The Boom (American band)

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The Boom (Jeff Matthews-guitar, vocals, Rob Falk-bass, Ron Hendel-guitar & vocals, and Tom Lamont-drums & vocals) was an American punk rock band formed in 1979 by the remnants of Kid Sonic & The Boom, who were the direct descendants of the legendary Supreme Pontiff, (1977-79) who were founded by European Liquidators original (1976-1977) bassist Töd Venice (real name Rob Falk.) Based in Boston, the group was popular among Harvard College students during the punk/new wave explosion of the 70's and 80's that was centered around Cambridge and Boston, Massachusetts.

In June of 1981 The Boom released their one and only single "Nancy Packs a Piece". It featured, in a pre-Photoshop age, a reasonably convincing photograph of then First Lady Nancy Reagan clutching a .44 Magnum, Dirty Harry style.

The song was a tribute to John Lennon, who had been assassinated by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980, and a curt rebuke to Reagan, who had, in remarks after Lennon's assassination, said that it was "too bad" Lennon had been killed, but that she did not believe in gun control, and had a "tiny little gun" that she kept next to her bed when "Ronnie" was away.

In between the time the song was written and recorded (December 1980/January 1981) and released (June 1981), Ronald Reagan, James Brady, Washington DC policeman Thomas Delahanty and Secret Service Agent Timothy McCarthy were gunned down outside a Washington Hotel by John Hinckley, Jr., on March 30, 1981. Although Reagan's good friend Brady was left severely disabled, Nancy Reagan never changed her tune.

Pressed in a limited edition of 500, "Nancy Packs a Piece" became an instant underground cult classic, and is now a highly sought after collectors' item. It still receives occasional airplay on independent radio stations like WMBR, and in various mixes including Art of the Mix, and even popped up on unauthorized CD Compilations like Hyped2Death's Homework#6 and Homework #104.

[edit] Discography

Nancy Packs A Piece b/w Shot Down (© & (p) 1980 RAFco Music)

Hand To Mouth Records 45 rpm vinyl HTM-007

Credits:

MUSICAL

jeff matthews: pipes; six strings simultaneously

ron hendel: pipes; six strings sequentially

tom lamont: pipes; two sticks rhythmically

rob falk: four strings sequentially

TECHNICAL

adam sherman: order, reason, logic

andy schatz: knobs, meters

VISUAL

mike falk: lens, paper

rob falk: concept, graphics