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9353

Origins: late-‘70s 9353 emerged from a history of genuinely original bands that presented an alternative to the Washington DC punk rock hardcore scene in the 1980's. Formed in the first week of 1983 and playing live 6 weeks later, they have from day-one operated in an opposition to the various trends that surrounded them, with little notice of what else was going on. Had DC's entire hardcore punk scene never existed 9353 would have most likely sounded exactly the same as they did. While most of the band members participated in many of these subgenre scenes, the actual influences on 9353’s music were from a different set of choices not pursued by most of their peers.

​    The common musical influences shared by all the members were very few. Any such influence versus its impact on the music of 9353 was often not agreed upon by anyone in the band. Whatever detectable punk musical influences there were (The Stranglers, Punishment Of Luxury) didn't seem to play a role in influencing many, if any other DC bands. 9353's original goal to annoy and alienate the conservative portion of the DC punk audience along with skinheads in general, could have been achieved easily by two musical features of the band: falsetto vocals and weird guitars. Despite that, no member of 9353 has ever preached from the stage in the popular moral DC style found in the hardcore scene concerning how their fans should live, act or what they should consume. In fact, 9353 rarely said anything on stage unless it pertained to an incident unfolding in the audience.

A number of separate though intertwined musical foundations were the specific history which lay the groundwork for what’s one of the Washington DC area’s most unique bands. Yet the group’s iconoclastic approach to both the regional conventions & traditional rock methodology did not, regardless of many original fans’ impressions, materialize out of thin air. This is due to many things, not the least of which being both Jason & Vance having taken lessons as kids with old-school rockabilly legend Billy Hancock; yet their playing styles barely reflect it. 9353 remains controversial mainly for its most consistent members’ uncensored opinions and eyewitness accounts after years on the DC punk scene.

Demos, Flyers & Lineups​

The original live and recording lineup, before a drummer was added, was singer Bruce Hellington, formerly Bruce Merkle (Color Anxiety, 86% Hype, Harlingtox A.D.), bassist Vance Bockis (Overlord, [|Obsessed], [|Pentagram]) and guitarist Jason Carmer (​Color Anxiety, Double O, Amplifier). They are the trio who wrote the initial group of songs and performed live 7 times without a drummer while using a Roland Drumatix drum machine. Recordings first began at home with a session recorded by Jim Altman in April 1983, followed by another session with Andre Pretorious the following month. Along with the first 2 Inner Ear sessions (April and July 1983), these recordings together made up the first 4 cassette demos which circulated around the DC scene before the first album was released.

As much as the music and the band were a decent draw, so was the addition of spooky "1950’s horror-vibe” 9353 flyers Hellington made. In true DIY hands-on method, this greatly increased their exposure in this ‘pre-internet’ era. Wallpaper pasted (sometimes in color) with up to a few dozen flyers edge-to-edge or in crucifixes, it had never been done to that extent in DC by any band. Often strategically placed at high traffic intersections, 9353 gig poster art was ubiquitous if you lived in (or anywhere near) Washington, D.C. in the early/mid 1980’s or mid 1990's. Although 9353 put up more flyers than almost half the scene combined over their years, they have not been included in any historical DC punk flyer & poster exhibits.

When asked why 9353 never toured extensively in its earlier incarnations, Hellington's honest reply was “because half the band was ill, and the other half didn't want to get locked up for it”. Many fans refer to 9353's original four-piece lineup as the core of the band. It’s also true that 59 others have joined Bruce and Vance either on stage or in the studio in the 31 years that 9353 has continued their on/off presence in the Washington music scene. Jason Carmer continued a career in the music industry as a (Latin Grammy winning) producer of rock and pop bands. Dan Joseph currently composes and performs with The Dan Joseph Orchestra.

Original Band: early/mid-80’s

Vance had played bass with Link Wray and Pentagram as well as having sang for The Obsessed before joining 9353. Jason Carmer cites Scream as his first band, playing bass before Skeeter joined. Jason also played bass in Color Anxiety in 1981 before joining Double O in 1982 as a guitarist. Bruce Hellington sang on the Harlingtox A.D. cd in 1990 which also featured Dave Grohl ([|Nirvana], [|Foo Fighters]) and Tos Nieuwenhuizen (God, [|Sunn(((0)))]. Dan Joseph had not played drums in any band prior to joining 9353, but soon found himself also drumming in Crippled Pilgrims and playing guitar with Troubled Gardens. The legacy dynamics of 9353 were fully in effect with the addition of drummer Dan Joseph in June 1983.

