Murphy's Law (band)#Past members
{{Short description|American hardcore band}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
{{Multiple issues|
{{More citations needed|date=January 2016}}
{{Fanpov|date=July 2021}}}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Murphy's Law
| image = File:Murphys Law 2024.jpg
| caption = Big B, Jimmy Drescher, Walter "Monsta" Ryan
| alias =
| origin = New York City, U.S.
| instrument =
| genre = Hardcore punk, skate punk, crossover thrash
| occupation =
| years_active = 1982–present
| label = Profile, Relativity, We Bite, Artemis, NYHC Tattoos, {{nowrap|I Scream,}} Reflex/Wolfpack
| current_members = {{blist|Jimmy Drescher|Joe James|Larry The Hunter|Gary Bennett|Big B|Walter "Monsta" Ryan}}
| past_members = See below
}}
Murphy's Law is an American hardcore punk band from New York City, formed in 1982. While vocalist Jimmy Drescher{{Cite web|title=The Most Influential Figures of NYHC: Jimmy G. (Murphy's Law) {{!}} Features|url=https://www.noecho.net/features/the-most-influential-figures-of-nyhc-jimmy-g-murphys-law|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=Noecho.net|date=June 19, 2018 }} remains the only founding member of the band, the line-up has consisted of numerous musicians who have performed with a diverse selection of musical acts across multiple genres, such as Skinnerbox, Danzig, The Bouncing Souls, Mucky Pup, Dog Eat Dog, Hanoi Rocks, Fishbone, Agnostic Front, Warzone, the Cro-Mags, D Generation, New York Dolls, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, The Slackers, Thursday, Skavoovie and the Epitones, White Trash and Glen Campbell.
Over the course of their career, Murphy's Law has released five albums, the last of which, The Party's Over, was released in 2001.
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History
=''Murphy's Law'' and ''Back with a Bong'' (1986–1990)=
Released in 1986, Murphy's Law's self-titled debut album features fast-paced, short songs with more mosh sections; however, they also managed to blend in some laid-back Californian punk sounds and even blues into the stomping New York hardcore anthems. Some of the songs on this album could also be credited as an influence on the burgeoning thrash metal scene which had taken to incorporating elements of New York hardcore into their sound and general song structure – for instance, Anthrax and S.O.D., whose Speak English or Die album (even being released a year before the actual registration of Murphy's Law eponymous) predated this release. They shared a common interest in the lyrical themes of drinking, smoking, and partying with the likes of Boston hardcore band, Gang Green as well as the California-based punk band Fear – another trait which separates them from the sociopolitical leanings of fellow New York Hardcore bands. On later albums they diversified with experiments into ska. The album spawned a few live favorites which were devised to "get the party going" – "Fun", "Beer", and "Care Bear" being just a small selection.
Back with a Bong was released in 1989{{cite book |title=The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock |date=1999 |publisher=Virgin Books |isbn=0-7535-0257-7 |editor=Colin Larkin |edition=First |page=311}} on Profile Records, featuring the fan favorite "Attack of the Killer Beers", and subsequently re-released on Another Planet Records in 1994, with the previous self-titled album on the same disc. It came three years after the previous album and the band had undergone somewhat of a transformation with Jimmy Drescher the only remaining member. Alex Morris had been replaced on guitar by Todd Youth – previously of fellow New York City hardcore bands, Agnostic Front and Warzone, and later of Danzig. Chuck Valle replaced Pete Martinez on bass, and Doug E. Beans took over drumming duties from Petey Hines. In 1989, Murphy's Law opened for the Red Hot Chili Peppers on their Mother's Milk tour.{{cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-04-09-vl-268-story.html|title=MUSIC MURPHY'S LAW : Suds 'n' Sounds : The band, known for its 'loud, grungy' style, is promoting a new album, which contains the tune 'Beer Bath.' So beware.|first1=Bill|last1=Locey|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=9 April 1992|access-date=23 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220423192201/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-04-09-vl-268-story.html|archive-date=23 Apr 2022}}
=''The Best of Times'' (1991–1992)=
Murphy's Law ushered in the 1990s with a reinvigorated blast of their debauchery-laced brand of comedic punk. Stylistically, Murphy's Law made quite a jump on The Best of Times. The band did dabble in skacore long before it exploded, but was always pretty much a flat-out hardcore unit in the 1980s. The Best of Times finds Jimmy Drescher and friends combining funk, reggae, ska, and hardcore into their own distinct brew, shedding any dogmatic restrictions applied to the standards of their genre in the 1980s.
