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
My Sister Sam
Suburban Rhythm Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I need attention girl! Give me a sign! Why don't ya marry me? Then you'll be mine!
I need to know you, what can I do?! I would kill to have a chance of meeting you! You do not know me! You do not care! Where ever you are, I will sure as hell be there! You're all I think about, you're all that's in my head! But if you and I won, then we'd both be better dead!
I need a message girl! Give me a time! One day you'll notice me, then you'll be mine! Let's, go.
What's wrong with what I am? What's in my head? You didn't want me girl, and now your dead.
The lyrics of Suburban Rhythm's song My Sister Sam express the disturbed mind of a stalker who is obsessively in love with a girl named Sam. He is so desperate for her attention that he is willing to do anything to get close to her, including stalking and killing her. The first stanza explains how the stalker is craving for Sam's attention and is distressed about being termed crazy by others. He mentions that he has been diagnosed with psychosis but his obsession with Sam makes him a nervous wreck. In the second stanza, the stalker asks Sam to marry him and give him some recognition.
The third stanza reveals how the stalker's love for Sam is one-sided, and Sam does not know him or care about him. Regardless, he is determined to be wherever she is and thinks about her all the time. The stalker's obsession with Sam grows so much that he'd rather want both of them dead than not being together. In the final stanza, the stalker admits his madness and reveals that he has killed Sam because she did not want him and was a reason for his obsession.
The lyrics of My Sister Sam illustrate the dangerous obsession of a stalker that can quickly escalate into violent behavior. It sheds light on the disturbing reality of how an innocent crush or admiration can turn into obsessive thoughts, eventually leading to disturbing and life-threatening behavior. The song tries to create awareness about the dark side of stalking and the horrific consequences it can cause.
Line by Line Meaning
I need a message! I need a clue! I want to know the things you say and things you do!
The person singing is desperate for any communication or indication from the girl he is obsessing over. He wants to know every detail about her life and actions.
I need attention, for my own good! They say I'm crazy, and should be locked up for good.
The person singing acknowledges that his obsession is not healthy, but he still wants attention and validation from the girl he is fixated on. He also recognizes that his actions may be viewed as insane and could lead to consequences like being locked up.
My doctor told me, the psychosis is in check, but I am so obsessed with you, that I'm now a nervous wreck!
The person singing has sought medical help for his fixation and they have diagnosed him with psychosis. Though his symptoms may be under control, he is still consumed by his obsession and it is negatively affecting his mental state.
I need attention girl! Give me a sign! Why don't ya marry me? Then you'll be mine!
The person singing continues to plead for the girl's attention and affection. He even goes as far as proposing marriage as a solution to his obsession, hoping that it will solidify their relationship.
I need to know you, what can I do?! I would kill to have a chance of meeting you! You do not know me! You do not care! Where ever you are, I will sure as hell be there!
The person singing is so desperate to know the girl that he is willing to do anything, even commit murder. He believes that the girl doesn't know him or care about him, but he will go to great lengths to follow her around and be near her.
You're all I think about, you're all that's in my head! But if you and I won, then we'd both be better dead!
The person singing is consumed by thoughts of the girl he is fixated on. He acknowledges that a relationship between them would be toxic and potentially deadly.
I'll hunt you down, I'll seek you out, for reason that not even I'M not even sure about! My life is yours, it's you I need. You didn't want me, so now you're gonna bleed girl!
The person singing is willing to stalk and harm the girl he is fixated on, even though he doesn't really understand why. He considers his life to belong to her and hopes to harm her for not reciprocating his feelings.
What's wrong with what I am? What's in my head? You didn't want me girl, and now your dead.
The person singing is in denial about the unhealthy nature of his obsession, instead viewing it as something that is inherent to his being. He also continues to threaten the girl, stating that she will end up dead for not wanting him.
Contributed by Jackson A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
punklover99
That bass line is killer
T1H8F8C2
Great tune and the lyrics are obviously about the obsessed fan that killed the actress Rebecca Schaeffer who starred in the sitcom "My Sister Sam".
baseplayer21
sry, but i dont have a cd, my friend found the songs and sent them to me
edchaos2
Win............
Mouse Patriot
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