The Vindictives
| Company type | Punk rock group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1991 |
| Founder | Joey Vindictive |
| Headquarters | Chicago , United States |
| Products | Music albums, EPs, singles |
The Vindictives are a punk rock group originating from Chicago, established in 1991 by the singer-songwriter Joey Vindictive. By the middle of 1996, they had produced a total of 12 EPs and full-length albums.
History
Formed in 1991, the original lineup included Joey Vindictive on vocals, Johnny Personality handling bass, Ben Weasel and Dr. Bob on guitars, and Erik Elsewhere playing drums. Shortly thereafter, Billy Blastoff replaced Ben Weasel on guitar, while P.J. Parti took over drumming duties from Erik Elsewhere.
The band ceased activities in 1996 due to health complications affecting Joey Vindictive but reunited four years later in 2000.
Tragically, guitarist Robert "Dr. Bob" Nielsen passed away from a heroin overdose on February 22, 2003. Following his death, the group issued two albums featuring previously unreleased tracks and re-recorded versions: Muzak for Robots, which presented electronic instrumental adaptations of their songs, and Unplugged, showcasing acoustic interpretations. The latter attracted notice for its distinctive style.
In 2004, Billy Blastoff departed to join Lucky Savage as their drummer; he later founded the Gornys, switching to bass in 2005. This band was renamed John Doh's in 2010 and is currently inactive.
In 2006, four Vindictives songs—"Future Homemakers of America," "Glad to Be," "Assembly Line," and "Automaton"—appeared on a limited edition split 7-inch released collaboratively by Shot Baker and Vacation Bible School through Chicago’s Underground Communique Records.
That same year, Joey Vindictive and Johnny Personality began recording demos under the name Joey Vindictive & The Personality Crisis and performed as Faerie Wunderpuss. They released a split LP with Alla, a Chicago-based experimental heavy rock band influenced by Queens of the Stone Age. Additionally, Joey co-founded The 1901 Gallery Theatre alongside his wife Jenny and Johnny Personality. In 2011, Billy Blastoff joined Magatha Trysty as bassist, blending elements of power pop and punk rock.
On December 4, 2012, The Vindictives unveiled "Mono Flexi," marking their first new release after a thirteen-year hiatus.
In 2013, they digitally launched the Halloween-inspired EP Jerk-O-Lantern, which contains thirteen tracks recorded on Friday the 13th and runs for exactly thirteen minutes and thirteen seconds.
Members
- Joey Vindictive (Joey Volino) – vocals (1990–1996, 1999–present)
- Johnny Personality (John Stockfisch) – bass (1990–1996, 1999–2018)
- Dr. Bob (Robert Nielson) – guitar (1990–1996)
- Billy Blastoff (Bill Sullivan) – guitar (1992–1996, 1999–2004)
- P.J. Parti (Pat Buckley) – drums (1991–1996)
- Ben Weasel (Ben Foster) – guitar (1990–1992)
- Erik Elsewhere – drums (1990–1991)
- Angel Gabriel Ledezma – drums (1999)
- Mike Geek (Mike Byrne) – guitar (1994–1996)
Singles and EPs
- Basket Case, V.M.L. Records, 1991
- The Invisible Man, V.M.L. Records, 1991
- Ugly American 7-inch, V.M.L. Records, 1992
- Assembly Line 7-inch, V.M.L. Records, 1992
- This Is My Face 7-inch, V.M.L. Records, 1993
- Disturbia 7-inch, V.M.L. Records, 1993
- Rocks In My Head 7-inch, V.M.L. Records, 1994
- Seventeen b/w No Feelings 5", Selfless/V.M.L. Records, 1994
- Johnny Where Are You? b/w Eating Me Alive Picture Disk 7-inch, Lookout!/V.M.L. Records, 1995
- Alarm Clocks b/w Left For Dead 7-inch, Lookout/V.M.L. Records, 1995
- Pervert At Large b/w Sloppy Seconds Split 7-inch, V.M.L. Records, 1997
- Nuttin' for Christmas b/w Jingle Bells 7-inch, Stardumb Records, 2002
- Mono-Flexi EP 7-inch, Sexy Baby Records, 2012
- Jerk-O-Lantern EP, 2013
Studio albums
- Partytime for Assholes Double 10-inch LP, Selfless Records, 1994; Re-released by Liberation Records, 1996
- Leave Home LP, Selfless Records, 1994
- Hypno-Punko LP, Coldfront/V.M.L. Records, 1999
- Muzak for Robots, TEAT, 2003 (instrumental tracks)
- Unplugged, TEAT, 2003 (acoustic renditions)
Compilation albums
- The Many Moods Of The Vindictives Double LP, Lookout!/V.M.L. Records, 1995; Reissued by Liberation Records, 1995
- Curious Oddities and the Bare Essentials, TEAT, 2003
- Original Masters (1990–1992), TEAT, 2003