Darkbuster

Darkbuster is a punk band from Boston, Massachusetts, formed in 1996. The group became a local staple thanks to their beer-soaked songs, chaotic humor, and anthems about everyday struggles. Known to slip in under the alias P Diddler and the Fearsome Foursome, the band combined irreverence with a surprisingly loyal fanbase across New England. Over the years, Darkbuster’s lineup shifted, but singer and guitarist Lenny Lashley remained the consistent force driving the band forward.

How The Band Got Started

Darkbuster was founded in 1996 by Lenny Lashley, drummer Eric Edmonston, and bassist Mike Gurley. Their first demo tape arrived in 1997, quickly making the rounds in the Boston punk scene. Two years later they released their debut, 22 Songs You’ll Never Want To Hear Again!, which mixed barroom singalongs with tongue-in-cheek jabs at other local acts. The album set the tone for their reputation as a band equally unafraid to poke fun at themselves and others. That same year they dropped a split EP titled Skullbuster with The Skullys, a high school punk band from nearby Stoughton that often shared stages with them.

Key Releases and Career Growth

By 2000, guitarist Paul Delano had joined, and drummer Danny O’Halloran replaced Edmonston. This lineup of Lashley, Gurley, Delano, and O’Halloran went on to win the WBCN Rock & Roll Rumble, solidifying Darkbuster as more than just a local joke band. In 2001, they recorded a split with Tommy and the Terrors, though some fans felt the songs were more serious than expected. Soon after, Lashley called it quits, citing burnout from heavy touring.

The members scattered into side projects, with Lashley launching the country-inspired Lenny and the Piss Poor Boys. Gurley joined The U.S.M. and later The McGunks, while Delano landed in Avoid One Thing. Edmonston went on to form Linus. Lashley returned to the Darkbuster name in 2003, but tragedy struck in 2005 when he injured his hand in a construction accident. Amy Griffin stepped in on guitar while he recovered, and benefit shows helped cover his medical expenses. Later that year Griffin became a full member.

In 2006, Darkbuster signed with I Scream Records, who reissued A Weakness For Spirits. Talk of a 10th anniversary DVD floated around, though nothing materialized. Side projects flourished during this time too, with Gurley and Edmonston releasing a record with their project Drago, and Lashley continuing with the Piss Poor Boys. By 2009, Darkbuster returned for the Mighty Mighty Bosstones’ annual Hometown Throwdown at Boston’s House of Blues.

After years of on-and-off activity, the band finally released No Revolution in 2015 through Pirates Press Records. Paired with reunion shows, the record marked the end of an eight-year gap between releases. While not all original members participated, the album and live dates confirmed that the band’s rowdy spirit was intact.

Members

Current and Notable Members

• Lenny Lashley – vocals, guitar
• Amy Griffin – guitar
• Danny O’Halloran – drums
• Mike Gurley – bass

Former Members

• Paul Delano – guitar
• Eric Edmonston – drums

Discography

• 22 Songs You’ll Never Want To Hear Again! (1999)
• Skullbuster (1999, split with The Skullys)
• Live N’ Loaded At The Middle East (2000)
• Darkbuster vs. Tommy & The Terrors (2001)
• A Weakness For Spirits (2005)
• No Revolution (2015)