Nerf Herder

Nerf Herder is a pop punk band from Santa Barbara formed in 1994 by Parry Gripp (vocals, guitar), Charlie Dennis (bass) and Steve Sherlock (drums). They describe themselves as a "nerd rock" band, and are known for simplistic modern punk-style songs with frequently humorous, juvenile and pop-culture-referencing lyrics. They are most noted for composing the theme tune to the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and for their 1996 single "Van Halen", a parody tribute to the band of the same name, which attracted significant radio airplay and led to their first major record deal.

Charlie left the band after the release of their debut, self-titled album, and was replaced first by Pete Newbury, with Dave Ehrlich also joining as a second guitarist. Newbury's tenure touring with the band was short-lived, however, he was in turn was replaced with Justin Fisher by the time the band's second album, How To Meet Girls, was recorded and released in 2000. A special EP for My Records, entitled My EP, was released in 2001, and was followed in 2002 by their album, American Cheese.

In April 2003, Nerf Herder appeared as the musical guest in the final-season Buffy episode "Empty Places" – the very last band to play at The Bronze. Their special connection to the series was further acknowledged by a bit of dialogue, with "Rock City News" playing in the background:

Kennedy: What kind of band plays during an apocalypse?

Dawn: I think this band might actually be one of the signs.

After the final American Cheese tour dates - during which time Ben Pringle (now of The Rentals) had replaced Fisher (who had left amicably to front his own band Psoma) - the band had disintegrated, without announcing an official split, by 2003, and a post by Gripp on the band's website some time afterwards detailed how most of the former band members had gone on to get "proper jobs". Gripp, meanwhile, did some work as a jingle writer, which led to his 2005 solo album For Those About To Shop, We Salute You - a 52-track concept album mimicking various musical styles and focusing on product commercialization.

In late 2005, however, Nerf Herder made a surprise comeback, announcing on their website that they were playing a handful of gigs with the original lineup of Parry, Charlie and Steve. For Parry's May 7, 2007 review of the day, he announced that the original lineup had finally finished recording their 4th album and that it did not have a title at this time. Parry stated that he wanted the title to be "Brownerton", but that idea was shot down. Parry also stated that of the 13 songs recorded, they would probably pick 10 to be on the album. In June 2007, the band decided on the title "Nerf Herder IV" with the album released in stores April 29, 2008. Former Size 14 singer Linus Of Hollywood joined the live band (playing guitar and keyboard) in early 2008 for a series of West Coast shows and a short tour of Japan.

The song "High Five Anxiety" is now being featured on the soundtrack for Major League Baseball 2k7 made by 2k Sports.

Mr.Blue Sky was used in the end credits of the Channel 4 Documentary The Great Global Warming Swindle in 2007.

Origin of band name

The band takes their name from a Star Wars reference — a "nerf herder" is a fictional occupation referred to by Princess Leia in Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back, when she insults Han Solo for arrogantly asserting that she has romantic feelings for him: "Why you stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf herder!" In the Star Wars Expanded Universe, a nerf herder is a lower class outdoorsman who spends his days safeguarding the nerfs on various planets across the Galaxy. They can best be compared to the American cowboy or shepherds of old in their steadfast pursuit of an independent lifestyle. They generally wear old, worn out work clothes and carry simple projectile weapons as well as staves they use to drive obstinate nerfs out of their hiding places. Due to their significant skills in fieldcraft and gunplay, as well as not having the resources to bathe and change their clothes often, the rest of the "civilized" universe looks down upon them.

Presumably due to the Star Wars connection, the song "Chewbacca (What a Wookie)" has often been incorrectly credited to Nerf Herder, but was actually performed by Supernova on the Clerks. soundtrack.