Impaler
Encyclopedia
Impaler is a Minnesota
horror metal band from the Twin Cities
. Impaler formed in the spring of 1983 with founding members Bill Lindsey (vocals), Michael James Torok (guitar), "Commander" Court Hawley (bass), Robert "Meaty Bob" Johnson (drums), and Mike Senn (guitar). The band played original songs sprinkled with a few covers by favorite influential bands such as Kiss
, Alice Cooper
, and Motorhead. Bill Lindsey is the sole member of Impaler, keeping the band alive for more than 28 years.
Impaler has a theatrical show which features fake blood, cages, coffins, latex severed heads
and a finale that includes a mock disemboweling of victims.
and lead to the band being signed to the in-house labels IRD Records and Combat Records
. They released two records with these labels, the first being the Rise Of The Mutants
EP (1985)which caused much controversy with Tipper Gore
and her P.M.R.C. organization. The record cover was also used as a prop in the cult horror movie Trick or Treat
.
of Husker Du
.
Although this would be the end of their relationship with Combat Records
the band would go on to release many more albums with various labels.
" on Channel 83 Records with 2nd guitarist John Stradinger , followed by a demo tape "Sonic Freak Show" in 1995 and a self financed release on the band's own Vlad Productions titled "Undead Things
"(1996),"It Won't Die
" came in 1998 after Impaler signed with ROOT OF ALL EVIL Records. That label also released "One Nation Under Ground
" (which debuted current drummer Tom Croxton),"The Gruesome Years" which featured the two Combat releases and additional bonus tracks, plus the Black Leather Monster 7" vinyl and a 7" E.P. titled "The Mutants Rise Again" for Danish label HORROR RECORDS. At this point the band appeared at high profile Metal Festivals like Milwaukee Metal Fest, New Jersey March Metal Meltdown, Classic Metal Fest and Expo Of The Extreme exposing fans to their raw punk/metal sound and energetic, theatrical stage show.
","Habeas Corpus
" which were the last for ROOT OF ALL EVIL Records. Habeas Corpus marked the return of original bassist Court Hawley.
The band signed with MVD Audio for the first official live recording by the band "Alive Beyond The Grave" and their first concept cd "Cryptozoology (Creatures Of God?)", which marked the return of original guitarist Michael James Torok,as well as two dvds "20 Years Undead" and "House Band At The Funeral Parlor" plus two split 7" singles for "666 Dreary Lane" which also featured fellow Minnesota band RIPSNORTER and "Jersey Devil/Impaler" back with two tracks by Iowa Grind/Crust band BLACK MARKET FETUS. In 2010 Impaler released an album containing old demo's of their unreleased songs, as well as cover songs, a live show, and a twenty page booklet that contained an interview with band members and rare photos of the group.
Again in 1996, when "Undead Thing's" was released, it sparked controversy with Best Buy
. Best Buy tried to remove the cd from store shelves thinking the cover was to graphic, showing Lindsey split open with surgical tools still attached to him.
. Some of Impaler's songs have sexual meanings to them, most recognized "Crack That Whip" and "Breathing Down Your Back". In their time, Impaler has never wanted their songs to deal with religion.
Present
Past
EP'S
Demo's
Compilations
Video's
Live Albums
Filmography
Minnesota
Minnesota is a U.S. state located in the Midwestern United States. The twelfth largest state of the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with 5.3 million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state...
horror metal band from the Twin Cities
Twin cities
Twin cities are a special case of two cities or urban centres which are founded in close geographic proximity and then grow into each other over time...
. Impaler formed in the spring of 1983 with founding members Bill Lindsey (vocals), Michael James Torok (guitar), "Commander" Court Hawley (bass), Robert "Meaty Bob" Johnson (drums), and Mike Senn (guitar). The band played original songs sprinkled with a few covers by favorite influential bands such as Kiss
KISS (band)
Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
, Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper
Alice Cooper is an American rock singer, songwriter and musician whose career spans more than four decades...
, and Motorhead. Bill Lindsey is the sole member of Impaler, keeping the band alive for more than 28 years.
Impaler has a theatrical show which features fake blood, cages, coffins, latex severed heads
and a finale that includes a mock disemboweling of victims.
