Riding the fine line between obnoxious skate punk and sodden metal, Murphy's Law came out of New York City's mid-'80s hardcore scene, and formed in Astoria, Queens around vocalist Jimmy Gestapo, but the group's frequently-shifting lineup also included guitarists Todd Youth, Alex Morris and Jack Flanagan; bassists Pete Martinez, Chuck Valle and Dean; and drummers Doug E. Beans and Eric Arce. The group's self-titled debut, released on Profile in 1986, contained the usual '80s subjects -- boredom, alienation, weed, beer, etc. -- but the songs were definitely there, and Murphy's Law improved even more with their second album, 1989's Back with a Bong! The band was on the Profile-associated Combat Records for 1991's The Best of Times, but recorded little during the early '90s. In 1995, Murphy's Law came back with an EP and the full-length Dedication the following year. Best of Times/Good for Now EP arrived in 2000. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide