The Big Boys were a pioneering band who are credited with helping introduce the new style of hardcore punk that became popular in the 1980s.

Based in Austin, Texas the band members were Randy 'Biscuit' Turner on vocals, Tim Kerr on guitar and Chris Gates on bass. Over the years the group played with four drummers in all; Steve Collier, Greg Murray, Fred Shultz and Ray Washman. The hardcore punk style, a development from the earlier punk sound, arose spontaneously in various cities but in Austin it was represented by the Big Boys and The Dicks. The bands often played with each other, releasing a split single and an LP, Live At Raul's, together. Big Boys shows were legendary, frequently involving food fights, 'Biscuit' in a tutu or dress, and invitations to the audience to come up and sing along, which often occurred. At the end of early shows the band was famous for yelling, "OK y'all, go start your own band". The Big Boys are credited as well with the introduction of funk rhythms to hardcore, producing what one writer described as "thrashfunk", an innovation influential on bands such as The Red Hot Chili Peppers. They were also involved in the skatepunk scene, featured in Thrasher skateboarding magazine and videos, and had their own Big Boys skateboard.

Tim Kerr went on to play with many bands, including Poison 13 and, in 2004, The Total Sound Group . Chris Gates was also with Poison 13 but his last outfit was Charles Bulldog . Of their drummers, Ray Washman has played consistently with such groups as Jerry's Kids, Scratch Acid , and Ministry. Randy Turner has performed with The Slurpees and Swine King , the latter band contributing the song "All Broke Down" to Outpunk Records' Outpunk Dance Party compilation. In 2004 the queercore band Limp Wrist released the song "Ode", a homage to Randy 'Biscuit' Turner and Gary Floyd of The Dicks (and, as well, Joshua Plague of Mukilteo Fairies) as inspirational openly gay men in the hardcore punk scene. Big Boys were innovative in many ways and were influential in the direction music and music scenes would take in their wake.

Singles

• Frat Cars 7" single on Big Boys Records
• Wipe Out/ I'm Sorry Fear and Loathing fanzine promo 7"
• Recorded Live At Raul's Club a double 7" split with The Dicks on Selfless Records
• Fun Fun Fun 12" EP (1982) on Moment Productions

Albums

• Live At Raul's split LP with The Dicks on Rat Race (1981)
• Where's My Towel on Wasted Talent (1981)
• Lullabies Help The Brain Grow on Moment Productions (1983)
• No Matter How Long The Line At The Cafeteria, There's Always A Seat on Enigma (1984)

See also

• List of hardcore punk bands

External Links

• [Big Boys fansite]