Todd Bell from Braid/Hey Mercedes wrote this amazing blog entry about the passing of Terrin Durfey (Boilermaker/Jade Shader/Pinback):
Boilermaker/Terrin Durfey has shaped my ideas and theories of music so much since the first time I heard them, when I was in highschool and a friend got one of their records. To this day I still write songs, listen back, and realize – ‘shit, Boilermaker already did that.’
Boilermaker's second LP "In Wallace's Shadow" on display
Damn, my friend, where have you been?
BOILERMAKER
Leucadia CD (2000, collection of previous material plus some unreleased newer material)
Boilermaker LP (1998, Wrenched Records)
In Wallace’s Shadow LP (1996, Goldenrod Records)
Watercouse LP (1994, Goldenrod Records)
s/t 7″ (1993)
ZIP FILE: http://alexander-t.com/music/musicforyo … rmaker.rar (contains 7″, In Wallace’s Shadow, Watercourse, and some other later tracks)
BOILERMAKER MySpace (only page currently in existence)
BOILERMAKER (1992-2002) were from Encinitas/San Diego, CA and were definitely…
Terrin Durfey: Bass & Vocals
Rich Sanderson: Guitar
Timothly James Semple: Drums
Boilermaker, live
The first time I actually heard BOILERMAKER wasn’t until 1996 though I was aware of them previously. I think it was on one of the Nothing Left zine CD compilations and it featured “Pathos Delay” (if I remember correctly).
Very shortly afterward, I went out and picked up the first LP, Watercourse. I loved it and a friend made me a copy (on cassette) of In Wallace’s Shadow which was even catchier and more enjoyable though further from their more abstract UOA-style roots (as heard on the 7″ and the Ghost Dance compilation). But, the somewhat dangerous sound still existed on In Wallace’s Shadow and I loved the feeling on the records that the songs were written piece by piece as though they didn’t know where they would end up.
The lyrics, not unlike Morrissey’s in THE SMITHS would always have me doing double takes, rewinding and listening again. Did he just say that? Can you say that in a song? It was so blunt but never clunky and ultimately very unique — particularly in the punk rock world of San Diego at the time. The vocals, starting with Watercourse, reminded me so much of Sting. It was not the phrasing but the raspy, enthusiastic sing-yell that got me on the lyrical delivery. BOILERMAKER made music that was heavily emotional in the lyrics which discussed human relations — without ever being sappy or overly sentimental. Some lyrics were very cryptic and one had to guess at the relationship being described. It just takes it to another level. BOILERMAKER was either a brave band or they had no idea what they were doing and everything fell into place on nearly every track they recorded (~45 great songs).
In the song “Norman,” Durfey eerily describes death with “Will you wait for me, when my time comes? Will you carry on? Will you carry on?”
Boilermaker circa 1998
Terrin Durfey died 2 years ago almost to the day after a long bout with cancer. He was only 36 years old and survived by his wife and child.
Definitely influenced by bands like BASTRO but other than that, I can’t exactly tell you were they developed their unique sound for the LPs. The influence they left is seen in many places from the aforementioned BRAID to many others in the punk-emo world.
I didn’t fully hear In Wallace’s Shadow until early 1998 when a good friend made me a dub of it. By the time, the final LP came out, I assumed — for some unknown reason — that their sound had mellowed to a point that was simply uninteresting to me. It took me ten years until I finally decided to find it and listen and recognize my mistakes. But, finding new BOILERMAKER was always pleasant.
I had the opportunity to see BOILERMAKER twice, both during the summer of 1998. Once was in Ohio at about 1am at a house near the campus of Ohio State and then a few days later I saw them at Stalag 13 in West Philadelphia (both shows were with the awesome Wrenched labelmates THE INTERSTATE TEN). Before that, I had not realized how much the bass had driven nearly all of their songs. I always thought the records sounded great, almost too good, so I was taken aback on both occasions when the live show sounded eerily just like the recordings. It was not until I saw them live that I recognized how critical the bass was to the sound and structure of every song. In addition to Durfin’s voice, he played bass just like Sting in THE POLICE. At the time, the only new release that they had was the split 7″ with THREE MILE PILOT (who were also from San Diego). Boilermaker obviously will not be coming to Indiana in the future.
I hope you enjoy these if you haven’t heard them or heard them in several years. I really miss this band. A mutual friend made these comments regarding a recent discussion about this band: “I lived in San Diego from 1991-2002, and wouldn’t say I was super good friends with Terrin, but we shared the same circle of friends/associates. Dude was ALWAYS in a good mood, and even after his diagnosis, remained upbeat. I’m glad these records are being heard, because Boilermaker needs to be remembered!”
BOILERMAKER live in 2001 performing “Hill” from Watercourse at the Casbah in San Diego: http://youtu.be/mN56KXBcxLQ
BOILERMAKER live in 2001 performing “Slow Down” from In Wallace’s Shadow at the Casbah in San Diego: http://youtu.be/uH4KLLgF7oo
Buy Leucadia Here
Pitchfork piece on Durfey’s passing: http://pitchfork.com/news/33882-rip-terrin-durfey-of-pinback-boilermaker/
For a brief time, Terrin Durfey did another band called The Jade Shader
Here is a video of THE JADE SHADER: http://youtu.be/Xe5ST782WUI
The Terrin Durfey Foundation: http://www.myspace.com/terrindurfeyfoundation
Here is a video of Durfin performing with PINBACK later in his life: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaAHSQAOVBM
Goodbye, Boilermaker
