Contents
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* 1 History
o 1.1 Height of career
o 1.2 Breakup
o 1.3 Compilation
* 2 Musical style
* 3 Trivia
* 4 Members
* 5 Discography
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History
In August of 1989, vocalist Dennis Owens, guitarist Jake Kline, keyboardist Rodi DelGadillo, bassist Deryke Cardenaz, and drummer Christine Tasche formed a band called The Silent Invasion. After a few months of rehearsal, the band played their one and only show just after Christmas in Tasche's back house in front of a few friends. Shortly after, Tasche left the band.
Several months later, John Gamba responded to their "Drummer Wanted" flyer and was soon added to the band roster. The band soon decided to change their name to Suburban Rhythm. Kline hated the name, but due to him having missed that particular meeting in which the name was changed, the others decided Kline would have no say in the matter. Eight months later and after playing several shows, Gamba was ousted due to "personality conflicts", leaving the band once again without a drummer.
Carlos De La Garza, drummer for another O.C. band, The Trenchtown Invaders, took Gamba's spot as drummer. One month later, Cardenaz quit for unknown reasons. Through an "acquaintance of an acquaintance", the band found Ed Kampwirth to replace Cardenaz. With the addition of Kampwirth, the band's sound began to solidify.
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Height of career
In October of 1992, the band released their first (and only) demo, Hose. After this, the size of Suburban Rhythm's fanbase grew dramatically.
In April of 1993, Kline quit the band for reasons known only to him. Kline's departure left the band with Dennis Owens and Rodi DelGadillo as the only two original members remaining. The band vowed to break up if any more of the core members (including Kampwirth and De La Garza) decided to quit, fearing replacing any more members might "water things down to the point of embarrassment."
Despite depression within the band, they decided they would stick together and find a new guitarist. After several try-outs, the band "settled" with Scott Moran. Soon after this, Chris Siglin was hired as the band's manager.
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Breakup
In late October or early November of 1993, Suburban Rhythm started to record their first album. At this point, band member relations were becoming unstable. According to Owens, more and more arguments ensued between band members about "this-that-and-the-other's problem with this-that-and-the-other"
The initial recording sessions proved unsatisfactory. After several more arguments, it was decided to re-record the album at another studio. Friction among the band members grew worse as the band continued to argue. Finally, in the middle of the sessions, Kampwirth and Moran announced they were quitting the band.
The band kept the promise they made after Kline left and put the band to rest. S.R. played its last show on April 2, 1994 in Costa Mesa, CA.
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Compilation
In 1997, three years after the band's breakup, a 16-song "obituary" CD was released from Long Beach record label Solid Recordings. The album contains all three tracks from the Hose demo cassette, all four tracks from the Almost There 7" vinyl, plus nine previously unreleased tracks. The album also includes five tracks recorded live from the Big Black Room in Santa Ana, CA in 1993, as well as a hidden garage-recorded track entitled "Uniform of Destruction".
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Musical style
Suburban Rhythm ran the gamut of musical styles. While primarily labeled a ska/punk band, some of their recordings displayed styles from funk (e.g. "18 Inch Ruler"), to metal, jazz, blues, and even country (e.g. "Blue Hawaii"). Their tone also had range, from dark and moody styles, such as "Coming Out Of The Woodwork" and "Tension", to playful, fast-driven songs like "Game Show", "Bixville" and their cover of Carl Douglas' "Kung Fu Fighting".
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Trivia
Popular O.C. ska band Reel Big Fish has paid homage to Suburban Rhythm on many occasions. Their debut CD, Turn the Radio Off, includes a tribute song to Suburban Rhythm entitled "S.R". They also covered Suburban Rhythm's "Uniform of Destruction" for the Ska Parade's compilation album, Runnin' Naked thru the Cornfield. (Suburban Rhythm's "Coming out of the Woodwork" is featured on the same album.)
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Members
* Dennis Owens (vocals)
* Rodi DelGadillo (keyboard)
* Deryke Cardenaz (bass guitar) (1990–1992)
* Ed Kempwirth (bass guitar (1992–1994)
* Jake Kline (guitar) (1990–1993)
* Scott Moran (guitar) (1993–1994)
* Christine Tasche (drums) (1990, with The Silent Invasion)
* John Gamba (drums) (1990–1991)
* Carlos de la Garza (drums) (1991–1994)
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Discography
Year Title Format Details
1992 Hose Cassette Out of print
1994 Almost There 7″ Vinyl Out of print
1997 Suburban Rhythm CD 16-song compilation released through Solid Recordings
Gameshow
Suburban Rhythm Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could use my smarts and my intelligence.
Oh my folks would be so very proud of me,
If I won them a years supply of Captain Crunch.
Oh I wish that life was more like Card Sharks,
All you'd have to do is pick the right card.
But I hope that life is not like Jeopardy,
If I don't win the Sony television, or a stereo,
A case of Rice-A-Roni will last me for a year or so.
You too can be a winner,
Even though you are only a beginner.
Being lucky is a given,
When you're rolling with Merv Griffin.
Life's a wheel and you spin it.
Not how you play but, but how you win it.
Life's a stage and we are the players.
Joker, joker, double slayer.
Oh I think it's time I had a break now,
Everyday's the same you know I'm feeling stuck.
If the Wheel of Fortune will not let me play,
I could always try my hand at Press Your Luck.
I never knew that life could be so easy,
I can be the boss of my own company.
It is only five half-hour shifts every week,
Cash and prizes make for me a great salary.
Pat Sajak is a saviour, he always has a vowel for sale.
If I could pick the mayor, I'd vote for Wink Martendale.
