Black Rebel Motorcycle Club

Taking their name from Marlon Brando's motor cycle gang in the 1953 movie The Wild One, the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club were formed by two schoolfriends from Lafayette in the San Francisco Bay area: Peter Hayes (who'd previously played with the Brian Jonestown Massacre) and Robert Been (son of Michael Been of The Call). Adding Iranian-born drummer Nick Jago, with Hayes and Been sharing lead vocals, they formulated a hard rock approach based on their heroes Led Zeppelin; but quickly articulated their own distinctive style as they utilised psychedelia and other influence. Been used the name Robert Turner on the band's early releases to avoid comparisons with his father Michael Been, founder of 1970s/1980s rockers The Call (and who himself later toured with BRMC). They released their first album B.R.M.C. in 2001 and their second Take Them On, On Your Own in 2003, building an avid following with the sheer power of their live sets. A wider range of influences featured on the group's stripped-down third album Howl (2005) when they toured with temporary fourth member, guitarist Spike Keating, but a partying lifestyle and tensions within the band resulted in the departure of Nick Jago, to be replaced by Leah Shapiro, formerly with The Raveonettes. There were also record company disputes but the group continued to be a compelling live attraction while releasing the albums Baby 81 (2007), The Effects Of 333 (2008) and Beat The Devil's Tattoo (2010).