Secks Romp is...
Andrew Richardson - Guitars
Charles “Rocky” Blue - Bass Murdoc Thomas - Drums Tim Michaels - Guitars |
HARD CORE PUNK / METALCORE
|
Formation / Early Years
(freshman year)
Andrew, Murdoc, and Timothy met their freshman year of college in 2007. They quickly became friends due to their love for playing music as well as their similar tastes in alternative, aggressive genera. They jammed frequently and would produce enough music for several albums within the first year. The albums “Rollercoaster Relationships,” “Sophomore Album,” and “Another Anarchy” were all made from the various songs that a pre-named Secks Romp jammed out in those early sessions. Most of the songs were random inside jokes, pop culture references, and emo ranting. Most of the emo is from the drummer Murdoc who had a very tumultuous relationship with a long time on and off girlfriend. The album “Rollercoaster Relationships” was recorded cheaply by the members themselves with second rate equipment. They quickly came up with the name Secks Romp based on an inside joke. The name was left alone and never changed.
Their debut album quickly became a cult hit around the college and eventually the nation. It had great success among the old-school punker crowds for its bad recording and old punk style, as well as gaining some success among emo kid crowds for some of its content. The success “Rollercoaster Relationships” led to monetary success for Secks Romp. The band would use that money to record their next two albums “Sophomore Album” and “Another Anarchy.” These were used to get rid of the rest of the songs Secks Romp had written. The other two albums quenched the thirst of their fans as these albums provided the Secks Romp style but better quality recording. Secks Romp played some local shows and sold a good amount of albums but never intended to become full time rock stars. They would still attended school, as well as making music.
Their debut album quickly became a cult hit around the college and eventually the nation. It had great success among the old-school punker crowds for its bad recording and old punk style, as well as gaining some success among emo kid crowds for some of its content. The success “Rollercoaster Relationships” led to monetary success for Secks Romp. The band would use that money to record their next two albums “Sophomore Album” and “Another Anarchy.” These were used to get rid of the rest of the songs Secks Romp had written. The other two albums quenched the thirst of their fans as these albums provided the Secks Romp style but better quality recording. Secks Romp played some local shows and sold a good amount of albums but never intended to become full time rock stars. They would still attended school, as well as making music.
Don't Get Killed At Five To Twelve / Get Used To Being Alone Kid! (sophomore year)
Upon returning to school the three founding members of Secks Romp began to be more thoughtful in their writing and created their fourth album “Don’t Get Killed at Five to Twelve.” While the songs were far sillier in their content, it was obvious that the band were far more intentional. The success of the album surprised the band, and soon they were gaining popularity across more mainstream scenes. Never stopping, the band recorded “Get Used to Being Alone Kid!:” a collection of more emo songs written by Murdoc and Tim added to some leftover songs that didn’t get onto “Don’t Get…” It was easy to see that album was rushed, and many of Secks Romp’s biggest critics call their fifth album an EP. The band actually started throwing “Get Used to Being Alone Kid!” with any T-shirt they sold at a concert. “We never started making music for money, and it (“Get Used to Being Alone Kid) was made quickly-and it was kinda’ short. If you want the album, take it for free with a T-shirt, or Fuckin’ steal it, who cares. If you like us then listen to us. If not. Don’t. We don’t care. ” – Andrew Richardson on the album.
These albums got them greater exposure in the punk/hardcore scene, which led to greater criticisms from the outside community. The band began to receive hate and disrespect for the songs they created for fun. The most common criticism was the truth that while the songs were different, they all sounded similar. While the band made it clear they didn’t care much for the opinions, they band privately grew angrier at they felt was “arrogance of music snobs.” This frustration became clearer and clearer at their live shows, as the band began to berate hecklers and trash specific critics on stage. Secks Romp never lost much money, and their popularity only grew with their stories of their fiscal apathy, and obnoxious behaviors. They took some time to rest, and started to write what would be quite possibly their most important album.
These albums got them greater exposure in the punk/hardcore scene, which led to greater criticisms from the outside community. The band began to receive hate and disrespect for the songs they created for fun. The most common criticism was the truth that while the songs were different, they all sounded similar. While the band made it clear they didn’t care much for the opinions, they band privately grew angrier at they felt was “arrogance of music snobs.” This frustration became clearer and clearer at their live shows, as the band began to berate hecklers and trash specific critics on stage. Secks Romp never lost much money, and their popularity only grew with their stories of their fiscal apathy, and obnoxious behaviors. They took some time to rest, and started to write what would be quite possibly their most important album.
