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The Feel-Good Band of the Nineties
Strikes Back
An Interview with Dan Halen and Mike
Raphone of the Nimrods
By Bob
Ignizio
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For almost a decade, the Nimrods (Dan Halen – vocals &
guitar, Mike Raphone – drums, Rick Nimrod – vocals & guitar, and Davey
Rocket – bass) were one of the top punk bands on the Northeast Ohio scene.
They played lots of gigs, released two CD’s and numerous tapes, and on
December 31st, 1999 played their farewell show. “We were the
feel good band of the 90’s,” says Dan. Mike adds, “We would have been
obsolete one day later.” On September 6th, 2002, the band got
back together for a one shot reunion, and I had the opportunity to speak
with Mike and Dan about the band’s illustrious history.
For those who missed The Nimrods during their 9 ˝ year
career, they started in 1991 as a hardcore band. In addition to Mike, Dan,
and Rick, the group at this time included vocalist Pat Beck and Jeff
“Beaner” Selzer on bass. At the time Dan was just the guitar player. They
released a few cassettes in this configuration, but as they began to shift
in a more poppy direction, Pat exited the group. Dan took over most of the
lead vocals, with Rick Nimrod singing a few songs as well. They also
changed bass players, with Davey Rocket eventually joining the line-up.
With a set the included such juvenile but catchy anthems as “You Gave Me a
Boner” and “You Irritate Me” it wasn’t long before they found an audience.
 The
new improved Nimrods released two CD’s of beer-fueled, hook laden punk; ‘If
the Devil Doesn’t Like it He Can Sit on a Tack’ and the ill-fated 'Once
Again, Saving the World Takes a Back Seat to a Good Beer’. That second CD
saw the group signed to an independent label, and with the sudden popularity
of punk music in the wake of Green Day things looked promising.
Unfortunately, it was the major label feeding frenzy brought on by punk’s
success that spelled the album’s doom. “The label got bought out by
Elektra. Elektra wanted another band on the label that we were on, and as
soon as they got a hold of it the company was dissolved,” Mike recounts.
“We never had a chance. The parent company had no interest in us
whatsoever; they just wanted this other band.”
So why a reunion now? “It sounded like a good idea,”
says Mike. Dan offers a bit more of an explanation. “Rick initiated it. I
think it’s because he’s ready to have a kid, and settle down, and he wanted
to have one last bash.” Despite only practicing four times before the show,
the band sounded great and the crowd seemed to love it. “I didn’t expect
anything, but I kind of knew there was going to be a good turnout,” Mike
told me. “All of our friends were real excited about it. Our shows are
pretty fun, and an excuse to get real drunk. People miss that. There
aren’t many bands around now that just play stupid, fun songs.”
Regrets? They’ve had a few. Mike says, “When we were
together, we played too much and people got kind of tired of us. I would
have done our gig scheduling differently. It would have been one big show
every few months instead of a mediocre show every few weeks. If we would
have done that when we were together, not played out so much, we would have
done better shows.” Dan adds, “I’d have written more songs.” After the
second CD, the group was together for another three years but only completed
5 or 6 new numbers. Still, the strong turnout for their reunion show proves
they made a significant impact on the northeast Ohio punk scene.
Although a full scale reunion is extremely unlikely,
Mike doesn’t rule out the possibility of the occasional show if the
situation is right. For now, everyone has other projects keeping them
busy. “Dan and I are working on a new band, and I’ve been playing in a
group called Mistletoe,” says Mike. “It’s a Christmas Carol cover band. We
also have a set of 60’s and 70’s glam and garage stuff. We play a lot
around the holidays.” Rick Nimrod aka Rick Milardi is currently a DJ at
WRQK in Canton. “He feels like he was meant for that job,” says Dan. And
to the band’s loyal fans, Dan says, “Just thank you, that’s it. Just for
having fun for the 9 years we were around.”
More Nimrods on Utter Trash: Concert
review and
pictures: The
Lime Spider 09-06-02 Concert
review and
pictures:
The Lime Spider 05-03-03
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