Bombay Black at BurnJam.Com - It's not MySpace, It's Yours! | BurnJam.Com is the home for all music artists to host their mp3s, bio, pictures, video clips, and show schedules and receive top market exposure. We showcase any genre of signed or unsigned artists, independent labels, and major label artists.

Artist - Bombay Black

Bombay Black

Average Rating: 5.00
Rated a total of 6 times

Last update: 07/23/08 01:23:17
Account: BurnJam Elite

Location: AMERICA NORTH: USA: Arkansas (AR)
Signed up: 03 Jan 2008 12:46 PM
Members: Erik, Ty, Jim, Rob
Genre: Rock
Influences: As usual, it's a big mix of artists: Kiss, Van Halen, Journey, Def Leppard, King's X, Type O Negative, Pantera, Prince, Danny Elfman, Winger, Dan Reed Network
Website: http://www.myspace.com/bombayblack

Biography

BOMBAY BLACK is a hard melodic rock four-piece from Little Rock, Arkansas. Instead of starting out as a club band, we spent time recording a ton of material which has resulted in our debut CD, "Mercy", on the Kivel Records label. Our style is influenced by a lot of the bands we grew up on like Mötley Crüe, Kiss, Pantera, and Ozzy Osbourne, but more in line sonically with the modern rock that can be heard on the radio. We've opened up for bands such as L.A. Guns, Firehouse, and Slaughter and have recieved favorable reviews from the media. Our live shows are as much a spectacle as we can muster, from the musicianship to the light show. Occasionally, we blow something up.

ORIGIN OF THE NAME: It's the name given to East Indian Hash as well as a color of printer's ink. We found out about the drug reference long after we found the ink in a local Office Depot. So much for being decadent!

FORMING THE BAND: It's a long, involved, and slightly confusing tale of musical inbreeding. If you've got the inner fortitude to make your way through this twisted little tale, here it is:

Ty and Jim were in "Red Light District" along with a drummer named Sharpe. Later, this trio would end up in another band called "2 Much TV". Erik was a bassist and singer with a band that had a revolving door of drummers and at one point that band auditioned Rob, but the lead singer never called him back. They'd meet again when Rob's new band "Walking Mary Jane" (formerly Dirty Minded Romeos) would open for Erik's band (including a guitarist named Bruce).

Ty would soon leave "2 Much TV" and be replaced by three other bassists, one of which was Erik. Then, Erik and Sharpe splintered off with another of the replacement guitarists (Bruce from WMJ/DMR, who had replaced the original second guitarist's replacement) to form a new band. Jim and the singer for 2MTV got in Rob to play drums and rehired the bassist that Erik replaced to round out thier act.

Hang on. It gets better.

2MTV puts out a disc and subsequently folds. Meanwhile, Sharpe, Ty, and Erik get Darrell and form "The Screaming Santas". During this time, Rob and Jim are playing in a blues/rock cover band with Ty up until the Santas put out thier first CD. He's replaced by the bassist he originally replaced (who would soon be replaced by Erik, but that's another story!)

Two years and two CD's later, The Santas go on hiatus and Sharpe and Darrell move on halfway through the production of what is to be the material for Bombay Black. Erik and Ty get Jim and Rob to fill the vacancies, and there you have it.

Told ya it was screwy!

REVIEW FROM HARDROCK HAVEN
December 3rd, 2006
BOMBAY BLACK : "Junk Food" (Kivel Records)
When you order a CD in the mail, it's always cool when it arrives. Typically, it arrives in a nondescript manila envelope. Who cares about the package-you just want to rip it open and dig in, right? Well, when you get the new release from Kivel Record's band Bombay Black, called Junk Food, you'll get much more than a mere envelope. Nope, this bad boy arrives in a square, environment-raping styrofoam container, much like you'd get "to go" when you leave an almost respectable dive. When you crack the container open, the actual "Junk Food" CD is enveloped in plastic wrap, to keep it fresh! Now, you gotta admit-what a freakin' great idea, what a cool marketing concept. You are going to remember this one, even if the CD doesn't sate your appetite. That satiation will happen, though, because Junk Food offers three unreleased tracks you can't find on Anger Management or Mercy, and lets you check out this animal playing live with hits off both aforementioned CDs. (Kivel Records didn't specify if the first 100, first 1,000, etc. CDs will arrive this way, so pick up the CD ASAP!)

