NERF HERDER
BIO
Did you know that Nerf Herder was formed in 1994 by Parry, Steve and original bassist Charlie Dennis? Itâs true. And the rest is history.
Did you know that Nerf Herderâs debut album came out on Joey Cape from Lagwagonâs My Records label? Itâs true. Joey needed a band to kick off his label, and when the few he really wanted wouldnât do it, he had to settle for Nerf Herder, who he knew from Santa Barbara. He invested about 12 big ones to record the album with Ryan Greene. It was done quick and cheap, and turned out great. And the rest is history.
Did you know that Nerf Herderâs song âVan Halenâ had been played on Live 105 before the band members had even gotten a copy of the CD? Itâs true! Fat Pete from Fat Wreck Chords, who received the shipment of CDâs for Joey, took the song to Live 105âs Aaron Axelsen, who immediately put it on the air. It began to smoke, and the rest is history.
Did you know that if you have a song on the radio some fool will give you money to be on their record label? Itâs true. Due to the success of their song âVan Halenâ, Nerf Herder was flown to New York, put up in a fancy hotel, driven around in a limo, taken to a strip club, and then signed to a moderate sized record contract with Arista Records. Weeks later the band would be driving around the country in a foul smelling rental van and sleeping on roll-away beds at the Days Inn every night. And the rest is history.
Did you know that Nerf Herder once sang happy birthday to Clive Davis, one of the most famous guys in the music industry? Itâs true. Although Arista is home to such famous singers as Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and Barry Manilow, it was Nerf Herder that was walked into the gigantic Battle-Star Galactica-like boardroom at Arista Records and sang Happy Birthday for Cliveâs 103rd (approximately) birthday. The band was then given a bottle of Kristal and sent off in a limo that had once been ridden in by Demi Moore. And the rest is history.
Did you know that some people consider Nerf Herder to be a type of music called Nerd Core? Itâs true. Also the band frequently gets its name spelled wrong, like âNerf Heiferâ. And the rest is history.
Did you know that Nerf Herder wrote and performed the theme song for the hot youth oriented television show, Buffy The Vampire Slayer? Itâs true. During the initial filming of the show, one of the cast members got a hold of Nerf Herderâs debut album, and soon the whole cast and crew was being subjected to Nerf Herderâs music. When show creator Joss Whedon was disappointed by the theme music that the fancy âprofessionalâ Hollywood theme music writer came up with, he asked Nerf Herder to give it a try. Not only did he love the song, but it was cheap, too. And the rest is history.
Did you know that Nerf Herder has never met or spoken with anyone from Van Halen, the band that inspired their mid-level hit from January of 1997? Itâs true! The band did hear that Alex and Eddie Van Halen really liked the song, and the band was given permission to use theirs, and Michael Anthony and Valerie Bertinalliâs images in their video for the song. David Lee Roth and Sammy Hagar refused permission, Hagar going far enough as to call the band members âfaggotsâ. The video for âVan Halenâ was added to regular rotation on MTV and was seen by anyone who was watching the channel at 3 in the morning. M2 played the hell out of the song. And the rest is history.
Did you know that Nerf Herder, were not dropped, but actually requested to be let go from their major label deal in 1999, losing out on all kinds of big buy out bucks, gravy and stuff? Completely accurate! Anticipating a long, doomful and embarrassing wait until eventual droppage, Nerf Herder opted to get out quick (relatively) and release a CD, How To Meet Girls on their current label, the awesome indie, Honest Donâs. Man, are they glad they did that! And the rest is history.
Did you know that Nerf Herder has toured with Weezer, Bloodhound Gang, Reel Big Fish, No Use For A Name and the Vandals? Itâs true! Theyâve gone all over the world and most of Arizona. And the rest is history!
Did you know that Nerf Herder actually asked Courtney Loveâs permission to release their confused love ode âCourtneyâ, from their 2nd CD How To Meet Girls? That is no lie! Her lawyer, who must be a real busy guy, approved the song, saying that he thought it was âfunnyâ. And Courtney herself has been quoted as saying that the song is âbizarreâ. That sounds like a compliment! And the rest is history.
Did you know that Honest Dons has re-released Nerf Herders legendary My EP with extra-special additional new classic geek rock anthems âFight For Your Right To Masturbateâ, âNikki Websterâ and âI want to take you out for Ice Creamâ tacked on to already well known nerdcore anthems such as âSportsman Barâ, âLove Sandwichâ, and âIâve got a boner for Christmasâ? Ex-surgeon general Jocylen Elders is totally stoked that itâs true! And the rest is history.
Editorâs note: It should be noted that the mighty NH have an even newer release, American Cheese, and that is their masterwork. Ummm, I guess the rest is history.

