two records: Burning Ambition via Urgent Music Ltd. and Tyranny through TKO Records.
During the European tour supporting Tyranny, both Berru and Ortega temporarily stepped away; Snow and Kane enlisted drummer Mike Clark and worked on a new EP. Ortega returned prior to the recording of the State of the Nation EP under TKO Records. In 2002, Snow left while Berru resumed his role on drums. With Kane and Ortega as the primary songwriters, they released Excess, Betrayal... and Our Dearly Departed in 2003 and followed with The Winter of Discontent in 2006.
Before the release of The Great Divide in 2006, bassist Teddy Hahn and guitarist Ace Von Johnson joined the band. They supported this album with touring that extended through 2008. In 2009, both Berru and Hahn departed; drums for their next album were recorded by Derek O'Brien from Social Distortion, while Brandon Lutz took over bass duties. Their album Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea was issued by German label People Like You Records, followed by a European tour alongside The Damned. During this tour, Ace Von Johnson left after a dispute with Kane.
Ortega exited in 2010 due to personal circumstances, leading to a lineup overhaul in 2011 that saw the return of Mike Snow, Sean Romin, and drummer Lou Guzman. This formation produced their eighth studio album, Last of the Pariahs, released through DC-Jam Records.
In subsequent years, further personnel shifts occurred along with new releases such as the 2013 EP The Deconstruction of Dreams via Concrete Jungle Records and the 2014 album Life Gives Life Takes on Randale Records. Also in 2014, Kane and Snow created a side project named Bedlam Knives, issuing a 7-inch record through Dr. Strange Records. Meanwhile, Ortega, Ernie, and Brandon Lutz formed NeuAllies, releasing an EP that same year; both side projects had disbanded by 2015.
The Generators made a comeback in 2016 with Earn Your Stripes, released on Randale Records. They also collaborated on a split EP titled Blood, Sweat & Glory with British band Crashed Out, whom they toured with as well. Their 2017 single "Street Justice" preceded an announced album, Broken Stars & Crooked Stripes, slated for release in 2018.
During a hiatus in 2019, Kane performed with his earlier Oi! band from the 1980s called Doug & the Slugz.
Reunion
On September 20, 2022, The Generators revealed plans to reunite their original 1997 lineup for performances scheduled through year-end, concentrating on songs from their initial three records.
Following this reunion announcement, Kane, Ortega, and Snow reassembled alongside former member Ted Hahn on bass and Marco Duarte on drums—who had previously toured with them. This ensemble appeared at the Punk Rock Bowling Music Festival in Las Vegas in 2023 and undertook a European tour during summer 2024.
Passing of Doug Kane
Doug Kane succumbed to cancer on May 30, 2024, at the age of 56. In the period leading up to his passing, the band chose to officially end their activities. Their social media accounts continue to operate as a repository preserving the legacy of The Generators and Kane’s contributions.
Discography
- Welcome to the End (1998), Triple X Records, US
- Ninety-Nine (1999), Outcast Records/Triple X Records, Europe
- Burning Ambition (2000), Urgent Music Ltd., US / People Like You Records, Europe & Japan
- Dead at 16 7-inch (2000), TKO Records
- Tyranny (2001), TKO Records US / People Like You Records, Europe & Japan
- State of the Nation (2001), TKO Records / Dead Beat, US
- Sounds of the Street Vol. 2: Split CD with Vicious Rumors
- From Rust to Ruin (2003), TKO Records (greatest hits compilation)
- Riverboat Gamblers split 7-inch
- Excess, Betrayal...And Our Dearly Departed (2003), People Like You Records, Europe & Japan; Fiend Music, US
- The Winter of Discontent (2006), People Like You Records, Europe & Japan; Sailor's Grave, US
- The Great Divide (2007), People Like You Records, Europe & Japan
- Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea (2009), People Like You Records, Europe & Japan
- You Against You 7-inch (2011), I Hate People Records
- Last of the Pariahs (2011), I Hate People Records, Europe & Japan; DC Jam, US
- 3 of a Kind (2012), split release with Sledgeback and C.A.F.B.
- The Deconstruction of Dreams (2013), Concrete Jungle Records
- Life Gives-Life Takes (2014), Randale Records
- Earn Your Stripes (2016), Randale Records
- Blood, Sweat & Glory (2016), split EP with Crashed Out, Randale Records / Longshot Music
- Street Justice (2017), Longshot Music / Randale Records
- Broken Stars & Crooked Stripes (2018), Randale Records
Filmography
- Where the Bad Boys Rock 2004 (Live DVD) (2004), People Like You Records
- Where the Bad Boys Rock 2005 (Live DVD) (2005), People Like You Records