Lunatics On Parole have returned to the stage to once again raise havoc and political awareness. Former members Thor (drums) and Zeke (guitar) are joined by Robdog (guitar) and Robin (bass) behind Kenny the Gardener as they roll through the countryside bringing their unique brand of stoner political metal.

Is he insane, disturbed or just mislabeled because he doesn’t fit into any of society’s little boxes? Kenny the Gardener has been living a life of nonconformity since he dropped out of school and went underground, working for bands and preaching against the rise of corporations and the robotization of humans.

Lunatics On Parole began in 1997 as a vehicle to further Kenny’s endeavors, using the stage to express his insights; political and otherwise. The new cd “RISE”, which was almost two years in the making, is an attack on the power hungry conglomerates, the politicians who support them and is a statement on governmentally-created fiascos.

The 6’8” Kenny the Gardener is the creator and mastermind behind Lunatics On Parole. The booming voice emerging from this giant gives life to his colorful lyrics. Although blunt and to the point, the songs are injected with humor and range from political commentary to good-old California-style party music.

The supporting cast and sound has changed over the years but the goal and message has remained the same.

 

1998 - 2004                by Tom Maguire

The seed that blossomed into Lunatics On Parole first found nurture in the stony soil of the mountains of West Virginia. It was there that a youthful Kenny The Gardener first transformed the ideas raging through his consciousness into impassioned, lyrically poetic manifestos decrying the status quo of late 20th century America. With the aid of a pair of pals--drummer Shannon Larkin, who subsequently went on to play with Amen and Godsmack, and guitarist Kevin King--six of the Gardener’s poems were adapted into punk rock songs. Demos, poems and dreams in hand, Kenny decamped to California to pursue his particular rock & roll fantasy.

Immediately upon his arrival in Hollywood Kenny knew that he had found the appropriate venue for satisfying his volatile muse. Heartbreak, heartache, outrage, the lives of not-so-quiet desperation led by the many wannabe stars who’d despairingly found themselves handed a one-way ticket to the Boulevard of Broken Dreams…all served to help inform the Gardener’s increasingly incisive lyrical vision. He started doing guest appearances with the infamous Sunset Strip cover act Slack Babbath, an amalgamation of local musicians performing interpretive renditions of classic Black Sabbath tunes. Since Slack Babbath “interpretations” typically featured dominatrix, strippers and midgets, the Gardener’s impressive size and leather-bound lungs complemented the proceedings admirably.

Kenny’s appearances with Slack Babbath caused quite a bit of comment about town and attracted the ears of local hardcore trio Kluster (consisting of bassist Greg Biribauer, drummer Neil Taylor and guitarist extraordinaire Yowzah!). Fast friends, Kenny and Kluster decided to form an all-new act utilizing the band’s fast, frenetic thrash as a counterpoint to the Gardener’s scathing lyrical critiques of corporate America. After a few weeks of rehearsal, the newly named Lunatics On Parole made their live debut at the Sunset Strip’s fabled Whisky Au-Go-Go on August 18, 1997, generating an enthusiastic response from a gathering of the Tinsel town faithful. The quartet made their way to the studio shortly thereafter and hammered down mosh-heavy music worthy of Kenny’s poetics. The resulting 15-track album, 1998’s Welcome to the U.S.S.A., served as a stirring introduction to the sound and the fury that is Lunatics On Parole.

A dizzying melding of Black Sabbath and punk rock featuring Zappaesque lyrical insight, Welcome to the U.S.S.A. neatly captured all of the Gardener’s rage toward the state of America in the waning days of the late 20th century. A quick scan of the song titles says it all: “Working Class Wasteland,” “Man-Made Religion,” “G.I. Joe Went To War,” “Corporate Mainland,” “A 1984 Scene” and “Pigs On Patrol” all reflected the Gardener’s growing disaffection with the direction in which America was heading. “We had become that which we most feared,” the Gardener observes. “A government-controlled society, not unlike the totalitarian state which was known as the U.S.S.R.”

With the release of the album, the buzz surrounding Lunatics On Parole began to build. “Pigs On Patrol” was featured on a sampler released by the weekly radio trade publication The Album Network and quickly received airplay from programmers who could, unfortunately, relate all too well to the song’s crushing chorus, directed to the ever-increasing police state: “Hassles from assholes/Pigs on patrol!” One of the earliest supporters was KLFX Killeen, TX Program Director Bob Fonda. “The unique vocals and driving sound made us feel this band was worth the shot--and we weren’t disappointed,” Fonda relates. “The phones rang and the requests came in!” A second single, “Welcome To My World,” also received airplay nationwide, ranging from stations in upstate New York to the Arizona desert.