Production by Fishbone's John "Norwood" Fisher and Philip "Fish" Fisher lends authenticity and diversity to The Best of Times, as does the added instrumentation by several members of Fishbone. Covers of James Brown and Stevie Wonder provide some insight into Murphy's Law's inclusion as a group supporting people and fellow bands of all races and creeds. While Murphy's Law continued to expand musically on The Best of Times, the subject matter doesn't otherwise stray too far from earlier work. Songs about pot, beer, girls, and cars showcase the glorious immaturity and quest for fun that pretty much define Murphy's Law. When the band does get serious, which is not very often, it's in the interest of unity and friendship.
The title track is basically a fan tribute, thanking a small but loyal group of followers for the support that's enabled Murphy's Law to continue the party. The ska-tinged but heavy "1%" revels in the outcast-minded punk rock ethos, giving nod to those who embrace the good and bad of surfing the fringe of culture and society. Classic Murphy's Law rage surfaces on "Harder Than Who", an attack on the mindless aggression and competition that sometimes rule the hardcore scene.
=''Good for Now'', death of Chuck Valle and two more albums (1993–2009)=
File:Murphy's Law Live in Poland.jpg
Murphy's Law collected a bunch of stomping, fast and anthem-style hardcore punk songs for this. It was their first studio album in five years since The Best of Times. The personnel differed from previous efforts; however, Jimmy G's vocals still provide the sound's basis. As with prior albums, the lyrics revolve mainly around smoking, drinking, and partying. A blur of melodic hardcore eventually gives way near the end to some saxophone-led ska. Dedication was released by Another Planet on March 19, 1996. The label had already picked up the rights to their previous material from Profile Records and in 1994 had released a split CD with their self-titled and Back with a Bong albums on the same disc.
The album was produced by Daniel Rey who had previously worked with The Ramones, The Misfits, and even Boston hardcore punk band Gang Green – with whom Murphy's Law share a lyrical penchant. He also wrote one of the songs for this album, "Greenbud". It follows 1993's Good for Now EP and the 1991 studio album, The Best of Times. The album Dedicated, released in 1996, was dedicated to former bass player, Chuck Valle, who was tragically killed in a knife related incident in 1994. His picture appears on the back page of the CD inlay and a picture of a tattoo inscribed with the words "In Memory of Chuck" appears on the jewel case inlay. The band did not record another album until The Party's Over in 2001,{{Cite web|last=Punknews.org|title=Murphy's Law - The Party's Over|url=https://www.punknews.org/review/14974/murphys-law-the-partys-over|access-date=July 8, 2020|website=punknews.org|date=March 19, 2017 }} but had plenty of singles, compilation, and split EPs with other bands in between. In 2002 Reflex/Wolfpack Records released a European vinyl pressing of The Party's Over.
Listeners find former D Generation guitarist Rick Bacchus, bassist Sal Villaneuva (Demonspeed), and drummer Eric Arce (Skarhead) joining forces with original Murphy's Law frontman Jimmy G and producer Daniel Rey (Ramones, The Misfits, and White Zombie). The result of this 2001 collaboration is 15 tracks of blistering, rowdy, and fast club punk. The song "The Party's Over" refers to the former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's intense "clean up" of the Big Apple. There are few musical departures on this predominately speedy punk album. "Walking Alone" incorporates a bit of a reggae vibe, while a saxophone line accents "Skinhead Girl", a cover of the song originally by Symarip, that takes the tempo down a notch to a swaggering groove while staying true to punk form.
