The Compulsions

The Compulsions are a rock 'n' roll band, formed in the summer of 2002 by New York native, Rob Carlyle (vocals, rhythm guitar).

Mainstream and underground publications have compared the group favorably to AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Lynyrd Skynyrd, the New York Dolls, the Rolling Stones and many others.

They've been described by critics as "criminally unknown," "the world's greatest obscure rock band" and "the heir apparent to Guns N' Roses' long vacant mainstream hard rock throne."

In a review of the Compulsions' February, 2005 performance at CBGB, Mick Stingley of KNAC.com writes: "If there is a God, the Compulsions will get signed, then immediately head down to the Mercury Lounge and beat the living sh*t out of each and every member of the Strokes. If I worked for Rolling Stone I'd write, 'Best New Band, 2005!'"

The Compulsions have released two EPs, 21 Powers Street and Laughter from Below, and have been aired on East Village pirate radio station, WEVR, Harris Radio, Radio Crystal Blue, XM Satellite Radio and New York's classic rock station, Q104.3FM.

In December of 2004, the Compulsions were one of only three unsigned bands to be included on the "Best of 2004" installment of Out of the Box-- Jonathan Clarke's weekly radio show on Q104.3FM, featuring "the best in new music and local, undiscovered bands."

Since September of 2006, over 100 radio stations across North America have added the Compulsions' Laughter from Below EP to their playlists.

Compulsions' songs like "Down on the Tracks," "Howlin' for You" and "Shake Hands with the Devil" have charted at CMJ/Core stations such as KCSS (Turlock, CA), KOTO (Telluride, CO), KSJS (San Jose, CA), KSLU (Hammond, LA), KSYM (San Antonio, TX), KXUL (Monroe, LA), WBLD (W. Bloomfield, MI), WDOM (Providence, RI), WDTS (Georgetown, DE), WNTE (Mansfield, PA) and WTCC (Springfield, MA).

Early Compulsions recordings can be found on the following compilation discs: A Fistful of Rock & Roll: Volume 13 (Devil Doll Records), New York City Rock 'N' Roll (Radical Records) and Sound from the Underground (Cheap Shot Records).

The group has performed at the Delancey, Don Hill's, Fat Baby, Fontana's, the Hole, the Lakeside Lounge, Lit and other venues in lower Manhattan.

Compulsions' tracks have been spun at downtown watering holes such as 151 Rivington, Motor City, Pianos, Route 85A, Three of Cups and Bar 13's SHOUT! party.

The Compulsions consist of a rotating lineup. Recent guests include (in alphabetical order): John Andrews (ex-Pisser), Jimmy Ansourian (20 Miles), Brett Bass (Bernie Worrell, ex-Pisser), Jay Dee Daugherty (Patti Smith Group), Bruce Edwards, Frank Ferrer (touring in Guns N' Roses, ex-Pisser), Richard Fortus (Guns N' Roses, ex-Pisser), Abe Frishman (ex-Torn & Frayed), Jimmy Grillo, ilan (ex-MyTVs), Scott Kitchen (ex-Tijuana Bibles), Hugh Pool, Ken Rich, Georgie Seville (The Downtowns), Hubert Sumlin (Howlin' Wolf Band), Tommy USA (ex-White Light Motorcade), Jon Weber (toured with Hedwig & the Angry Inch and Love, Janis) and Chris Wei (ex-Tijuana Bibles).

A full-length album is in the works.