Dicky says that he has no musical talent compared to the other members of the BossToneS (probably because they all play instruments; all except for Ben anyway). However, Dicky does write most of the incredible lyrics. On top of that, Dicky is also an artist. He did the art for Question the Answers and various other promos and singles.
Because he was sick of trying to tell people what kind of music the BossToneS are playing, Dicky created the ska-core genre.
He plays a Yamaha YSL-691 trombone with a Dennis Wick 4C mouthpiece. Personally, I think Yamaha makes horrible instruments (brass instruments anyway).
Dennis also sings backup on some songs including "Lights out" and "Simmer Down."
Nate was only thirteen years old when he joined the Mighty Mighty BossToneS. However, the BossToneS had to break up for awhile so that he could finish high school.
Nate plays a Les Paul Standards with GHS.11 strings.
Tim has two brothers: Steve and Sledge.
Tim plays on a Yamaha YTS-62 tenor sax with an Otto link mouthpiece and uses Rico reeds (sorry, I don't know what size).
Kevin joined the band with Dennis shortly after the BossToneS released their Devil's Night Out album. BD stands for "Bitch Dog."
Joe joined the BossToneS as a replacement for Josh Dalsimer, who went to go to college in California. Joe plays on Yamaha Maple Custom Drums with a twenty inch kick, Sabian Cymbals, a twelve inch tom, a fourteen inch tom, and a sixteen inch tom.
While in Italy, the BossToneS confronted a man selling bootlegs. The crazy man then jumped up and stabbed Joe G. The stab wound barely missed his lung. Fortunately, he is alright now.
Joe plays a 1973 Fender jazz bass with Bartolini pickups and GHS strings.
Now, they needed a name. They were debating between The Cashmeres or The Bosstones. They went with The Bosstones. However, they later found out that there was a 50's accapela group from Harvard called The Bosstones. So, with the suggestion from a bartender friend, they added the "Mighty Mighty."
The band made their first appearance on the compilation album, "Mashing up the Nation." To amuse the other band members, Dicky wore plaid. The other guys liked the idea so much, that they have worn plaid to all their shows ever since.
The band then had to break up for awhile because Nate and Joe G. could finish high school. However, once Nate and Joe G. finished high school, the band re-formed, and The Mighty Mighty BossToneS' recorded their first album, Devil's Night Out, in 1989. It was released on Taang! Records in 1990.
In 1992, their sophomore album, More Noise and Other Disturbances, was released. Similarly to Devil's Night Out, it too was released on Taang! Records. A few changes to the band were made. Drummer, Josh Dalsimer was replaced by Joe Sirois, for Josh went to California to finish college. Two new horn players were also added: Kevin Lenear (tenor sax) and Dennis Brockenborough (trombone). In 1992, The Mighty Mighty BossToneS headlined thirty city national tours. It was like twelve guys living in a decrepit blue van with no air conditioning just to go out and entertain fans. Joe G. says, "Personally, that's where my gratification has always come from. It was always the enthusiasm of our fans that kept me interested from the very beginning. The first time we sold out the Paradise in Boston was the happiest night of my life up to that point. Maybe that's why we've always been more popular with our fans than critics and radio programmers, because the people who come to our shows are the people we're playing for."
In 1993, they cut off business with Taang! Records and signed with Mercury Records. They made this decision because they were not getting paid sufficiently and they were treated poorly. Also in 1993, the Mighty Mighty BossToneS released their third album, Ska-core, the Devil, and More, and their fourth album, Don't Know How to Party. A year later, they released their fifth album, Question the Answers. In 1995, The Mighty Mighty BossToneS headlined some acts for Lollapalooza, and went on to headline some acts for the Warped Tour in 1996. In 1997, their sixth album, Let's Face It, was released.
The Mighty Mighty BossToneS are also against racism and ignorance (which is clearly shown in the song "Let's Face it").
When Dicky Barrett was younger, he got in a bar fight and some guy smashed a bottle over his head, cutting his throat. Some people say that this is how Dicky got his scratchy voice. However, that is wrong. Everyone in the Barrett family is known for having raspy, scratchy voices.
Dicky Barret got arrested at a WAFF radio station concert. He observed that he security was being rough on the kids throughout the duration of their show. Dicky then noticed a bouncer grab a kid by the throat, and the kid started turning blue. Dicky jumped on the bouncer, grabbed his shirt, and started a huge argument with the guy in attempt to make him let go of the kid. A cop saw Dicky jump on the bouncer, and busted him for assault charges.
The name of that bulldog is Otis the Bulldog and he has been the main BossToneS logo for several years now.
The BossToneS are featured on the KISS tribute album, Kiss My Ass. They performed "Detroit Rock City."
The BossToneS can be seen performing live for Alicia Silverstone in the movie Clueless.
PICS
Mighty Mighty BossToneS Pics
GOOD NIGHT!
WE'LL SEE YOU ON NEW YEAR'S EVE!
