{{Short description|American rock band}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = The Bobby Lees | caption = The Bobby Lees on concert Maroquinerie, Paris | image = The-Bobby-Lees-Maroquinerie.jpg | origin = Woodstock, New York, United States | genre = {{hlist|Rock and roll|garage rock|punk rock}} | years_active = 2018–present | label = {{hlist|Alive Naturalsound|Ipecac|Epitaph}} | website = {{URL|https://www.thebobbylees.com/}} | current_members = * Sam Quartin * Kendall Wind * Macky Bowman * Nick Casa (former) }} '''The Bobby Lees''' are an American rock music group founded in 2018 in Woodstock, New York.<ref name="ludwig">{{cite web|last=Ludwig|first=Jamie|title=The Bobby Lees refresh garage rock for the next generation and everyone else |url=https://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-bobby-lees-refresh-garage-rock-for-the-next-generation-and-everyone-else/Content?oid=79448833|work=Chicago Reader|date=April 24, 2020|access-date=July 14, 2021}}</ref> The band comprises vocalist and guitarist Sam Quartin, bassist Kendall Wind and drummer Macky Bowman.<ref name=illinois>{{cite web|title=The Bobby Lees|url=https://illinoisentertainer.com/2020/08/cover-story-the-bobby-lees/|work=Illinois Entertainer|date=August 31, 2020|access-date=July 14, 2021}}</ref>

The band's name originates from a hallucination experienced by Sam Quartin, in which she believed she saw a ghost named Bobby Lee. The song ''Bobby Lee'', from their debut album, was written based on this experience.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Bobby Lees|url=https://tinnitist.com/2020/07/22/sam-quartin-of-the-bobby-lees-the-tinnitist-interview/|work=Tinnitist|date=July 22, 2020|access-date=August 30, 2021}}</ref>

==History== Their debut album, ''Beauty Pageant'', was released in 2018.<ref name="vellucci">{{cite web|first=Justin|last=Vellucci|title=The Bobby Lees Strike the Punk-Blues Jugular on Jon Spencer-Produced 'Skin Suit'|url=https://www.popmatters.com/bobby-lees-skin-suit-review-2646171669.html|work=Pop Matters|date=July 15, 2020|access-date=July 14, 2021}}</ref> Its success led to The Bobby Lees opening for The Black Lips, Shannon & the Clams, Future Islands, and the Chats.<ref>{{cite web|last=Deming|first=Mark|title=The Bobby Lees|url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-bobby-lees-mn0003914613/biography?1626446342447|work=AllMusic|access-date=July 16, 2021}}</ref> While touring in support of the album, the band's gear was stolen during a stop in Tulsa, Oklahoma.<ref name="bryan">{{cite web|last=Bryan|first=Emory|title=Touring Rock Band The Bobby Lees Thanks Tulsa For Support After Equipment Theft|url=https://www.newson6.com/story/5e35bcc4fcd8ef694720d65c/touring-rock-band-the-bobby-lees-thanks-tulsa-for-support-after-equipment-theft|work=News on 6|date=September 12, 2019|access-date=July 16, 2021}}</ref> Despite this setback, they managed to perform using borrowed equipment from local bands.<ref name="bryan"/>

In 2019, they self-released ''Beauty Pageant Redux'', a live album featuring live versions of songs from their debut album, ''Beauty Pageant'', along with two previously unreleased tracks.

Their 2020 record ''Skin Suit'' was produced by Jon Spencer<ref name="vellucci"/> and released via Alive Naturalsound Records.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Bobby Lees – Drive|url=https://www.shindig-magazine.com/?p=3811|work=Shindig!| date=20 May 2020 |access-date=July 14, 2021}}</ref><ref name="ludwig"/> ''Skin Suit'' made the San Francisco Examiner Top 10 Albums of 2020 List<ref>{{cite web|last=Lanham|first=Tom|title=Top 10 rock albums of 2020|url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/entertainment/top-10-rock-albums-of-2020/|work=San Francisco Examiner|date=December 30, 2020|access-date=July 14, 2021}}</ref> and was called "a raucous ride from beginning to end" by PopMatters.<ref name="vellucci"/> In 2021, the group toured with Helmet in support of ''Skin Suit''.<ref name=shepherd>[https://shepherdexpress.com/music/music-feature/bobby-lees-back-on-the-road-and-headed-for-shank-hall/ Bobby Lees Back on the Road and Headed for Shank Hall]. ''Shepherd Express'', August 5, 2021.</ref>

In 2022, it was announced the band had signed with Ipecac Recordings and would release a four-song EP titled ''Hollywood Junkyard'', produced by Vance Powell.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Bobby Lees sign with Ipecac Recordings & announce new EP|url=https://musicandriots.com/the-bobby-lees-sign-with-ipecac-recordings-announce-new-ep/|work=MUSIC&RIOTS Magazine|date=March 22, 2022|access-date=March 19, 2025}}</ref> Later that year, in October, they released their third studio, ''Bellevue'', also produced by Powell.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Solomon |first1=Rosie |title=The Bobby Lees Announce Brand New Full-Length, Bellevue|url=https://www.rarelyunable.com/the-bobby-lees-announce-brand-new-full-length-bellevue/|work=Rarely Unable|date=August 3, 2022|access-date=March 19, 2025}}</ref>

On November 2, 2023, the band announced they were going on hiatus after completing their scheduled performances. In a statement on social media, they criticized streaming services, particularly Spotify, for devaluing music, making it difficult for mid-sized bands to sustain themselves.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Bobby Lees announce hiatus|date=November 2, 2023 |url=https://www.punknews.org/article/81332/the-bobby-lees-announce-hiatus|access-date=March 30, 2025}}</ref> After announcing their hiatus, actor Jason Momoa contacted the band and offered to finance a new album. Reflecting on his decision, Momoa stated, "I wanted to use my voice and platform to help in any way possible. Bands like this should be all over the world. They are amazing artists, and they deserve our support."<ref>{{cite web|title=The Music Industry Doesn't Know What to Do With The Bobby Lees|url=https://www.pastemagazine.com/music/the-bobby-lees/what-happened-to-the-bobby-lees|access-date=March 25, 2025}}</ref>

On October 9, 2025, the band announced that they had signed with Epitaph Records and release their first single with the label, "Napoleon".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Taylor |first=Sam |date=October 9, 2025 |title=The Bobby Lees have signed to Epitaph Records and released their new single "Napoleon" |url=https://readdork.com/news/the-bobby-lees-sign-to-epitaph/ |access-date=October 20, 2025 |work=Dork}}</ref>

==Discography== ===Studio albums=== * ''Beauty Pageant'' (February 2, 2018) * ''Skin Suit'' (July 17, 2020) * ''Bellevue'' (October 7, 2022)

===EPs=== * ''Hollywood Junkyard'' (2022)

===Live albums=== * ''Beauty Pageant Redux'' (2019)

=== Singles === * "Napoleon" (2025)

==References== {{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bobby Lees, The}} Category:Garage rock groups from New York (state) Category:Punk rock groups from New York (state) Category:Musical quartets from New York (state) Category:Female-fronted musical groups Category:Mixed-gender musical quartets Category:Alive Naturalsound Records artists Category:Ipecac Recordings artists Category:Musical groups established in 2018 Category:2018 establishments in New York (state)