Darren Robbins
Darren Robbins | |
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| Background information | |
| Born | Dowagiac, Michigan, United States |
| Genres | Rock, new wave, alternative rock |
| Occupation | Singer-songwriter |
| Years active | 1988–present |
| Labels | Like Records (1988–1989) A&M Records (1989–1993) Chequered Requerds (1997–2000) Home Taping Is Killing Music Records (2006–2008) |
Darren Robbins (born April 14, 1966) is a singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. Robbins released the seminal power pop CD "Darren Robbins Steals Your Girlfriend" in 1988 with production and musical backing by CBS/Portrait act The Elvis Brothers.[1]
Trouser Press publisher Ira Robbins (no relation) called Robbins' debut effort "as much a showcase for the star’s solid skills as an indication of the Elvis Brothers’ talent, 'Steals Your Girlfriend' is a delight."[2]
Robbins released two CDs under the name Time Bomb Symphony.[3][4] Most recently, he has released his first CD of new material in seven years under yet another pseudonym, Destroy The Heart. The self-titled CD was produced by Adam Schmitt.
Of the album, Bullz-Eye writer Jeff Giles writes:
"The album’s biggest (and most pleasant) surprise is that it sounds like it could have been recorded a year or two after 'Steals Your Girlfriend' – or a decade before. Trying to pretend the last 30 years never happened isn’t anything new for power pop records, of course; the difference here is that Robbins and producer Adam Schmitt actually manage to pull it off. The drums are dry and punchy, the guitars sharp and wiry, the vocals soaked in vinegar and honey – you can close your eyes and pretend Rockpile never broke up, and Cheap Trick never recorded 'The Flame.'[5]
In 2008, Robbins reformed Time Bomb Symphony with former Material Issue members Mike Zelenko and Ted Ansani.[6]
According to a feature in The New York Times, Robbins formed the company Big D Custom Tour Merch in 2011, providing full-service tour merchandising to many major rock acts as well as custom screen printing services.
In 2014, Robbins, now a prolific street artist working under the pseudonym "Lemmy Cornhole", made headlines after his arrest for malicious destruction to a building in his hometown of Dowagiac, Michigan. Charges were later dropped. His hand-made street art-style cornhole boards are now in high demand and sell for upwards of $2,500 on the secondary market.
Discography
[edit]- Darren Robbins Steals Your Girlfriend, 1988 (Like Records).
- Time Bomb Symphony/If You See Kay, 1997 (Chequered).
- Time Bomb Symphony/Rules Get Broken, 2000 (Chequered).[1]
- Destroy The Heart/Destroy The Heart, 2007 (Home Taping Is Killing Music Records).
References
[edit]- ^ a b Michael Roberts (November 9, 2000). "Playlist". Denver Westword.
- ^ Ira Robbins (2020). "Darren Robbins discography". trouserpress.com.
- ^ Thomas Conner (April 24, 1998). "Behind the Eyes". Tulsa World.
- ^ Herald Staff (April 25, 1998). "THE TICKET". The Miami Herald.
- ^ Jeff Giles (2007). "Destroy The Heart CD Review". Bullz-Eye.com.
- ^ Andy Downing (2008). "Darren Robbins Puts Together New Time Bomb Symphony". Chicago Tribune.
External links
[edit]
- WBEZ news article by Jim DeRogatis (August 2014)
- Entry on Trouser Press website
- New York Times article (April, 2011)
- Destroy The Heart CD Review (2007)
- Chicago Tribune article (2008)
- Trouser Press review (2020)
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