Rise Of The Mutants
Impaler recorded demo tapes which caught the ear of Important Record Distributorsand lead to the band being signed to the in-house labels IRD Records and Combat Records
Combat Records
Combat Records was an independent record label from New York City. The label was home to predominantly metal and punk rock acts including Megadeth, Circle Jerks, Nuclear Assault, Death, Dead Brain Cells, Possessed, Crumbsuckers, Agnostic Front, Agent Steel, Dark Angel, Heathen, Zoetrope and...
. They released two records with these labels, the first being the Rise Of The Mutants
Rise Of The Mutants
Rise of the Mutants is the first release by horror rock group Impaler. It was their first album released through Combat Records.- Personal :Line-up*Bill Lindsey - vocals*Michael James Torok - guitars*Meaty Bob Johnson - drums*Commander Court Hawley - bass...
EP (1985)which caused much controversy with Tipper Gore
Tipper Gore
Mary Elizabeth "Tipper" Gore , née Aitcheson, is an author, photographer, former second lady of the United States, and the estranged wife of Al Gore...
and her P.M.R.C. organization. The record cover was also used as a prop in the cult horror movie Trick or Treat
Trick or Treat (1986 film)
Trick or Treat is a 1986 horror film by De Laurentiis Entertainment Group, starring Marc Price, Tony Fields, and Lisa Orgolini, with special appearances by Gene Simmons and Ozzy Osbourne.-Plot:...
.
End with Combat Records
Impaler's second record was the LP If We Had Brains... We'd Be Dangerous (1986), which was produced by Bob MouldBob Mould
Robert Arthur "Bob" Mould is an American musician, principally known for his work as guitarist, vocalist and songwriter for alternative rock bands Hüsker Dü in the 1980s and Sugar in the 1990s.-Early life:...
of Husker Du
Husker Du
Husker Du means "Do you remember" in Danish and Norwegian, and may refer to:*Hüsker Dü, American punk band*Hūsker Dū?, a Danish board game*Husker Du, a Danish documentary series about the 1970s...
.
Although this would be the end of their relationship with Combat Records
Combat Records
Combat Records was an independent record label from New York City. The label was home to predominantly metal and punk rock acts including Megadeth, Circle Jerks, Nuclear Assault, Death, Dead Brain Cells, Possessed, Crumbsuckers, Agnostic Front, Agent Steel, Dark Angel, Heathen, Zoetrope and...
the band would go on to release many more albums with various labels.
1990's
The 1990s was a prolific decade for Impaler. Seeing the band release four cd's-"Wake Up Screaming!Wake Up Screaming!
Wake Up Screaming! is a 1990 metal album by horror rock group Impaler. It was released through Channel 83 Records.- Track listing :# "Call of the Wild"# "Abomination"# "Breathing Down Your Back"# "Monkey See, Monkey Do"# "Island of the Damned"...
" on Channel 83 Records with 2nd guitarist John Stradinger , followed by a demo tape "Sonic Freak Show" in 1995 and a self financed release on the band's own Vlad Productions titled "Undead Things
Undead Things
Undead Things is a 1996 metal album by horror rock group Impaler. It was their first album released independently.- Track listing :# Dying To Meet You# Stomp Me Down# Tall, Dark And Gruesome# Superhuman# King Of The Freaks# Pet Cemetery# Undead Things...
"(1996),"It Won't Die
It Won't Die
It Won't Die is a 1998 metal album by horror rock group Impaler. It was their first album to be released through Root of All Evil Records.- Track listing :#Goblin Queen#Viva Santo It Won't Die is a 1998 metal album by horror rock group Impaler. It was their first album to be released through Root...
" came in 1998 after Impaler signed with ROOT OF ALL EVIL Records. That label also released "One Nation Under Ground
One Nation Under Ground
One Nation Under Ground is a metal album by horror rock group Impaler.- Track Listing :# I Walk Again# Cage Match Tragedy# Under The Dirt# Beautiful Monstrosity# Revenge Of The Lizard Man# Dead As A Doornail# Girl Of My Screams# Mad Caps And Lunatics...