Alas, just as the momentum began to crescendo, the Lunatics fell victim to some lineup changes. Drummer Taylor was recruited by up-and-coming act Snake River Conspiracy (and later even filled in for A Perfect Circle’s Josh Freese during the groups’ dual tour). Bassist Biribauer, a noted Tinsel town sound engineer, received an offer to go on tour with American Pearl, and subsequently went on to run the sound board for Aussie act The Vines before hooking up with Queens of the Stone Age. Undeterred, Kenny and Yowzah! recruited some other friends and mounted a tour of the southwest U.S., including a Halloween gig for Bob Fonda at KLFX in Killeen, further spreading the fervor for the Lunatics’ unique sound. After the jaunt, alas, Yowzah! opted to exit the group; he was replaced by former Wrathchild America guitarist Terry Carter, a longtime friend of the Gardener’s who’d played on the tour.

After the tour, the Gardener and cohorts headed back to the studio. This time, however, Kenny decided to pursue a more lighthearted lyrical vision…while the music became, if possible, even more punishing by incorporating elements of Slayer and Six Feet Under. Having to a large extent purged many of his political demons with Welcome to the U.S.S.A., it was time to focus on the other great passion of his life: partying! The resulting effort, Life Sucks (And I Love It), possessed all of the musical sturm und drang present in the first album, but a distinctly different lyrical focus. Again, a quick glance at some of the song titles should suffice: “Marijuana,” “Crusty Monkey,” “Drinking Problem,” “They Ask Me Why I Drink” and, most memorably, “Can’t We All Just Get A Bong?” revealed a more playful side of the Lunatics. However, there was a darker element within: the pain of solitude. “It’s basically about the aftermath of a relationship, where you’re like, ‘Fuck it, I’m just gonna party my ass off,’” the Gardener notes. “But then, the second half of the album [featuring songs such as “Scars,” “You Don’t Understand,” “Loneliness” and “Hung Up And Strung Out”] reflects what it’s like when you get home at 4 a.m., drunk, stoned and alone--and some of the thoughts which run through your head in those darkest hours before the dawn.”

For purposes of publicizing the disc, the Gardener naturally relied upon the first half of the album. The first single, “Can’t We All Just Get A Bong?,” received the most radio airplay yet of any Lunatics song…surpassed only by that of the second single, the insanely hooky “Marijuana.” Larry Mac, host of KUPD Phoenix’s mosh-raking specialty show “Into The Pit,” shares the rabid reaction of his listeners after their first exposure to “Marijuana”: “My phones were going crazy for it even before the show started, from just the previous week’s spin alone! There were some [requests] coming in for it in other [times] at the station, as well. Great name, great song…great fun!!!” “Marijuana” topped the request list for “Into The Pit” that week, beating out such famed names as Danzig, Megadeth and hometown heroes Flotsam & Jetsam. And that’s not all: “Marijuana” remained firmly entrenched among the show’s Top 5 requests for six weeks. In addition, WJRR Orlando has played “Marijuana” every Saturday night…for four years! Notes WJRR DJ Vegas, “The show is definitely not the same without the hit ‘Marijuana’!”

Unfortunately, shortly after the completion of Life Sucks (And I Love It), the latest incarnation of the Lunatics (including guitarist Carter, former Lizzie Borden bassist Brian Perry and drummer Rusty Reens, currently playing with hardcore buzz band Watch Me Burn) imploded, leaving the Gardener to again begin anew. While he was searching for new band mates, he filled up his time in a quite unexpected manner: crafting a techno version of Life Sucks (And I Love It) with producer Matthias Schneeberger and guitarist Carter. The decidedly different presentation revealed the quality of the Lunatics’ songwriting skills and their ability to transcend genres; not incidentally, the slowed-down tempos also allowed for a greater appreciation of the Gardener’s growth as a lyricist.

By the spring of 2003 the Gardener was again ready to hit the road. Assembling a new band of merry men, including guitarists Zeke and Spazz, bassist X and drummer Thor, the Lunatics embarked upon a tour of the southeast and Midwest U.S. in summer 2003 (including a lauded appearance at Milwaukee Metalfest XVII). Meanwhile, the song “Drinking Problem” was used as soundtrack for a King Of The Hill motorcycle video in 2003, and the group also lensed a video for the title track of Life Sucks (And I Love It) featuring motocross riders getting wild during a Lunatics party/performance in the high desert of southern California. In spring 2004, a “three-hit” sampler (nudge nudge, wink wink) featuring “Marijuana,” “Can’t We All Just Get A Bong?” and “Green Revolution” hit the streets, winning new converts to the Lunatic way of life. Drummer Thor then departed the band, while new bassist Mike Brickman (formerly of White Trash Debutantes and Hirax) joined the fold.

In June 2004 the latest Lunatic lineup put forth a stunning performance at the L.A. “Gates Of Metal” fest. Shortly thereafter they recruited Mike’s former Hirax drummer Dan Bellinger for a Midwest tour in the summer of 2004, putting on acclaimed gigs in St. Louis, Tulsa and Little Rock. The tour wrapped up most memorably: a hometown gig at the Sunset Strip House Of Blues opening for Machine Head and Chimaira! Kenny then went back into the studio to finish work on a new CD with Zeke, Brickman and former Lunatic stickman Rusty Reens, who contributed his drumming chops to a sextet of songs. Titled NWO 3 (New World Order 3), the new disc marks a return to the political bent of Welcome to the U.S.S.A., including the title track, the chillingly named “Corporate Goosestep” and a punishing cover of Lords of the New Church’s “Open Your Eyes.”

