From their headquarters in an abandoned trailer park laundromat, the Burning Limos launched an audacious experiment. They set out to fuse the melodic sensibility of the Beatles, the eccentric spark of XTC, and the raw, satirical bite of the Dictators into something uniquely theirs. The resulting sound was a high-octane brand of muscular pop that earned them a loyal Midwest following. Over ten years, their DIY exuberance evolved into a polished, confident punch, with a palette that stretched from ethereal to explosive, flashing the occasional twang of their small-town roots.
When the Limos disbanded in 1990, their recordings were shelved and remained unheard for more than thirty years. Now unearthed, the collection—set for release by Haystack Balloon—spans studio sessions produced with Zero Boys’ Paul Mahern (Iggy Pop, John Mellencamp, The Afghan Whigs), stripped-down home demos, live recordings, and a session tracked at the legendary Midwest all-ages club, The No Bar & Grill. The No Bar material and select demos have been remixed by Matt Wallace (The Replacements, Faith No More, Maroon 5). The entire set was mastered by Grammy-nominated engineer JJ Golden (Black Pumas, Chris Robinson Brotherhood, Soundgarden).
The Limos’ catalog still feels relevant. Their lyrics skewer everyday life and suburban malaise with sardonic wit—1984’s “Young Republicans” hits as sharply now as it did during the Reagan years. In a review, The Big Takeover captured the band’s range, calling debut single “White Tribal Tantrum” “boisterous, loud Midwestern rock-’n’-roll, full of vinegar and sweat,” and its follow-up, “Collar Up,” “a well-produced, creeping post-punk skin-crawler.”
The three founding members met as art students in college. After graduation, jobs brought them to Indianapolis, where they started playing local clubs as the Bosco Hepcats—a name taken from a fictitious band one member invented as a prank—and succeeded in getting profiled in a national magazine. As their sound sharpened and their touring radius expanded, they renamed the group and wrote more than 100 original songs. Their demos drew label interest, but a revolving door of fourth members (nine in total) led to a cycle of halted plans, regroupings, and restarts. The unlikely parade of ex-Limos included a Dutch airline pilot, a stockbroker, and a blind trumpeter on drums.
With more than 30 songs set for release this summer, the Burning Limos’ once-shelved experiment comes full circle. For fans, it’s a long-overdue return; for new listeners, a belated but rewarding encounter with a band that still sounds strikingly fresh.
The Burning Limos are:
George Harris: Vocals/Guitar
Mark Searles: Lead Guitar
Tim Burns: Drums/Vocals (1981-1986), Bass/Vocals (1987-1990)