Sebastian Murphy is the chaotic frontman of Viagra Boys. Known for his energetic stage presence and unpredictable personality, few people know that the Swedish-American singer had no plans of becoming a musician. In this article, we’ll take a deep dive into everything from his troubled upbringing in California to his unexpected path to becoming the frontman of Viagra Boys.
Upbringing
Sebastian Murphy was born in 1990 and grew up in the town of San Rafael, California. He admits to having two strict parents who never let him drink soda or watch TV. His father worked at a bank and his mother at a travel agency. “I quickly developed a strong hatred for society and what was expected of me” Murphy tells a Swedish newspaper.
According to Murphy himself, he developed his interest in music through a childhood friend’s father who showed him alternative music, including bands like Flipper and Pere Ubu. He was also influenced by his dad playing bands such as Joy Division, Hank Williams and Sex Pistols.
Teenage years and the move to Sweden
Murphy states that he first got arrested for underage drinking at 15. During the following years, he kept getting in trouble and started abusing drugs and alcohol. It eventually led to him getting sent to rehab. Soon after, he decided he didn’t want to return to high school and fall into the same old patterns, so at the age of 17 he packed his things and moved in with his aunt in Stockholm, Sweden.
After dropping out of high school, Murphy started working as a tattoo artist. He has many tattoos himself, the most prominent being the one on his forehead reading “lös,” a Swedish word meaning “loose.”
How Viagra Boys met
When Henrik Höckert and Sebastian Murphy met through a mutual friend in Stockholm in 2015, a night of drinking led them to a karaoke bar. After hearing Murphy deliver a chaotic but passionate rendition of Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together,” the idea of forming a band was born.
The band was named Viagra Boys after a suggestion from a friend and the band’s first single “Can’t Get It Up” plays on the same theme. Murphy admits to having a hard time performing sober during the first years. “I couldn’t think of anything worse than singing and dancing in front of people. It was the most ridiculous thing I had ever experienced. I still feel that way sometimes, but it’s easier today.” Murphy told a Swedish newspaper in 2022.
The success of Viagra Boys
Viagra Boys grew steadily in the years following their formation and were signed early on to YEAR0001, the Swedish label that also worked with artists such as Yung Lean, Bladee and Provoker. In the early years, the band’s relentless touring went hand in hand with a chaotic lifestyle. In recent years, however, they have taken a more professional approach, establishing routines around recording, rehearsing and touring.
Over the past year alone, Viagra Boys have played several massive headline shows in London and Stockholm, drawing crowds of more than 10,000.
How Sebastian Murphy stands out as a frontman
What makes Murphy stand out as a frontman is the contrast between his larger-than-life stage presence and his introspective lyrics and personality. On stage, he comes across as reckless and carefree, but in interviews he often shows a completely different side. He talks openly about his interest in history, card games and living a quieter life away from touring. Through his lyrics, we also get glimpses of a more vulnerable side, as he openly reflects on his insecurities and shortcomings.
Conclusion
Bands have become increasingly rare in mainstream music, and with them, so have the larger-than-life frontmen once associated with rock and punk. Sebastian Murphy stands out as a prime example of what a modern frontman can look like.