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The Hyperjax Biography
North West of England Punk/Rockabilly trio mixing hard gritty rock n roll with anthemic singalong choruses and intelligent lyrics. Brought to you with attitude, charisma, streetwise swagger and a dynamic stage performance youll never forget.
Formed in the summer of 1996 by singer and guitarist Sam Woods and double bass player Bob Corner. Sharing the same interests in Rockabilly and Psychobilly music they formed the first incarnation of the band with drummer Martin Cox, who was replaced by Fido Banks in 1997. The band began gigging the traditional pub/club circuit as well as the so-called "Rockin scene" mixing traditional 50s covers with original compositions. The line up was secured in Jan 2000, when Fido's departure saw versatile powerhouse tub-thumper Wally P. Parkinson join the fold. By now bored of playing pubs and the Rockin' scene that to them had become too conservative towards the streetwise Psychobilly sound of their own material, the band started to walk in their own shoes.
The new direction built them a following in venues in their own right amongst the re-emergent Psychobilly scene and that year in October the band landed a slot in New Jersey, USA, at the now legendary BIG RUMBLE WEEKENDER, performing alongside such luminaries as Nekromantix, Batmobile and The Quakes. Together they appeared on film performing their then MP3-only single 'Happy Pillz'. Not bad for a band who
had not yet even released a full album! 2001 saw the band hit mainland Europe, not to mention consistent turing up and down the UK. That year the band also recorded their first full album with legendary producer, and Sharks mainman Alan Wilson. In early 2002, following years of anticipation from both fans and the band alike, the ten-track debut, 'Generation X-Rated' was released on Raucous Records. It had been a long time coming, but rave reviews followed, earning comparisons to landmark Psychobilly debuts, and the quest for glory gained momentum!
2003 saw the Hyperjax embark on the appropriately titled 'Seven year itch tour', taking in the length and breadth of the UK in a week, something the band had never achieved in their sometimes difficult 7 years of playing. In August the band played two consecutive nights at 'The Carling Reading Festival', playing in front of an all-new buzzing crowd. In December of that year, UNCUT magazine included the Hyperjax' cover of 'Capital Radio' on their cover-CD, entitled 'White Riot (a tribute to the Clash)'. The band appeared alongside the likes of Billy Bragg, Stiff Little Fingers and the late great Joe Strummer himself.
In early 2004, following a US release of Generation X-Rated, the band was booked for the now infamous Macabre Festival in San Bernardino USA, following some major US radio airplay. With more West Coast dates added, and a tour in place, the boys headed across the Atlantic in June. Unfortunately, the promoter had pulled the festival, booking the bands, taking people's ticket money and quickly disappeared. Unpertubed, the band carried on with the salvage shows in San Francisco, Long Beach and Los Angeles.
Back home, the band embarked on a tour with pop-punk titans The Horrorpops, winning rave reviews in Metal Hammer and Big Cheese magazines for the sold out London gig.
In 2005 the band joined Tiger Army for their extensive Jan UK tour, winning over more new crowds. March saw the addition of ex-Short Cuts guitarist Matt Cooley on rhythm guitar, bringing a new dimension to the band's already established sound.
In August, Wally decided that after five years beind the drumstool and the mounting pressure to record a follow up to Generation X Rated, that enough was enough, and duly quit the band, to be replaced by Cooley's former Short Cuts ally, and future The Business sticksman Chris 'Bundie' Mundie. A rejuvenated Hyperjax were soon gigging again, hitting the road hard, culminating in a spot at the 1st Astru Psycho festival in mainland Spain. The band also went into the studio after being asked to contribute to the official Stray Cats tribute album, recording their take on the classic "Gina" (Japanese release only). 2005 ended on a high with the band playing a short Scandinavian tour, ending on New Year's Eve in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Into 2006. The new line up had found its feet, and between continuous touring, the band went into the studio to record the second album, "The Bottom Line", in March. The album getting a release in march the following year to further critical acclaim, and airplay on BBC Radio 1
In 2007, the band was contacted by Alan Wilson. Alan was now acting as Psychobilly A&R man for the biggest independant record label in Europe, Cherry Red Records, and he and the label wanted The Hyperjax release their third album through Cherry Red. Unfortunately, that year Bundie left the band to fullfill his commitments with The Business to be briefly replaced with young prodigy Manning. Also, commitments outside of the band were putting pressure on the existing line up, and following a slowing of momentum, Sam made the decision to bring down the curtain on the band.
