Phobia (band)
Encyclopedia
Phobia is a Grindcore
band from Orange County
, California
. The band was formed in 1990 and is heavily influenced by crust punk
and grindcore
. Their lyrical content focuses mainly on socio-political issues and left-wing politics
.
The band followed up with the All That Remains 7" E.P., released on Relapse Records
. In 1994 Phobia released the Return to Desolation CD/E.P. and went on a small west coast tour with well-known hardcore punk
bands, such as Capitalist Casualties
. In 1997 Slap-a-Ham Records
released the Enslaved 7" E.P. and went on yet another west coast tour.
Phobia's first full length record entitled Means of Existence was released by Slap a Ham in 1998 as they embarked on a full U.S. tour.
In 1999 the band recorded a split with the Japanese band Corrupted
on Rhetoric Records as well as the CD/E.P. "Destroying the Masses". 1999 also brought the bands first European tour, going on for a lengthy two months, playing countries like Belgium
, Germany
, Austria
, Scotland
and Holland.
In 2001 the band toured with Anarchus in Mexico
.
After returning from Mexico, the band released their "Serenity Through Pain" CD/E.P. on Deathvomit Records.
Yet again, the band toured the U.S. with then-labelmates Circle of Dead Children
on the Grind Your Fucking Head In tour. September 2001 brought another west coast tour with melodic death metal
band, Darkest Hour.
2002 brought another tour to support their Serenity Through Pain and also re-issue of Return to Desolation. The band toured the west coast yet again with Pungent Stench, returned to Europe in May 2003, and released the Grind Your Fucking Head In CD.
2005 sees the departure of founding member Bruce Reeves and is replaced by Leon Delmuerte on Bass.
In 2006, the group released the album Cruel, which was Danny Walker's first album with the band. The album was produced by Scott Hull of Pig Destroyer
.
22 Random Acts of Violence. was released October 22 on Willowtip Records
. Leon del Muerte left the band prior to the album's release in order to concentrate on his Murder Construct
project. Ross Sewage of Impaled
temporarily replaced him for a tour they did following the release of "22 random acts of violence" dubbed the "War on Everything tour". The tour featured bands that were exclusively signed to Willowtip and was composed of Impaled, Phobia, Malignancy (band)
, Kill the client, Maruta
, and Illogicist.
The band later parted ways permanently with Danny Walker, and replaced him with longtime Phobia touring drummer Bryan Fajardo (also of Gridlink, Kill the client, and Noisear). Their new and permanent bass player slot is now occupied by Calum Mackenzie. This line-up was featured on their most recent tour with Municipal waste and others.
Former Members:
Grindcore
Grindcore is an extreme genre of music that started in the early- to mid-1980s. It draws inspiration from some of the most abrasive music genres – including death metal, industrial music, noise and the more extreme varieties of hardcore punk....
band from Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The band was formed in 1990 and is heavily influenced by crust punk
Crust punk
Crust punk is a form of music influenced by anarcho-punk, hardcore punk and extreme metal. The style, which evolved in the mid-1980s in England, often has songs with dark and pessimistic lyrics that linger on political and social ills...
and grindcore
Grindcore
Grindcore is an extreme genre of music that started in the early- to mid-1980s. It draws inspiration from some of the most abrasive music genres – including death metal, industrial music, noise and the more extreme varieties of hardcore punk....
. Their lyrical content focuses mainly on socio-political issues and left-wing politics
Left-wing politics
In politics, Left, left-wing and leftist generally refer to support for social change to create a more egalitarian society...
.
History
The band was formed in 1990 by founding members Shane McLachlan, Bruce Reeves (Mange), (Destroyed In Seconds), Zach Southall, and Marco Soriano, recording the "What Went Wrong?" demo soon after they formed.The band followed up with the All That Remains 7" E.P., released on Relapse Records
Relapse Records
Relapse Records is an independent record label based in Upper Darby, Pennsylvania. It was founded by Matthew F. Jacobson in 1990.-History:The label was started by Matthew F. Jacobson in August, 1990 in his parents' basement in Aurora, Colorado...
. In 1994 Phobia released the Return to Desolation CD/E.P. and went on a small west coast tour with well-known hardcore punk
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
bands, such as Capitalist Casualties
Capitalist Casualties
-Discography:*Nuclear National Park demo *The Art of Ballistics EP *Disassembly Line LP *Raised Ignorant EP *split EP with The Dread *split EP with Discordance Axis *split EP with Millions of Dead Cops...
