Corps-a-corps

Corps-a-Corps is the name of a Pompton Lakes High School band form in 1986 by four fencers. In fencing term, corps-a-corps literally means "body-to-body"; illegal physical contact between the two fencers during a bout, in foil and sabre. In 1986, Thuy LeDinh had acquired several MusicAL instruments from Sears Outlet store, none of which he knew how to play. As a creative outlet from competitive fencing, he and three other teammates form a band they proudly proclaim as “a band without any musical talent.”

Members of the band were Derek DesJardin (lead singer), Jeff Graves (guitar), and Henry Chou (drums). Thuy LeDinh played the bass guitar.

History

Their first album included five songs, all written during their lunch hour at school. The band enjoyed small success among friends and family but received no formal recognition, no contract offers from recording studios, and never performed in public.

Their follow up album “Penguin State of Mind” in 1987 was accidentally recorded over the master copy of their first self entitled album and wiped out their original recording. One copy of the original album was made, but its location is currently unknown. “Penguin State of Mind” was the only song on the second album of the same name.

At the time of the recording of “Penguin State of Mind,” the band was reeling from the departure of their lead singer, Derek DesJardin, who was cashing in on his recent fame, decided to go "solo" and hooked up with another high school band. That band performed in one public appearance and was never heard from again. Jeff became the lead singer in the second album and now “Penguin State of Mind” is the only remaining recorded song from the now defunct Corps-a-Corp.