THE INSOMNIACS - BEHIND THE MUSIC
Forming in 1989 after the breakup of their previous band The Tea Club, The Insomniacs rehearsed and played several local showcases before releasing their debut 7","My Favorite Story" on Umbrella Records in 1991. Based on the favorable reviews worldwide and the overall reception that the 7" received, the Insomniacs headed back in the studio and released a follow-up 7","Time Ticks By" (also on Umbrella) in the Fall of 1992.
On the strength of their first 2 singles, Outer Limits Records in Berlin approached the band about recording a single as the label's premier release. Soon thereafter, Estrus Records (who were distributing the Umbrella and Outer Limits records), released a 6 song self-titled 10" EP (commonly known as 'the ghoul record'). In early 1994, the band traveled to Europe to commence a mini-tour of Germany and Amsterdam to promote the singles and 10". 1994 came to a close with Outer Limits rush-releasing the "Sylvia Gray" EP and an appearance in Athens, GA at the Beefstock extravaganza.
In the Fall of 1995, the band once again headed south for a mini-tour to promote their "Wake Up!" compilation on Estrus. Later in the year, The Insomniacs guested at the Estrus Records Midwest Invitationals in Chicago alongside The Monomen and other Estrus label mates. Finally, the band took part in NYC's Garage Rage Festival in December of that year.
In 1996, the band released a teaser 7" for their upcoming full-length, "Already Down". Taking a break from recording, the band played the Crap Out Festival in Las Vegas and a Caravan of Estrus Recording Stars tour of California. While recording and mixing were finished later in the year, the band's full-length "Out Of It"'s release was delayed by the great Estrus warehouse fire. The record was finally released in March of 1997. Once again, the band followed the scent of barbecue pork and headed south to Atlanta for Fuzzfest '97. In the fall of that year, the band continued their festival motif with appearances at Leon, Spain's Purple Weekend, NYC'S Cavestomp Festival, Bellingham, WA's Garage Shock, and took part in the Monomen's farewell shows in Chicago.
In 1998, they did a mini-tour of the Midwest on their own. In November of 1998, the band released a new 7" on Estrus, "Guilt Free". At the start of 1999, the band returned to Spain for a week long tour and another trip to Bellingham for Garage Shock '99.
In the summer of 1999, The Insomniacs began recording tracks for "Get Something Going!", the follow up to "Out Of It". Recording and mixing was finally finished in early winter of 2000. That summer, the band traveled to Sin City to guest at the fabulous "Las Vegas Grind."
"Get Something Going!" was released on September 5th, 2000, on Estrus Records. Another Midwest tour followed in support of the new record, culminating in appearance at Little Steven's Cavestomp Concert Series in New York City. The band headed back into the studios in the Spring of 2002 to record the "Maryanne Lightly" single, the first new Insomniacs product in nearly two years.
June of 2002 had the boys heading north to Montreal, Canada for a slot at the "Dance to Keep From Crying" Mod Allnighter rally.
Late 2003, The Insomniacs began recording sessions that would produce their latest LP/CD, “Switched On!”.
DISCOGRAPHY
My Favorite Story b/w Sunshine Girl and Nothing Is Real, 7" e.p., Umbrella Records, 9/91
Time Ticks By c/w The World Disappears, 7" single, Umbrella Records, 11/92
Going Out of My Mind b/w I've Got Mine and Grey, 7" e.p., Outer Limits Records, 12/93
The Insomniacs six-song 10" e.p., Estrus Records, 3/94
Sylvia Gray b/w Feel, Feel, Feel and Gaby, 7" e.p., Outer Limits Records, 12/94
Wake Up!, CD, Estrus Records, 3/95
Sounds of the Estrus Invitationals Mid-West Division, 7" e.p., Estrus Records, 11/95 (one live track)
Already Down c/w Jump and Dance, 7" single, Estrus Records, 4/96
Live at Brownie's, CD, Feralette Records, 5/96 (“Crystal Clear” live)
Out of It, Lp/Cd, Estrus Records, 3/97.
Fuzzfest '97 promotional only 7" single, 5/97 (one track-"Let Me, Take Me").
Estrus Fireshock Benefit Compilation, CD, Man's Ruin Records, 10/97 (one track-"You Can Be My Baby").
Guilt Free 7" 4/99 Estrus Records
Cavestomp '97 compilation, Cd, Cavestomp Records, 11/99 (one track-"Already Down" (Live)).
Get Something Going!, Lp/Cd, Estrus Records, 9/00.
Mary Ann Lightly 7" Estrus Records 07/02.
News of the World compilation, Cd, Howitzer Records, 8/02 (one track-“That’s Alright”) Playing Favourites CD compilation (1 track-"Ye Fayre Heir"), Illustrious Artists, 1/04.
"Switched On!" CD/LP, Estrus Records, 8/04. Superfuzz compilation, Cd, Lowfly Records, ’05 (one track “Maryanne Lightly” alternate 45 mix) "Bout My Love" 7" , Slovenly Records, 6/05. Currently, the band is working on material for their next full-length.
Contacts:
theinsomniacs@hotmail.com
Estrus Records
PO Box 2125
Bellingham, WA 98227
NEW ALBUM WANTED!!!! been too long since Switched On & Maryanne/Big Sen-Cool Stove cover '45
Hi from Dave in Cali (used to go under name Spirit68 as Randy California was my cousin-anyways we used to trade emails etc ages ago), where's Michael?!?
we playing in New Jersey!
dig:
Le Grand Fromage is located at 25 Gordons Alley in Atlantic City. In case you don't know where that is, it's on Pennsylvania Ave between Atlantic and Pacific right across from the Taj Mahal.
25 S Presbyterian Ave
Atlantic City, NJ 08401
Phone: (609) 347-2743
OK---6 weeks til our showdown on the Hot Corner of Hoboken. Time enough to get your lard asses in shape! We've gone to half-rations and doubled up on the iron. Fair warning, that... Greco-Roman Rules, agreed?