" (which debuted current drummer Tom Croxton),"The Gruesome Years" which featured the two Combat releases and additional bonus tracks, plus the Black Leather Monster 7" vinyl and a 7" E.P. titled "The Mutants Rise Again" for Danish label HORROR RECORDS. At this point the band appeared at high profile Metal Festivals like Milwaukee Metal Fest, New Jersey March Metal Meltdown, Classic Metal Fest and Expo Of The Extreme exposing fans to their raw punk/metal sound and energetic, theatrical stage show.
2000's
Impaler continued a high rate of output over the past decade. Releasing four cds-"Old School GhoulsOld School Ghouls
- Track Listing :*1. The Worms*2. Legend Ot The 13 Grave*3. Decayed*4. My Mephsito*5. Dead Tired*6. Dead Babies*7. Mutated Genetic Monster*8. Master Of Disaster*9. Blood Of The Vampire*10. Psycho Therapy*11. Superhuman *12. 666 Dreary Lane...
","Habeas Corpus
Habeas corpus
is a writ, or legal action, through which a prisoner can be released from unlawful detention. The remedy can be sought by the prisoner or by another person coming to his aid. Habeas corpus originated in the English legal system, but it is now available in many nations...
" which were the last for ROOT OF ALL EVIL Records. Habeas Corpus marked the return of original bassist Court Hawley.
The band signed with MVD Audio for the first official live recording by the band "Alive Beyond The Grave" and their first concept cd "Cryptozoology (Creatures Of God?)", which marked the return of original guitarist Michael James Torok,as well as two dvds "20 Years Undead" and "House Band At The Funeral Parlor" plus two split 7" singles for "666 Dreary Lane" which also featured fellow Minnesota band RIPSNORTER and "Jersey Devil/Impaler" back with two tracks by Iowa Grind/Crust band BLACK MARKET FETUS. In 2010 Impaler released an album containing old demo's of their unreleased songs, as well as cover songs, a live show, and a twenty page booklet that contained an interview with band members and rare photos of the group.
Controversy
Impaler had much controversy in the 1980's with Tipper Gore and her P.M.R.C. group. During this time, Gore wanted the public to think of rock music as evil and would spread violence and a sexual image to young kids. When "Rise Of The Mutants" was released in 1985, it struck the entertainment industry with its violent and gory album cover. Outside of Impaler concerts, protesters would burn the album and hang crosses. Tipper Gore tried to get the album off of record store shelves, but failed to do so, giving Impaler more publicity than they expected.Again in 1996, when "Undead Thing's" was released, it sparked controversy with Best Buy
Best Buy
Best Buy Co., Inc. is an American specialty retailer of consumer electronics in the United States, accounting for 19% of the market. It also operates in Mexico, Canada & China. The company's subsidiaries include Geek Squad, CinemaNow, Magnolia Audio Video, Pacific Sales, and, in Canada operates...
. Best Buy tried to remove the cd from store shelves thinking the cover was to graphic, showing Lindsey split open with surgical tools still attached to him.
Lyrical Themes
Impaler's writng style generally is about B movie horrors. Their lyrics can be from halloween, ghouls, ghosts, monsters, witches, and skeletons. One song, "Heaven's Force", has some double meaning with religion and the movie Star WarsStar Wars
Star Wars is an American epic space opera film series created by George Lucas. The first film in the series was originally released on May 25, 1977, under the title Star Wars, by 20th Century Fox, and became a worldwide pop culture phenomenon, followed by two sequels, released at three-year...
. Some of Impaler's songs have sexual meanings to them, most recognized "Crack That Whip" and "Breathing Down Your Back". In their time, Impaler has never wanted their songs to deal with religion.