While it’s an true undeniable, iconic associations list is held by the original lineup in their previous bands, none of these bands sounds helped spawn 9353’s contributions to music. The earliest examples of the ‘9353 sound’ traces back to 1979 in the Arlington, VA band Spinal Ice Bags. The direction taken then by guitarist Baback Mohgaddam and vocalist Bruce Hellington were the very first glimpses that can be heard of the 9353 sound. Mohgaddam's influence as a musician was paramount to the development of 9353's ​future ​guitar approach. The next step was forming Color Anxiety at the end of 1980 (with Hellington on vocals, Mohgaddam on guitar, Carmer on bass and Pete Levine on drums). Color Anxiety formed the musical foundations for what would become 9353

While on bass duty in Color Anxiety, Jason observed (ideas he later integrated to his own style as 9353's guitarist) Bruce & Baback's unique contrasting yet complimentary vocal/guitar shifting textures. Vance’s bass lines were more prominent to the sound and songs than many bands of that time or place. Vance Bockis would return to 9353 after either being fired or quitting a total of seven times over nearly three decades. Despite that statistic it still qualifies him as the most consistent band member of 9353, besides founding singer Bruce Hellington who has remained since the beginning. 9353s local popularity, if not the music itself which Vance helped write, brought him back again and again. He simultaneously launched his solo career singing for The Factory starting in September 1983 after his first departure from 9353. Vance appeared on most of the first album 'To Whom It May Consume' upon its release in 1984. Their second full-length record We Are Absolutely Sure There Is No God Italic text came out in 1986. Jason Carmer left 9353 in 1986 and has not yet rejoined in any capacity, though attempts have been made.

Gigs, Press & ​Soundtracks

9353 headlined the club dc space almost monthly 2 years before any DC hardcore bands did. Located at 7th & E St. NW DC, it was one of the bands' homes from 1984-1986 after leaving Falls Church. There they rehearsed on the top floor, and it was also most of the band's place of employment during those years. After the middle of 1985 the original lineup band rarely if ever rehearsed again, though they continued to perform live shows till mid-1986. 9353 opened for some larger acts (Public Image Limited at Ontario Theater, Jesus & the Mary Chain at University of Maryland's Grand Ballroom, Danny Gatton at the Taste of DC Festival) with varying results. The band mostly headlined their own small club gigs, selling out both the 9:30 Club and dc space over 20 times each. 9353 was the only band to ever play dc space five nights in a row, and the only band to ever play Asylum three nights in a row. 9353 was the first band to ever play The Black Cat on 9-11-93, the first night they opened their doors.

9353 has headlined many Washington D.C., Richmond, Baltimore, Philadelphia & New York City clubs from 1983 through 2008. Including: dc space, 15 Minutes Club, 9:30 Club, CBGB's, The Pyramid Club, City Gardens, DCAC, Friendship Station, Club Zei, Marble Bar, The Chamber, Memory Lane, Floodzone, Tracks, P.B. Kelly's, Twisters, Rockitz,  Ontario Theater, Sylvan Theater, Newton Theater, The Corcoran School of Art,  Space 2 Arcade,  The Wilson Center, The Smoke In, The Taste Of DC, G.W. University's Marvin Center, G.W. University's Rathskeller, Maryland University's Grand Ballroom, Columbia University, Velvet Lounge, The Bayou, Asylum In Exile, the Black Cat and Ottobar.

9353 had also at one time been in the praise of much good press. This included write ups, reviews or feature stories in many zines including Spin, NME, Sounds, Option Times, Stop Smiling, WDC Period, Ben Is Dead, Throttle, CD Review, The Unicorn Times, The Village Voice, The Washington Post, The Washington Times, The Washington City Paper, The Baltimore Sun, The Baltimore City Paper and others. 9353's song 20th Century Sex Plague was featured in the Troma film Tromeo & Juliette. 9353's music also was included in the DC independent film American Skin.

Evolving Styles: mid/late-90’s

The third LP was released in 1993 UFO’s Sideswiped Our Reform School Bus, Followed by the first 2 albums on CD with extensive extra tracks as Overdoses At Your Mother’s House and Make Your Last Days Loud Days. In May 1993 Bruce Hellington and Vance Bockis played a reunion show with Sean Chagall (the Wolves) on guitar and Mark Kermanj (Earth 18, Chem Lab, Meatmen) on drums. By June ’93 Sean was replaced by guitarist Andrew Simmons (HR, Blue Balls Deluxe, Baby Jayne), and Mark was replaced by Kenny Craun (Beefeater, Rhythm Pigs, Christian Death), both of whom left in September ’93. They were replaced by Teddy Feldman (Pentagram, Faith Motel, The Lamonts) on guitar and Brian Barnhard (Poole, The Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps) on drums. This line up disbanded at the end of 1993.

