Cherubs (American band)


Cherubs are an American noise rock band from Austin, Texas, formed in 1991. Their line up consisted of guitarist Kevin Whitley, bassist Owen McMahon, and drummer Brent Prager. During their initial run, they released two albums and an outtake compilation, all of which were released through Trance Syndicate. They broke up in 1994, shortly before the release of their second album Heroin Man. They reunited in 2014 and a third full-length, titled 2 YNFYNYTY, was released on March 3, 2015 through Brutal Panda Records. A second reunion album, titled Immanculada High, was issued through Relapse Records on July 26, 2019.

History

Cherubs were formed in 1991 by Kevin Whitley, Owen McMahon, and Brent Prager. In early 1992, they were signed through Trance Syndicate, an independent record label owned by King Coffey of The Butthole Surfers, before they even performed their first live show. That same year they released their debut album Icing. The album's lead single, "Pink Party Dessert", was released as a single on 7" vinyl, which was even played through BBC Radio 1 by disc jockey John Peel. Their follow-up record, Heroin Man, was released two years later. The album's title and lyrical themes were influenced by the heroin-induced overdose of Dave DeLuna, a very close friend of the band. The band broke up before the album's release, following a fight between Prager and McMahon after a live show. In 1996, Trance Syndicate released Short of Popular, a compilation album that was made up of b-sides, rarities, and outtakes recorded throughout the band's brief run.
In 2013, a compilation titled Everyone's Dead Before They Leave: A Tribute to the Cherubs was released through Unfortunate Miracle Records, which compiles various covers of songs by the Cherubs done by many different bands. The title is a reference to a lyric from "Pink Party Dessert". In 2014, the Cherubs reunited and began recording a new album over the summer. On December 15, it was announced via a YouTube video that the new album will be titled 2 YNFYNYTY. The album was released by Brutal Panda Records on March 3, 2015 through digital download, cassette, and vinyl formats.
In October 2014, they released a new song, titled "Fist In The Air", on the Brutal Panda Records soundcloud page. The track was recorded during the 2 YNFYNYTY sessions, and digital pre-orders were given to those who purchased a T-shirt from the Brutal Panda Records website. When asked about their plans on recording new material, Whitley mentioned that the "next record will be about moving on".
In early 2016, the band announced that they will release the Fist In The Air extended play on double 7" vinyl format. The EP was released on February 26 of that year. On August 22, the band performed at Beerland, the first show by the band in over 20 years. They later performed at the Mohawk's 10th anniversary celebration on September 17. In 2016, Tom Hazelmyer of Amphetamine Reptile Records released a limited edition split 7" lathe cut that featured the Cherubs and Gay Witch Abortion, which was released in conjunction with Hazelmyer's Ink Obscene Archaic Gutter Memes art show that was held at Leona Gallery in Austin, Texas on December 3.
In November 2018, the group signed onto metal-based label Relapse Records for future releases. Short of Popular also received reissue treatment through Sonic Surgery Records on CD and LP formats. The trios fourth studio album, titled Immaculada High, was issued through the label in July 26, 2019.

Discography

Studio Albums