Formed in 1983 by former Thrills guitarist Angel and former Outlets bassist Whitey with Mr. Erna (in Erna's basement), the Blackjacks were determined to be nothing like the twin scourges of that year--cheesy British synth-pop and poseur "roots Americana" from former New Wave fops turned Hank Williams freaks.
They succeeded--and were likely the first of the glam/sleaze/psuedo Stones-Dolls bands of the American stripe, augmented by their former roadie and Nikki Sixx lookalike Mabry (Hanoi Rocks being their Euro counterpart).
Brought to Homestead in 1984, they released one classic EP ("Basic Blackjacks") and one full length lp "Dressed in Black" for Throbbing Lobster. The title track of the former was a massive college/alt hit in the winter of 1985.
Despite massive local success in Boston, acrimony, drugs and indifference broke up the original version of the band. Angel re-formed the group twice more, in 1986 and 1988, to little fanfare and walked away from the band and Boston on the last night of its existence in June 1989. Johnny started the Broken Promise, Housewives on Prozac and Army of Bozos in LA, Whitey joined the Nor'Easters, Erna co-formed the Dropkick Murphys and StreetDogs, Mabry also moved to Los Angeles and joined Black Cherry.
They did one reunion, minus the unreachable Mabry in Boston, 2004.
In 2009, they are doing a pair of shows to commemorate the 25th anniversary of "Basic Blackjacks", the first record released by Homestead, which became the "homestead" for Sonic Youth, Dinosaur Jr, Big Black, Nick Cave and others.
On June 15th, 2009, Rafe Mabry was killed in a car crash in rural Arkansas.
Hello there. This is Lucas from Mister Friction. We're just getting started playing shows, so if you ever need a band to fill in a bill, let us know. We're based in Taunton, but we'll play anywhere. Perhaps we can have a lucrative partnership. I'll talk to you soon....PEACE!
Send Press kits Send Demos Send CD S Send us your music.. asap
WE BOOK BANDS AND PROMOTE ! WE HELP GET YOU ON THE RADIO!!
We are opening a club/..venue/store and want to play your music over are sound system and get you heard we will also hang flyers , T Shirts , stickers what ever you want to promote with us . We will send bizz your way , and help you any way possible..
Lets get you heard
Send your music to, AND ITEMS to
Justin or Heather Slieone 177 zion rd Newburg PA 17240
Send Press kits Send Demos Send CD S Send us your music.. asap
WE BOOK BANDS AND PROMOTE ! WE HELP GET YOU ON THE RADIO!!
We
are opening a club/..venue/store and want to play your music over are
sound system and get you heard we will also hang flyers , T Shirts ,
stickers what ever you want to promote with us . We will send bizz your
way , and help you any way possible..
Lets get you heard
Send your music to, AND ITEMS to
Justin or Heather Slieone 177 zion rd Newburg PA 17240
Come by and listen to the new song "Losing Streak" from my record "One and Only Maybe", produced by Michael Eisenstein, available for purchase from my page. Peace. Seth.