Maturity "Rocky" joins Clown EP and Secks Romp I
(junior year)
Andrew, Murdoc, and Tim came back together at their university with very innovative and progressive music to start a new album. After the album was completed, they ran into issues. Their first albums were very simplistic so they only required one guitar. Tim and Andrew would switch off guitar and bass at shows so this was never a problem. The new album had lots of intense genera-bending writing that would require a full time bassist. They met ‘Rocky’ at one of their local shows the year before. He had mentioned that he played bass at that show, and said he would make every effort to always see them live. Murdoc reached out to Rocky through their facebook page and asked if he could help their bass needs. After that message Rocky would become a full time member, adding even more aggression to Secks Romp. Using the money they had acquired from their local success, they paid for time at a studio and the help of a music producer to create their sixth album.
They soon after released their album “Maturity” which re-invented the band all together. Secks Romp at this point had only been known for their speedy, aggressive, and sometimes emo hardcore punk. “Maturity” included metalcore, post-hardcore, and experimental styling all while keeping their silly and sometimes powerful content. Fans and critics gave mixed reviews, but it was clear that this album cemented their individuality in the hardcore/punk scene. Secks Romp were offered record deals from various small to mid-sized record companies, but eventually signed to Coward Records. Coward Records was on the decline due to various poor decisions with the bands they had currently signed. Secks Romp wanted to help out a small company who they believed, “just needed some love.” – Tim Michaels. The band had one stipulation that while they would be making albums all year, they would only tour during the summer and vacations so they could attend school.
While still in school the group began an ambitious concept album project. This would become Clown EP. The group originally intended to create an entire album based on famous clowns. Hilariously, the band grew bored of the idea after only five songs. “It was a stupid project, and we knew it… We eventually just packed it in, and released what we had as an EP. We learned from the mistake of Get used…”– Murdoc Thomas. “Clown EP” became a free download on the bands website. It was mostly liked by their fans, and gained them noticed from some of the more prog-prone audience.
With the support of the record company, Secks Romp started a different project that was supposed to be their Self-Titled album. However, as the end of the school year approached, Secks Romp proposed an idea to separate the album into two smaller albums. This would start the sales of a full album, while they toured during the summer. Coward accepted the idea because the sales from “Maturity” and the reissues of their old albums, as well as the popularity of “Clown EP” had given them faith in the band. “Secks Romp I” released the week of finals at the band’s university, and they went on their first US tour the day after classes stopped. The album gained great success across the country as it pushed the innovative envelope even further than their last two releases. Critics began to warm up to Secks Romp’s seemingly random style, and some of their worst haters became new fans. Part I of the self–titled project sold well, and built up the suspense for the upcoming “Secks Romp II.”
They soon after released their album “Maturity” which re-invented the band all together. Secks Romp at this point had only been known for their speedy, aggressive, and sometimes emo hardcore punk. “Maturity” included metalcore, post-hardcore, and experimental styling all while keeping their silly and sometimes powerful content. Fans and critics gave mixed reviews, but it was clear that this album cemented their individuality in the hardcore/punk scene. Secks Romp were offered record deals from various small to mid-sized record companies, but eventually signed to Coward Records. Coward Records was on the decline due to various poor decisions with the bands they had currently signed. Secks Romp wanted to help out a small company who they believed, “just needed some love.” – Tim Michaels. The band had one stipulation that while they would be making albums all year, they would only tour during the summer and vacations so they could attend school.
While still in school the group began an ambitious concept album project. This would become Clown EP. The group originally intended to create an entire album based on famous clowns. Hilariously, the band grew bored of the idea after only five songs. “It was a stupid project, and we knew it… We eventually just packed it in, and released what we had as an EP. We learned from the mistake of Get used…”– Murdoc Thomas. “Clown EP” became a free download on the bands website. It was mostly liked by their fans, and gained them noticed from some of the more prog-prone audience.
