From left: Brian Gabriel (guitar), Rob Carlyle (vocals, guitar), Jon Weber (drums), Joe Merrigan (bass)
Photograph by Veronica Ibarra
Influences
1. Groove On (4:26)
2. Big, Fat, Sexy Mama (4:15)
3. Can't Get Through to You (2:00)
4. Betrayed (4:59)
5. Cocaine (3:25)
6. My Heart Still Aches for You (2:04)
iTunes For a limited time only: All 6 songs just $3.99 (reg. $5.94)
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BIOGRAPHY
The Compulsions are a New York City rock 'n' roll band, formed in the summer of 2002.
Compared to other new bands, the Compulsions offer a grittier, more traditional take on rock music and have won many fans who admire their obvious authenticity.
Critics have compared the group favorably to the Rolling Stones, Guns N' Roses, AC/DC, the New York Dolls, Lynyrd Skynyrd and many other classic and legendary artists.
Early reviews saw the Compulsions hailed by the underground press as "The World's Greatest Obscure Rock Band," "The New Gold Standard For Real Rock 'N' Roll" and "The Heir Apparent To Guns N' Roses' Long Vacant Mainstream Hard Rock Throne."
Since the band's inception, club deejays have spun self-released Compulsions tracks at downtown nightspots like Bar 13, the Delancey, Don Hill's, the Double Down Saloon, Lakeside Lounge, Lit, Motor City, Niagara and Three of Cups.
In December 2004, the Compulsions' Laughter from Below EP was featured on the “Best of 2004” installment of Out of the Box---Jonathan Clarke’s weekly radio show on New York’s Q104.3FM, showcasing “the best in new music and local, undiscovered bands.”
By 2006, over 100 radio stations across North America added Laughter from Below to their playlists, with album cuts "Down on the Tracks," "Howlin' for You" and "Shake Hands with the Devil" charting at more than 60 influential CMJ/Core stations.
In May 2007, the unsigned band was named Artist of the Week on Napster and nearly every European version of iTunes; including Finland, France, Great Britain, Spain and Sweden.
The Compulsions' loud 'n' loose live show has been generating a significant buzz; their final performance at CBGB inspiring one critic to proclaim, "If there is a God, the Compulsions will get signed, then immediately head down to the Mercury Lounge and beat the living sh*t out of each and every member of the Strokes."
The Compulsions are led by New York native, Rob Carlyle (vocals, guitar).
Like many bands in their formative years, the Compulsions have consisted of a rotating lineup; with special guests Jay Dee Daugherty (drums) of the Patti Smith Group, Frank Ferrer (drums) and Richard Fortus (guitar) of the revamped Guns N' Roses and Hubert Sumlin (guitar) of blues legend Howlin' Wolf, to name a few.
In June 2007, Carlyle and longtime Compulsions member, Jon Weber (drums), solidified the lineup with the addition of Brian Gabriel (guitar) and Joe Merrigan (bass). The quartet's first show together was at Make Music New York's citywide street festival.
The Compulsions' Laughter from Below EP was co-produced by Hugh Pool (Deborah Harry) and Ken Rich (Joseph Arthur, Tracy Bonham) at Excello Recording and mastered by Ted Jensen (Lenny Kravitz, Kid Rock) at Sterling Sound.
In March 2008, the Compulsions released Demon Love (aka The Cocaine EP). Demon Love features five new originals, as well as a reworking of J.J. Cale's classic, "Cocaine." Once again, the group enlisted producers Pool and Rich, with mastering by Fred Kevorkian (Iggy Pop, The White Stripes) at Kevorkian Mastering, Inc.
Like its predecessor, Demon Love has been garnering rave reviews from the music press, including: "Rock 'N' Roll Is NOT Dead," "One Of The Best Things To Come Out Of New York, Lately" and "Rock 'N' Roll Genius."
According to the band, the Compulsions plan to put out another CD later this year, tentatively titled Davy Jones' Locker. Among the tracks slated for inclusion are "Demon Love," "Desperation" and a current staple of the group's live set, "Jungle Disease."
Played the Demon Love CD very LOUD at the Billy Bow Legs festival in Ft Walton-Destin Florida this past weekend. There was a whole lotta boodies shakin'!
you guys are fucking sick. southern california, here you come? hit us up, i can promise a fan base. if you're interested in playing down here, we can maybe team up and play some shows together. could be potentially sick. take care guys
Guys, your music is amazing. a great mix of influences. the guy on the picture looks like izzy stradlin...big fat sexy mama could have been on Exile on main street ! See ya! The Artyfacts.
