Histories of Other Bands Associated With BDF

After the first successful show at the Lowdown, BDF was convinced that they could successfully get gigs all over the city, and bring their beer-soaked flavor of music to the masses! Inspired by a drunken patron at a bar one night after practice, the guys decided to hit Open Stage Night at the Orange Bear. Although they were limited to 4 songs (which they extended to 6 by combining some short songs), BDF seemed to win over some new fans (including the sound guy, who grabbed a mic and sang along to "Sheena Is A Punk Rocker). Unfortunately, the band was never invited back to play there again, having been told they were "too loud" for the venue. Oh well, their loss!

After that, BDF returned to the Lowdown, and this time they brought with them their friends Squirrels From Hell. More fun was had by all, and the band was clearing gaining momentum through playing live. A few weeks later, Squirrels From Hell returned the favor, and invited BDF to play Siberia on a Saturday night in Manhattan, along with the band White Collar Crime. The show was another high energy one, and the basement of Siberia with its red lighting and sode dispensing cannisters set an interesting mood.

Just before Christmas, as the buzz surrounding BDF was growing strong, the first ever BDF music video for "Meet Me At The Bar" was released. Despite the lo-fi special effects and the tiny production budget, the video was received by fans with great enjoyment and enthusiasm. For those who hadn't made it to one of the live performances yet, the video was an inspiration and motivation to become a part of the whole BDF experience as soon as possible.

As the new year arrived, BDF looked to continue with their live performances around NYC. In what was may have been one of the most exciting shows the band would ever get to play, BDF stepped onto the stage at the legendary CBGB for a Martin Luther King Day show for the ages. It was a fun show, and BDF met 245, another band that happened to like drinking a lot (and sang about it a bit). The excitement of being on that same stage as so many influential and highly regarded musicians was just total bliss for the members of BDF. This show was sure to be a classic in the BDF archives, and has been captured on video for everlasting preservation.

About a week later, on a sunny Saturday morning, BDF ventured out to Long Island to pay a visit to the legendary Dare Studios to record their first album. The band had reserved 10 hours worth of recording time that day, which, they were told by the studio technician, is usually enough to complete four or five songs. Being the efficient and well-oiled rock'n'roll machine that they are, BDF intended to record their entire 13 song album! They got off to a good start, and the time flew by as they recorded song after song, usually on the first take. Fueled by a lunch of beer and Taco Bell, the process continued through the afternoon and into the evening. The instrument tracks were recorded together, and the vocals were recorded on top of the music. After listening to each song dozens of times, adjusting the levels of the tracks, and deciding whether or not to redo some parts, the recording session was finished some 12 hours after it had begun, and BDF's first studio album was complete.

In the following weeks, a ton of effort went into designing and finishing the artwork for the album, and coming up with a name for it. After a very democratic process of proposing album names, voting on them, and, finally, a coin flip between the final two candidates, "No Refunds" was selected as the name of the album. Richie Rheingold managed to snap a photo of a wrecked car that coincidentally had the same words spraypainted across its hood, and the album cover was born!

On March 1st, 2002, a record release party was held at the Abbey Tavern to celebrate the completion of the album. Fans turned out in droves to have some brews with the band, and to get their hands on the hottest new album out there! BDF had reached the highest point in their career, and they would only continue to go up from here.  

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