There are far too many to name; it would make much more sense if you check out my old band's MySpace page to read the list (www.myspace.com/thepunchlineny) or look at my personal MySpace page (www.myspace.com/rlross1765) for all the info!
Rob Ross (born January 7, 1965 in Brooklyn, New York) is a singer/songwriter/musician. He is best known for his work with the late ‘80’s alternative pop band The Punch Line.
Growing up in the New York City suburb of Staten Island, he joined local political-punk band The Common Cause, who immediately became cult favorites Two Minutes Hate (name taken from Orwell’s 1984). Although short-lived (1983 – 1985), T.M.H. built a quick reputation for aggressive, exciting and (somewhat) confrontational performances. While he was studying for his degree at Manhattan’s Pace University, Rob wrote half of Two Minutes Hate’s debut album as well as most of the tracks for two extended-play releases, “Love, Hate & Social Criticism” (their debut) and “Seconds, Time Signatures & Strings”, which received much local radio airplay.
Two Minutes Hate dissolved in late 1985, but along with T.M.H. bass guitarist, Marc Treboschi, Rob assembled The Punch Line by May, 1986. Joining this band were Carl Treboschi (older brother of Marc), who came in on bass, while Marc moved over to guitar and drummer Chris Collins (formerly of New Jersey’s Mod Fun), who had been a friend of Two Minutes Hate and sometime drummer for an offshoot project with Rob Ross and Marc Treboschi. Taking their name from the debut album by The Minutemen, The Punch Line were an altogether different affair from Two Minutes Hate, with melodic, crafted pop songs and rich vocal harmonies. Often looked upon as “The Beatles meet The Buzzcocks”, The Punch Line very quickly garnered college radio airplay with the release of their debut 45, “The Wild Flowers” in January, 1988. While recording the first attempted version of their debut album, the band quietly dissolved.
Reconvening in 1991, The Punch Line picked up where they left off, with shows, recording sessions and the promise of success looming ahead. However, tensions again took their toll on the band due to the pressure of not getting to that next level. After more sessions were completed for the album (the tapes were languishing at this point for three years), the band went their separate ways. They did, however, make an appearance on the R.E.M. tribute album Surprise Your Pig, with their version of “Bandwagon”.
Rob Ross then went on to briefly join another band, Smile, who released one e.p., then split due to Rob’s lack of interest. Citing a “band-by-numbers doesn’t work”, he turned his back on performing and concentrated on working within the industry, where he had assumed a management position with a major label.
Solo appearances on the Julian Cope/Teardrop Explodes tribute compilation series, Interpreters, brought Rob back to recording on a regular basis (in this instance, playing all the instruments himself).
After a twelve-year gap, The Punch Line reformed (albeit with a slightly changed line-up) in May, 1994. They returned to playing live and completed a re-recorded version of the “lost”/”legendary” …to get to the other side, which was released via the Synchronic Entertainment imprint, in April, 2006.
In July, 2006, Rob Ross announced that he was putting an end to The Punch Line, saying that he “no longer desired to continue being 18”. At the present time, he has begun recording new material and is playing low-key acoustic shows in the Northeast.