=I Scream Records (2010–present)=
On April 12, 2010, Murphy's Law announced in a MySpace blog entry that they were working on a sixth studio album as well as a DVD and vinyl reissues of their back catalog.{{cite web|url=http://www.myspace.com/murphyslawnyhc/blog/532681197 |title=New Murphy'S Law Album, A Dvd, And Some Other Cool Shit In The Works! Van Murphy'S Law Op Myspace |publisher=Myspace.com |date=April 13, 2010 |access-date=September 13, 2011}} On May 4, 2011, it was announced that Murphy's Law were signed to I Scream Records, who were scheduled to release the band's first studio album of original material since 2001's The Party's Over, as well as reissues of their back catalog. The reissued albums were released on CD, digital download, and vinyl in 2014 with previously unreleased bonus tracks. There had been no news or updates on new music from Murphy's Law until April 2025, when the band announced that they were in the studio recording a new album.{{cite web|url=https://metalstorm.net/events/news_comments.php?news_id=58282|title=Murphy's Law - Recording First Long Player In 24 Years|publisher=Metal Storm|access-date=April 29, 2025|date=April 29, 2025}}
Media
In 2002, the band appeared in Matthew Barney's film Cremaster 3 along with Agnostic Front.{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0321781/ |title=Cremaster 3 (2002)|website=IMDb.com|date=May 25, 2003|access-date=January 24, 2016}} In 2004, the song "Vicky Crown" appeared in a music video montage featuring Nick Mondo in the game Backyard Wrestling 2. In 2008, the song "A Day in the Life" was featured, as well as Jimmy G. himself as the DJ of Liberty City Hardcore (L.C.H.C){{cite web|url=http://www.grandtheftwiki.com/Liberty_City_Hardcore |title=Liberty City Hardcore - Grand Theft Wiki, the GTA wiki |publisher=Grandtheftwiki.com |date=October 21, 2010 |access-date=September 13, 2011}} radio station in the action videogame Grand Theft Auto IV.
Members
Murphy's Law has gone through numerous line-up changes over its four decade history with Jimmy Drescher as its only constant member.
=Current members=
- James Drescher – lead vocals (1982–present)
- Joe James – guitars
- Larry The Hunter – guitars
- Gary Bennett – guitars
- Walter "Monsta" Ryan – drums
- Big B – bass
=Past members=
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==Guitars==
- Alex "Uncle Al" Morris (1982–1986)
- Todd Youth (Danzig, Chrome Locust, Agnostic Front, Warzone, D Generation, Glen Campbell) (1989–1991, 1996) (died 2018)
- Felipe Lithgow (2007-2012)
- Jack Flanagan (The Mob) (1993)
- Ace Von Johnson (Madcap, The Generators, Duane Peters Gunfight)
- Christopher Kerrigan aka "Chris Redd" (Lockdown, Those Hated Hearts, Necktangle, Revenge of the Dragon)
- Chris Shannon (Demonspeed)
- Dan Nastasi (Dog Eat Dog, Nastasee, Mucky Pup, Kings Never Die)
- Erick "Epick" Hartz (Los Dudes, The Boilermakers, Zen Butcher, The Lobrows)
- Jason Stickney (CHUD)
- Jason Burton (Not A Part of It)
- Joe Porfido (Inhuman, Agnostic Front)
- Johnny Waste (Urban Waste, Major Conflict)
- Larry "the Hunter" Nieroda (Subzero, Stigma, Son of Skam, Loved & Hated, Inhuman, Sheer Terror, Kings Never Die)
- Rick Bacchus
- Sean Kilkenny (Dog Eat Dog, Mucky Pup, Harley's War, Stigma) (died 2021)
- Tim Miller (Blanks 77,Broken Heroes)
- Rod Martino (Ruder Than You)
- A.J. Novello (1997)
- Kane Kelly (die Strömms)
==Bass==
- Adam Mucci (1982)
- Pete Martinez (1986)
- Chuck Valle (Ludichrist, Dripping Goss) (1989–1993)
- Felipe Lithgow(2019-2022)
- Dean Rispler (1996)
- Aaron "White Owl" Collins (Skarhead, White Trash, Butterbrain, Hash)
- Anthony Di Masi (The Unopposed)
- Ben "Tucks" Orenstein (U.N. Posse)
- Brian Ellingham aka Pico Da' Bass (F.O. the Smack Magnet)
- Christian Hoffmeister
- Dug Donohoe
- Eddie Cohen
- "Genghis" Jon Carrier
- Ghoul Man
- J.R.