The first unreleased gem is called "Beast Inside." Bombay Black just finished playing Firefest III over in jolly ol' England, and in a recent interview with Hardrock Haven, the band admitted some people stated, "You are too heavy to play Firefest. But you still kick ****!" That heaviness is apparent on this track. Bombay Black is an odd amalgam of Zakk Wylde type metal riffs and Danger Danger-ish melodies. Lead singer, guitarist and songwriter Erik Johnson penned this one, and it truly rips. A song titled "****" has to be heavy, and on Junk Food, it is. The drums stand out a bit more on this one, but holy hell is the riffing one gnarly hook. That's the catch with Bombay Black-they are heavier than any melodic rock band you'll find, but they match them in melodies. Not easy to do, which makes Bombay Black unique and one of the bands that are going to be around for a long **** time. The final unreleased song is "Talk To Me." This is a somewhat slower track, heavy on bass and drums, and driven by a groovy riff. It's probably the most tame unreleased song, and gets slapped around by "Beast Inside" and "****."

After the first three songs, the live session kicks in. Bombay Black sounds even better as a live band, if that's possible. They sound exactly, almost note for note, like their studio releases, but there's just more adrenaline in their delivery. It's obvious Bombay Black is a "live" band, something they can proudly brag about. "Without You" is the first live song, and hearing Johnson singing, "I've got a better life, waiting without you!" let's you know they show no mercy and still have massive anger management issues. To be honest, while Bombay Black seems vehement, they actually have a hell of a sense of humor. The song, "Every Time I Miss You," one of their catchiest and should be radio-hits, proves the point. The lyrics are insanely hilarious. Hearing lines like, "And I think about the time I walked in on you, with someone else on the kitchen floor. I try to let it slide, but that's just what I do … every time I miss you," or the even more poignant, "You said I was deaf every time I said you called out the wrong name. And I was so naïve I didn't notice all the meth on the brain," you have to be singing along. The best line in this song, though, has to be the damning, "And I think about the moment that you smiled at me, down on another like a two-dollar ****," well … just freakin' enjoy it! This is probably the song that encapsulates the Bombay Black sound, and it's the best live song on Junk Food.

"Out of Your Mind" is another killer song, because they are making fun of groupies. Not in a way that'd it'd stop them from picking up a few dozen, but more as "constructive criticism," ahem. The harmonies on this chorus might be the one song where they don't nail it live, but Johnson sounds smooth as always. Again, lyrically, you gotta dig the way they sing, "And you're the kind of girl that gives me what I need, but if you think you're the only one, you better check yourself, cuz you're outta your …" Mind.

You'll get a bunch of their awesome live renditions on songs like "Who Do You Think You Are," "Get Mad Get Even," "Crazy" and "Forget About It." With Junk Food, Bombay Black catches you up to date on anything you may have missed, and lets you feel what you are going to experience when you finally get to see them live. They are not just talented, but they are a cool bunch of rockers making music that sounds like no one else. Get on the Bombay Black bandwagon now, cuz the best is yet to come …

Derric Miller

REVIEW FROM PiTRiFF Online
November 25, 2006
BOMBAY BLACK : "Junk Food" (Kivel Records)
It’s hard enough for most of the 80s metal bands out there to eek out a living today, and even that much harder for new bands that adopt the 80s flavored, hard melodic metal style to do anything at all. Of those newer bands trying it, there’s only a very select few that do it well. Bombay Black is one of those rare bands. This is a band that had they come out in 1988, they could have been as big as any Dokken-like band at the time. But times are what they are, and Bombay Black continues to grow one or two fans at a time. Fortunately, this only seems to fuel this band to work harder than those that are living off their reputation from 25 years ago.

For the most part, JUNK FOOD is a live album from Bombay Black, with 3 new tunes thrown in to remind you that they are only getting better as time goes on. As a live band, these guys continue to flourish. They tear through a solid set of material culled from their first 2 CDs, and sound a lot better than I would have envisioned them sounding live (having yet to see their live show). Songs like “You 4 Me” feature some excellent vocal harmonizations in the chorus while vocalist Erik Johnson brings his higher-end raspy voice to each and every song. Johnson sounds as good live as in the studio. While he may be the creative force in the studio for this band, it’s very clear that the live setting belongs to Jim, the guitar player. This guy is so cut from the George Lynch cloth that it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he wears Lynch Mob t-shirts on stage and spends all his off time lifting weights and shooting ‘roids. He roars on songs like “Without You”, “Bullet In My Head” and “Who Do You Think You Are”. At other times, such as on “Everything”, Jim proves to possess more of a skill for intricate playing and master craftsmanship as a player. He’s excellent, as is the entire band in the live setting.

