Super 8 (band)

Super 8 were an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. They were active from 1993 to 1997, releasing their sole full-length album through Hollywood Records.

Super 8
OriginLos Angeles, California, USA
GenresAlternative rock, funk metal
Years active1993-1997
LabelsHollywood Records

History

The band started in Los Angeles during 1993 with singer Bob Khaleel, a former hip hop artist from The Bronx. Khaleel had been working in the LA punk-funk scene since 1990, and Super 8's formation was encouraged by his friends in the Red Hot Chili Peppers.[1] He hooked up with John O'Brien (guitars), and the two began writing, later rounding out the band with Heming Borthene (bass), Joel Shearer (guitars) and John Steward (drums)[1] In 1995, they signed to Disney's Hollywood Records.[2] A Super 8 cover of the song "Well, Well, Well" was included on the 1995 Hollywood Records compilation Working Class Hero: A Tribute to John Lennon.[3] Khaleel listed The Beatles as being one of his biggest influences.[4]

The band recorded their self-titled debut at Seattle's London Bridge Studios, with Rick Parashar of Pearl Jam fame.[5] While recording the album, guitarist Joel Shearer got invited to play on the Alanis Morissette album Jagged Little Pill.[6] Super 8 was released in May 1996, and spawned the radio single "King of the World".[7] To support the album, Super 8 toured with AC/DC[8] and Deftones, an act Khaleel had helped discover.

From April 1997 to June 1997, the band opened for former Red Hot Chili Peppers guitarist John Frusciante on his Nuttstalk tour.[9][10][11] They ceased being active not long afterwards.

Khaleel went on to record a solo album for Hollywood Records in 1998,[12] while Joel Shearer became a well-known session musician, following his success with Jagged Little Pill.[6]

Musical style

According to AllMusic, the band's debut "falls somewhere between the soul-minded retro-rock of Lenny Kravitz and the Seattle grunge of Pearl Jam and Stone Temple Pilots."[5] They also note "Though some of the songs are fairly psychedelia-influenced (especially "Railroad" and "Going Nowhere"), no one will mistake this CD for a late-'60s or early-'70s recording--Rick Parashar's production techniques are very '90s, and John O'Brien's guitar playing has '90s alternative rock written all over it."[5]

Members
  • Bob Khaleel - Vocals (1993 - 1997)
  • Joel Shearer - Guitar (1993 - 1997)
  • John O'Brien - Guitar (1993 - 1997)
  • Heming Borthene - Bass (1993 - 1997)
  • John Steward - Drums (1993 - 1997)

Discography

Super 8
Date Region Format Label [5]
May 7, 1996North AmericaCDHollywood
March, 1997EuropeCD w/ bonus trackHollywood
March, 2020WorldwideDigitalHollywood

Singles
  • "King of the World" (1995)
  • "Natural" (1996)

Music videos
  • "King of the World" (1996)

Appearances

References
  3. "Working Class Hero: The Definitive Lennon - John Lennon | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved Jul 16, 2020.
  4. "Music connects people by dissolving barriers, singer says". Deseret News. March 19, 1999.
  5. "Super 8 - Super 8 | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved Jul 16, 2020.
  6. "COMPOSER". Joelshearer.com.
  7. "The Hard" (PDF). Wortldradiohistory.com. June 21, 1996. Retrieved 17 November 2020.
  8. "AC/DC Tour History - 19 Aug. 1996 Denver (McNichols Sports Arena)". Ac-dc.net.
  9. Writer), BEN JONES (Daily Staff. "Bring in da funk, bring in da noise: Nuttstalk '97". Iowa State Daily.
  10. "Road Shows". Austinchronicle.com. May 23, 1997.
  11. "Red Hot Chili Peppers Live Archive". Red Hot Chili Peppers Live Archive.
  12. "People Watching - Khaleel | Songs, Reviews, Credits | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved Jul 16, 2020.
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