Year Long Disaster

Year Long Disaster

Year Long Disaster is an American hard rock band from Los Angeles, California. It forms in 2004 and begins an indefinite hiatus in 2011. The group’s core line-up comprises vocalist and guitarist Daniel Davies, bassist Rich Mullins and drummer Brad Hargreaves, with Hargreaves later replaced by Rob Oswald and guitarist William Mecum joining in a later incarnation.

Origins and members

Daniel Davies is the son of Dave Davies of the Kinks. He is born in London, spends the first nine years of his life touring with his father’s band, then moves to Los Angeles at thirteen. After his parents separate, he lives with neighbour and godfather John Carpenter until he finishes at Hollywood High School, then starts pursuing music on his own.

Rich Mullins is a founding member of the West Virginia instrumental hard rock band Karma to Burn, which releases three albums on Roadrunner Records, tours widely and supports acts including Metallica and Pantera. He later plays in the Dallas band Speedealer before meeting Davies in Los Angeles after moving from Holland. Brad Hargreaves is later discovered playing with Hours and Minutes in Glendale; at that time he is also a member of Third Eye Blind. When Davies learns of Hargreaves’ involvement with the band, the pair agree to rehearse and the trio forms Year Long Disaster.

Musical style and influences

The band draws on blues-based hard rock traditions and is associated with stoner rock, hard rock, rock and classic rock. Its music takes influence from artists and groups such as Cream, Free, ZZ Top, Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin. The songs often use shuffle rhythms, extended riffs, non-repeating lyrics and contrasting dynamic passages, with improvisation forming part of the band’s approach.

Other details

Before the band is formed, Davies and Mullins live together in Laurel Canyon while dealing with addiction, then seek help through the Music Cares Foundation and enter CRI-Help rehab. They later spend time in a sober-living halfway house and move on in December 2003. The name Year Long Disaster reflects the group’s idea of building on tradition while developing its own sound.