To me though, the most interesting part of JUNK FOOD is the new material. The three new songs here don’t really follow along with their previous material. While no doubt Bombay Black music, songs like “Beast Inside” take a decided turn toward a thicker, heavier sound (which is very good on their part). “Talk To Me” and the feisty “****” showcase a band that clearly is evolving as time goes along.

PITRIFF RATING – 8/10 - With bands like Hinder getting a lot of attention these days even though they are a subpar band, it can’t be that much longer before someone at a major label finds these guys and scoops them up. More embarrassing still are the fans of this music that don’t support the new bands like this; being more content to again and again remember their past with sad renditions of Jani Lane, Bret Michaels and Motley Crue. With the resurgence of melodic, hard rock going on these days, Bombay Black could potentially be one of the bigger bands in the new scene. If you liked Dokken or Skid Row back in the day, then check this band out today.

Chris Akin

REVIEW FROM FIREWORKS MAGAZINE UK
April 28, 2006
BOMBAY BLACK : "Anger Management"
Wow! I was previously totally unfamiliar with Bombay Black, but having been fortunate in gaining the band's second album to review, I now know what the revellers at the Firefest 3 pre-show party are in for from Bombay Black;no-nonsense, hugely melodic hard rock American-style with a distinctly retro vibe that is absolutely stuffed with melodies and harmonies that totally invite the listener to sing along. Oh, and the Little Rock, Arkansas-based band also have a deliciously wicked sense of humour!

This is so finely demonstrated by the two tracks that bookend the twelve that are actually listed on the back of the CD ; 'Intro' and 'U Suck'. 'Intro' is really an anti-intro, with Erik Johnson explaining to label boss John Kivel in a voicemail why he feels the album does not need an intro "it's kinda hard coming up with something that hasn't been done before;" Well, folks, this is it;and it's a hoot. But, my oh my, wait till you hear 'U Suck'. It is absolutely what all of us who have ever been let down by somebody big style would like to present to them: "I must admit I've never met anyone like you. You're so full of ****, your eyes should be brown instead of blue…" and wait 'till you get to the chorus! Yes, they'll be bouncing off the walls at Rock City to this one, I have no doubt whatsoever!

And the twelve songs in between these are all about relationships and the angst and anger they seem to cause, and I absolutely guarantee this will help anyone work through lingering bad memories of failed relationships (well, it has me!!) Just cop a listen to 'Better Off Dead' : "You used to be my sunshine, now you're just like the rain;" or 'Masochistic Love Song': "She calls me her glorious disgrace that's why I let her kick my **** all over the place;" This is just what you need to put a smile on your face (along with a double shot of Jack, of course!)

Look, I could fill the rest of this page of Fireworks telling you what a great party album this is, but just go and get it (especially if you are going to Firefest) and get yourselves ready to rock and sing along.

