About Me
Boston-based Drop Nineteens (1991-1995) were one of a few US-based bands who styled themselves on England's distinctive shoegazer sound, taking their inspiration from the genre's most celebrated icons, My Bloody Valentine. Much like Boston's The Pixies who came before them, the band were better known in the UK, where the unsigned Drop Nineteens first gained attention from the British music press with two 8-track demos. The band would ultimately lead the UK Indie Album and Singles charts with formal releases after signing a record deal.Signing to Caroline Records (label home to Smashing Pumpkins, Hole and others), Drop Nineteens immediately garnered college radio airplay with their 1992 debut album, Delaware. Formed by Greg Ackell (vocals, guitar), Steve Zimmerman (bass), Chris Roof (drums), Motohiro Yasue (guitar), and Paula Kelley (vocals, guitar), the band made three music videos which were prominently played on MTV, and toured on the success of their first album, headlined/co-headlined and opened tours in England, Europe, and North America, recorded BBC radio sessions for John Peel and Mark Goodier, and played summer music festivals including England's Reading Festival and North America's Lollapalooza.Due to artistic differences, several member changes occured between the first and second full length releases. Paula Kelley, Chris Roof, and Motohiro Yasue went on to pursue other interests, and Megan Gilbert (vocals, guitar), Pete Koeplin (drums, now drummer for the band Kahoots) and Justin Crosby (guitar) were added to the lineup in 1993. Shortly thereafter, Drop Nineteens released their second full-length album, National Coma, but further artistic differences quickly followed, and the band broke up for good in 1995. Beyond Drop Nineteens, Ackell and Koeplin recorded an album under the band name Fidel in the late nineties, which was never formally released. Kelley went on to lead Hot Rod, Boy Wonder, and is currently a solo artist with the Paula Kelley Orchestra. Rumors of a third Drop Nineteens album have circulated over the past decade, but no release date has ever been announced
