Del Lord

• Formed: 1984
• Disbanded: 1991
• Genres: Rock
• Representative Albums: "Based on a True Story," "Get Tough: The Best of the Del-Lords," "Frontier Days"

Biography

Formed in the early '80s by ex-Dictators guitarist Scott Kempner, the Del Lords combined elements of '60s garage rock with country, blues, and folk influences to become one of the initial progenitors of roots rock. Kempner recruited former Joan Jett guitarist Eric "Roscoe" Ambel, bassist Manny Caiati, and drummer Frank Funaro, and the Del Lords released their first disc, Frontier Days, on Enigma/EMI in 1984. The album was noted for its guts, street smarts, and twangy guitars, a balanced blend of Springsteen meets Johnny Thunders. Their follow-up Enigma/EMI release, Johnny Comes Marching Home, found Pat Benatar producer Neil Geraldo at the helm. While the band had became tighter, Geraldo applied a poppy gloss that seemingly toned down the grittier aspects of their debut. All the right elements fell into place by the time their album Based On a True Story was released in 1988, with Geraldo commendably pulling back his slicker production technique, allowing the louder aspects of the band to break through. The album is also notable for the support of guest vocalists Pat Benatar, Syd Straw, Kim Shattuck, and Mojo Nixon.

The raucous EP Howlin' at the Halloween Moon captured the band in its live element, performing five tracks from the first three albums along with spirited covers of the Flamin' Groovies "Jumpin' in the Night" and Freddy "Boom Boom" Cannon's "Tallahassee Lassie." In 1990 the Del Lords recorded their final album, Lovers Who Wander, and although some of the rough edges were smoothed out, the graceful emotional conviction made their swansong just as appealing as any of their previous studio releases. Eric "Roscoe" Ambel officially quit the Del Lords in 1991, as he had already released a solo album, Roscoe's Gang. Eight years later the Restless label finally got around to releasing Get Tough: The Best of the Del-Lords. ~ Al Campbell, All Music Guide

Johnny Comes Marching Home [Bonus Tracks] Buy this CD	Based on a True Story [Bonus Tracks] Buy this CD	Get Tough: The Best of the Del-Lords Buy this CD	Lovers Who Wander Buy this CD	Howlin' at the Halloween Moon Buy this CD
Based on a True Story Buy this CD	Johnny Comes Marching Home Buy this CD	Frontier Days Buy this CD	Frontier Days Buy this CD

• Born: 1895 in Grimsley, Canada
• Died: Mar 23, 1970 in Vista, California
• Occupation: Director
• Active: '30s-'40s
• Major Genres: Comedy
• Career Highlights: I Love a Bandleader, Yes, We Have No Bonanza, Three Dumb Clucks
• First Major Screen Credit: Black Oxfords (1924)

Biography

Canadian-born Del Lord first came to Hollywood as a member of Broadway-star William Collier Sr.'s entourage. Securing extra work at Mack Sennett's Keystone studio, Lord made a name for himself as driver of the Keystone Kops' paddy wagon. Though seemingly reckless, he had the unique ability of staging mammoth car chases and spectacular crashes without ever damaging the vehicles. Promoted to director, Lord turned out first-rate comedies with such Sennett stars as Ben Turpin, Billy Bevan and Andy Clyde. His modus operandi was to work backwards--that is, to film the last scene first, then figure out a logical method to build up to the climax. Occasionally wandering off the Sennett lot in the late 1920s early 1930s, he directed two Universal features, Topsy and Eva (1927) and Barnum Was Right (1929); he also directed 2-reelers for First National, Educational, and Hal Roach. When Sennett closed his studio in 1933, Lord found himself unemployed for the first time in two decades. Forced to take a job selling used cars, he was rescued by comedy producer Jules White, who invited him to join the fledgling Columbia Pictures short-subject unit as a producer and director. From 1935 to 1945, Lord turned out some of Columbia's fastest and funniest two reelers; he worked with such old pals as Andy Clyde, Buster Keaton and Charley Chase, and is credited with molding and developing the peculiar comic style of the Three Stooges. He also served as second-unit director on a handful of Columbia features, and received solo directorial credit for such "B" pictures as Trapped by Television (1936) and Kansas City Kitty (1944). Lord left Columbia in 1946 to direct features elsewhere, but returned to the fold at the personal request of producer Hugh McCollum to helm Columbia's Hugh Herbert shorts. After 1951, Del Lord lived in virtual retirement; his last known project was a 30-minute industrial short starring his former Columbia colleague Buster Keaton. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Higher Than a Kite Buy this Movie	They Stooge to Conga Buy this Movie	An Ache in Every Stake Buy this Movie	How High is Up Buy this Movie
Yes, We Have No Bonanza Buy this Movie	Wee Wee Monsieur Buy this Movie	Cash and Carry Buy this Movie	Dizzy Doctors Buy this Movie

Show More Movies Show Fewer Movies

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)