the watchmen arise 1990 - 1991 ↑ ↓
While attending New Mexico State University in pursuit of a degree in Journalism, Boom begins recording as guitarist to several local bands, where he meets Dave Creadeau. In 1991, Boom becomes member #3 in local industral band 'The Watchmen'. The trio (also including Dave Creadeau on keyboards and X! on vocals) stays as such through 1991 opening for bands such as The Hunger and The Machines of Loving Grace. The trio catch the ear of future label slumlord Chase (pre Re-Constriction) and agree to include the track 'Merciful Release' on 1991's The Cyberflesh Conspiracy (If It Moves), also featuring future labelmates 16 volt and Diatribe as well as Pain Emission and Stabbing Westward.
a society is born 1992 - 1993 ↑ ↓
Personality and creativity conflicts led to the non-amicable departure of X! from the Watchmen early in 92. Boom (now appending christopher to his name) and Dave composed and released their second album to the Southwestern masses “Plague”. The album storms college and independent radio worldwide, thanks to use of Internet communications, and lands on several college radio charts, despite being a homespun cassette duplication.
Heat exhaustion, University blues, and an urge to live in a bigger city drive the Watchmen to Denver, CO. While sliding in to quick writeups in the local papers, Denver proves to be a tough nut to crack. Boom christopher and Dave team up with M. Smith of Fiction 8 (keyboards) and DJ Twitch (guitars) for live performances around the city. Capitol & Nettwerk records show signs of interest in the band, but new senses of apathy had engulfed the band. Opting for a moniker to better fit their ever declining perspectives, the Watchmen became Society Burning. Tracks already preselected (from Plague) by Kugelblitz (GER) and Chase of If It Moves were caught before pressing, and the duo's new name was reflected. The nickname Sobu came about in late 1992, when Boom pondered the feasibility of simpy leaving “Ski Pu“ (his Skinny Puppy tat mimicking the logo from 'Cleanse Fold & Manipulate') of a self tattoo after becoming rather sick from the pain...
the state of decay 1994 - 1995 ↑ ↓
Two artists living in close quarters for years now had come to a head. The duo's lastest collection of work “State of Decay” perfectly defined the mood around the SoBu house. 13 tales of anger, despair, money, loss, and fear turned the onward looking lyricists to questioning themselves. The work served as a coccoon, a transformation if you will.
Again, friend Chase was there to lend an ear, but it would take several months for the stars to align between Society Burning's fortune and Re-Constriction. But the ink dried in 1995, starting SoBu on the road to composing their first actual label release.
sobu vs. syntax 1996 - 1997 ↑ ↓
A long haul, a remix album, several ditched recording sessions, and many shows later, Society Burning finally emerged as a tight fit into the Re-Constriction roster. The band (now with addition of Tracey on keyboards) combined faster than you beats with guitars and keyboards playing into a sheer wall of sound. The remix album Entropy.Lingua took off in 1996, landing the talents of Steve Seibold, Joe Bishara, Chad Biship, Apparatus NC (aka Liquid Sex Decay), and Alien Factor, confusing the long time Re-Con fans as to where the original versions were. Thanks largely to Boom's dwindling and mysterious health issues, the 'debut' did not appear until the following year, entitled 'TACTIQ' ('tak'tik', not 'takteek', nor T - star - sitik). While a handful of compilations would appear featuring tracks from the album, growing financial problems at Cargo Records' helm put the squeeze on many acts on the roster.
with a birthday in july? 1998 - 1999 ↑ ↓
The Medical Mystery finally ends in the Spring of 1998, when doctors confirm that Boom chr Paige had non-Hodgkins lymphoma. While somedays shaking uncontrollably, other days too pained to move, Boom began learning the art of mixing via computer, taking on remixes for the likes of Leaetherstrip, Idiot Stare, Purr Machine, Battery and Urania, as well as recomposing tracks for SoBu's involvement with the Cyberpunk Fiction (a remake/parody of the Pulp Fiction soundtrack) and Nod's Tacklebox o' Fun.
A short (6 months short) jaunt into Chemotherapy land bettered Boom chr Paige physically, but perpetually reminded him that he needed a break from his hectic lifestyle. In early 1999, Dave and Boom mutually parted ways from the band(?), coinciding with Re-Constriction records closing its doors.
a shift in value 2000 - 2001 ↑ ↓
Boom chr Paige moved slightly away from the music industry, opting rather to publish music via Internet sources. In 2002, Boom chr Paige's music was downloaded nearly 100,000 times via online resources. These free tracks featured mostly breakbeat and electro vocal free music. Boom continued to experiement with various forms of electronic dance music, gaining attention from video game production agencies and djs alike.
Boom chr Paige also started his new role as father, to first daughter Seri Haelen
easing off the audio addiction 2002 - 2003 ↑ ↓
2002 brought Boom chr Paige another gift, in the form of second daughter Fae Jensen.
Boom ate time by running multiple websites, as well as the calling of fatherhood. The time proved to be the much needed and severely coveted time away from the concerns of the music industry. Gladly, this could be known as the two years where Boom produced only one track.
some day, you're gonna wake up 2004 - 2005 ↑
Enter a new awakening for Boom chr Paige. Refreshed from time away & armed with new insight (but still the same passion and anger), Boom ambitiously went into 2004 writing tracks left and right. This time, the sounds took on the art of idm, drum 'n' bass, and tech step/garage (with the omnipresent edge, of course). Like a rebirth, the artist began experimenting with a palette of fresh paint, but the past knowledge of how to complete the picture.
Friendships were rekindled and renewed. After learning from DJ Twitch that Internet rumors had emerged about a possible SoBu reunion, Boom chr Paige met with Dave Creadeau in Los Alamos, New Mexico (where the duo had originally cemeted their loyalty to their work some 12 years earlier) to discuss the potential (of course, over coffee). Very soft plans emerged from the meeting, setting the stage for what would be a meeting of the minds of SoBu throughout the Spring of 05.
