Assorted Jelly Beans
AJB took the backyard party band energy as far as anyone. They had a bratty charm about them in both their musical and lyrical content. It was like a band made of your little brother and his stupid friends, but it was great. Assorted Jelly Beans grew way beyond Riverside and what once killed at backyard parties had thousands of people bouncing up and down at punk festivals all over the world. Assorted Jelly Beans may give silliness as their first impression, but their success would not have been possible without them being serious about their execution and without them being able to communicate how much fun they were having on stage.
Formed in 1996, the band featured Ricky Boyer on bass and vocals, Wylie Johnson on guitar and vocals, and Richard Falomir on drums and vocals. After opening for The Vandals at KSPC, Joe Escalante and Warren Fitzgerald were so impressed they started Kung Fu Records specifically to sign them. Their self-titled debut dropped June 14, 1996, selling over 25,000 copies and launching the label. They released “What’s Really Going On?!?” in 1998 before disbanding in 1999. Their song “Rebel Yell” later appeared on the Tony Hawk’s Underground soundtrack, introducing them to a new generation. The band reunited in 2008 with new drummer Mike Garrett and played shows across California, the UK, Germany, and France. Falomir went on to join The Aquabats as Ricky Fitness in 2002.
