Nerf Herder

Nerf Herder is an American rock band from Santa Barbara, California,[1] formed in 1994[2] by Parry Gripp (vocals, guitar), Charlie Dennis (bass) and Steve Sherlock (drums). They describe themselves as a "geek rock" band, and are known for simplistic modern punk-style songs with frequently humorous,[1] juvenile, and pop-culture-referencing lyrics. They are the inventors of the "nerdcore" music subgenre, a reference to bands from Oxnard who called themselves "Nard"-core, which Gripp updated in the mid-90s to explain Nerf Herder and their nerdy influences.[3]

Nerf Herder
(L–R) Ben Pringle (bass); Linus Dotson (guitar, keyboard); Parry Gripp (vocals, guitar); Steve Sherlock (drums)
Background information
OriginSanta Barbara, California, U.S.
GenresPop punk, geek rock, alternative rock
Years active1994–2003, 2005–present
Websitenerfherder.com
Members
Past members

Their 1997 single "Van Halen", a tribute to the band of the same name,[1][4] received significant radio airplay and led to their first major record deal with Arista Records.[5][6] They also composed and performed the theme music to the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer.[2][4]

History

Nerf Herder was formed in Santa Barbara in 1994 by Parry Gripp (vocals, guitar), Charlie Dennis (bass), and Steve Sherlock (drums). Dennis left the band after the release of their debut self-titled album, and was replaced first by Pete Newbury, with Dave Ehrlich also joining as a second guitarist.[6] Newbury's tenure touring with the band was, however, short-lived. He was briefly replaced in 1999 by bassist Marko 72,[7] and then by Justin Fisher,[6] who played bass and keyboards on two albums (How To Meet Girls & American Cheese).

In 1999, Nerf Herder asked Arista to release them from their contract, so they could move forward with a new record, How to Meet Girls, with Honest Don's Records, a subsidiary of Fat Wreck Chords. A special EP for My Records (run by Joey Cape from Lagwagon) entitled My EP was released in 2001, and was followed in 2002 by their album American Cheese.

The band wrote and performed the theme song for the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1997). In April 2003, Nerf Herder appeared as the musical guest in the final-season Buffy episode "Empty Places" – the very last band to play at The Bronze. Their special connection to the series was further acknowledged by a bit of dialogue, as "Rock City News" played in the background:

Kennedy: What kind of band plays during an apocalypse?
Dawn: I think this band might actually be one of the signs.

By 2003, after the final American Cheese tour dates—during which time Ben Pringle (also of The Rentals during 2005–2008) had replaced Fisher (who had left amicably to front his own band, Psoma)—the band disintegrated. No official split was announced, but a post by Gripp on the band's website some time afterwards detailed how most of the former band members had gone on to get normal jobs.[8] Gripp did some work as a jingle writer, which led to his 2005 solo album For Those About to Shop, We Salute You, a 51-track concept album mimicking various musical styles and focusing on product commercialization.[9]

In late 2005, Nerf Herder made a surprise comeback, announcing on their website that they were playing a handful of gigs with the original lineup of Gripp, Dennis, and Sherlock. For Gripp's May 7, 2007 review of the day, he announced that the original lineup had finally finished recording their 4th album, which did not have a title at that time. Gripp stated that he wanted the title to be Brownerton, but that idea was shot down. He also stated that of the 13 songs recorded, they would probably pick 10 to be on the album. In June 2007, the band decided on the title Nerf Herder IV, and the album was released through Oglio Records on April 29, 2008. Pringle returned, and Former Size 14 singer Linus of Hollywood joined the live band (playing guitar and keyboard) in early 2008 for a series of West Coast shows and a short tour of Japan.

In 2014, Nerf Herder began working on album number five, entitled Rockingham, which was released on March 11, 2016.[10]

As of 2019, Nerf Herder has continued to perform live and is currently writing and recording new material.[11]

Origin of band name

The band takes their name from the Star Wars franchise. A "nerf" is a domesticated, bison-like quadruped, bred mainly as fatstock; thus, a "nerf herder" (equivalent to a sheep herder) is not a well-regarded occupation, especially not by Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher). In the film The Empire Strikes Back (1980), Leia insults Han Solo (Harrison Ford) for asserting that she has romantic feelings for him:[6]

"Why you stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerfherder!"[12]

Solo naturally takes exception: "Who's scruffy-looking...?"

Band members

Timeline

Discography
Studio albums
Extended plays
  • My E.P. (2001) My Records
  • High Voltage Christmas Rock (2002) self-released
Singles[13][14][15][16]
Year Song US Alt[17] Album
1996 "Van Halen" 35 Nerf Herder
1997 "Sorry" —
2000 "Courtney" — How To Meet Girls
2002 "Mr Spock" — American Cheese
2007 "Led Zeppelin Rules" — IV
2016 "At The Con" — Rockingham
2016 "Ghostbusters III" — Rockingham
2016 "Doctor Who" — Rockingham
Compilation album appearances

The following are songs that have been featured on compilations that have not been released on any of the band's albums or EPs

References
  1. Jenkins, Mark (Feb 21, 1997). "Nerf Herder: Rounding Up Humor". The Washington Post.
  2. Miller, Michael (December 1, 2002). "Nerf Herder rides pop culture wave". The Buffalo News.
  3. "The MC Lars Podcast on Apple Podcasts". Podcasts.apple.com.
  4. Elfman, Doug (February 23, 2001). "Nerf Herder better at making enemies than money". Las Vegas Review-Journal.
  5. Verna, Paul (December 7, 1996). "Nerf Herder Flies from My To Arista: Van Halen Lament Attracts Major-Label Attention". Billboard: 8.
  6. Iwasaki, Scott (May 12, 2000). "Nerf Herder is coming to Fairpark". The Deseret News.
  7. "Nerf Herder: Information from". Answers.com. Retrieved 2012-04-09.
  8. "Parry Gripp of Nerf Herder: The Nerd World Interview". Time.com. 3 July 2008. Retrieved 2013-03-14.
  9. "For Those About to Shop, We Salute You - Parry Gripp - Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 2017-11-03.
  10. "Nerf Herder: The New Album on PledgeMusic". Pledgemusic.com. Retrieved 2015-05-05.
  11. "Nerf Herder - Home". facebook.com. Retrieved 2019-08-08.
  12. Quote from The Empire Strikes Back.
  13. "Nerf Herder". Discogs.
  14. "Nerf Herder Biography - ARTISTdirect Music".
  15. "Nerf Herder, Chumbawamba Release Love Songs". MTV News.
  16. "Led Zeppelin Rules - Nerf Herder | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic.
  17. "Nerf Herder - Chart history : Billboard".
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