Nymphs (band)

Nymphs are an American alternative rock band that performed in the late 1980s and early 1990s with lead singer Inger Lorre. The band was signed to Geffen Records, and released their debut album in 1991. Nymphs are known for their wild stage shows and their rebellious attitude towards record companies. The band formed in 1985 and broke up in 1992, formed again in 2016, and broke up the same year, later reforming in 2017.

This article is about the band. For other uses, see Nymph (disambiguation).
Nymphs
Nymphs, 1989
Nymphs, 1989
Background information
OriginLos Angeles, California, U.S.
GenresAlternative rock, punk rock, glam metal, hard rock
Years active1985–1992, 2016, 2017–Present
LabelsGeffen Records
Past members
  • Inger Lorre
  • Geoff Siegel
  • Cliff D.
  • Sam Merrick
  • Alex Kirst
  • Jordan Lawson
  • Aaron Cruz
  • Mario Remaine
  • Eric James Contreras

Members (past and present)
  • Inger Lorre – (Vocals)
  • Geoff Siegel – (Lead Guitar)
  • Sam Merrick – (Guitar)
  • Cliff D. (aka Cliff Jones) – (Bass)
  • Mario Tremaine – (Guitar)
  • Morpheus Black – (Guitar)
  • Jordan Lawson – (Bass)
  • Aaron Cruz – (Guitar)
  • Eric James Contreras – (Drums)
  • Angelique Congleton – (Bass)
  • Thomas "TJ" Jefferson – (Guitar)

Band history

Lorre and Bobby Belltower formed the band in New Jersey in the mid 1980s. The band moved to Los Angeles to pursue their musical careers and caught the attention of punk rock singer Keith Morris who managed the band for a time. After two members returned to New Jersey, Lorre and Siegel recruited guitarist Sam Merrick, drummer Alex Kirst and bass player Cliff D. (Cliff Jones).[1]

The band was hoping to sign with an alternative label such as Alternative Tentacles, but their reputation led to interest from the major labels. However, the band's wild behavior led to some companies losing interest.[2]

Nymphs made an appearance in the 1990 film Bad Influence as a band playing in a club.[3]

Iggy Pop sang vocals on the track "Supersonic" from the debut album.[4]

It was at about this time that Nymphs began to have problems with their label. Almost two years had passed since Nymphs had completed their album. Lorre was losing her battle with heroin and in an alcohol induced fit she urinated on the desk of A&R man Tom Zutaut. "Rolling Stone[5] quipped, 'Talk about being pissed at your record label.'"[6]

Things came to a head when Inger Lorre performed fellatio on her then-boyfriend, Rodney Eastman, on stage during their set at the Marquis club in Anaheim, California, in 1992.[7] Shortly afterwards, Lorre was fired from the band after she refused to go onstage during a concert that year in Miami opening for Peter Murphy.[8] The band broke up soon after.

After Nymphs, Inger Lorre went on to record with Jeff Buckley and release solo albums. Alex Kirst went on to play drums for Iggy Pop.[4] Geoff Siegel went on to do A&R for Columbia and Giant records. Sam Merrick briefly returned to his original band, Leaving Trains. He now plays guitar in Boise, Idaho based band a.k.a. Belle.

Alex Kirst died on January 13, 2011, as the result of a car accident. His body was found just before midnight near Date Palm and Gerald Ford Drive in Cathedral City, California. He was 47.[9][10] Kirst is the brother of guitarist Whitey Kirst, who has also played with Iggy Pop.[11]

In the summer of 2016, Inger Lorre announced Nymphs were re-forming and going back into the studio with new material for the first time in over 20 years. A new album and touring would follow. The news spread through various magazines, television interviews and online social media. The new band lineup would bring back Inger Lorre (vocals) with all new members including Mario Tremaine (guitar), Jordan Lawson (bass), Aaron Cruz (guitar) and Eric James Contreras (drums). However, after several brief studio rehearsals, a cover of Dolly Parton's Hard Candy Christmas for Amazon, and an appearance at The Viper Room in Hollywood, California, the newly formed Nymphs called it quits almost as quickly as they got started.

November 18, 2016, a reissue of Nymphs' one and only Geffen release from 1991, now an underground classic was released by Rock Candy Records in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the original Geffen release. The reissue was remastered and included a 16-page full-color booklet containing a 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork with previously unseen photos, interviews and band history.

As of April 2017 Nymphs’ lineup consists of Inger Lorre (vocals-keyboards), Joe Perez (lead guitar), T.J. (rhythm guitar), Angelique Congleton (bass-vocals) and Eric James Contreras (drums). The new Nymphs lineup is writing/rehearsing/recording new material to be released and for an upcoming European tour. A live recording from a 2016 show at the famous Viper Room in Hollywood was released in 2017.

Discography

References
  1. "The Nymphs bio". Teenage Wasteland. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
  2. "The Nymphs bio". Art in Base. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
  3. "bad Influence". IMDB. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
  4. Stratosphere, Jen (May 31, 2007). "Interview with Inger Lorre of Nymphs". DOA. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
  5. Rolling Stone, May 2, 1991, No.603, p.13.
  6. Pearson, Sarah Luck (March 23, 1999). "Inger Lorre, Patron Saint of Fucked-over Musicians". LA Weekly. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved July 27, 2019.
  7. Farr, Joey (21 Jul 2001). "Tom Zutaut and the Nymphs". Moguls and Madmen. Simon and Schuster. p. 44. ISBN 978-0743228930. And on February 28, Lorre caused her first riot: at Anaheim's Marquis, before four hundred or so people, she performed fellatio on her boyfriend, actor Rodney Eastman, onstage--midway through the group's set.
  8. Hochman, Steve (July 4, 1992). "Nymphs Release Inger Lorre after Concert Incident". L.A.Times. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
  9. McGinty, Kate (January 15, 2011). "Alex Kirst, former drummer for Iggy Pop and Nymphs, killed in hit-and-run". The Desert Sun. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  10. "Former Iggy Pop drummer dies in hit and run". The Guardian UK. January 15, 2011. Retrieved January 17, 2011.
  11. Wilton, Lisa (July 1, 2011). "Iggy guitarist no stooge". The Calgary Sun. Retrieved January 21, 2011.
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