"Minimum Wage Rock'N'Roll..."

The BusBoys were a most unusual occurance in the music business in the early days of 1980. They were a working class black band who played what they called "minimum wage rock'n' roll." They wrote songs like "There Goes the Neighborhood," and the L.A. reviewers went crazy. They played in clubs all over town, the buzz became deafening, and I persuaded Arista Records' A&R whiz Bud Scoppa, a man of uncompromisingly good taste, to come down to see them. After much wrangling about what to do with this hybrid, Arista signed them. By that time, stories on them had broken in Time, The Wall Street Journal, L.A. Times Calendar and many other national publications. They went into the studio, and their first album, "Minimum Wage Rock & Roll" was released, only to be rejected by FM radio for being too black, and R&B Radio for being too rock'n roll. MTV, which had just gone on the air in late 1980, had the good sense to air the BusBoys' video, but not in heavy rotation. 

Meanwhile, the heat we had generated resulted in Eddie Murphy, who had just signed to do his first feature film "48 Hrs." coming after The BusBoys for his movie. Who would have thought the thing would take off into the stratosphere! The movie was a monster, the BusBoys appeared on "Saturday Night Live," and opened a tour with Linda Ronstadt. Their performance of the "The Boys Are Back" made them known throughout the world. The song, which was never released as a single, eventually became the theme for the Dallas Cowboys, later for Fox Sports network and the BusBoys, despite the fact that they never had a hit record, has had a run of about 20 years. 

Also during that time, I became aligned with top New York publicist Howard Bloom, who needed a West Coast office to represent his many clients. Together, we signed the group Earth, Wind & Fire, who were preparing to record a new album for CBS. Their management company also represented a very short, but talented young man who called himself Prince. Prince, with his "Dirty Mind" album and his androgynous attitude, quickly became the darling of the rock press, and we had another success on our hands. 

-Bobbi Cowan (Bobbi Cowan & Assoiciates - PR)

The BusBoys Have Inspired Many

During the freakishly odd early 1980’s, 5 black dudes and a Mexican shared the stage with the likes of The Go-Go’s, The Specials, Berlin, Flock of Seagulls and many other popular bands of the time.  It has been said that The BusBoys opened the door for Fishbone and Living Colour in a time when New Wave ruled the charts. Rumor has it that the two bands shared managers and the leader of the BusBoys, Brian O’Neal was instrumental in helping Fishbone find their name.

It’s odd that so many "Indie Cats" would credit Living Colour and Fishbone as major influences without mentioning The BusBoys.  The Internet has given fans the ability to share information and on this site, we will share them with you.  If you dig these tidbits of info and find them of interest, please repost, pass them along to your friends and family to help further The BusBoys legacy as one of the most compelling and unique bands to ever exist.

Check back often to learn more about one of the most influential bands to hit the Sunset Strip.

The Boys Are Back In Town - Official Bio

The BusBoys are America's premiere roots, rock n' roll band. Having created an American rock classic, "The Boys Are Back In Town" The BusBoys have taken the lyric line from that song literally and are ready to let the world know that they are indeed 'back in town," and ready to rock.

This step into the future is based on their past: it was in the early months of 1980, with the legendary Whisky A-Go-Go on the Sunset Strip as the site, that a group of teenagers forever changed the direction of rock and roll. With a nod to past rock   pioneers Chuck Berry and Little Richard, the BusBoys took a step into the future. They were black, bold, irreverent, and they rocked. It was an auspicious debut for the group who laid the foundation for acceptance of black rock and rollers who now regularly climb the charts.

The BusBoys took rhythm and blues roots and fire-balled them into a blazing, amazing multi-dimensional rock and roll career trail. Under the creative and musical leadership of founder Brian O'Neal, they lit up the big and small screen, full-tilted the concert stage and collected multitudes of fans.

Their work has been released on four major label albums, including the multi-platinum soundtrack for "Ghostbusters" which earned a Grammy nomination. The group toured extensively, either headlining or co-headlining with many top acts, including Linda Ronstadt, Brian Setzer and The Stray Cats, ZZ Top and Eddie Murphy. During their many television appearances, they rocked "American Bandstand," "Soul Train," "Rock Concert" and "Saturday Night Live."

But they are no doubt best known for their internationally acclaimed on-screen performance in the Eddie Murphy/Nick Nolte Paramount Pictures blockbuster, "48 HRS." The performance of several original songs lit up the film, most notably the song destined to become a classic: "The Boys Are Back In Town."

In the mid-90s, the band reduced their performing schedule, but continued to place songs on soundtrack albums for major Hollywood studios including Paramount, Tri-Star, Disney, and Columbia Pictures. They also contributed their musical talent to a series of national television commercials for Anheuser Busch, Electronic Arts, and the NBA.

The Boys also collaborated with singer/songwriter Brian O'Neal for an on-screen performance in the critically acclaimed Denzel Washington/Jennifer Beales Tri-Star film, "Devil In A Blue Dress."

At the end of the 90s, the band's long-awaited "Boy Are Back In Town" CD was released. Happily for the longtime fans, this most well known BusBoys title track finally became available to radio and to the consumers who always wanted a copy all their own, but had only been able to enjoy it during airings of "48 HRS."

In 2007, The BusBoys embarked on their most ambitious year to date. Hot, new music, selected tour dates and a film about their career are all a part of what's being served. Starting in February, the band begins to release a series of singles from their forthcoming CD "Sex, Love and Rock & Roll." The first release, "It Must Be Saturday Night," is destined to be another classic, American rock & roll anthem. A new single will be released every 60 days until the fall, when the entire CD will be set forth, coinciding with the release of their documentary film by the same name.

In 2008, the band has continued to work on their upcoming CD “Sex, Love and Rock & Roll.” They have released the first single from the collection entitled “It Must Be Saturday Night”.  Judging by its acceptance thus far, it has the potential to be another classic, American rock & roll anthem. New singles are forth coming and work on the film continues.

2009 finds Brian and the band sizzling. They are working on two films, “Ghostbusters: Cleanin’ Up The Town Documentary” and “Freeway City: The Story of an L.A. Suburb” with The Busboys appearing on screen and Brian acting as Executive Producer, Composer and Music Supervisor respectively. The new single featured in “Freeway City” “City’s On Fire” is exactly that.

The best news of all is this band, which has been called "the most exciting act in rock and roll," is once again performing live. Put on your dancing shoes and get ready for the mad rise, all world, big school, butt bumpin', rock & roll, rhythm and blues of Brian O'Neal and The BusBoys - spread the word: THE BOYS ARE BACK!!!