The Independents

Formerly managed and produced by the late, great JOEY RAMONE, THE INDEPENDENTS have performed almost non-stop, touring with bands such as THE RAMONES, MISFITS, VOODOO GLOW SKULLS, CHEAP TRICK and THE QUEERS; just to name a few. The Recipe: 1 part Ramones, 1 part punk, 1 part ska, and a whole lot of Elvis. This is one band that truly has mastered the horror-punk sound. The Independents are ska-punk bliss. They've captured the horror punk sound so completely, not only have they installed that style to their music but have changed it around and given it a fresh sound mixing in Ska beats and Ramones-ish pop to it.

BAND BIO's
Formed in early 1992 by Evil Presly and Willy B, The Independents was born out of the frustration of music being stereotyped and just plain boring. Willy B and Evil both loved all types of music, from Conway Twitty to Iron Maiden, the Ramones to Etta James, and The Specials to The Ohio Players. Both loved horror and sci-fi movies and wanted to find some way to include it in their music. Evil started writing lyrics that told horror tales while Willy B kept the guitar in one hand and gave the entire world the finger with the other. Their only goal is playing the music they want, when, where, and how they want.

After a few years, the guys had gathered a good following from coast to coast through rough demos. It was during this time that Evil met and befriended the bass player for the legendary Ramones, CJ Ramone. CJ got The Independents on a few opening dates of the Ramones' Acid Eaters tour. While driving to their first show with The Independents, Joey Ramone listened to some of The Independents' demos given to him by CJ. He really dug what he heard and upon arrival at the venue, demanded that CJ introduce him to the band. After the tour, Joey made an offer the guys could not refuse. He told them he wanted to manage the band which he did from 1995 till his passing in 2001.

The Independents have done numerous North American and European tours.
They have toured as main support for such bands as the Ramones, Misfits, Rancid, Cheap Trick, Mighty Mighty Bosstones, Less Than Jake, Blondie, etc., to headlining their own tours. The Independents have also played many festivals including the Warped Tour, South by Southwest, CMJ, and the Punk & Disorderly Festival in Berlin. They have also played at countless sci-fi/horror conventions and tattoo conventions. These ghouls, who put the 'fun' back in funeral, have been known to tour up to ten months a year with their unique, highly energetic, party-esque, horror-influenced music. Their hard touring schedule only leaves them wanting to destroy more.

The Independents released their first album 'In For The Kill' in 1995 on the indie label Rock Duster Records. It was followed by the 'Stalker' EP CD and 10" picture disc on Elevator Music in 1997. The self-titled, 'The Independents' EP, was released on Hellcat/Epitaph label in 1998. 'The Unholy Living Dead' EP, produced by legendary producer Daniel Rey and Joey Ramone, was released in 1999. The Independents released 'Back From The Grave' in 2001, which was also produced by the diabolical duo Daniel Rey and Joey Ramone on Suki Records shortly before Joey's untimely passing. The limited edition 'Back From The Grave' picture disc was released by Jump Up Records in 2002. 'Live From Murder Beach', The Independents first live album was released in 2003. Fast Music released the 'Full Moon Arise' EP in 2004. The Independents bestselling record to date 'Eternal Bond' was released in 2006, followed by 'The Early Years 1993-97 Demos' in 2007. 'Do It Again', was released in October 2008 and ‘Ho Ho Ho, What a Party’, the Christmas EP in 2013. On March 2014, The Independents released 'Into the Light', which is produced by Brian Mckenzie and mastered by Grammy award winner, Brad Blackwood. 'Into The Light' revealed a deeper, darker, and more personal side of The Independents.

The Independents have many songs on movie soundtracks such as 'Hardcore Logo', 'Babydoll', '100 Tears', 'Anal Paprika', and countless other films including some Trauma movies. They have also appeared in the mystery horror spoof film 'Final Rinse' and 'Undead on Arrival'. The Independents have been on numerous compilations, including the 1994 release 'Misfits of Ska’ with such bands as Less Than Jake and Sublime; a 2000 Cornerstone Music release which also includes The Cure, Tom Jones, and Smashing Pumpkins; the ‘RAMONES: THE FAMILY TREE’ 2008 compilation with members of The Ramones, Lux Interior, Lemmy, Cherie Currie, Wayne Kramer; and also a fan favorite, 'The Rocky Horror Punk Rock Show' on Spring Man Records with Me First, The Gimmie Gimmies, and Alkaline Trio; 'Hymns from the House of Horror' 2010 was downloaded more than 80,000 times in the first three months of its release. The Independents are also featured on the Rancid tribute record 'Hooligans United' on Smelvise/Hellcat Records.
(For a full list of their discography, please view the photo section of The Independents Facebook page.)

Upcoming for 2017, The Independents are back in good company with The Damned, Iggy Pop, Reel Big Fish on Cleopatra Records' Halloween compilation featuring a new song titled "Isabella" due out in October. The Independents also plan to release a new Christmas 7" vinyl on Snubbed Records this December, with a 'Greatest Hits' release and box set in the works.

Now it's time for the guys to do what they do best: play the music they want, when, where, and how they want around the world.
Booking agent:
Black Hawk Booking
Chris Snipes
Blackhawkbooking@aol.com