The Dead Boys formed in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1975 around vocalist Stiv Bators, lead guitarist Cheetah Chrome, rhythm guitarist Jimmy Zero, bassist Jeff Magnum, and drummer Johnny Blitz. Emerging from the short-lived Frankenstein after Chrome and Blitz’s time in Rocket from the Tombs, the band relocated to New York City in 1976, became a regular attraction at CBGB, and signed with Sire Records. Produced by Genya Ravan, their debut album, Young, Loud and Snotty, arrived in 1977 and featured “Sonic Reducer,” written by Chrome and David Thomas and subsequently recognized as an American punk standard. The Felix Pappalardi-produced We Have Come for Your Children followed in 1978, including “3rd Generation Nation,” “Tell Me,” and “Ain’t It Fun.” The Dead Boys split in 1979 but reunited for occasional performances during the 1980s and again in 2004 and 2005; Bators died in 1990. Chrome and Blitz revived the group in 2017 with vocalist Jake Hout, guitarist Jason Kottwitz, and bassist Ricky Rat, rerecording their debut as Still Snotty: Young, Loud & Snotty at 40! and undertaking a fortieth-anniversary tour. Further archival recordings appeared in 2024, alongside a new version of “Sonic Reducer” recorded with Finnish band The 69 Eyes. That year, Cleopatra Records also announced a new studio project involving Chrome, Blondie drummer Clem Burke, Sex Pistols bassist Glen Matlock, Stooges guitarist James Williamson, Michael Monroe, and archival Bators material. Mark Thorn became the Dead Boys’ vocalist in 2025 and made his recorded debut on their cover of “(It’s Gonna Be A) Punk Rock Christmas.” The band’s CBGB archive was revisited through the 2026 live albums Down on the Bowery, From the Sleaziest Catacombs, and Time Warp Baby. Chrome died on September 13, 2026, aged 71.
