KOBANES

KOBANES BIO
Marky and Eddie had been in punk bands together since 1996 when they were in the 6th grade. Eddie’s Father had introduced them to the RAMONES and THE DICKIES when they started listening to music. They had started going to punk shows in Chicago by 1998. In just a few years they had seen almost every band that had influenced them. After 10 years of experimenting with other genres of music (metal/surf) they decided to regroup and form KOBANES due to their disappointment with the return of the dead genre. The KOBANES formed in April of 2008. The original line up was Marky, Eddie, and Dominick. The band was busy with other more serious bands and decided to try and release a 7 inch and call it quits. But, after being offered a record deal with two Japanese labels they quickly made KOBANES their main focus. FIXING A HOLE AND DUMB! Records planned to release “PUBLIC AFFECTION,” the KOBANES 1st album. Half way through recording the album they recruited Eric on 2nd guitar. The KOBANES were now a 4 piece. After a year of playing local Chicago shows they started to write their 2nd album, “JAPAN INVASION.” Once the album was finished a Japan tour was in the works. Unfortunately, work got in the way of Dominick’s performance and was forced to quit the band. The band was devastated due to Dom’s extreme size and personality, for he was the one who originally came up with the name KOBANES. (The band was originally going to be called the Winslows, but their childhood love for Nirvana won the contest) The band had then added Johnny on Bass. Johnny was quickly replaced after slapping Marky’s girlfriend in face, which ended in street fight. Next on bass was Jason. He was a local they often ran into at the grocery store and at shows downtown. The KOBANES completed “JAPAN INVASION,” and toured Japan by September of 2009. It was a dream come true for the band. Selling thousands of copies and playing packed venues in Japan for 2 weeks. But, after the tour another bass player change was in need. Jason had quit before he could be kicked out due to personal differences in the band. According to KOBANES, Jason just didn’t have the attitude they were shooting for. After trying out all the bass players they could find, it was easier just to become a 3 piece, so Eric hopped on bass. After only being a band for nearly 2 years the KOBANES had opened for most of their favorite bands such as : SLOPPY SECONDS, TEEN IDOLS, BEATNIK TERMITES, TEENAGE BOTTLE ROCKET, THE HUNTINGTONS, AND CJ RAMONE (just to name a few). During the next year they hit the studio and recorded 4 songs that would then end up on “FALSE ACCUASTION.” Everything was going great for the KOBANES, until they got kicked off The INSUBORDIANATION FEST. Who would have thought Marky’s dark black metal past would have come back to haunt him? His old band had anti-sematic imagery that would label the band as racists. This was devastating to the band. The KOBANES became a joke on message boards and were constantly being bashed. The KOBANES have no racist lyrics or imagery, and all date outside of their nationalities. The only thing they could do was hope the hype would die down. But, then the next photo shoot became a mockery as well. KOBANES letterman jackets as a 3 piece read KKK! Eric couldn’t take it, so he decided to quit. That same day a longtime fan had texted Marky saying “I want to be a KOBANE.” The KOBANES prayers were answered. John a.k.a. FUZZ was the new bass player. He was perfect; he had QUEERS and SCREECHING WEASEL tattoos, and even an anti-swastika tattoo as well. The KOBANES quickly moved forward, and toured the East coast. The tour was a success and they met a lot of great bands like: THE SHECKIES, JOHNIE 3, HOLLYWOOD BLONDES, and DEE CRACKS. During this tour in Pittsburgh was when they all got their famous cheese burger logo tattoos. While in New York, they even got to see inside Arturo Vega’s apartment. This was an experience that made Marky and Eddie realize all their h