"Okay. The Mighty Mighty Bosstones finally told us. Definite status is "hiatus". Here's the whole letter. I don't know what's worse, knowing or not knowing...
To read the band's [long] letter to it's fans, click READ MORE. Hello From The Mighty Mighty Bosstones The holiday's are upon us, and we figured it was about time to put something new up on our website. It has not been updated since we got back from Europe last summer. In fact, due to a change in servers, the site went down for a while, which only added fuel to the fire of rumors that are currently swirling around out there about the band. In a word, I think the best way to describe the current standing of the Bosstones is "hiatus." Basically, when we got back from Europe we started to look at what we had done recently, what we had been doing for the last ten years, and what we could or should do in the future. Ben had just had a baby, and several of the other guys had some professional opportunities available to them, including Joe Sirois going on tour with Frank Black (a longtime favorite of his,) and Joe Gittleman doing another album with his other band Avoid One Thing. And that's about it, as simple as that. Individually everyone in the band is super busy, doing their own things. Being so used to what we do, and feeling such a loyalty to each other, to our management, crew and co-workers, we actually had to look to each other for support in actually getting through this. It's a good thing we are all such good friends. Which leads us to The Hometown Throwdown, our annual pre-holidays concert series in Boston. Needless to say, at this late date, it's not going to happen. We really wanted to do it again this year (This was going to be the Tenth Annual Throwdown,) and put off making a decision for a long time, waiting to see what everybody was up too. Eventually, we put it off for so long, the decision was made for us, it was too late! I think we were mainly concerned that with everybody off doing different things we wouldn't be able to pull it together to deliver a solid show. There is talk about rescheduling the "Throwdown" for summer of 2004. Please check back here for updates on the band and future plans. Lastly, thanks to all of our friends and fans that have been their for us and we look forward to seeing you all some time soon. Here is a quick rundown of what everyone is up to: Dicky is the new announcer on "Jimmy Kimmel Live," on ABC Television. He's been doing other stuff, including a role in a feature film. He is also happy to be able to spend some time with his wife Rosey at their home in the Boston suburbs. Chris has also been chilling at home in New Haven, Conn. He recently joined Less than Jake for some shows on the west coast, hanging out with Tim at their show at The House of Blues in Hollywood. Roman is using the time to continue his pursuit of a professional pilots license. He is taking classes near his home in South Florida and working as a flight instructor in his spare time. Joe Gittleman is working on a new album with his band Avoid One Thing and chilling with his wife Angie in their house outside Boston. Joe Sirois just returned from Europe and a tour playing drums with Frank Black. He is getting married to his long time girlfriend Courtney this summer. Ben and his wife Laura are caring for their newborn son, Ellis, at their home in Providence, RI. Laurence moved to Los Angeles and is jamming and recording with a bunch of musician friends. He is also doggedly pursuing the perfect golf swing. Tim and his wife and step-son also moved to L. A. Among other things, he recently played sax on a track for the new Cypress Hill album. Side One Dummy Records (77 comments)
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8dollarclarinetsolo (December 8, 2003)
well thats better than being broken up, hopefully we'll see a new album and tour from these guys after not tooo long
Someone (December 8, 2003)
That sucks, but I just realized, I hadn't noticed they have done nothing in the last year or so....I guess I figured they were going to be on the warped tour this year, keeping with the shitty rotation that the warped tour keeps.
Someone (December 8, 2003)
The Bosstones are still great live. Last time I saw them was the 2002 Warped Tour, and they even closed their set with the Angry Samoans cover, "Lights Out". Also, I don't mind Avoid One Thing. I saw them earlier this year playing to a less than filled venue, since they opened up for Alkaline Trio. They rocked. The place got packed once Pretty Girls Make Graves got onstage. 2+ Replies
blaubs21 (December 8, 2003)
i saw them live at least once (although it was Warped, it still counts in my mind), got to shake Dicky's hand, and had him sign a t-shirt. if they break up i won't be all that sad or surprised. but god damn i hope they don't. 1+ Reply
Someone (December 8, 2003)
this is ridiculously sad. i was looking forward to my first throwdown ever this year, buti suppose i'll have to wait and see if i will ever get to see one. they seem like great guys, and put on a crazy show, and i will miss them quite a bit. it's good to hear that they all have their hands full and are doing what they love to do and making their lives happy. please come back soon, bosstones. -duped (i just have allergies, sniffle, that's all)
joeg (December 8, 2003)
great band, awesome live too. dicky is a cool dude. at least they're not breaking up. if i ever had to knock on wood, it would be now. doo doo doo chee! 2+ Replies
Someone (December 8, 2003)
The only time I ever liked Dicky was for about 10 seconds on NUFAN's "Making Friends".
