Dramarama
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Dramarama is a rock band formed on 1982 in New Jersey. Disbanded in 1994, Dramarama reunited in 2003 after an appearance on VH1's Bands Reunited reality show.
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About
When one thinks of the "garden state" rich colonial and revolutionary heritage may come to mind. However, equal to New Jersey's rich American heritage is the state's contribution to the music world. Frank Sinatra, Bruce Springsteen and Bon Jovi, icons in American music, all hale from the garden state.
Curiously, fellow New Jersey legend Frank Sinatra inspired a much lessor known musical commodity from the NJ township of Wayne, Dramarama. Indeed, Sinatra has been cited as one of Dramarama's many influences but listen to both and the only comparisons you'll likely make are the unique musical stylings each contributed to their respective genres. Sinatra, king of jazz singers and Dramarama, arguably, king of alternative grunge pop.
Formed in Wayne, NJ in 1982, Dramarama predated such well known alternative grunge pop legends as Nirvana and The Pixies. Never getting their due, over an 11-plus year history the band consistently churned out some of the finest garage rock known to post-modern man. A 1983 self-release five song ep turned into a 1985 full-length release titled Cinema Verite. The result produced the band's best known single "Anything Anything." Legendary Los Angeles alternative rock station KROQ-FM cited "Anything Anything" as the station's most requested song in their history.
Dramarama relocated to southern California for their second full-length release and began what should have been a one way ticket to rock and roll fortune and fame. Dramarama held up their end of the deal over the next ten years producing four consecutive near perfect alternative rock albums in quintessential Dramarama-style. However, the promise of mainstream success was never realized as Dramarama never broke from their devoted cult following. Despite national tours, major label deals and consistent alt-rock radio airplay, Dramarama remained the embodiment of cult rock heroes.
The Dramamrama quintent consisted of singer/songwriter (vocal stylist), John Easdale, lead guitarist Mark Englert (Mr. E Boy), bassist Chris Carter, guitarist Peter Wood and drummer Ron Machuga. Equal parts Sinatra and New York Dolls, together they brewed some of punk rock's most influential and potent blends.
The original five full-length releases, spanning 1985 to 1993, were followed up by a "farewell" show in Asbury Park's the Stone Pony in 1994. In part, thanks to the VH1 reality show Bands Reunited, Dramarama reunited and subsequently released a sixth full-length record Everybody Dies in 2005.
According to the John Easdale website dubbed the "official Dramarama website" band updates and tour dates have continued to surface through the end of 2007. True, "everybody dies" but so far, thankfully, Dramarama lives on.
Trademark Style
The signature style of Dramarama is crunchy guitar hooks, smoker's-voice vocals and lyrics that rhyme at all costs. No band ever delivered so much with so little recognition.
Discography
Albums
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European Releases
- The Looking Through
- The Bent-Backed Tulips,
Fan Club Only Release
- The Days of Wine and Roses (the Trash Tapes)
Other artists
Similar artists
Trivia
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Reviews
