The Boneshakers formed in November 1984 in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Guitarist David Paranzino teamed up with singer/keyboardist Hall Vought, Mark Watts on drums, and Steve Sistrunk on bass. Paranzino, Vought and Watts have been the core of the group ever since, going through about a dozen bass players. Brian Hinson replaced Steve Sistrunk for "Oh, So Black". Drummer Bruce Crump of Molly Hatchet filled in for Watts in the mid nineties. Boneshakers sound is pure 80's, influenced by the bands they covered such as the Outfield, The Cult, The Call, The Cure, The Bolshoi, The Producers, and many other groups. The band performed as opening act for many of the bands they draw their influences from. From 1986 to 1996 the band toured the east coast club and college circuit constantly, refining their sound and becoming an incredibly solid unit. Vought, the primary songwriter, has a diverse treasure chest of songs that the band performs. Their popularity pushed them to record their debut album, "Oh, So Black" in 1989 in Raleigh, North Carolina with producer Steven Gronbach. Originally released on the now defunkt Cellar Door Record Label and mastered by Tony Dawsey, the CD carried the group to greater poplularity receiving regional airplay on a variety of radio stations. A video for "In a Heartbeat" was released to MTV. "Oh, So Black" features a variety of textures from the Boneshakers, from the ethereal title track, the social conscience "Meadows of Idaho", the rhythmic pounding of "Age of Faith" the guitar crunch of "Little Flower Girl" and the popular "In a Heartbeat" While all 11 tracks show a wide variety of styles, the Boneshaker feel still rises to the surface.