Fashion Bomb - History (2003-2007)

History (2003-2007)

Fashion Bomb was officially formed in early 2003 when Val (Adrian Valerie) and OS began writing material and looking for additional members. After many auditions and members, DreG came on board to play drums. Along with Sen on bass, the group played their first preview show to a sold out Underground Lounge in Chicago. The group was so impressive right out of the box, that they were tapped to open for veteran underground industrial group Bile.

In early 2004, Chicago Radio station 94.7 the Zone, sponsored a huge band competition called Next Big Thing. Fashion Bomb won this competition, and the resulting attention garnered them a development deal with Hollywood Records.

The Hollywood Records deal enabled the band to go into the studio with producer Tadpole (Disturbed, Soil, Earshot, Drowning Pool) and further develop their sound. Val has commented that for a metal band that is often not family friendly, it was amusing that the monetary support from Hollywood was delivered by a check with Mickey Mouse at the top. (Hollywood Records is owned by Disney Corp.)

After a subsequent string of successful shows, OS was fired from the band for philosophical and musical differences, which opened the way for acid to come on board as lead guitarist. This fortuitous development came just in time, as two weeks after acid joined the group, JAM Productions hired Fashion Bomb to open for Marilyn Manson during his Against All Gods tour.

After the success with Manson, the band continued their success, and eventually parted ways with Sen over musical differences. Soon after, Bambi and Mode were hired to for bass and rhythm guitar duties. During this time, the group played with such notable acts as PIG, Hanzel und Gretyl, Soil, Dope, American Head Charge and Godhead.

In August 2006, the band recorded their first full length album for indie label Superdead Records. Jamie Duffy of Acumen Nation and DJ Acucrack? co-produced eith DreG. In addition, Trevor Sadler of Mastermind Studios (NIN, Soil) mastered the tracks, and Stephen Jensen of F3 Studios was brought on board to create the challenging album art.

In 2007, shortly after appearing in Metal Hammer magazine, Bambi and Mode (a couple at the time), departed the band to focus on school and finances. 2007 was not done for line up changes, as DreG departed the band to pursue other production and musical interests. Trace was hired to play bass for the band, and Switch was brought on as a "hired gun" for rhythm guitar.