Music Videos | Directory | Search | Top Artists | Shows | Music Forums | Music Classifieds | Artist Signup 

The Bogmen
Alternative / Experimental / Rock

"The Doubter's Glass is Filled Up"

BROOKLYN, New York
United States

Profile Views:  32847




Last Login:  4/26/2008
View My: Pics | Videos

   Contacting The Bogmen

 MySpace URL: 
  http://www.myspace.com/thebogmen  

   The Bogmen: General Info
Member Since9/28/2006
Band Websitethebogmen.com
Band MembersBilly Campion - Vocals
Billy Ryan - Guitars
Brendan Ryan - Keyboards
Clive Tucker - Drums
Mark Wike - Bass
P.J. O'Connor - Percussion


Videos:
Click an icon to view.


We Will Go To Them Tonight
(Documentary Trailer)



Suddenly


Englewood (Live)


Highway of Shame
Record LabelArista
Type of LabelMajor




The Bogmen's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

The Bogmen Reunite @ Nokia Theatre, Dec. 30!  (view more)

"We Will Go To Them Tonight" and more news!  (view more)

[View All Blog Entries]

   About The Bogmen
Bogmen Reunion at Nokia Theatre - December 30, 2007
Check out our photo albums for all of the pics from the show.


Billy Campion met Bill and Brendan Ryan in the late 1970's. Sharing a passion for music, they started a band, The Plummers, with Campion on vocals, Bill Ryan on guitar and Brendan playing keyboards. During college, the group picked up bassist Mark Wike, drummer Clive Tucker and percussionist P. J. O'Connor. With this lineup, the band called itself The Bogmen, in honor of what Campion called its "tribal, huntish" sound.

The Bogmen got their "big break" from Lonn Friend of Arista, who was introduced to the band through Mark Wike's brother, David. Wike approached Friend at a party with a Bogmen demo tape, warning Friend that they were the best unsigned band in New York and that "If he didn't sign them, someone else would." Friend flipped over the tape, and soon after signed The Bogmen to a two-record deal for nearly $1 million. It was the first and last band Lonn Friend ever signed.

Billy Campion said he was worried about how the band's live sound would translate when recorded. "I was worried that it was going to be too slick," he said. "And in the end, I felt it was." Still, Arista founder Clive Davis was pleased with the final product, especially "Suddenly," a tongue-in-cheek Motown knockoff.

The first album, Life Begins at 40 Million, was released on Aug. 29, 1995. Although it sold a respectable 50,000 copies, it faded too quickly to catch radio programmers' ears. The band secured opening tour spots with the likes of Barenaked Ladies and Shane McGowan, former lead singer of The Pogues. There were also several unintentionally hilarious dates with the heavy metal group KISS, which Friend arranged so the band could see what it was like play larger venues.

When "Suddenly" came out, a video appeared on MTV, and radio programmers were finally responding. But the band and Friend said they felt that Arista executives were already losing faith.

Opting for an edgier sound with their second record, Closed Captioned Radio, was a decision that would ultimately derail the band's major-label career. Released on Feb. 10, 1998, Arista felt that The Bogmen no longer sounded like the band they signed. With no marketing support from the label, the album sold about 10,000 copies and quickly disappeared.

The band hung in, playing on the East Coast to big crowds for much less money. Clive Tucker and P.J. O'Connor dropped out and,after picking up new drummer Derek Finan, The Bogmen self-released their final album, Home Recordings in June, 1999. After a few more gigs, the band officially called it quits later that same year.

Hard feelings and hard luck left this group of once-close friends estranged, and any hope for reconciliation seemed slim. In the end, it took a terrible tragedy to bring them back together. On 9/11, like many Americans, the band members and many of their fans suffered personal losses. In response, The Bogmen reunited for two shows at New York’s Irving Plaza in December 2001. The concerts were primarily fueled by the loss of Kristy Irvine Ryan, newlywed wife of Bogmen keyboardist, Brendan Ryan. Kristy was the Vice President of Secret Smiles, a charity dedicated to providing anonymous gifts to families in need. The concerts not only provided some much needed comfort to everyone involved, but became a vehicle to honor Kristy and keep her generous spirit alive by donating proceeds from the show to her charity.