Life's a wheel and you spin it.
Not how you play but, but how you win it.
Everyday I slave a stupid job,
When I could be winning on a gameshow.
Never worry, don't fret now.
Win yourself a new Corvette now.
Be a star on television,
If you make the right decision.
Life's a wheel and you spin it.
Not how you play but, but how you win it.
Life's a stage and we are the players.
Joker, joker, double slayer.
The song "Gameshow" by Suburban Rhythm is a satirical take on the notion of life being like a game show. The singer wishes that life was more like a game show so he can use his smarts and intelligence to win big prizes and make his parents proud. He dreams of winning a year's supply of Captain Crunch, a Sony television, a stereo, or even a case of Rice-A-Roni that will last him for a year. He mentions several popular game shows like Jeopardy, Card Sharks, Wheel of Fortune, and Press Your Luck and expresses his hope that life is not like Jeopardy because it's "a little too hard."
The singer believes that anyone can be a winner, as long as they are lucky and roll with Merv Griffin. He talks about how life is like a wheel and you spin it and how it's not about how you play but how you win. He expresses his frustration at his mundane job and the monotony of everyday life, wishing that he could be a star on television by making the right decisions and winning big on a game show.
Overall, the song is a humorous commentary on the illusion of fame and wealth promised by game shows and the notion that they are an easy way out of the challenges of real life.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh I wish that life was like a gameshow,
I wish life were as simple and rewarding as a television game show.
I could use my smarts and my intelligence.
My intelligence would be of significant value in a game show format.
Oh my folks would be so very proud of me,
If I were to win and claim prizes for my parents, they would feel very proud of me.
If I won them a years supply of Captain Crunch.
Winning a year’s supply of Captain Crunch would be a dream come true for my parents.
Oh I wish that life was more like Card Sharks,
I wish that life were as comfortable and predictable as the game 'Card Sharks.'
All you'd have to do is pick the right card.
In 'Card Sharks', the luck of selecting the right card determines the winner.
But I hope that life is not like Jeopardy,
Although I enjoy Jeopardy, I don't think I would be successful at it.
Just because Jeopardy's a little too hard.
Jeopardy's level of difficulty is way beyond my current intelligence and knowledge level.
If I don't win the Sony television, or a stereo,
If I am not lucky to win grand prizes like a Sony television or a stereo,
A case of Rice-A-Roni will last me for a year or so.
at least winning some Rice-A-Roni would ensure that I have a constant food supply for a year.
You too can be a winner,
Participation is essential to being a winner, so anyone can be successful in a game show.
Even though you are only a beginner.
Even though I may be a beginner in a game show format, I still have a fair shot at winning.
Being lucky is a given,
Luck plays a significant role in winning a game show, so it is almost expected that one has to be lucky.
When you're rolling with Merv Griffin.
Merv Griffin, the host or executive producer of many game shows, can almost guarantee a fun and exciting experience.
Life's a wheel and you spin it.
Life is unpredictable and random, similar to spinning a wheel in a game show.
Not how you play but, but how you win it.
Winning is what matters most in a game show, not how skilfully you play.
Life's a stage and we are the players.
Life is like a stage play or a game show, and we are the contestants who always aim to win.
Joker, joker, double slayer.
A reference to the game show called 'Joker's Wild' where a double joker symbolizes a win.
Oh I think it's time I had a break now,
I feel the need to break out of my ordinary routine and try something more exciting.
Everyday's the same you know I'm feeling stuck.
The monotony of everyday life makes me feel stagnant and helpless.
If the Wheel of Fortune will not let me play,
If I'm not eligible to participate in the Wheel of Fortune game show,
I could always try my hand at Press Your Luck.
I can try to be successful in another game show called 'Press Your Luck' instead.
I never knew that life could be so easy,
I am surprised that winning money and prizes could potentially be so easy through game shows.
I can be the boss of my own company.
Winning enough cash and prizes through game shows will allow me to start my own company.
It is only five half-hour shifts every week,
In a game show, it only takes five half-hour shifts a week to potentially win big.
Cash and prizes make for me a great salary.
The cash and prizes I could win from game shows would constitute a significantly high income for me.
Pat Sajak is a saviour, he always has a vowel for sale.
Pat Sajak, the host of Wheel of Fortune is known for making it easy for contestants to buy vowels in the game by introducing them for sale.
If I could pick the mayor, I'd vote for Wink Martendale.
Wink Martendale was a famous game show host that I strongly admire, so if given the chance, I would vote him as mayor.
Everyday I slave a stupid job,
Every day I work a mundane job that I do not enjoy.
When I could be winning on a gameshow.
Instead, I could potentially be winning prizes and cash on a game show.
Never worry, don't fret now.
I should not worry or fret too much since participating in a game show should be a fun experience.
Win yourself a new Corvette now.
Winning a game show could mean getting a brand-new Corvette car as a prize.
Be a star on television,
Winning a game show could mean being a television personality and possibly even becoming a celebrity.
If you make the right decision.
Making the right decision, such as participating in a game show, could lead to significant rewards and fortune.
Contributed by Kaitlyn K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
LightningPage_Codex0101
I finally found it!! I heard this a long time ago, but never knew who played it. I'm so damn happy!
TimeToPartyHard
Nice! Never heard of these guys until now.
pellix fez
Best song by them!
Gerard Jerry
Now in 2021 Game shows are on Primetime alot
Redemption Goes
I still wonder where "Joker joker, double slayer!" comes from.
baseplayer21
sorry but im having trouble finding more, and they aren't a band anymore. They broke up years ago. Sorry, i am trying
Nick I
AWFULNESSNESS