With the support of the record company, Secks Romp started a different project that was supposed to be their Self-Titled album. However, as the end of the school year approached, Secks Romp proposed an idea to separate the album into two smaller albums. This would start the sales of a full album, while they toured during the summer. Coward accepted the idea because the sales from “Maturity” and the reissues of their old albums, as well as the popularity of “Clown EP” had given them faith in the band. “Secks Romp I” released the week of finals at the band’s university, and they went on their first US tour the day after classes stopped. The album gained great success across the country as it pushed the innovative envelope even further than their last two releases. Critics began to warm up to Secks Romp’s seemingly random style, and some of their worst haters became new fans. Part I of the self–titled project sold well, and built up the suspense for the upcoming “Secks Romp II.”
Secks Romp II Edelweiss Pirates EP and RIP
(senior year)
After the tour, Secks Romp immediately started their senior year of college a successful band. They finished up the self-titled project with “Secks Romp II.” The album was quickly double packed with the original “Secks Romp I” which pissed off a majority of fans. “To please the whiners, we gave a free copy of part two if they came to the table with a copy of part one. ” –“Rocky.” Critics quickly pointed out the miss fire. Out of that annoyance, Secks Romp quickly made the EP “Edelweiss Pirates.” Taking strong influence from really experimental metalcore groups, this EP became notorious for its ridiculous breakdowns, and random interludes. Some fans took great offence to the album because of its drastic change in style. Critics took polarized opinions on the album. Some viewed it as innovative genius while others viewed it as the band imploding. The band announced on their website they had one more record contractually with Coward Records, and it would be their last record. “We were tired. Sick and tired of the nonsense.” –Murdoc Thomas.
So the band released RIP on the day they graduated college. RIP was organized like a eulogy, but presenting positive and negative aspects of a person. It included little bits of all of Secks Romp’s style, but strongly focused on the idea that Secks Romp was officially dead. The band refused to tour for the album that summer and many of the members married and moved to various places for their career.
So the band released RIP on the day they graduated college. RIP was organized like a eulogy, but presenting positive and negative aspects of a person. It included little bits of all of Secks Romp’s style, but strongly focused on the idea that Secks Romp was officially dead. The band refused to tour for the album that summer and many of the members married and moved to various places for their career.
Secks Romp Hates Women and Hiatus or Break-Up?
(months after graduation)
Months after their Graduation, Coward Records contacted the members
for their opinions on a compilation of their discography. The members
traveled to the meeting for the deal and their discovered that all were
still writing music in their free time. So for their fans, they took
some of their money they had earned from their previous albums to record
“Secks Romp Hates Women.” “This is basically everything we’ve ever
wanted to say to a woman or women kind.” –Murdoc Thomas. The proceeds
for the album went to various women’s charities. Fans and Critics alike
appreciated the album as it was: a PS to the fans who loved the band
for four and half years.
One of the members jokingly wrote on their website that the world should look out for “Secks Romp III” and “Secks Romp IV” and included artwork for the project. That message was followed by a “just kidding.”
One of the members jokingly wrote on their website that the world should look out for “Secks Romp III” and “Secks Romp IV” and included artwork for the project. That message was followed by a “just kidding.”
III, IV and there is no light we are in no tunnel.
(reunion)
The Corner’s invitation to their first Battle of the Bands gave the Secks Romp the opportunity to come back together and play live again. When they practiced for the show they jammed out new songs. Over time they released the songs into small digital EPs through their websites with arbitrary titles. The EPs III and IV were the spiritual successors to I and II. The band figured they would make use of the album artwork made for that fake announcement.
After the awesome battle of the bands, Secks Romp decided to get back together and give their band a chance at a music career. So they got back into the studio and recorded two quick songs that the guitarist Tim Michaels wrote in his spare time. “there is no light we are in no tunnel” was released as a name your own price download on their personal website and received mix reviews, but their fans were overjoyed at the opportunity to see Secks Romp play live shows and create new music.
After the awesome battle of the bands, Secks Romp decided to get back together and give their band a chance at a music career. So they got back into the studio and recorded two quick songs that the guitarist Tim Michaels wrote in his spare time. “there is no light we are in no tunnel” was released as a name your own price download on their personal website and received mix reviews, but their fans were overjoyed at the opportunity to see Secks Romp play live shows and create new music.
submitted by MurdocOrange
HTML Comment Box is loading comments...