Someone (December 8, 2003)
all i see here is, no throwdown, i mean, take a break, but, 10th annual throwdown!?
Someone (December 9, 2003)
"hiatus" is just a nice way saying, "We probably won't be coming back" Damnit. They are the first band to get me into ska. So sad. 3+ Replies
GregSka (December 9, 2003)
I've said it before and I don't mind saying it again: the bosstones are one of the classiest bands out there
Someone (December 9, 2003)
i can't even remember how many times I have seen these guys, but every time is so great. The Bosstones are so incredible to see live. I would definetely have to say my favorite bosstones shows were the 2002 warped tour in ventura and san diego. In my opinion, the Ventura show was so much better....i dont know..it was awesome. My other favorite was when they played that hometown throwdown tour. I saw em in san diego at canes. I remember I was so stoked because I got to meet dicky and talk to him before the show. So does this mean that dicky lives in LA now that he is doin Kimmel?
Someone (December 9, 2003)
These dudes opened at the very first "punk" show I went to see. i used the quotes because they were opening for the Offspring, and the Living End (who rule) played that night too.
the show was at some stupid ass stadium where the bands played on a huge stage and all of us 15/16 year olds "moshed" and acted like little idiots. Anyway, Dicky was really pissed at the management for something, i believe it had something to do with prices being too high for something. Anyway, he kept raging against the management and encouraged us to yell obsenities towards the venue promoters in the press box. The crowd did so very willingly.
It didn't hit me until years later, how fucking funny that had to be for the promoters up in the press box. Can you imagine 300 screaming 12-year olds threatening your life? I still laugh at that spectacle today. I guess I could dupl show rest of comment 1+ Reply
hitlerbadzakgood (December 9, 2003)
i went to warped 2000 just to see these guys. in fact, theyre the only band i remember seeing. ~Zäk 1+ Reply
Someone (December 9, 2003)
This fucking sucks, I'm pretty pessimistic about them coming back. Sounds like they all got individual shit going on. I've seen them live twice and it was fucking incredibly both times
skankin_in_the_pit (December 9, 2003)
That just blows. There is no better band live then the Bosstones. Hopefully this "hiatus" is just temporary.
Someone (December 10, 2003)
i talked to joe gittleman this summer and he said it might be over. They wont release a new cd unless the feel inspired to and if they do break up, there will not be a final tour...just throwdown. This is horrible.
NikoBart (December 11, 2003)
Gosh, I had seen them 3 years ago in Paris. They had been amazing. Think I'll listen to them for some long years again, but I'll truely regret not to show them live again. Thx for happiness and great music. Hope you'll meet the happiness you desserve
Yossarian (December 13, 2003)
If this is the end of my all time favorite band, at least they go out on top, Jack Knife to a Swan is in my opinion their best effort to date. I miss Nate, Dennis, and Kevin but the new guys came in and did a great job and gave us an incredible album.
Someone (March 27, 2004)
Ok, sitting on the other side of the pond (england) has been bad enough. But i managed to see the BossTones twice in the last couple of years and they were as awesome as all you yanks kept saying and even better (somehow!) than the studio albums! The thought of a hiatus is worse than anything i could imagine. Please, Please, some one and SideOne Dummy start hasseling them to reform quick...
Someone (June 24, 2004)
"Hiatus"? Are you kidding me? This bands been phoning it in for the past 3 years. They should have said something like "Due to our arrogance and lack of support from our mgmt. (yes that means you Joe Sib) we are done" I think we all would have respected these guys a little more if they had actually told the truth instead of trying to pussy foot around it. Once Dickys bank account gets low and Avoid One Thing tanks, you'll see them back.