- Phil Caivano (Shrapnel, Blitzspeer, Monster Magnet)
- Ron Delux (The Turnbucklers, Unlucky 3, Cinema Nine)
- Russel Iglay (Underdog)
- Sal Villanueva
- Sami Yaffa (Hanoi Rocks, New York Dolls, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts)
- Tommy Kennedy
- Tommy Sick (DFA, Zyris, SIB)
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==Drums==
- Harley Flanagan (Cro-Mags, The Stimulators) (1982)
- Petey Hines (Cro-Mags, Handsome) (1986)
- Doug Beans (The Functional Idiots, Mearth, The Montalbans, Hellride 102, Aggravated Assault, Defiance) (1989–1991)
- Michael McDermott (Skinnerbox, The Bouncing Souls, Joan Jett And The Blackhearts, The Kilograms) (1993)
- Eric "Goat" Arce (Crown of Thornz, Skarhead, Merauder, The Misfits) (1996)
- Chris Ara (Zombie Vandals, The Krays)
- Dan Lettieri
- Donny Didjits (Time Bomb 77, Anti Heros, A.P.A, Liberty)
- Frank Lema (Half-Life, Freakmode)
- Jay Colangelo (American Standard)
- John “Solar Skin” Sullivan
- Nick Angeleri
- Quincy Kirk (Graves, Broken Heroes, Headwound)
- Steve Barna (Fake Your Death)
- Todd Irwin
- Tucker Rule (Thursday)
- Vincent Alva rest in peace.
- Pokey (1997)
==Horns==
- Angelo Moore – saxophone (1989–1991)
- Christopher Dowd – trombone (1989)
- Walter Kibby III – trumpet (1989)
- Scott Mayo – saxophone (1991)
- Reggie Young – trombone (1991)
- Fernando Pullam – trumpet (1991)
- Jeff "Django" Baker (Skinnerbox, Stubborn All-Stars) – trombone (1993)
- Danny Dulin (Skinnerbox, Stubborn All-Stars) – trumpet (1993)
- Ben Jaffe (Skavoovie and the Epitones, The Diamond Mines, Eli "Paperboy" Reed and the True Loves) – saxophone
- D-Robb (D-Robb and The Shots) – trombone
- Jeremy "Mush One" Mushlin (The Slackers) – trumpet, vocals
- Johnny Banks – trumpet
- John Mulkerin – trumpet
- Joseph Bowie – trombone
- Raven (Seaton "Chuck" Hancock III) – saxophone
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=Timeline=
{{#tag:timeline
|ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea = left:200 bottom:100 top:0 right:0
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = mm/dd/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1982 till:08/25/2020 # it's best not to use auto-updating timelines as it can cause problems when the graphic updates on a daily basis
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1982
ScaleMajor = increment:5 start:1982
Legend = position:bottom orientation:vertical columns:3
Colors =
id:Vocals value:red legend:Vocals
id:Guitar value:green legend:Guitar
id:Bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:Sax value:tan2 legend:Saxophone
id:Trom value:coral legend:Trombone
id:Trump value:skyblue legend:Trumpet
id:Drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:studio value:black legend:Album
BarData =
bar:Drescher text:"Jimmy Drescher"
bar:Morris text:"Alex Uncle Al Morris"
bar:Youth text:"Todd Youth"
bar:JFlanagan text:"Jack Flanagan"
bar:Martino text:"Rod Martino"
bar:Mucci text:"Adam Mucci"
bar:Martinez text:"Pete Martinez"
bar:Valle text:"Chuck Valle"
bar:Rispler text:"Dean Rispler"
bar:Lithog text:"Felipe Lithgow"
bar:Raven text:"Raven (Seaton Chuck Hancock III)"
bar:Moore text:"Angelo Moore"
bar:Mayo text:"Scott Mayo"
bar:Dowd text:"Christopher Dowd"
bar:Young text:"Reggie Young"
bar:Baker text:"Jeff Django Baker"
bar:Kibby text:"Walter Kibby III"
bar:Pullam text:"Fernando Pullam"
bar:Dulin text:"Danny Dulin"
bar:HFlanagan text:"Harley Flanagan"
bar:Hines text:"Petey Hines"
bar:Deans text:"Doug Beans"
bar:McDermott text:"Michael McDermott"
bar:Arve text:"Eric Goat Arce"
bar:Ara text:"Chris Ara"
LineData =
layer:back
color:studio
at:06/01/1983
at:08/01/1986
at:06/01/1989
at:11/05/1991
at:03/19/1996
at:05/22/2001
PlotData=
width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
bar:Drescher from:start till:end color:Vocals