In the words of former Album Network Aggro Editor Greg Sorrels, “The Lunatics are as original as they come and the sense of humor in their music is unsurpassed.” So sit back, grab one of your favorites beverages (or other intoxicating substances), and welcome yourself to the world of Lunatics On Parole…your senses will never be the same!

2005 - 2006

In the beginning of 2005, Jorge Iacobellis and Bryce Waring came on the scene to help Mike and Kenny finish the “RISE” CD.

Jorge, an award winning drummer from Argentina now makes his home in LA. He has played at many drum clinics and festivals and has appeared on the cover of “Drums and Percussion” magazine. Jorge has played and recorded with a number of bands such as Hirax (including their latest release “New Age of Terror), Rosemary’s Billygoat, Critical Mass, Damage, Garcia & Garcia, Halfdead and Alter of the King. It was with Hirax that he first played with Mike on the European tour that included the Headbanger’s Festival.

Bryce, whose brother F3 plays drums for Crisis, played guitar for Rosemary's Billygoat alongside Jorge. He played several shows with the band before leaving at the end of 2005.

The CD was released in Spring 2005 to rave reviews from around the world. Several songs were included on different compilations that were released over the next couple of years.
 

L.O.P has played with:
The Dickies, Agent Orange, Papa Roach, Depswa, Motograter,
Godhead, P.M.M., Otep, Hemlock, Machine Head, Chaimaira
 

Compilations

• Movie soundtrack - Dickie Smalls: From Shame to Fame

• A.O.G. Media #8

• A.O.G Media #7

• AOG Media #6 War Mongers and Dumbing Down America

• Aggro-Active #10 Pigs On Patrol Feb 1999

• Aggro-Active #15 Can't We All Just Get a Bong? May 2000

• Aggro-Active #16 Welcome To My World August 2000

• Skratch Magazine XI I Feel Hate! 2001

• Aggro-Active #19 Marijuana May 2001

• Aggro-Active #22 Crust Monkey (Techno version) April 2002

• Milwaukee Metalfest XVII NWO 3 2003

• LA's Gates of Metal II NWO 3 2004

• Infinity Records NWO 3 2004
  

Videos

• King of the Hill - Scout Entertainment (Motocross) Drinking Problem 2003
  

	Name	Instrument	Year	Credits	Other Bands
	Kenny the Gardener	Vocals	05/97 - present	Welcome to the U.S.S.A; Life Sucks (and I Love It); Life Sucks (red techno remix); RISE	Saddam's Angels; Slack Babbath
	Yowzah!	Guitar	5/87 - 12/00	Welcome to the U.S.S.A; Life Sucks (and I Love It); Life Sucks (red techno version)	Kluster; Methadone Cocktail
	Terry Carter	Guitar	9/00 - 5/02	Life Sucks (and I Love It); Life Sucks (red techno remix) song - This Is/RISE	Wrathchild America; Souls at Zero
	Spazz	Guitar	10/02 - 5/03
	Zeke	Guitar	9/02 - 5/05	RISE	Creepazoid; Hell's Children
	Bryce Waring	Guitar	1/05 - 12/05	RISE	Rosemary's Billygoat; Distorted Youth; Living Hell
	Greg Biribauer	Bass/Guitar	5/87 - 8/00	Welcome to the U.S.S.A; Life Sucks (and I Love It); Life Sucks (red techno remix) song - This Is/RISE	Spores; Kluster; LAMF; Rattlebone
	Brian Perry	Bass	8/00 - 5/01	Life Sucks (and I Love It)	Prong; Flood; Dirty Looks; Jake E Lee; Lizzie Borden
	X	Bass	10/02 - 10/04
	Mike Brickman	Bass	1/04 - 12/06	RISE	Cell Block 5; Hirax; White Trash Debutantes
	Neal Taylor	Drums	5/87 - 8/99; 1/00 - 5/00; 4/02 - 5/02	Welcome to the U.S.S.A; Life Sucks (and I Love It); Life Sucks (red techno version)	Snake River Conspiracy; Kluster; LAMF
	Kenny Pierce	Drums	8/99 - 12/99; 5/00 - 11/00; 12/01 - 4/02	intro - Drinking Problem/ Life Sucks (and I Love It); Life Sucks (red techno version)	Spores; Soul; Imagine World Peace; Taz
	Thor	Drums	10/02 - 5/04	song - NWO 3/RISE	Hell's Children
	Rusty Reens	Drums	11/00 - 5/01	Life Sucks (and I Love It); RISE	Watch Me Burn; Hookworm
	Jorge Iacobellis	Drums	1/05 - 12/06	RISE	Hirax; Rosemary's Billygoat; Critical Mass