Burst Mode Squad

Genre: Heavy Metal
Starting Date: 05-12-2005
Disbanded: 12-05-2007

Originally a seven-piece, BMS was founded by Derek Johnson and has been the home of Johnny Johnston, John Bruce, Stephen Green, Cabot Chappell, Miguel Angel Templado (deceased) and Anthony Griffin (also deceased, but became Lionel Caddick shortly before death).

BMS had a chequered history marked with violence and bitterness. After some initial success, the stresses of touring got too much for slackers Anthony Griffin and Cabot Chappell and they left, unannounced, to form a punk band with lower expectations. Although a major setback, Burst Mode Squad recovered and, after culling the dead weight of Stephen Green, proceeded to rise through the Heavy Metal charts to establish themselves firmly in the Top 100 Heavy Metal artists.

Fate, however, was still not through with BMS. After the “suicide” of Anthony Griffin and subsequent (although a little preemptive) reincarnation as Lionel Caddick, the band were again torn apart with the departure of lead singer Miguel Angel Templado. Caddick's trash-talking evidently proving too much for the weak Latino as he jumped ship to Spaghetti Bandits.

The ongoing feud between the two bands, stemming from this unnecessary vehemence from a decidedly sociopathic Caddick and his band of lackies was only tempered by the unfortunate smiting of Templado and his bandmate Defoe Torrence in a poorly-aimed act of karma-induced vengeance by the Popo-Gods.

BMS were later forced to fire acoustic guitarist John Bruce for his poor attendance. One log-in and no interaction in over a month resulted in a serious deterioration, culminating in almost-certain admission to a Porto hospital at the same time as BMS were about to complete a long-awaited World Tour achievement. Unable to risk another poor performance, JB was fired. BMS continued as a two-man band - Johnny Johnston and Derek Johnson - and soon entered to the global Heavy Metal Top Ten. They were one of the leading bands at D.S.O.B.'s “Metal Elite” studio.

After a seemingly endless succession of tours, all music was suspended following a successful Cerberus campaign in which BMS were regularly rivalling some of the world's top Heavy Metal acts - including good friends DarkerShadeOfBlack. In what was intended to be a prolonged period of rest and recuperation - interrupted only by Popofest - the remaining two bandmembers engaged in some serious soul-searching. The massive lifestyle changes involved in the sudden cessation of activity, along with a disappointing qualification round for Popofest, prompted Johnny Johnston to change his outlook and move into the world of African Music. The first, last and only friendly separation in BMS history marked the end of the road for the brainchild of Derek Johnson, and after playing a final, solo gig in London on May 10th, 2007, DJ disbanded the act to join DarkerShadeOfBlack at a time when they were the #1 Heavy Metal act in the world.

18 wheeler luxury rig

Albums Released by DSOB

Albums Released by Heaven

• Burst Mode Squad Artist Page