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The backorders |
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The Story |
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Based in beautiful Albany, California, the Backorders were formed by singer/guitarist Norman Famous in the summer of 2005 when he got together with bassist "Mighty" Mark Stone and drummer Jim "Boom Boom" Usher to perform at a local event. Norman's sister, "Rockin'" Robin, later joined the group to lend vocal support and even later (or, if you prefer, more recently), Eric Kampman brought his keyboards and vocals into the act. |






NORMAN FAMOUS
As Sparky Grinstead, he led the Oakland-based proto-punk band the Bonkeenies of America in the 70's and went on to release several albums under his own name in the late 70's and 80's. The group and the albums went mostly unseen and unheard by an uncaring public. As Norman Famous, he led an earlier version of the Backorders through the San Francisco-area club scene, performing for the drunk and uninterested in the early 90's. As Earl Grinstead he performed and recorded with the critically acclaimed but criminally ignored garage-folkies El Sob from '96 to '02. Again as Norman Famous, he created the popular independent music site, normanfamous.com, which he ran from '02 to '05, then ran from. In addition his duties with The Backorders, Norman also finds time to play drums for alt-country rockers Belleville.
ROBIN FAMOUS
Absolutely nothing is known about "Rockin'" Robin Famous except that she is Norman's (perhaps twin?) sister.
ERIC KAMPMAN
Eric was a member of progressive/psychedelic group Now, which released 3 albums. A founding member of jam band Ten Ton Chicken, he subsequently moved on to a thriving solo career in symphonic progressive rock, playing for the termites in the wall, the raccoons in the cellar, and the occasional alcoholic.
MARK STONE
"Mighty” Mark Stone appears to have manifested himself from his own imagination. He don't talk about where he's been or where he's goin' - just about where he is, which is playin' bass in The Backorders. Now shuddup. To learn more about Mark, visit his MySpace page at myspace.com/mark_stone.
JIM USHER
Back in his home state of Wisconsin, Jim "Boom Boom" Usher was a founding member of the underappreciated garage-rockers The Panda Wrestlers. At the end of his stormy 16-day tenure with that band, he moved to sunny California and joined the whimsically-named but marginally talented folk outfit John and the Yokos. After the group broke up, "Boom Boom" retired from music and began a promising career as a tractor-pull announcer. It was at one of these events that he met Norman Famous and Mark Stone, who convinced him to play drums for the Backorders. To learn more about "Boom Boom", visit his MySpace page at myspace.com/jamessusher.
GREG REZNICK
Rhythm guitarist Greg Reznick has recently joined the Backorders. 30 years ago (yes, I said 30) Greg, Norman and Robin sang and played in the legendary East Bay group The Bonkeenies of America. All but Greg had different names, but they were still the same people. Still the same person he was 30 years ago, Greg has decided to rejoin the musical fray that is the Backorders. And now all is right with the world.