In February 1994 Bruce Hellington along with guitarist John Hancock (Bark Hard, Fearless Leader) wrote ten of the songs for the 3rd 9353 CD Insult To Injury...Magically DeliciousItalic text, which was the beginning of Brainwashington Records. The Magically Delicious line up saw the return of original 9353 member Dan Joseph, but on piano for recording only. It also included Bernie Wandell (Nuclear Crayons, Guilt Combo, [|Henry Rollins]) on bass as well as a second guitarist William Merkle (Namaste, Steve Roach) and Mark Taylor (Parasite) on drums. This disc had two re-recorded Hellington/Bockis/Feldman songs, as well as including three cover songs plus three Dan Joseph piano compositions. This lineup played many shows live in Wash DC, Baltimore MD, Richmond VA, Wilmington DE and Philadelphia PA becoming a most solid proficient live version of 9353 before disbanding by the end of 1994.

1995 saw many changes in 9353 beginning with Bruce Hellington becoming 9353's main songwriter on guitar; along with Susan Hwang on keyboards and Paul Sears drumming yet no one singing in this trio. Paul Sears (the Muffins, Chainsaw Jazz) joined in 1995 where he remained the 9353 drummer more often than not till his departure at the end of 2007. Much music was written and recorded by this line up and they pioneered 9353's "circus" signature-style. This lineup was described by a co-worker of Sears's from Greenpeace as an 1890's Sabbath carnival waltz trio. This line up played a dozen gigs in DC, Baltimore & Philadelphia before disbanding at the end of 1997.

Now & Next: 21st c​entury

By 2007 Bruce Hellington was back on lead vocals, Vance Bockis was back on bass, Paul Sears was on drums and Teddy Feldman was back on guitar. This lineup headlined the 9:30 Club three times that year. 9353 Played the 9:30 club again in January 2008. This time the lineup was Bruce Hellington vocals, while Andrew Simmons returned on guitar and Mark Kermanj returned on drums. In addition to Norman Voss (Cosmic Slop, [|Meatmen]) playing second guitar, Jason Brundage was bassist/recording engineer/co-producer for 2009's Re-Recordings 9353 ‘oldies’ CD. The last live 9353 show of this era was played on April 18, 2008 with Bruce Hellington (lead vocals) Vance Bockis (bass & vocals), Andrew Simmons (guitar) and Mark Kermanj on drums.

In May 2008 a new studio variation of 9353 formed involving both old and new approaches. The ‘95-‘97 circus sound was back again, as well as a new emphasis on improvisation as a key element in many compositions. This would eventually become the Ravens Of Glenmore Drive album lineup by 2010, with all main members now doing lead vocals. This LP/CD features Bruce Hellington lead vocals and guitar, Vance Bockis lead vocals and bass, Susan Hwang (The Debutante Hour, Carte Blanche) lead vocals, accordion and keyboards, Nan Helm (Sonic Dust, WKCR) also lead vocals and keyboards and with Kathleen Hellington, lead vocals and drumming. This album also contains additional contributions by Baback Mohgaddam on keyboards, Teddy Feldman on lead guitar, Edd Jacobs on Tibetan singing bowls and prayer cymbals, Jimmy Swope on lead guitar, John Betts on lead guitar, Kenney Belcher on bass, Mark Kermanj on drums, Brian Barnhard on drums and Daniel Puckett on sax.

9353 has in recent years lost some very important members Vance Bockis (September 1, 2012) & Andrew Simmons (November 4,, 2009) and contributors Edd Jacobs (November 23, 2012) & Baback Mohgaddam (July 31, 2012). They will appear on more future releases archived from the many recordings completed with the band in recent years. The 9353 story continues with the Ravens Of Glenmore Drive lineup and contributors currently working on an upcoming new album. 9353 still remains as a unique stylistic vision that will continue to confound many preconceived expectations of most listeners.

