The Compulsions are a New York City rock 'n' roll band, formed in the summer of 2002.
Compared to other new bands, the Compulsions offer a grittier, more traditional take on rock music and have won many fans who admire their obvious authenticity.
Critics have compared the group favorably to the Rolling Stones, Guns N' Roses, AC/DC, the New York Dolls, Lynyrd Skynyrd and many other classic and legendary artists.
In early reviews, the Compulsions were hailed by the underground press as "The World's Greatest Obscure Rock Band," "The New Gold Standard For Real Rock 'N' Roll" and "The Heir Apparent To Guns N' Roses' Long Vacant Mainstream Hard Rock Throne."
Since the band's inception, club deejays have spun self-released Compulsions tracks at downtown nightspots like Bar 13, the Delancey, Don Hill's, the Double Down Saloon, Lakeside Lounge, Lit, Motor City, Niagara and Three of Cups.
In December 2004, the Compulsions' Laughter from Below EP was featured on the “Best of 2004” installment of Out of the Box---Jonathan Clarke’s weekly radio show on New York’s Q104.3FM, showcasing “the best in new music and local, undiscovered bands.”
By 2006, over 100 radio stations across North America showed support for Laughter from Below, with album cuts "Down on the Tracks," "Howlin' for You" and "Shake Hands with the Devil" charting at more than 60 influentialCMJ/Core stations.
In May 2007, the unsigned band was named Artist of the Week on Napster and nearly every European version of iTunes; including Finland, France, Great Britain, Spain and Sweden.
The Compulsions' loud 'n' loose live show has been generating a significant buzz; their final performance at CBGB inspiring one critic to proclaim, "If there is a God, the Compulsions will get signed, then immediately head down to the Mercury Lounge and beat the living sh*t out of each and every member of the Strokes."
In just a few years, the Compulsions have shared the stage with rising bands like the Parlor Mob and the Star Spangles as well as seasoned rockers like Cheetah Chrome (ex-Dead Boys), Gilby Clarke (ex-Guns N' Roses) and the London Quireboys, among others.
The Compulsions' Laughter from Below EP was co-produced by Hugh Pool (Deborah Harry) and Ken Rich (Joseph Arthur, Tracy Bonham) at Excello Recording and mastered by Ted Jensen (Lenny Kravitz, Kid Rock) at Sterling Sound.
In March 2008, the Compulsions released Demon Love (aka The Cocaine EP). Demon Love features five new originals, as well as a reworking of J.J. Cale's classic, "Cocaine." Once again, the group enlisted producers Pool and Rich, with mastering by Fred Kevorkian (Iggy Pop, The White Stripes) at Kevorkian Mastering, Inc.
Like its predecessor, Demon Love has been garnering rave reviews from the music press, including: "Rock 'N' Roll Is NOT Dead," "One Of The Best Things To Come Out Of New York, Lately" and "Rock 'N' Roll Genius." Perhaps most notably, Classic Rock (UK) magazine's review declared the group "The Coolest Band In The World."
In Fall 2008, nearly 200 radio stations and their listeners showed tremendous support for Demon Love. The self-released disc has spent many weeks in solid rotation, charting as high as No. 3 (XTSR), No. 4 (KDUP) and No. 8 (KSLU) among major label releases from artists like Beck, Metallica and Oasis.
According to the band, the Compulsions plan to put out another CD in early 2009, tentatively titled Davy Jones' Locker. Among the tracks slated for inclusion are "Demon Love," "Desperation" and a current staple of the group's live set, "Jungle Disease."
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