Bob, Cooley (now taking up lead vocals)and Manning (switching to guitar from drums) along with Wally P. Parkinson back on drums formed A Sailors Grave. Sam, meanwhile, took a two month break from music to travel, but on his return, decided he was going to maintain the Hyperjax name and record the album for Cherry Red. Recruiting Liam Revenge of Manchester punk rock'n'rollers Revenge of the Psychotronic Man on guitar, ex Frantic Flintstones double bass player Keith Green, and Neil Holden, drummer for seminal Preston hardcore legends Dying for Toto. A rebooted Hyperjax announced they were back, with the same head but new limbs, making their debut in August at The Solway Festival, directly before folk-crusties The Levellers. The gig proved to be a turning point for the band, and the new line-up began gigging, writing and rehearsing in earnest
2008 saw two European tours and the release of 'The Wildest Card' to critical acclaim from the alternative press and the psychobilly scene, but also sadly saw the departure of bass man Keith Green, a man that had played an integral part in the rejuvenation of the Hyperjax. Rhythm guitarist Liam switched to bass, and the band reverted to a 3-piece for the first time in 5 years. A heavy gigging schedule saw the album promoted up and down the country and abroad, and 2009 saw the band pulling no punches with new material being written and no let up with the touring with festival and European dates as well as an extensive set of shows throughout the UK.
hyperjax
'Happy Pillz' live at Bedlam Breakout 5
'Madam Butterfly' (appearing on the forthcoming 2008 album; 'The Wildest Card') live in Tiki's Bar, Gierle, Belgium, February 2008
Video for "Panic Button"
Click the link below to buy "The Bottom Line", "Generation X-Rated" and "This is Rockabilly Clash" from Raucous Records' WebstoreThis is Rockabilly Clash .available from: Raucous Records!
Click here for the Hyperjax websiteTHE HYPERJAX
The Hyperjax Discography 1998 THE DEVILS JUKEBOX (Various Artists CD) 'Bone Tone Corporation'
Tracks included "Boys will be Boys" and "Get out of Here Baby"
2000 HAPPY PILLZ (MP3 CD single) 'Rebel Sounds'
Tracks include "Happy Pillz", "Panic Button!", "When my Rocket Lands"
2001 BEST OF WESTERN STAR (Various Artists CD)
'Crazy Love Records'
Track included"The Skys the Limit"
2001 SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL (Tribute to The Meteors, Various Artists CD
'Raucous Records'
Track included "Eat the Baby"
2002 GENERATION X-RATED (Full Album CD)
'Raucous Records'
2003 THIS IS ROCKABILLY CLASH (Tribute to The Clash, Various Artists CD)
'Raucous Records
Track included "Capital Radio"
2003 ROCKED AND LOADED (Various Artists CD USA) 'Rock n' Roll Purgatory'
Track included "Spider on the Wall"
2003 100% PSYCHOBILLY VOL. 1 (Various Artists CD)
'Raucous Records'
Track included "Spider on the Wall"
2004 100%PSYCHOBILLY VOL. 2 (Various Artists CD)
'Raucous Records'
Track included "Panic Button!"
2004 WELCOME TO CIRCUS PUNKABILLY (Various Artists CD)
'Wolverine Records'
Track included "Where Ego's Dare!"
2006 THE BOTTOM LINE (Full Album CD)
'Raucous Records'
2008 THE WILDEST CARD (Full Album coming soon!!)