bar:Morris from:start till:12/31/1986 color:Guitar
bar:Youth from:12/31/1989 till:12/31/1991 color:Guitar
bar:JFlanagan from:01/01/1993 till:12/31/1993 color:Guitar
bar:Youth from:01/01/1996 till:12/31/1996 color:Guitar
bar:Martino from:01/01/2018 till:end color:Guitar
bar:Mucci from:start till:12/31/1983 color:Bass
bar:Martinez from:01/01/1986 till:12/31/1986 color:Bass
bar:Valle from:01/01/1989 till:12/31/1993 color:Bass
bar:Rispler from:01/01/1996 till:12/31/1996 color:Bass
bar:Lithog from:01/01/2018 till:end color:Bass
bar:Raven from:start till:12/31/1983 color:Sax
bar:Moore from:01/01/1989 till:12/31/1991 color:Sax
bar:Mayo from:01/01/1991 till:12/31/1991 color:Sax
bar:Raven from:01/01/1996 till:12/31/1996 color:Sax
bar:Raven from:01/01/2018 till:end color:Sax
bar:Dowd from:01/01/1989 till:12/31/1989 color:Trom
bar:Young from:01/01/1991 till:12/31/1991 color:Trom
bar:Baker from:01/01/1993 till:12/31/1993 color:Trom
bar:Kibby from:01/01/1989 till:12/31/1989 color:Trump
bar:Pullam from:01/01/1991 till:12/31/1991 color:Trump
bar:Dulin from:01/01/1993 till:12/31/1993 color:Trump
bar:HFlanagan from:start till:12/31/1983 color:Drums
bar:Hines from:01/01/1986 till:12/31/1986 color:Drums
bar:Deans from:01/01/1989 till:12/31/1991 color:Drums
bar:McDermott from:01/01/1993 till:12/31/1993 color:Drums
bar:Arve from:01/01/1996 till:12/31/1996 color:Drums
bar:Ara from:01/01/2018 till:end color:Drums
}}
Discography
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=Albums=
- Bong Blast (1983) Spliff Records
- Murphy's Law (1986) Profile Records
- Back with a Bong (1989) Profile Records
- The Best of Times (1991) Relativity Records
- Dedicated (1996) Another Planet
- The Party's Over (2001) Artemis Records
=Live albums=
- Beer, Smoke, and Live (2002) P.O.P. Records
=Cover albums=
- Covered (2005) NYHC Tattoos Records
=Re-Issued albums=
- Murphy's Law / Back with a Bong (1994) Another Planet – split CD
- The Best of Times / Good for Now (2000) Artemis Records – split CD
=EPs=
- Good for Now EP (1994) We Bite Records
=Music videos=
- "Panty Raid" (1989)
- "What Will the Neighbors Think?" (1996)
- "Vicky Crown" (2001)
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=Singles=
- "Monster Mash" (1991) Relativity Records – CD single
- "My Woman from Tokyo" (1995) – Japan only 7" split single
- "What Will the Neighbors Think?" (1996) Another Planet – 7" single
- "Genkika" (1996) – Japan only 7" split single
- "Kansai Woman" (1996) – Japan only 7" single
- "Quality of Life" (1998) NG Records – 7" split single
=Compilation albums=
- How to Start a Fight (1996) Side One Dummy Records
- Show & Tell - A Stormy Remembrance of TV Themes (1997) Which? Records
- Creepy Crawl Live (1997) Another Planet
- Music to Kill For (1998) Triple Crown Records
- City Rockers: A Tribute to the Clash (1999) Side One Dummy Records
- Never Mind The Sex Pistols: Here's The Tribute (2000) Radical Crown Records
- Under the Influence - A Tribute to the Clash, the Cure, and the Smiths (2001) Triple Crown Records
- The World Wide Tribute to the Real Oi Volume 2 (2002) I Scream Records
- Jager Music Volume 2 (2002) jagermusic.com Records
- Warped Tour Compilation (2002) Side One Dummy Records
- The Best (2005) NYHC Tattoos Records
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References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commonscat}}
- {{facebook|Murphyslawnyhc}}
- {{allmusic}}
- {{URL|https://www.crawlspacebooking.com/murphys-law|Tour dates}} at Crawlspace Booking
{{Murphy's Law}}
{{Authority control}}
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Category:1982 establishments in New York City
Category:Crossover thrash groups
Category:Hardcore punk groups from New York (state)
Category:Musical groups established in 1982
Category:Musical groups from New York City