The Band That Got Away: The Bohicas

There's no worse feeling for a music lover than discovering a new favorite band, only for them to disappear suddenly. The unofficial breakup of the four-piece garage rock outfit The Bohicas has felt like one of the biggest mysteries, and musical losses, of my own experience as a fan and fellow musician. Even now, their story feels intertwined with mine, having soundtracked my middle school, high school, and young adult life.

The Bohicas formed in 2013 in Essex and East London, England. Members Dominic McGuinness (vocals and guitar), Brendan Heaney (drums), Dominic John (guitar), and Adrian Acolatse (bass) reportedly played together in various projects after connecting in secondary school, originally performing as Swanton Bombs before officially rebranding as the Bohicas. In September 2013, they signed a record deal with Domino and broke through with live support for Franz Ferdinand at Ibiza Rocks. By 2016, all activity around the group stopped.

Their short-but-sweet discography leaves listeners longing for more, with activity only spanning three years (2013-2016). In 2014, they dropped their debut double A-side single "XXX" / "Swarm." Both tracks reappeared on their self-titled EP later in the year, and again on their first (and sadly, their last) studio album, The Making Of, in 2015. The project made waves, reaching number 52 on the UK Albums Chart. Popular track "Where You At" found a sync placement in an Apple Music commercial in 2016.

Top Tracks:

1. "The Making Of"

2. "Where You At"

3. "XXX"

4. "I Do It For Your Love"

5. "Somehow You Know What I Mean"

6. "Red Raw"

The title track of The Making Of holds a special place in my heart as the song that first drew me to The Bohicas. It's still an all-time top track for me, after more than a decade. Guitars build throughout the song with the band's signature gritty, fuzzed-out sound. Full band hits pack a serious punch leading up to the chorus before dropping down to a bass-focused verse. "The Making Of" serves as a fantastic introduction to the group, uniquely spotlighting each instrument.

"Where You At" gained first international recognition through its Apple Music sync placement, but remains a top track for The Bohicas across streaming platforms. Its consistent high energy makes listeners want to head bang the whole way through–lyrics like "rocket boost adrenaline" feel especially apt for the explosive instrumental.

The lyrics of "XXX" make it a standout in the album, depicting a dark, mysterious femme-fatale. The song feels like an ode to the group's attention to detail and storytelling abilities, with tambourine mimicking an agitated rattlesnake. Once again, the Bohicas' characteristic guitar sound pushes through, giving the song its edgy, almost dangerous feel.

"She said goodbye with a look in her eye / That would leave most men perplexed / And I knew by the note that she pulled from her coat / What she meant when she signed it with an XXX"

So what happened to The Bohicas? Where are they now?

The band never issued an official statement about their split, but group-related posts ended in January of 2016 and no further music released on the profile after The Making Of. Luckily, fans can keep up with a few of the members through their individual musical endeavors.

Frontman and guitarist Dominic McGuinness has continued to hone his sound over the past decade through his solo career, releasing music independently on Bandcamp. His most recent release is a three-song package titled Nike Earring. Leaning slightly more indie/alternative than his prior work in the band, McGuinness's recent catalog puts a wryly playful twist on life in London. Fans of The Lemon Twigs and Courtney Barnett will love these tracks.

Dominic John continues to make his name as a session guitarist, producer, and music director. From playing guitar in the iconic ABBA Voyage arena show to touring and performing with the likes of Lady Wray, Liam Gallagher, and The Hives, John has built an exciting career both on-stage and in the studio.

Adrian Acolatse and Brendan Heaney have largely flown under the radar these past years, but we wish them the best in their current and future endeavors.

While longtime listeners like myself would love to see the band reunite someday, it looks like right now the band are exploring different directions creatively. We may never find out exactly why they split up, but The Bohicas' dedicated fanbase remains active even today, not only showing continued support for their projects together but also celebrating their solo successes. 2016 may have marked the end of one fleeting era, but it was also the start of a new chapter for these talented musicians.

Who do you want to see covered on Enharmonic Magazine next? Let us know.

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