Aron Gibson (aka Nigel Hancock) sang the Night Ranger classic "Sister Christian" with Stuttering John of Howard Stern Show fame while Bongo bandmate Erik Klinger (aka The IFR) clanged away on a rented drum kit. After The Tonight Show, the band broke up to pursue other "projects" (i.e. collecting unemployment checks).
Ready, Steady, Go!
After seeing Metal Skool for the zillionth time earlier that year Gibson realized that LA needed a band that could capture the excitement of Britpop bands like Oasis and Blur and the energy of punk legends like The Clash and The Sex pistols. It was a great idea that didn't go far until Klinger, a proudly obsessive Oasis fan, insisted that the band become a reality. Klinger switched from drums to guitar and The Dolce Dilettantes were born.
In September Sim Reyatt (aka Guigsy Riot) was added on bass. Quigsy famously drank a pint too many and then jumped onstage during an Oasis concert at Wembley Stadium to shake hands with Noel Gallagher. Simon Hancock (aka Simon!), an actual veteran of the London Britpop scene, was added on drums shortly thereafter. Simon also plays drums in The King Cheetah. In 2002 The King Cheetah played tour support on Morrissey's west coast tour.
Cool Britania & Blur Vs. Oasis
Britpop bands of the 90s (Oasis, Blur, Elastica, Pulp, Supergrass etc.) were influenced by Brit guitar bands of the 60s and 70s: Beatles, Stones, Who, Kinks, and The Small Faces. Glam rock god David Bowie and T. Rex influenced Britpop as did Punk bands like the The Jam, Sex Pistols, Clash, Buzzcocks, The Undertones, Stiff Little Fingers and Wire. Influences varied: Blur and Oasis were mad for the Kinks and the Beatles. Elastica was into arty punk rock. Perhaps more important, let's not forget that the lead singer of Elastica (Justine Frischmann) was shagging the lead singer of Suede until she dumped him for Damon Alburn of Blur! And speaking of Blur, who could forget the epic Blur versus Oasis battle for 90s rock supremacy? Oasis may have won the war but The Dolce Dilettantes are here to settle the score!Where Have All The Good Times Gone?
Though the 90s are but a hazy memory, one thing is for certain: a whole new crop of crop of contemporary English bands have emerged to carry on the Britpop tradition. Bands like The Arctic Monkeys, Fratellis, Bloc Party, Franz Ferdinand, The Kooks, Art Brut, Kaiser Chiefs, The View, The Subways and more. The DDs play 'em all!