Messrs Erik Johnson, Ty Sims, Jim, Perry and Rob McCauley I salute you…

Paul Jerome Smith

REVIEW FROM METALEXPRESSRADIO.COM
April 28, 2006
BOMBAY BLACK : "Anger Management"
“Bombay Black” is the name for a type of East Indian Hash … got your attention, didn’t it? However, Bombay Black (the band from Little Rock, Arkansas, USA) drew inspiration for their band name from a trip to an office supply store where it's actually a color of fountain ink. Atypically though, this Arkansas band didn’t grow up picking to the sounds of typical Southwestern musical influences like Lynyrd Skynyrd, Molly Hatchet, and the likes nope, this quartet;s influences range from Metal bands like , Kiss, Pantera, and Ozzy Osbourne. Anger Management represents their sophomore release on the Kivel Records label, as well as being produced, once again, by very production-capable bandmates Sims and Johnson.
Anger Management is an interesting release as Bombay Black has found a way to take an 80;s-era Metal framework and embellish it with Modern, almost Pop, Rock elements and pull it off quite successfully. Case in point, opener ;Without You; is a mid-tempo stomp Rocker that owes its tempo to Johnson and Perry;s buzz saw guitars, only to be accompanied by a rather ;Pop-ish; multi-tracked chorus. The track is also surprisingly replete with back-up vocals composed of ;Oohsas well as the ever-seemingly present Metal guitars. It sounds like a slightly ridiculous amalgam of diverse musical elements, but it works to make for some interesting, memorable music! ;Out Of Your Mind; is one of the many highlights that fit this uniqueness to a tee. This track starts out with a Zakk Wylde-like riff and a rhythm section with a heavy bottom end ; and then that distinct chorus chimes in. The splendid Melodic Pop-like chorus changes the tone ever so slightly until the scorching lead fills remind you that this is a Hard Rock release. The complete package makes for a very catchy tune. ;Forget About ; is also another catchy tune that rides at a slightly faster pace, but has a slightly weaker chorus than ;Out Of Your Mind.;
;Surprisingly, for a Hard Rock band, Bombay Black could actually cull a few bona fide US Radio hits off this release, if they were so inclined to release singles. Prime candidates ;Every Time I Miss You, You Know That I Will,and ;Smile; all qualify with their strong, smooth hook lines and commercial overtones.
The only real complaint that can be found within this splendid release is the band;s lyrical approach. The lyrics are somewhat simple and follow typical locker room language (e.g. references to ;two dollar ****,;my monkey’s spanked, and **** in a cup," etc.), and are not necessarily concerned with meshing the lyrics into the song structure as much as getting their basic point across, even being a bit comical at times. Because of this, some circles might not take the band as seriously as they should.
No doubt about it, this disc is full of melody, strong openings, strong choruses, and some crunch guitars. It truly is a commendable release of Hard Rock/Metal. Just be warned if you’re the type that really focuses on the lyrics … to the point that simple lyrical content can ruin your enjoyment … then move on. Otherwise, pick this one up and enjoy one distinct Hard Rock sound full of memorable, non-mushy choruses and some prime guitar work!

Reviewed by Scott Jeslis

REVIEW FROM HARDROCKHAVEN.NET
April 28, 2006
BOMBAY BLACK : "Anger Management"
When the guys in Bombay Black wrote their new CD, after hearing it in its entirety, the only title they COULD have come up with is Anger Management. Well, there could have been a few other titles, like I'm Pissed Off, or Women Freakin' Suck, or I Have Anger Issues, but Anger Management works best. Only their second release, Bombay Black is already carving out a name for themselves as the best new melodic hard rock band around. These guys will not let the momentum dwindle; they even just got back from a tour of Spain. Keeping that momentum going, they bring you their new release …

Intros are never good on any album. Putting a Bombay Black spin on things, the CD begins with lead singer Erik Johnson calling and leaving a message for his label head John Kivel and telling Kivel that intros are played out and there is no reason to do an intro. It's funny, with some cool effects, and is thankfully its own track, so after you hear it once or twice, you can skip it next time through.

The music begins with a blasting, heavy rocker called "Without You." Johnson and bassist Ty Sims produced the album and the sound is pure arena rock. It just blares at you, loud and clear, and makes you want to viciously abuse your liver. They lyrics are always something you need to pay attention to with Bombay Black: "Welcome to the Lonely Hearts Club; I'm sure you're in distinguished company. Have a smoke or a drink or a toke or what it takes to forget about me." While the title seems to go the Motley Crue route of a "love song," this is anything but, as Johnson yells, "I've got a better life waiting without you!" They picked the perfect song to begin Anger Management.

"Better Off Dead," is a mellower, '80s sounding groovy rock song. The hook is massive, and Johnson's voice has improved since the first go-around. Like their first CD, they write songs almost bragging about their problems with females. "I could poke out my eye, drink some cyanide, because I'd rather be in Hell than be with you tonight." Johnson is no slouch on the guitar either, ripping up a bluesy and clean solo.

Don't think that these guys are pop, melodic rock though. Listen to the riffs on "Out of Your Mind," for instance. This is an intensely heavy track, with other guitarist Jim Perry blazing through some intricate guitar leads. This guy can shred.

The fun never ends with this album. "Every Time I Miss You" sounds like a bubble-gum pop rock song, but oh no, with Johnson penning the song, it's pure spite. "I think about the time you smiled at me down on another like a two-dollar ****." Dang, hoss. The thing about writing these types of lyrics is that they are inherently memorable and allow you to sing along the second time you hear the track. That's really strength of Bombay Black - their songs are so catchy they can appeal to everyone not deaf.

