In the late Fall of 1990, Joey Vindictive posts MUSICIANS WANTED flyers at the local guitar shop. Within a coupla’ days, Dr. Bob drops him a line, the two of them click. First connection is made. Joey and Bob run through song ideas, but the Holidays slow things down…and things don’t really pick up again until late Winter/early Spring 1991 when Joey gets the referral for Johnny Personality by friend Ben Weasel. The first rehearsals are held in Dr. Bob’s garage with Johnny on drums, Bob on Guitar and Joey on Lead Vox – (Johnny switches to Bass after Ex-“Gore Gore Girls” Drummer, Erik Elsewhere is recruited).
Feeling that the sound is a bit thin for the material – Joey once again hits up his friend Ben in search of a rhythm guitarist – who offers his own services and the VINDICTIVES are whole. They recorded 8 songs for their debut self titled 7” and follow up 7” “The Invisible Man” (both on VML Records 1991) with this lineup. Shortly after their first few gigs P.J. Parti replaces Elsewhere on Drums.
In the Spring of ’92 The VINDICTIVES are back in the studio recording 10 songs for 2 more 7” records “Assembly Line” and “Ugly American” (Both on VML Records 1992) as well as 2 extra tracks “Dummyroom” and “Pervert at Large” which would be released on seperate compilations later on. “Pervert at Large” released on the Fallen Upon Deaf Ears 10” comp. (Skullduggery 1994) And “Dummyroom” on the “Achtung Chicago Zwei” compilation (Underdog Records 1993).
In the Summer of ’92 the VINDICTIVES return to the studio to record 2 “SEX PISTOLS” tunes for a SEX PISTOLS tribute compilation that is never released.. Their versions of “Seventeen” and “No Feelings” are later released by the Skullduggery label on a limited 5” single later on in 1994.
In the Fall of 1992 Billy Blastoff replaces Ben Weasel (who has reclaimed his frontman duties in the newly reformed SCREECHING WEASEL). In the Winter of that year THE VINDICTIVES went back in the studio to record 18 more songs. They are released on “This is my Face” EP (VML Records '93) and “Disturbia” EP(VML Records '93) and “Rocks in my Head” EP(Lookout Records '94). The remaining songs from that session would appear on the compilations Punk USA, “I’m in Trouble Now” (Lookout! Records '94) and the Teenage Kicks 10” “You Know Who you Are” (Custodial Records '95). Later released from that session is the 2 song single, “Left for Dead” b/w “Alarm Clocks” (Lookout! Records '95) and a 7” picture disc featuring the songs “Johnny Where are you?” b/w “Eating Me Alive” (Lookout! Records '95).
In the Spring of 1993 the band went back into the studio to record “Partytime for Assholes” a limited double 10 inch compilation of cover songs, released on Selfless Records in 1994 (and later self released on CD in 1995 on VML Records). From that same session the Bananna Splits cover “Two Ton Tessie” was recorded for the Bannana Pad Riot 7” for The Skullduggery Label released in 1995.
In the Summer of 1993 the band practiced new material for their first full length album for Lookout Records.
Plans were derailed when Joey was injured in a severe auto accident. After Joeys long recovery, plans to go back into the studio that Winter were once again thwarted due to Dr. Bobs life long substance abuse problems.
Plans for the debut full length were put on hold.
In the early months of 1994 the VINDICTIVES rehearsed songs for their entry into the RAMONES Tribute series. The VINDICTIVES “Leave Home” tribute album (Selfless '94) would be released later that year.
In the Summer of 1994 rehearsals began for what would be the very last 2 shows featuring the VINDICTIVES “classic line-up”. A double set at the Crawlspace on June 5th 1994 and along side THE QUEERS, SLOPPY SECONDS and The TRASH BRATS at the Oak Theatre June 25th 1994. Shortly after that Joey, Johnny and Billy formed The Flim-Flams with Jenny Gee (Joey's mate and Dummyroom Record and Video Store partner) and Allison Vunderlandt.
The Flim-Flams would go on to record 2 LP’s (the second of which remains unreleased).
In 1995 Lookout Records released “The Many Moods of The Vindictives” a double LP containing the bands first seven 7” records remixed with some added backups and guitar parts. It’s gone down in history as a basic part of any VINDICTIVES fans collection. From 1995 to July of 1996, Joey, Johnny & Billy wrote and practiced new material with Mike Geek on lead guitar (formerly of the GEEKS and currently with the METHADONES) and Tres Quatro (currently missing in action). This version of the VINDICTIVES never recorded or released anything – and only played one show. On Monday July 15th 1996 practice sessions with this line-up ceased.
For the next couple of years Joey, Johnny, Billy and Jenny would work on various private musical projects and run VML Records. The VINDICTIVES sprang back to life in 1998 with drummer Angel LeDezma and recorded “HYPNO PUNKO tm” (Coldfront Records '99). In 2000 the novelty X-Mas single “Nuttin’ For X-Mas”/”Jingle Bells” was released by Stardumb Records. In February of 2003 founding member Dr. Bob passed away of a heroin overdose.
In 2004. “Original Masters” ( a singles compilation), “Curious Oddities and the Bare Essentials” (a singles compilation of never before released on CD singles/ep and bonus tracks), “Muzak for Robots” (all instrumental “krautrock” versions of VINDICTIVES songs) and the VINDICTIVES, “Unplugged” were released (Teat Productions '04).
Joey, Johnny & Jenny are presently rehearsing together with “MONEY SHOT” for a debut LP/CD.
As of this writing all of the VINDICTIVES titles are unavailable and out of print.
Plans for the re-release of the entire VINDICTIVES back catalogue are set for 2008 on
Bouncing Betty Records, along with a brand new full length release and performances.