Someone (July 4, 2004)
i hope these dudes can eventually come back. they got me into ska. i really want to see them live. i never got to because i was to young. well hopefuly they'll come play hollywood after the "hiatus", or at least put out a last record. 1+ Reply
Someone (July 15, 2004)
The Bosstones have given me the best music I have to date. I have been listening to them since I was 20 and I am now 31. Got to meet the band at First Avenue in St. Paul and they are a great bunch of lads. The time comes in life when you get to concentrate on yourself and your family. They have given up a lot over the years for us fans and I am so happy that they are settling down, expanding their horizons and going on 'hiatus'. The older you get, the more you understand that there is more to life than clubs and bars. Good for you all and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for the music your band produced over the years. I grew with you and understand a hiatus. Good luck! -Bean
Someone (July 16, 2004)
don't break up please! oh what would ska be without the bosstones? now really jimmy kimmel? cypress hill? wtf this is not the bosstones i know and love. just make one more record like the good old days and come to my town for a final show in dc oh that would be so awesome 1+ Reply
Someone (August 6, 2004)
This sucks man!!! I moved to Boston in part because the bosstones rock and I wanted to see them live again and again and again and you get the idea! But it's freagin' AUGUST and there's no word of a throwdown or anything! What the hell, just throw one last big show in Gov't center or whatever, just one last show for the fans and then declare a state of "hiatus" ... whatever that is... Just rock house for one last time so I can wear my suit again, cause I havent worn it since that idiot became president and fucked our economy. Just one last goddam show, and get everybody in beantown smashed!!! 1+ Reply
Someone (February 9, 2005)
PLEAAAAAAAAASE!!! One more tour or at least one more show. Ya can't end it without giving us dudes some warning first. If I'd've known this was gonna happen I'd've toured WITH them for a while like those Grateful Dead followers did. PLease, one more tour....call it "The LAst Hurrah" or "god its been great" tour or something..... PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!! MIGHTY MIGHTY, BOSSTONES........I gotta hear that chant again.... I'm in my mid-30's and am a lawyer now but hell I feel like 20 again when I listen to the music and I have always enjoyed the shows! 3+ Replies
Someone (April 8, 2005)
none of us realized it then, but a bunch of us went to see their last OC show. let me tell you, ive been to a lot of punk shows, and dude, that bosstone pit wrecked more than any other! 2+ Replies
Someone (August 23, 2005)
i cant respect the fact that the bosstones have their own lives, and their own dreams. some of us got through it because of them. There is nothing i would love more than to see them again with their awsome stage chemistry. I can remember my first small venue show, i was an intern for a local radio station, when i got word that the bosstones were coming, i jumped the chance to work it. I asked the promo dir. please if there is any way i can get bs passes. i did. the show was great. after the blood sweat and tears! BS dicky walks across the floor comes up behind me puts his hands on my shoulders (we were about to have a group pic) i started to scoot up in my chair he said hold it you stay right here. it made my entire year . took the pic and i grabbed my detroit rock city cover by MMB he was impressed that i had it got the guys to sign it. i know i will never
show rest of comment
Someone (October 20, 2005)
It's taken me about three years to finaly find out whats happening. I first saw the guys supporting SUM41 in Nottingham, England back when i was'nt really botherd about music and had no style at all. since seeing them I became who I am today, the happiest go lucky son-of-a-bitch in Nottingham, i never get bored of the music and i never feel down when i've got a bosstone tune in my head. I got them to thank for who i am today and with all the shit i've gone through I probs would'nt be here today if it wasent for pay attention and drunks and children. so thanks for the past, the smile on my face, the song in my mind and the hat on my head. Hope to see them again but if i dont...................... God it's been fun!
Someone (December 16, 2005)
Well, I am glad I found this page. I have spent the past 5 hours trying to figure out that happened to them. I grew up with these guys in the early 90s to present. I remember my first concert I ever got to see them was at "The moon" in Tallahassee with Flogging Molly Opening. I love you guys. Please come back for just one more show. 1+ Reply
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a new Cypress Hill record? christ, that can't be a good thing