SPARKY GRINSTEAD
As Sparky Grinstead, he led the Oakland-based proto-punk band the Bonkeenies of America in the 70's and went on to release several albums under his own name in the late 70's and 80's. The group and the albums went mostly unseen and unheard by an uncaring public. As Norman Famous, he led an earlier version of the Backorders through the San Francisco-area club scene, performing for the drunk and uninterested in the early 90's. As Earl Grinstead he performed and recorded with the critically acclaimed but criminally ignored garage-folkies El Sob from '96 to '02. Again as Norman Famous, he created the popular independent music site, normanfamous.com, which he ran from '02 to '05, then ran from. Now as Sparky he's back again at the helm for the Backorders as they rocket off to more fun-filled musical adventures!

Yeah baby!




ROBIN FAMOUS
Absolutely nothing is known about "Rockin'" Robin Famous except that she is Norman's (perhaps twin?) sister.



ERIC KAMPMAN
Eric was a member of progressive/psychedelic group Now, which released 3 albums. A founding member of jam band Ten Ton Chicken, he subsequently moved on to a thriving solo career in symphonic progressive rock, playing for the termites in the wall, the raccoons in the cellar, and the occasional alcoholic.



MARK STONE
"Mighty” Mark Stone appears to have manifested himself from his own imagination. He don't talk about where he's been or where he's goin' - just about where he is, which is playin' bass in The Backorders. Now shuddup. To learn more about Mark, visit his MySpace page at myspace.com/mark_stone.



JIM USHER
Back in his home state of Wisconsin, Jim "Boom Boom" Usher was a founding member of the underappreciated garage-rockers The Panda Wrestlers. At the end of his stormy 16-day tenure with that band, he moved to sunny California and joined the whimsically-named but marginally talented folk outfit John and the Yokos. After the group broke up, "Boom Boom" retired from music and began a promising career as a tractor-pull announcer. It was at one of these events that he met Norman Famous and Mark Stone, who convinced him to play drums for the Backorders. To learn more about "Boom Boom", visit his MySpace page at myspace.com/jamessusher.



GREG REZNICK
Rhythm guitarist Greg Reznick has recently joined the Backorders. 30 years ago (yes, I said 30) Greg, Norman and Robin sang and played in the legendary East Bay group The Bonkeenies of America. All but Greg had different names, but they were still the same people. Still the same person he was 30 years ago, Greg has decided to rejoin the musical fray that is the Backorders. And now all is right with the world.

AL
Al is the band’s spiritual advisor. He came to Earth about 10 years ago and moved in with Sparky and his family. Al is on a quest to find the center of the universe, but he’s in no hurry. Al likes humans because he thinks they’re funny. He also likes music – especially Backorders music. When Al attends Backorders shows he usually hangs out on the stage. Al is very wise, but he also has a wicked sense of humor. He knows what you’re thinking, but he won’t tell anyone unless you ask him to.






The Backorders play Epiphone guitars and use Peavey amplifiers. This is not a paid endorsement. It's the truth.