Tsunami Bomb

Tsunami Bomb: the four-piece punk band formed toward the end of the 20th century in Petaluma, California; a sleepy Northern California bay area suburb and home to some of the greatest punk bands in the history of the genre, a virtual hot-bed, the next Seattle...or not.

But, truthfully, the newest band to sign to worldwide indie Kung Fu Records, has raised the bar for punk rock debut albums with their immaculate collection of songs on The Ultimate Escape, produced by Steve Kravac (MxPx, Less Than Jake).

"The band is a perfect match for Kung Fu," explains label owner Joe Escalante. "The Kung Fu success stories like The Ataris and The Vandals all got where they are by sheer hard work, both on the road and in the studio."

The brainchild of bassist Dominic Davi, Tsunami Bomb was, for lack of a better word, discovered by AFI bassist Hunter Bergan, who immediately produced and released their first 7-inch on his own Checkmate Records. It's clear that the influence of his own band stays with the Bomb today.

On the road no one works harder than Tsunami Bomb. Ten thousand copies of their self-produced EP The Invasion From Within did not sell by accident. Without the help of major distribution or press and radio coverage, it was incessant touring that led to such sales and a wild-yet-polished live show with arguably the most likeable and "in control" female front-person in the business.

Singer Agent M is a complete package, possessing a rare combination of sweetness, beauty, talent and power. That's the only way to pull off the "girl sings for punk band" thing and these kids have made it a blast to experience.

In the studio, quite simply, they bled for Kravac. He worked them to near death, but in the end, delivered a superior product so well done it's more like a band's second album than a debut effort.

Along with AFI, bands like Guttermouth, H2O and The Vandals have all discovered the joys of touring with Tsunami Bomb. They can play with anybody, and they win every time. Whether it's an Anti-Flag crowd or New Found Glory kids, it doesn't take long for any audience to connect with the sincerity and dedication Tsunami Bomb has to both their music and their loyal fans.

After touring the U.S. on Warped and then up to Canada on their own, Tsunami Bomb will officially join the Kung Fu family in the Fall of 2002 when they join the Kung Fu Records Tour with The Vandals, Useless I.D., Audio Karate, etc. in the U.S. and U.K. This tour will hit the European continent in late January/February of 2003.

Bay Area punk combo Tsunami Bomb was formed around 1999 by bassist Dominic Davi, who was joined by vocalist Agent M, guitarist Mike Griffen, and drummer Gabe Lindeman. With their California punk influences sewed proudly to their sleeves, the members of Tsunami Bomb set about conquering America the old fashioned way -- with incessant touring. Tsunami Bomb was bolstered by the success of early 7" releases on A.F.I. bassist Hunter Bergan's Checkmate label, as well as a fan base built through the band's dogged touring schedule. Impressed with their tenacity, Cali indie Kung Fu (the Vandals, the Ataris) signed them in 2002 and released The Ultimate Escape full-length in September of that year. Tsunami Bomb headed out on the road once again in spring 2003, this time as part of the Warped Tour. Davi exited the band at the summer's end for personal reasons (later going on to form Love Equals Death), and Matt McKenzie joined on in his place. The Definitive Act appeared in the fall of 2004, and shortly after its release, Griffen left and was replaced on guitar by Jay Northington. The band continued to tour over the next year, releasing a live DVD along the way, but it would prove to be the band's last release, as Tsunami Bomb broke up in the fall of 2005, citing problems with the business end of the industry. ~ Johnny Loftus, All Music Guide