Bio
It all started in San Diego, CA in the early 90s. Aaron (lead guitar/vocals), Wong (bass guitar/backup vocals), Randy (backup guitar/vocals), and Rob (drummer) formed a four piece punk band. One day, while discussing possible band names, Aaron kicked a pretzel on the ground and it broke. "Yeah, we're Broken Pretzel." he said jokingly, but the name stuck. The band decided to go with the acronym BKP because three letter acronyms are much cooler than their two letter counterparts, not to mention the legal issues with British Petrol. With an arsenal of Green Day, Voodoo Glowskulls, and Reel Big Fish influence, the band started rocking. But something didn't feel quite right.
Towards the end of the summer of '96, the band decided a new direction was in order. Enter Nick (trumpet), Faye (alto sax), Fernando (tenor sax), and an instrument change for Randy (from guitar to alto sax and finally to the baritone sax). After a few practices, the newly reformed 3rd wave ska-core band decided to get their feet wet at the annual Tierrasanta Oktoberfest, where they were announced as "The Broken Pretzel Band".
With a success on their home turf, the world was their oyster. The band played everywhere they could from backyard parties, to the Fun Zone Stage at the Del Mar Fair (now known as the San Diego Fair) and everywhere in between, they finally decided it was time for something bigger.
First there was Soul Kitchen, then up to Showcase Theatre with the likes of funkapotomus, Dr. Klahn, FOUR, Spaz Boy, Isaac Green & The Skalars, See Spot, Low Pressure, The Inspector, Jerry Lives Twice, Mustard Plug, Turkey Mallet, Kemuri. Then it was off to the Thomas Paine Coffeehouse with Jerry Lives Twice, The Skammunists, The Blisters, Carne Askads, No Time, MFC, G-Spot, Pushover, and Soto's Fault. A relationship with Odd Ball Productions lead to a show at the Friendship Festival '97 with Arrowhead, Clockwork, Split Image, Tracy Nelson, Arrigon star and Eek-A-Mouse. Finally it was the big time; SOMA. Throughout their music playing days, BKP has played with acts at SOMA such as Turkey Mallet, G-Spot, The Blisters, The Upstarts, Top Dead Center, Skanic, Inspector X, Second Generatio, East 76, The Skammunists, The Halfwits, Unsteady, Ten Foot Pole, Mealticket, Swindle, Action League, Jerry Lives Twice, The Rudies, and Underbite. Suddenly things took off for the group of friends.
After landing their first SOMA main stage show with the Aquabats, Broken Pretzel threw open the doors of success and landed a main stage show with none other than Reel Big Fish. The two bands became good friends and played together many times over the next several years.
Finally, in the summer of 1998, under the managerial guidance of good friend Ky-Nam "Billy" Nguyen and the incredible drumming prowess of David Butterfield, the group embarked on their first nationwide tour. The group piled into their Ford Econoline Van and took off. They hit almost everywhere between California and Indiana and played with such acts an Johnny Socko, The Skoidats, Yes! Have Some, and Reel Big Fish. The band members were flying high, until tragedy struck.
While home on a break, manager and good friend Billy, was involved in a car accident that he was not able to survive. Broken Pretzel struggled on with Froggy taking Billy's place, but the weight of Billy's passing was just too much for some members.
With some key members going by the wayside, Aaron and Will, with the assistance of The Chad on bass, formed a new band, Decidedly So.
To this day, BKP still does not exist. Could there be a reunion show one day? Possibly. Keep your eyes posted here.
Towards the end of the summer of '96, the band decided a new direction was in order. Enter Nick (trumpet), Faye (alto sax), Fernando (tenor sax), and an instrument change for Randy (from guitar to alto sax and finally to the baritone sax). After a few practices, the newly reformed 3rd wave ska-core band decided to get their feet wet at the annual Tierrasanta Oktoberfest, where they were announced as "The Broken Pretzel Band".
With a success on their home turf, the world was their oyster. The band played everywhere they could from backyard parties, to the Fun Zone Stage at the Del Mar Fair (now known as the San Diego Fair) and everywhere in between, they finally decided it was time for something bigger.
First there was Soul Kitchen, then up to Showcase Theatre with the likes of funkapotomus, Dr. Klahn, FOUR, Spaz Boy, Isaac Green & The Skalars, See Spot, Low Pressure, The Inspector, Jerry Lives Twice, Mustard Plug, Turkey Mallet, Kemuri. Then it was off to the Thomas Paine Coffeehouse with Jerry Lives Twice, The Skammunists, The Blisters, Carne Askads, No Time, MFC, G-Spot, Pushover, and Soto's Fault. A relationship with Odd Ball Productions lead to a show at the Friendship Festival '97 with Arrowhead, Clockwork, Split Image, Tracy Nelson, Arrigon star and Eek-A-Mouse. Finally it was the big time; SOMA. Throughout their music playing days, BKP has played with acts at SOMA such as Turkey Mallet, G-Spot, The Blisters, The Upstarts, Top Dead Center, Skanic, Inspector X, Second Generatio, East 76, The Skammunists, The Halfwits, Unsteady, Ten Foot Pole, Mealticket, Swindle, Action League, Jerry Lives Twice, The Rudies, and Underbite. Suddenly things took off for the group of friends.
After landing their first SOMA main stage show with the Aquabats, Broken Pretzel threw open the doors of success and landed a main stage show with none other than Reel Big Fish. The two bands became good friends and played together many times over the next several years.
Finally, in the summer of 1998, under the managerial guidance of good friend Ky-Nam "Billy" Nguyen and the incredible drumming prowess of David Butterfield, the group embarked on their first nationwide tour. The group piled into their Ford Econoline Van and took off. They hit almost everywhere between California and Indiana and played with such acts an Johnny Socko, The Skoidats, Yes! Have Some, and Reel Big Fish. The band members were flying high, until tragedy struck.
While home on a break, manager and good friend Billy, was involved in a car accident that he was not able to survive. Broken Pretzel struggled on with Froggy taking Billy's place, but the weight of Billy's passing was just too much for some members.
With some key members going by the wayside, Aaron and Will, with the assistance of The Chad on bass, formed a new band, Decidedly So.
To this day, BKP still does not exist. Could there be a reunion show one day? Possibly. Keep your eyes posted here.
Comments
posted on May 16 at 3:01 pm
my band at the time(longshot) played with broken pretzel way back in the day. everyone was very cool. billy(R.I.P)
posted on May 16 at 2:44 pm
cute
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Location: San Diego, CA
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Member Since: May 16, 2007
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