There is not really a bad song on Anger Management. They keep the quality on high with songs like "Perfect Day in Hell," "Smile" and the hidden track, "You Suck!" You can tell that they are truly a "live band." There are no tricks here, just great songs and great music.

Bombay Black took the sophomore jinx, dumped a bottle of Jim Beam on it, and set it ablaze. Anger Management is better than Mercy, and it'll be a ride to see what they come up with next.

Reviewed by Derric Miller

REVIEW FROM HARDROCK HAVEN
Kivel Records chucks another quality release to the masses with Bombay Black, and their debut Mercy. The CD is rife with heavy guitars, ala Zakk Wylde or even George Lynch, yet crammed full of melodies and harmonies that will make you sing along. The band is so versatile they even have a rap song on Mercy but that comes later.
Most of the songs on the disk are about relationships, or the end of relationships, be it with loved ones, family, friends, etc. Blasting into your skull is the first track, ;Bullet In The Head.; Lead singer Erik Johnson has an ultra-melodic delivery, and doesn really sound like anyone else out there. Like all the Kivel bands, you have to be able to sing your **** off to get signed, and Johnson does just that. This song is about love, and about the title, Johnson explains, You gotta be out of your mind to go after something so variable and unsteady as love, cuz that's what it's like.
You for Me; is the first release from Bombay Black, and they have been getting rave reviews all over the planet. On the Classic Metal Shows Rocks Hard/Hardly Rocks,; the song set an unofficial record with a 99 percent approval rating. The chorus is catchy as all get out; they definitely picked the right song to announce their entry into the rock world.
Now, the song Weight of the World; may throw you for a loop if you donknow the story behind the song. Johnson actually raps, and he admits that he hates rap, but his point is to show how easy it is to do this type of song. Also, it;s a bit of a jab at one of his long-time friends who quit the music business, only to get a break and join one of the most popular nu-metal bands out there today.
When the guys slow it down a bit, like on Hooks, they still do a great job. This is their admitted ;pop, song, but its still heavy with riffing. The lyrics are hilarious as too, with lines like, She never acts evil, and she never acts tough. And you would never know that she likes it more than a little rough.The song may remind you of bands like Bowling for Soup.
eave Me Alone” may be the best song on the CD, with an a capella beginning, a great hook, strong melodies and smart lyrics. It’s just one of those songs that make you want to crank the amp upwards of 11. Some other strong tracks are the softer “Fade Away” and the pissed off fun of &;Get Mad Get Even.;
s Mercy is a can’t miss CD for fans of melodic hard rock.
Reviewer: Derric Miller

REVIEW FROM MELODICROCK.COM (Australia)
It's hard to find original records these days, but I think Bombay Black just about pull it off. With the swagger of bands like Kingofthehill and early Extreme, mixed with glam-ish chorus hooks and a big hard rock sound, these guys clearly offer something no one else in the market place has right now.
A strong performance from the booming voice of Erik Johnson helps propel this record to greater things. The band offers quite a variety of music within, from hard rock with a funky swagger to some downright glam-ish moments, such as on "Hooks". "Bullet In My Head" is a strong opener, but the glorious "You For Me" showcases the very best the band has to offer – hard rocking through the verse, with a monster chorus layered in harmonies.
Other highlights from within the album include "I'll Get Through", which has touches of Motley Crue – that sleazy attitude and thumping bass matched with strong harmony vocals. "Everything" doesn't appear to offer much during the verse, but big chorus from nowhere makes for another cool track. "Get Out" is yet another highlight – it has a ton of attitude and some definite angst. Another reminder of the Motley Crue of old. The band slows it down for a ballad in "Fade Away", which should be well received.
The last few tracks don't match the impact of the middle section and that doesn't match the first few tracks. I think the album opens with the strongest couple of tracks and from there heads downhill, but it still remains a strong and original enough album to warrant some positive attention.
The Bottom Line: The album sounds big and for the most part, the songs and a strong vocal performance propel that sound - coupled with some big hooks – through the speakers into the minds of those listening. Once there it's hard to stop humming along. A couple more tracks with choruses as big as "You For Me" would have made the album even better, but as it is, it rocks hard and has a lot of attitude. Recommended for fans of old school good time melodic hard rock.

Reviewed by Andrew McNiece