While all of The Bogmen have moved on to other projects, they are still aware of the huge hold they have on their loyal fans. In honor of the 5th Anniversary of 9/11 and their original reunion concerts, the band reunited once again in December 2006 for three great nights at Webster Hall and The Bowery Ballroom to benefit the newly created charity, Kristy's Smile.

Then, in 2007, as a special thank you to all the fans for their unwavering support over the years and whose generosity made the charity shows such overwhelming successes, The Bogmen prepared an early New Year's treat. On December 30, the band played to a packed house at the Nokia Theatre in Times Square. Rumor has it that fans might not have to wait until next year to see the boys together again! Stay tuned...

Sections of this bio were contributed by NY Times music columnist, Jesse McKinley.

   The Bogmen's Friend Space (Top 24)
The Bogmen has 644 friends.
 Vic Thrill & The Saturn Missile 


 Mad Larry 


 Gordon Gano and The Ryan Brothers 


 Radio 4 


 Clive Tucker 


 Mrs. Wike 


 casspix 


 Devon 


 BeckEye 


 BAMiAM.tv 


 Mallory 


 flynncakes 


 corina 


 Scott 


 Browny 


 Maloney 


 Myshkin 


 Knockout Drops 


 Mark Pender Band 


 Wormburner 


 Stu Jenkins 


 LONNS WORLD 


 Godfrey Diamond 


 The Hedonistic Horns 





The Bogmen's Friends Comments
Displaying 50 of 192 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Gordon Gano and The Ryan Brothers





Apr 12 2008 7:21 AM

Gordon Gano and The Ryan Brothers New York and California Dates.
New York, May 9th @ Knitting Factory in NYC
Amagansett, June 13th @ The Stephen Talkhouse
BAMiAM.tv





Mar 31 2008 8:02 AM

Bogmen fans named best tippers!
Knock 'Em Alive





Mar 30 2008 10:03 AM

The Bogmen fans are drinkers? Really? Nice shout in The New Yorker and on blogs:

http://www. newyorker. com/online/blogs/sashafrerejones/2008/03/the-point-of-ti. html
ryanbrosmusic





Mar 13 2008 11:22 AM

BOOGA SUGAR'S ANNUAL S.PATRICK'S DAY BENEFIT FOR THE THOMAS P CLOHERTY FAMILY EDUCATION FUND AT THE CANAL ROOM SATURDAY, MARCH 15TH at 10PM. THE RYANS AND PJ O"CONNOR WILL BE PERFORMING AND MAYBE CAMPION TOO
Booga Sugar





Mar 12 2008 8:45 AM

BOOGA SUGAR THIS SATURDAY MARCH 15th!
BOOGA SUGAR'S ANNUAL ST PATRICK'S DAY PARTY!!!
CANAL ROOM
285 WEST BROADWAY NYC 10PM
seahorsenapkinforce





Mar 2 2008 6:07 PM

what a wonderful band are the bogmen
Mammoth, Wooly Ash





Feb 23 2008 12:56 PM

I love you.
Gordon Gano and The Ryan Brothers





Feb 22 2008 2:32 PM

GanoRyan (Gordon Gano of the Violent Femmes and the Ryan Brothers) will be performing at Nokia Theater on March 14th and 15th, opening for The Saw Doctors. Doors at 7:00, shows start at 8:00 sharp. For tickets and venue info, visit http://www. nokiatheatrenyc. com.
www. myspace. com/gordonganoandtheryanbrothers
Stuart Pitt





Feb 20 2008 8:57 AM

Happy Wednesday, fellas! Hope you're rockin. I know I am.

Wednesday Greetings
flynncakes





Jan 17 2008 9:54 PM

kick ass!

