Biography
Scott Kempner, who had previously played guitar in the Dictators, assembled the Del Lords at the start of the 1980s. The quartet merged 1960s garage rock with country, blues, and folk textures, positioning themselves among the earliest architects of roots rock. Kempner brought aboard Eric "Roscoe" Ambel, once Joan Jett’s guitarist, along with bassist Manny Caiati and drummer Frank Funaro. Their opening album, Frontier Days, appeared on Enigma/EMI in 1984 and earned notice for its raw force, streetwise lyrics, and twangy guitars, a sound that balanced Springsteen against Johnny Thunders.
The follow-up, Johnny Comes Marching Home, again on Enigma/EMI, placed Pat Benatar producer Neil Geraldo behind the board. Although the band played with greater cohesion, Geraldo’s glossy finish muted some of the debut’s grit. All components meshed on the 1988 release Based on a True Story, where Geraldo eased his polished touch and let the louder side of the group surface clearly. Guest vocalists Pat Benatar, Syd Straw, Kim Shattuck, and Mojo Nixon added support throughout the record.
The live EP Howlin’ at the Halloween Moon preserved the band’s rowdy stage energy across five tracks drawn from the first three albums plus spirited renditions of the Flamin’ Groovies’ “Jumpin’ in the Night” and Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon’s “Tallahassee Lassie.” In 1990 the Del Lords issued their final studio album, Lovers Who Wander; even with some rough edges softened, its heartfelt conviction matched the appeal of earlier efforts. Eric “Roscoe” Ambel left the group officially in 1991 after already releasing his solo album Roscoe’s Gang. Eight years afterward, Restless issued Get Tough: The Best of the Del-Lords.
The band regrouped in late 2012 and returned with Elvis Club on MRI in May 2013, their first collection of new songs in twenty-two years. Occasional touring followed until Scott Kempner’s death on November 29, 2023, at age 69.
The follow-up, Johnny Comes Marching Home, again on Enigma/EMI, placed Pat Benatar producer Neil Geraldo behind the board. Although the band played with greater cohesion, Geraldo’s glossy finish muted some of the debut’s grit. All components meshed on the 1988 release Based on a True Story, where Geraldo eased his polished touch and let the louder side of the group surface clearly. Guest vocalists Pat Benatar, Syd Straw, Kim Shattuck, and Mojo Nixon added support throughout the record.
The live EP Howlin’ at the Halloween Moon preserved the band’s rowdy stage energy across five tracks drawn from the first three albums plus spirited renditions of the Flamin’ Groovies’ “Jumpin’ in the Night” and Freddy “Boom Boom” Cannon’s “Tallahassee Lassie.” In 1990 the Del Lords issued their final studio album, Lovers Who Wander; even with some rough edges softened, its heartfelt conviction matched the appeal of earlier efforts. Eric “Roscoe” Ambel left the group officially in 1991 after already releasing his solo album Roscoe’s Gang. Eight years afterward, Restless issued Get Tough: The Best of the Del-Lords.
The band regrouped in late 2012 and returned with Elvis Club on MRI in May 2013, their first collection of new songs in twenty-two years. Occasional touring followed until Scott Kempner’s death on November 29, 2023, at age 69.
Albums
