The Disappointments

The name The Disappointments is used by several different groups. One entry is a punk rock band from Trenton, New Jersey, described as a side project of Angel from Freedoom. Another is a melodic hardcore-punk group from Stoke-on-Trent, England, signed to Fierce Panda Records and credited with the debut album Reasons to Revolt.

Missoula, Montana band

One version of The Disappointments forms in Missoula, Montana in the fall of 1997, when guitarist Zack White and bassist Ed Kaufmann recruit drummer Dan Ries to make a three-piece line-up. Guitarist Richie Rowe joins in the fall of 1999 and helps define the band’s sound. This group plays melodic, edgy pop-punk, records four albums, tours the Northwest, and breaks up in the fall of 2002. It also performs at the Bozeman, Montana Warped Tour dates in 2000 and 2001. Two songs from Dog Meets Girl receive regular airplay on 94.7 FM The Blaze, and three tracks from the same release appear on the soundtrack to the extreme skiing and snowboarding film Montana Winter.

Buffalo, New York band

Another The Disappointments plays in Buffalo, New York in the late 1990s and early 2000s. This group releases a CD titled In A Bitter Mood, which is compared to Elvis Costello and The Knack in style. The original drummer, Mike “Bunny” McColl, leaves the power trio in 2001, moves to New Mexico, and begins recording under the name Birdman.

Melbourne, Australia ensemble

A separate The Disappointments is a ten-piece rock and roll orchestra from Melbourne, Australia, forming in 1996 as backing for a female Elvis impersonator. Its line-up includes a four-piece horn section, violin, piano, bass, drums, guitar, vocals, and additional instruments as needed. The group’s style ranges across jazz, klezmer, rock, and oom-pah, and one member, Kiernan Box, also plays keyboards in Augie March.

Eureka, California ska band

There is also a short-lived ska band from Eureka, California, active from 2003 to early 2005. It is among the last ska bands in the area and writes many songs about its small rural hometown.