Members
| Role | Year | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983–1984 | 1985–1987 | 1987–1992 | 1992 | 1993–1996 | 1996-2000 | 2000-2005 | 2005-2006 | 2006-2008 | 2009–2012 | |||
| Vocals | Bill Lindsey | |||||||||||
| 2nd Vocals | Dr. Corpse | |||||||||||
| Guitar | Michael James Torok | Bradly J(Johnson) | Michael James Torok | |||||||||
| Bass | Court Hawley | Erik Allyn(Mitchell) | Court Hawley | |||||||||
| 2nd Guitar | Mike Senn | John Stradinger | Mike Senn | Nikki Nichols | Kyle Skogquist | |||||||
| Drums | Bob Johnson | Erin Ryan | Ron Barna | Tom Croxton | ||||||||
Present
- Bill Lindsey-vocals
- Michael James Torok-guitar,backing vocals
- "Commander" Court Hawley-bass,backing vocals
- Dr. Corpse(Zach Lindsey)-backing vocals
- Tom Croxton-drums,keyboards(studio only)
- Kyle Skogquist-guitar,backing vocals
Past
- Mike Senn-guitar,backing vocals
- "Meaty" Robert Johnson-Drums
- John Stradinger-guitar
- Erin Ryan-drums
- Ken LaMere-drums
- Erik Allyn(Mitchell)-bass,backing vocals
- Nikki Nichols(David O'Steen)-guitar, backing vocals
- Ron Barna-drums-
- Bradly J(Johnson)-guitar, backing vocals
Discography
Studio Albums- If We Had Brains... We'd Be Dangerous!If We Had Brains... We'd Be Dangerous!If We Had Brains... We'd Be Dangerous is a 1986 metal album by horror rock group Impaler. The album is Impaler's second release through Combat Records, and was to be their last with Combat.- Track listing :# "Blood Bath"# "Puppet Master"...
(1986) - Wake Up Screaming!Wake Up Screaming!Wake Up Screaming! is a 1990 metal album by horror rock group Impaler. It was released through Channel 83 Records.- Track listing :# "Call of the Wild"# "Abomination"# "Breathing Down Your Back"# "Monkey See, Monkey Do"# "Island of the Damned"...
(1990) - Undead ThingsUndead ThingsUndead Things is a 1996 metal album by horror rock group Impaler. It was their first album released independently.- Track listing :# Dying To Meet You# Stomp Me Down# Tall, Dark And Gruesome# Superhuman# King Of The Freaks# Pet Cemetery# Undead Things...
(1996) - It Won't DieIt Won't DieIt Won't Die is a 1998 metal album by horror rock group Impaler. It was their first album to be released through Root of All Evil Records.- Track listing :#Goblin Queen#Viva Santo It Won't Die is a 1998 metal album by horror rock group Impaler. It was their first album to be released through Root...
(1998) - One Nation Under GroundOne Nation Under GroundOne Nation Under Ground is a metal album by horror rock group Impaler.- Track Listing :# I Walk Again# Cage Match Tragedy# Under The Dirt# Beautiful Monstrosity# Revenge Of The Lizard Man# Dead As A Doornail# Girl Of My Screams# Mad Caps And Lunatics...
(2000) - Old School GhoulsOld School Ghouls- Track Listing :*1. The Worms*2. Legend Ot The 13 Grave*3. Decayed*4. My Mephsito*5. Dead Tired*6. Dead Babies*7. Mutated Genetic Monster*8. Master Of Disaster*9. Blood Of The Vampire*10. Psycho Therapy*11. Superhuman *12. 666 Dreary Lane...
(2002) - Habeas Corpus (2005)
- Cryptozoology (Creatures of God?) (2009)
EP'S
- Rise Of The MutantsRise Of The MutantsRise of the Mutants is the first release by horror rock group Impaler. It was their first album released through Combat Records.- Personal :Line-up*Bill Lindsey - vocals*Michael James Torok - guitars*Meaty Bob Johnson - drums*Commander Court Hawley - bass...
(1985) - The Mutants Rise Again (2002)
Demo's
- FEAR NO EVIL Demo (1982)
- Demo 1 (1983)
- Demo 2 (1983)
- Demo 3 (1984)
- Demo '87 (1987)
- Minneapolis School of Arts Demo (1990)
- Daddy Raw Demo (1992)
- Sonic Freak Show (1995)
Compilations
- The Gruesome Years (1998)
- Chronicles of Terror (2010)
Video's
- 20 Years Undead (2004)
- House Band at the Funeral Parlor (2006)
Live Albums
- Alive Beyond the Grave (2006)
Filmography
- Impaler's EP Rise Of The Mutants apears in the cult horror film Trick or TreatTrick or TreatTrick or Treat is a 1952 American animated short film produced by Walt Disney Productions and released by RKO Radio Pictures. The cartoon, which takes place on Halloween night, follows a series of pranks between Donald Duck and his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie who are aided by Witch Hazel...
.
External links
- [ Impaler] at Allmusic