Big Boys were an American pioneering punk rock band who are credited with having helped to create and introduce skate punk as a new style of music, which became popular in the 1980s. They also were famous for bringing elements of funk into their hardcore punk style.

History

Formation

Formed in 1977 in Austin, Texas, United States, the original band members were Randy "Biscuit" Turner on vocals, Tim Kerr on guitar and Chris Gates on bass. The key members of the band were childhood friends for a decade before the band was started. Over the years the group played with five drummers in all; Steve Collier, Greg Murray, Fred Schultz, Rey Washam and Kevin Tubb who played only one show (the band's first) because Collier was sick.

The hardcore punk style, a development from the earlier punk sound, arose spontaneously in various cities, but in Austin it was represented by MDC, Big Boys, the Huns, the Skunks and the Dicks. The bands often played together; Big Boys and the Dicks jointly released a split single and an LP, Live At Raul's.

Big Boys shows were legendary, frequently involving food fights, with "Biscuit" frequently sporting a pink ballerina's tutu and pink cowboy boots. Scratch Acid, Rapeman, and Ministry. Original drummer Steve Collier switched from drums to guitar and formed Doctors' Mob, whose first album was produced by Chris Gates, and later played in the Sidehackers and the Rite Flyers.

Randy Turner performed with the Slurpees, Cargo Cult, and Swine King, the latter band contributing the song "All Broke Down" to Outpunk Records' compilation, Outpunk Dance Party. Randy Turner was found dead from Hepatitis C complications in his home on August 18, 2005, at the same time he was featured on the cover of that week's The Austin Chronicle.

The Big Boys also appeared in the well-reviewed 2006 Sundance film, American Hardcore. Their song "Brickwall" appeared on the soundtrack.

Big Boys were innovative in many ways and were influential in the direction music and music scenes would take in their wake.

Discography

Singles

  • Frat Cars 7" single (1980) on Big Boys Records
  • Wipe Out/I'm Sorry Fear and Loathing fanzine promo 7"
  • Fun, Fun, Fun... 12" EP (1982) on Moment Productions

Albums

  • Live at Raul's Club split LP with the Dicks (1980) on Rat Race (1981)
  • Where's My Towel/Industry Standard on Wasted Talent (1981)
  • Lullabies Help the Brain Grow on Moment Productions (1983)
  • No Matter How Long the Line at the Cafeteria, There's Always a Seat on Enigma (1984)

Compilations

  • Thrasher Magazine Skate Rock!, Vol.1 (High Speed Productions, 1983)
  • Rat Music for Rat People, Vol. 2 (CD Presents, 1984)
  • Wreck Collection LP on The Unseen Hand (1988) (reissued on CD by Gern Blandsten in 2002).
  • The Skinny Elvis CD on Touch and Go Records (1993)
  • The Fat Elvis CD on Touch and Go Records (1993)
  • Lullabies Help the Brain Grow/No Matter How Long the Line at the Cafeteria, There's Always a Seat double LP on X-Mist Records (2004)
  • Texas Funk Compilation Cass. on Rastaman Work Ethic Productions (1990)

See also

  • List of hardcore punk bands

References

  • Big Boys fansite
  • Band Profile
  • Suburban Voice Interview - Big Boys interview from 1983
  • Silent amateur film of a Big Boys performance at Texas Archive of the Moving Image