Artist description As phenomenal a band as Nebraska would allow at the time.

Music Style Hardcore punk (approx). Plus, we invented grunge

Musical Influences Gary Numan, Bob Marley, Styx, Merle Haggard

Similar Artists AxMxAx

Artist History Named for the South-East Asian refugees, The Boat People entered the annals of rock history by being the first -- and so far the only -- hardcore punk group to emerge from central Nebraska. Founded in January 1983, the band early on adopted a policy of "No Covers." With loveable skinhead and alleged Californian Robb Bjorklund taking care of vocals, the Boat People made their live debut in March that year at Larry's Showcase in Lincoln. A live recording from that performance gained radio play on Lincoln's college station; requests poured in for Bjorklund's "ET Go Home," based on a then-popular science-fiction character. Other earlier Boat People tracks betrayed a fondness for reggae, such as the politically tinged "Rasta Anarchy" and "Kill The White People." Bjorklund's sudden exit was the first of what would be a string of personnel changes for the band. New vocalist Steve Dowding brought along his cousin Trent Rasmussen for a short stint to replace the departed Shane Hall on drums. By August, when the Boat People cut their only single, "Capitalist" b/w "John Dillinger (Died For You)," the band was down to four: Dowding; John von Seggern, who had switched to guitar; Dave Fisher, now playing timbales; and Corey "Slash" Smith on bass. Dowding, whose politics had been at odds with those of the rest of the band, left before the single's release; its sleeve bore the remark "Steve was our singer 'til his mom made him quit." Most vocal duties were quickly assumed, Phil Collins-like, by Fisher. A string of live dates throughout Nebraska followed, culminating in a performance at an Omaha "battle of the bands" in which the Boat People were the only act not to perform Night Ranger's "Sister Christian." At the same time, "No Covers" and "America" appeared on a compilation of Nebraska bands. However, the band effectively ceased to exist by early 1984, with its last performance in Grand Island alongside Kearney new wavers Sacred Cowz. From then on, the Boat People members devoted their full attention to AxMxAx (see www.mp3.com/ama).

Group Members At first: Robb Bjorklund, vocals; Chris Zorn, guitar; Dave Fisher, guitar; Simon Bone, synthesizer; John von Seggern, bass; Shane Hall, drums; At last: Dave Fisher, vocals, timbales; John von Seggern, guitar, vocals; Corey Smith, bass; In between: Steve Dowding, vocals; Jim Benson, guest vocals; Eric Van Pelt, sax, screaming; Chris Virant, keyboards; Trent Rasmussen, drums

Instruments The instrumentation used by the Boat People was as curious as their name. Providing the band’s driving rhythm and breakneck beats were the trademark timbales of Dave Dread, best shown on the band's performance in front of Kalamity Kate on Channel 11 in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Boat People's bass players also used a wide range of axes, beginning with the less than $50 bass of John X. This bass was later mutilated beyond recognition using paint thinner and a large amount of ignorance of the dangers of paint thinner. The Boat People were also known for their use of guitars, but these were generally just plain old guitars. A few lucky listeners were able to hear the Boat People when they were balanced out by the sweet saxophone of Eric. However, you won't be hearing this on MP3.com, due to a stipulation in Eric's contract that he only play on cover versions of other people's songs. Sorry.

Press Reviews One of the newest local 45s comes from a Grand Island punk trio named the Boat People. "Capitalist/John Dillinger (Died for You)" (Stamp & Go, Box 366, Grand Island, Neb. 68802) features a strangely modern bass-guitar and timbale line up with chanting lyrics in the time-honored tradition of Johnny Rotten. But the drumming, raw as it is, seems to undermine the idea of a constant beat. (3 out of 4 stars) -- Roger Catlin, Omaha World Herald, 1983 ... The Boat People are fiercely political, staunchly liberal and armed with a wit acerbic enough to burn a hole in your view of the world. Their brand of Hardcore Punk keeps its tongue firmly planted in its cheek, taking on a string of annoyances and opponents with cool, witty ease. (listen.com, 2000)

Location Grand Island, NE - USA

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