Editing Nerf Herder (section)

== History ==
{{more citations needed section|date=July 2016}}
Nerf Herder was formed in Santa Barbara in 1994 by [[Parry Gripp]] (vocals, guitar), Charlie Dennis (bass), and Steve Sherlock (drums). Dennis left the band after the release of their debut [[Nerf Herder (album)|self-titled album]], and was replaced first by Pete Newbury, with Dave Ehrlich also joining as a second guitarist.<ref name="deseret" /> Newbury's tenure touring with the band was, however, short-lived. He was briefly replaced in 1999 by bassist [[Marko DeSantis|Marko 72]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.answers.com/topic/nerf-herder |title=Nerf Herder: Information from |publisher=Answers.com |access-date=2012-04-09}}</ref> and then by [[Justin Fisher (musician)|Justin Fisher]],<ref name="deseret" /> who played bass and keyboards on two albums (''How To Meet Girls'' & ''American Cheese'').

In 1999, Nerf Herder asked Arista to release them from their contract, so they could move forward with a new record, ''[[How to Meet Girls]]'', with [[Honest Don's Records]], a subsidiary of [[Fat Wreck Chords]]. A special EP for My Records (run by Joey Cape from [[Lagwagon]]) titled ''My EP'' was released in 2001, and was followed in 2002 by their album ''[[American Cheese (album)|American Cheese]]''.

The band wrote and performed the theme song for the TV series ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer'' (1997). In April 2003, Nerf Herder appeared as the musical guest in the final-season ''Buffy'' episode "[[Empty Places]]" – the very last band to play at The Bronze. Their special connection to the series was further acknowledged by a bit of dialogue, as "Rock City News" played in the background:

<blockquote><poem>[[Kennedy (Buffyverse)|Kennedy]]: What kind of band plays during an apocalypse?
[[Dawn Summers|Dawn]]: I think this band might actually be one of the signs.</poem></blockquote>

By 2003, after the final ''American Cheese'' tour dates—during which time Ben Pringle (also of [[The Rentals]] during 2005–2008) had replaced Fisher (who had left amicably to front his own band, Psoma)—the band disintegrated. No official split was announced, but a post by Gripp on the band's website some time afterwards detailed how most of the former band members had gone on to get normal jobs.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://techland.time.com/2008/07/03/parry_gripp_of_nerf_herder_the/ |title =Parry Gripp of Nerf Herder: The Nerd World Interview|publisher = [[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date = 3 July 2008 |access-date= 2013-03-14 }}</ref> Gripp did some work as a [[jingle]] writer, which led to his 2005 solo album ''For Those About to Shop, We Salute You'', a 51-track [[concept album]] mimicking various musical styles and focusing on product commercialization.<ref name=abouttoshop>{{cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/for-those-about-to-shop-we-salute-you-mw0000204583 |title=For Those About to Shop, We Salute You - Parry Gripp - Songs, Reviews, Credits |publisher=[[AllMusic]] |access-date=2017-11-03}}</ref>

In late 2006, Nerf Herder made a surprise comeback, announcing on their website that they were playing a handful of gigs with the original lineup of Gripp, Dennis, and Sherlock. For Gripp's May 7, 2007 review of the day, he announced that the original lineup had finally finished recording their 4th album, which did not have a title at that time.  Gripp stated that he wanted the title to be ''Brownerton'', but that idea was shot down. He also stated that of the 13 songs recorded, they would probably pick 10 to be on the album. In June 2007, the band decided on the title ''Nerf Herder IV'', and the album was released through [[Oglio Records]] on April 29, 2008.  Pringle returned, and Former [[Size 14]] singer [[Linus of Hollywood]] joined the live band (playing guitar and keyboard) in early 2008 for a series of West Coast shows and a short tour of Japan.

In 2014, Nerf Herder began working on album number five, titled ''[[Rockingham (album)|Rockingham]]'', which was released on March 11, 2016.<ref name=pledgemusic>{{cite web|url=http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/nerfherder |title=Nerf Herder: The New Album on PledgeMusic |publisher=Pledgemusic.com |access-date=2015-05-05}}</ref>

As of 2019, Nerf Herder has continued to perform live and is currently writing and recording new material.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/nerfrock/ |title=Nerf Herder - Home |publisher=facebook.com |access-date=2019-08-08}}</ref>

As of 2025, Nerf Herder are still currently active touring. The band have a [https://www.instagram.com/p/DFxOdqhx0_q/?hl=en european tour planned for July]