DISCOGRAPHY/ TRACKLISTING

Bouncing Babies compilation LP ​Fountain of Youth Records 1983, 9353 - '10 Witches'

To Whom It May Consume LP R & B records 1984

1.  Famous Last Words

2.  Ghost

3.  East Of Sudan

4.  Egnopssponge

5.  With All Respect

6.  Test Life

7.  Color Anxiety

8.  Idustry

We Are Absolutely Sure There Is No God LP Fountain Of Youth / Dutch East 1985

1. Spooky Room

2. Bypartizoa

3. Americana Schizo

4. Bastard

5. Evil Teen Facility Yard

6. Who Does What & Why

7. B.T.B.W.

8. Viva La Sleaze

UFOs Sideswiped our Reform School Bus (That's Why We're Early, Mom, They Didn't Want Us To Tell) LP Adult Swim Records 1993

1. Senior Citizen Disposal Plant

2. Rooftop

3. Babies

4. 10 Witches

5. King Boy Power Hell

6. Criminal Twin's Amnesia

7. Cuckoo

8. Bombing For God, Right

9. Spinach Youth

Overdoses At Your Mother's House CD Adult Swim Records 1993 (reissue of first album plus extra cuts)

1. Senior Citizen Disposal Plant

2. Rooftop

3. Babies

4. 10 Witches

5. King Boy Power Hell

6. Famous Last Words

7. Ghost

8. East Of Sudan

9. Egnopssponge

10. With All Respect

11. Test Life

12. Color Anxiety

13. Idustry

14. Morbid Premonition

15. Spirit Of Murder

16. Porno World Parking Lot

17. Normal Para

18. Carnival Of Goof (hidden track)

Make Your Last Days Loud Days CD Adult Swim Records 1993 (reissue of second album plus extra cuts)

1. Criminal Twin's Amnesia

2. Cuckoo

3. Bombing For God, Right?

4. Spinach Youth

5. Bypartizoa

6. Evil Teen Facility Yard

7. Spooky Room

8. American Schizo

9. Bastard

10. Who Does What& Why

11. B.T.B.W.

12. Viva La Sleaze

13. With All Respect

14. White Suit

15. Pshaw Chagrind

16. MDA Swan Dive

17. Cover Song  (hidden track on the CD)

WGNS Gots No Station compilation LP/CD ​ WGNS Records 1994, 9353 - 'Dummy Planet Decoy'

Insult To Injury…Magically Delicious CD Brainwashington Records 1994

1. Moon Over Kentucky

2. Public Domain Baby

3. 20th Century Sex Plague

4. Faking Lemonade

5. Redneck Funhole

6. Politics

7. Worse Case Scenario

8. Ancient Future

9. Wired To Blow

10. What Do I? No!

11. Angel Rust

12. Crime Johnny

13. Peace Bomb Piece Balm

14. Little Dreamer

15. State Line State Fair

16. Dummy Planet Decoy

17. Ice Water In Hell

CAPITOL CRISIS compilation Cyclops Records CD ​ 1995, 9353 - 'Redneck Funhole'

9353 Re-Records CD Brainwashington Records 2009

1. Babies

2. Byapartizoa

3. Angel Rust

4. Rooftop

5. White Suits

6. Spooky Room

7. 10 Witches

8. B.T.B.W.

The Ravens of Glenmore Drive LP/CD Brainwashington Records 2013

1. Dinosaur’s Spaceship Ark

2. The Circus Of Love

3. Conflict And Resolution

4. A Secret Color Wheel

5. Another Dandelion Planet Goes Kaboom

6. Crime Stars vs. "Credible" Victims

7. Luxury Is Choosing How The Story Ends

LINKS

http://loudwire.com/the-obsessed-bassist-vance-bockis-dead-at-50/

http://www.metal-archives.com/artists/Vance_Bockis/4192

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Obsessed

http://www.discogs.com/Harlingtox-AD-Harlingtox-Angel-Divine/release/2253499

http://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/539/Harlingtox-A.D.--Harlingtox-Angel-Divine/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentagram_(band)#Personnel

http://www.sweetparamania.com/bands/HarlingtoxAD.html

http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/articles/7704/cool-in-a-crisis

http://www.amazon.com/Gots-No-Station-Compilation-Wgns/dp/B000BTEYU2

http://www.bandtoband.com/band/9353/bouncing-babies

http://trouserpress.com/entry.php?a=9353

http://www.chunq.com/9353.php

https://thepopulation.wordpress.com/2009/04/03/bruce-miles-hellington-of-9353-whats-this-for/

http://www.amazon.com/Overdose-at-Your-Mothers-9353/dp/B00008EMK4

http://brainwashingtonrecords.com/music.html#93531