Distorted Pony are an American
noise rock
Noise rock (sometimes called noise punk) is a noise music, noise-oriented style of experimental rock that spun off from punk rock in the 1980s. Drawing on movements such as minimal music, minimalism, industrial music, and New York hardcore, a ...
band formed in
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
in 1986.
The band originally consisted of bass player Dora Jahr and guitarist David Uskovich accompanied by a
drum machine. Eventually, they were joined by London May and Theodore Jackson on drums and percussion and Robert Hammer on guitar. The group broke up in late 1993, but they reunited in early 2010 and started to perform reunion shows.
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History
Distorted Pony formed in 1986 in Los Angeles, California with Dora Jahr on bass and David Uskovich on guitar. The band initially used a drum machine to handle percussion duties. In 1988, the duo recruited drummer Theodore Jackson and guitarist Robert Hammer. The group's first release was the "Concrete Bruises"
7" single
In music, a single is a type of release, typically a song recording of fewer tracks than an LP record or an album. One can be released for sale to the public in a variety of formats. In most cases, a single is a song that is released separate ...
, which was released in 1990 through Piece of Mind.
The single was limited to only 1000 copies. In 1991, the band recruited guitarist London May. After the release of
extended play
An extended play record, usually referred to as an EP, is a musical recording that contains more tracks than a single but fewer than an album or LP record. s and compilation appearances, the group released their debut album ''
Punishment Room'' in 1992 through
Bomp!. The album was recorded in January 1992 with the help of
Steve Albini
Steve Albini (pronounced ; born July 22, 1962) is an American musician, record producer, audio engineer and music journalist. He was a member of Big Black, Rapeman and Flour, and is a member of Shellac. He is the founder, owner and principal en ...
.
The band recorded another album with Albini the following year before breaking up in August 1993. The album, titled ''Instant Winner'', was released :wikt:posthumous, posthumously in 1994 through Trance Syndicate.
The band reunited in 2010 and began to perform reunion shows with Eddie Rivas of Los Angeles noise rock band Leopold. In the summer of 2018 Distorted Pony completed a 14 date tour of Europe. In 2020 they played the No Coast Fest in Dallas, TX along with a club show in Austin in the following night.
Band members
*David Uskovich – Guitar, Vocals (1986 –1993, 2010–present)
*Dora Jahr – Bass, Vocals (1986–1993, 2010–present)
*Eddie Rivas- Guitar, Vocals (2010–present)
*London May – Drums (1991–1993, 2010–present)
*Theodore Jackson – Drums (1988–1993, 2010–present)
*Robert Hammer – Guitar (1988–1993)
Discography
;Studio albums
*''
Punishment Room'' (1992, Bomp! Records, Bomp!)
*''Instant Winner'' (1994, Trance Syndicate)
;Live albums
*''Live in Hamburg (Distorted Pony album), Live in Hamburg'' (2021, Improved Sequence)
;EPs
*''Concrete Bruises'' (1990, Piece of Mind)
*''Work Makes Freedom'' (1991, Bomp!)
*''Dept. of Existence/Go Kart'' (1993, Gasoline Boost)
*''Concrete Bruises (remaster/reissue for 2018 European tour)'' (2018, Total Annihilation Records/Beauty Fool Records)
;Compilation appearances
*''Demolition Scare'' (1990, Demolition) – "Sinner's Prayer"
*''The Big One'' (1991, Flipside) – "Jahr Null"
*''HURT'' (1991, Braindrops) – "Scratch Out the Sky"
*''Ow, Quit It! Vol. 1'' (1992, Volvolo) – "Smittin"
*''I Give You the Head of Corporate Rock and Roll Vol. 1'' (1992, Pacifica Radio) – "Sinner's Prayer (Live)"
*''The Smitten Love Song Compilation'' (1994, Karate) – "Insatiable Times"
*''Destination: BOMP!'' (1994, Bomp!) – "HOD"
References
External links
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{{Authority control
1986 establishments in California
American noise rock music groups
American industrial rock musical groups
Musical groups established in 1986
Musical groups disestablished in 1993
Musical groups from Los Angeles
Trance Syndicate artists