Bored Suburban Youth was among the hardcore punk bands that rose up in the Southeastern United States in the "second wave" of the 1980s. Along with bands such as Bedlam Hour, Massappeal and The Sex Mutants, BSY contributed to the nascent punk scene in the decidedly un-punk environs of the politically and socially conservativeNew South. Inspired by an early 1980sBlack Flag show, Bored Suburban Youth was formed by a group of students at Irmo High School in the suburbs of Columbia, South Carolina. The original lineup consisted of John Hathaway, Troy Tague and Shannon Burgess. An early lineup featured John Dickerson on vocals, but he was soon replaced by Darren Walker, who fronted BSY for nearly all of the band's four-year run. BSY's sound was characterized as having "buzz saw guitars" and "aggressive vocals," though the band themselves referred to their sound as simply "rock'n'roll." The longest-lived BSY lineup was Hathaway, Tague, Walker, Steve Sonic and Brian Molin. The band's work of this era is best captured in the Live at the Drama Lab recordings; another appears on the compilation lp "Method To Our Madness" issued by Phantom Records in 1986. Sonic joined BSY after the disintegration of seminal Orangeburg, South Carolinapunk bandRed Menace, which had blazed trails of its own in the early 1980s. Later lineups of BSY would feature two other former members of Red Menace: Kenny "Jolt" Gillam and Carl Van Sewell. Like many punk bands of the time, BSY burned out in a few years, but they made a lasting impact on the Southeastern US punk scene by building up a loyal grassroots following and embracing all-ages venues in the region. To this end, BSY would play anytime, anywhere. This DIY ethic led to shows in barns, lodges, galleries, record shops and even high school theatres. An 8-song 7" record posthumously released under the name ' marked the end of the band in 1988, but BSY's missionary dedication to the punk ethic gave rise to a vibrant alternative music scene in South Carolina and spawned other original bands spanning many musical genres. In 2014, former BSY drummer Kenny Jolt and posted it on YouTube.
Vinyl Discography
There's a Method to our Madness Various artists
U.S. release on Phantom Records German release on We Bite Records. "Annihilation" ' Personnel:
Darren Walker - Vocals
Steve Sonic - Guitar
John Hathaway - Guitar
Troy Tague - Drums
Brian Mollin - Bass
Engineered by Mike Amos, produced by BSY and Mike Amos. This track was not a live recording, and the actual title was "My Annihilation." It was recorded by Mike Amos in the basement of William's Music in Orangeburg, SC specifically for inclusion on the "Method" album. Red Menace: Farewell Suburbia 7" EP Recorded January 31, 1988 at Sun Sound, Rock Hill, S.C. 8 track recording.