Myshkin





Jan 13 2008 10:22 AM

I am touched and flattered to find myself in your friends square. Thank you, dear hearts. I eagerly await your next concert. Warmly, me
Zack





Jan 9 2008 2:03 PM

You guys are my destiny, I want you to know.
b's





Jan 6 2008 2:55 PM

Thanks for the add!! I just rediscovered you guys!! I used to listen to you a bunch in HS.. but recently a friend gave me Closed Caption and it ROCKS!!!! not very often do bands second album top the first!!! I also just got Kristy Smiles.. very cool concept and album.. you guys rock!!!!
Tanya





Jan 4 2008 5:53 PM

When is the next show???
Do it old school at Mulcahys or Malibu!!
DAD NUD & THE LOW ROLLERS





Jan 4 2008 10:05 AM

I Live on the Highway of Shame
Browny





Jan 3 2008 7:26 PM

WOW!!!! What a show! Thanks to the Bogmen and supporting cast that put on this gem..
Michael





Jan 3 2008 3:16 PM

Show was awesome.

I missed my only time to see you guys play, when you were up in Utica 12+ years ago. It was a long time in the making.

Good stuff
The Manhattan Socialite...





Jan 2 2008 12:14 PM

I can't think of any better way to close out the year! Both this year & last year!

I second the motion to make this an annual thing!

Great show!
Matthew





Jan 2 2008 11:24 AM

the show on December 30th was awesome! I waited over 10 years to see you guys live and it was so worth it!
This profile no longer exists





Jan 2 2008 10:32 AM

Great show guys. Loved the opening acts, too.
BLONDE BABY GIRL





Jan 2 2008 7:17 AM

BILLY, IT'S YOUR COUSIN KATHRYN...THE SHOW WAS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! COME TO WOODSIDE SOME NIGHT WITH CHRIS FOR DINNER.
Bobby "The Dream"


Is Online


Jan 1 2008 9:40 PM

Unreal..as always...thank you boys!!!
Sully!
Myshkin





Jan 1 2008 7:55 PM

Wonderful show. Thank you so much. Loved the first opening act as well -- solitary man who had to sing into a flaccid microphone. Anyone know his name? Much thanks and love to all.
BAMiAM.tv





Jan 1 2008 10:49 AM

Who has pix/video clips from sunday? POST EM!
charlie





Dec 31 2007 8:46 PM

Awesome show boys !
flynncakes





Dec 31 2007 4:24 PM

Into the Mystic? come on.....didn't think the show could get any better and you pull that out! i'm thinking this should be an annual thing....yes?? A happy, healthy, prosperous 2008 to all.
John





Dec 31 2007 10:15 AM

Well they are too few and far between, and I am grateful for every one of them, but is there such a thing as a bad Bogmen performance these days?! Proud to say I was part of the biggest headlining Bogmen show in history in such a great venue!!! Awesome Beckeye and formally meeting Flynncakes afterwards. I somehow managed to make it home through snow and sleet before sunrise with the aid of two Grateful Dead New years shows on satellite radio. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO BOG EXTENDED FAMILY!!!
McRop





Dec 31 2007 9:50 AM

BEST.SHOW.EVER! Thanks for the great time, guys!
Peter





Dec 31 2007 8:50 AM

awesome show last night guys. Can't wait to do it again.
Shmenkie





Dec 31 2007 12:32 AM

Amazing show, BRAVO!
Rachel





Dec 30 2007 4:14 PM

Boy, I sure do love me some Bogmen.
John





Dec 28 2007 11:20 AM

Ahhhhhh, ahhhhhh, ahhhhh . . .
Ahhhhhh, ahhhhhh, ahhhhh . . .

Ready to go and (almost) as good as new!

B-Minus 2 Days and counting . . .
Browny





Dec 27 2007 5:02 PM

Hope the Belschnikel was good to everyone... The 30th is near!!!!
corina





Dec 22 2007 4:05 PM

Countdown!

Zippity Zap!
Shmenkie