Distorted Pony
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Distorted Pony
| image =
| caption =
| image_size =
| landscape = yes
| origin = Los Angeles, California, United States
| genre = Noise rock, industrial rock, punk rock
| years_active = 1986–1993
2010–present
| label = Bomp!, Trance Syndicate
| associated_acts = Sweet Pea, SwitchHitter
| website = {{URL|distortedpony.com/htms/home.htm|distortedpony.com}}
| current_members = Theodore Jackson
Dora Jahr
London May
David Uskovich
Eddie Rivas
| past_members = Robert Hammer
}}
Distorted Pony are an American noise rock band formed in Los Angeles in 1986.{{cite magazine |first=Marlene |last=Goldman |url=https://www.trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=distorted_pony |title=Distorted Pony |magazine=Trouser Press |year=2007 |accessdate=March 18, 2013}} The band originally consisted of bass player Dora Jahr and guitarist David Uskovich accompanied by a drum machine. Eventually, they were joined by London May and Theodore Jackson on drums and percussion and Robert Hammer on guitar. The group broke up in late 1993, but they reunited in early 2010 and started to perform reunion shows.{{Cite web|url=http://www.adequacy.net/2010/06/interview-with-theodore-jackson-of-distorted-pony/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402095037/http://www.adequacy.net/2010/06/interview-with-theodore-jackson-of-distorted-pony/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=April 2, 2015|title=Interview with Adequacy.net|publisher=Adquacy.net|accessdate=March 12, 2015|quote={{langx|en|"[Distorted Pony] I think we actually broke up in August of 93..the last album came out in April of 94."}}}}
History
Distorted Pony formed in 1986 in Los Angeles, California with Dora Jahr on bass and David Uskovich on guitar. The band initially used a drum machine to handle percussion duties. In 1988, the duo recruited drummer Theodore Jackson and guitarist Robert Hammer. The group's first release was the "Concrete Bruises" 7" single, which was released in 1990 through Piece of Mind.{{cite web|title=Distorted Pony Website ((( Discography )))|url=http://distortedpony.com/htms/discography.htm|publisher=Distorted Pony|author=Peterson, Adam|accessdate=March 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307060142/http://www.distortedpony.com/htms/discography.htm|archive-date=March 7, 2016|url-status=usurped}} The single was limited to only 1000 copies. In 1991, the band recruited drummer London May. After the release of extended plays and compilation appearances, the group released their debut album Punishment Room in 1992 through Bomp!. The album was recorded in January 1992 with the help of Steve Albini.{{cite web |first=Adam |last=Peterson |url=http://www.distortedpony.com/htms/history.htm |title=History/About |publisher=distortedpony.com |year=2001 |accessdate=March 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923215224/http://www.distortedpony.com/htms/history.htm |archive-date=September 23, 2015 |url-status=usurped }}{{cite web |last=Vinyljunkie138 |url=https://vinyljunkie138.wordpress.com/tag/steve-albini/ |title=Interview with Theodore Jackson of Distorted Pony |publisher=WordPress |date=June 14, 2010 |accessdate=March 18, 2013}} The band recorded another album with Albini the following year before breaking up in August 1993. The album, titled Instant Winner, was released posthumously in 1994 through Trance Syndicate.
The band reunited in 2010 and began to perform reunion shows with Eddie Rivas of Los Angeles noise rock band Leopold. In the summer of 2018 Distorted Pony completed a 14 date tour of Europe. In 2020 they played the No Coast Fest in Dallas, TX along with a club show in Austin in the following night.{{cite web|title=''Legends in the game Distorted Pony reunite on KXLU today|url=https://www.seancarnage.com/2010/08/20/legends-in-the-game-distorted-pony-reunite-on-kxlu-today/|publisher=SeanCarnage.com|author=Carnage, Sean|date=20 August 2010|accessdate=March 12, 2015}} On June 14, 2024 the band released the single "Crisis," their first new release in over 30 years.
Band members
- David Uskovich – Guitar, Vocals (1986 –1993, 2010–present)
- Dora Jahr – Bass, Vocals (1986–1993, 2010–present)
- Eddie Rivas- Guitar, Vocals (2010–present)
- London May – Drums (1991–1993, 2010–present)
- Theodore Jackson – Drums (1988–1993, 2010–present)
- Robert Hammer – Guitar (1988–1993)
Discography
;Studio albums
- Punishment Room (1992, Bomp!)
- Instant Winner (1994, Trance Syndicate)
;Live albums
- Live in Hamburg (2021, Improved Sequence)
;EPs
- Concrete Bruises (1990, Piece of Mind)
- Work Makes Freedom (1991, Bomp!)
- Dept. of Existence/Go Kart (1993, Gasoline Boost)
- Concrete Bruises (remaster/reissue for 2018 European tour) (2018, Total Annihilation Records/Beauty Fool Records)
;Compilation appearances
- Demolition Scare (1990, Demolition) – "Sinner's Prayer"
- The Big One (1991, Flipside) – "Jahr Null"
- HURT (1991, Braindrops) – "Scratch Out the Sky"
- Ow, Quit It! Vol. 1 (1992, Volvolo) – "Smittin"
- I Give You the Head of Corporate Rock and Roll Vol. 1 (1992, Pacifica Radio) – "Sinner's Prayer (Live)"
- The Smitten Love Song Compilation (1994, Karate) – "Insatiable Times"
- Destination: BOMP! (1994, Bomp!) – "HOD"
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.distortedpony.com/htms/home.htm}}
- {{AllMusic |class=artist |id=p38427}}
- {{Discogs artist}}
- {{Facebook|pages/Distorted-Pony/157038788603}}
{{Distorted Pony}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:1986 establishments in California
Category:American noise rock music groups
Category:American industrial rock musical groups
Category:Musical groups established in 1986
Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1993