. In 1997 Slap-a-Ham Records
Slap-a-Ham Records
Slap A Ham Records was a hardcore punk, thrash metal and grindcore label from San Francisco, California owned and operated by Chris Dodge of Spazz, Despise You, Lack Of Interest and several other bands.-Discography:Published albums include:...
released the Enslaved 7" E.P. and went on yet another west coast tour.
Phobia's first full length record entitled Means of Existence was released by Slap a Ham in 1998 as they embarked on a full U.S. tour.
In 1999 the band recorded a split with the Japanese band Corrupted
Corrupted (band)
Corrupted are a Japanese doom/sludge metal band. They are known for their antipathy towards mainstream acceptance, even in their subgenre, which naturally tends towards obscurity. This is reflected not only in their dark and oppressive musical style but their reclusive nature, avoiding interviews...
on Rhetoric Records as well as the CD/E.P. "Destroying the Masses". 1999 also brought the bands first European tour, going on for a lengthy two months, playing countries like Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
and Holland.
In 2001 the band toured with Anarchus in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
.
After returning from Mexico, the band released their "Serenity Through Pain" CD/E.P. on Deathvomit Records.
Yet again, the band toured the U.S. with then-labelmates Circle of Dead Children
Circle of Dead Children
Circle of Dead Children is a deathgrind band formed on October 24, 1998, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania known for being purveyors of pure aural destruction with their claustrophobic, dense take on extreme metal...
on the Grind Your Fucking Head In tour. September 2001 brought another west coast tour with melodic death metal
Melodic death metal
Melodic death metal is a heavy metal music style that combines elements from the New Wave of British Heavy Metal with elements of death metal. The style was developed during the early and mid-1990s, primarily in England and Scandinavia...
band, Darkest Hour.
2002 brought another tour to support their Serenity Through Pain and also re-issue of Return to Desolation. The band toured the west coast yet again with Pungent Stench, returned to Europe in May 2003, and released the Grind Your Fucking Head In CD.
2005 sees the departure of founding member Bruce Reeves and is replaced by Leon Delmuerte on Bass.
In 2006, the group released the album Cruel, which was Danny Walker's first album with the band. The album was produced by Scott Hull of Pig Destroyer
Pig Destroyer
-Biography:The band formed in 1997 with vocalist J. R. Hayes , guitarist Scott Hull , and drummer John Evans. Evans was later replaced by Brian Harvey...
.
22 Random Acts of Violence. was released October 22 on Willowtip Records
Willowtip Records
Willowtip Records is an independently owned and distributed heavy metal record label headquartered in Zelienople, Pennsylvania.-Background:Willowtip Records was founded in 2000 by Jason Tipton with a partner named Willosin, who is no longer involved with the label. The combination of the two names...
. Leon del Muerte left the band prior to the album's release in order to concentrate on his Murder Construct
Murder Construct
Murder Construct is an American deathgrind band from Los Angeles, California. The band members are Travis Ryan , Leon del Muerte , Kevin Fetus , Caleb Schneider and Danny Walker .Murder Construct was formed in 2001 following Leon del...
project. Ross Sewage of Impaled
Impaled (band)
Impaled is a death metal/goregrind band from Oakland, California.-History:The band's name is an acronym, standing for: Impaled - Immoral Medical Practitioners And Licentious Evil-Doers...
temporarily replaced him for a tour they did following the release of "22 random acts of violence" dubbed the "War on Everything tour". The tour featured bands that were exclusively signed to Willowtip and was composed of Impaled, Phobia, Malignancy (band)
Malignancy (band)
Malignancy is a technical death metal band from Yonkers, New York formed in 1992.-Overview:Malignancy is recognized as one of the longest standing and well-known death metal bands in the New York death metal scene along with Incantation, Mortician and Suffocation.-History:Malignancy formed in...
, Kill the client, Maruta
Maruta
Maruta may refer to:* A special project code-name of a Japanese military unit during the Second World War. They performed biological and chemical experiments on alive prisoners. 'Maruta' means "wood log" indicating that they treated those prisoners as non-living experimental subjects. It is also...
, and Illogicist.
The band later parted ways permanently with Danny Walker, and replaced him with longtime Phobia touring drummer Bryan Fajardo (also of Gridlink, Kill the client, and Noisear). Their new and permanent bass player slot is now occupied by Calum Mackenzie. This line-up was featured on their most recent tour with Municipal waste and others.
Members
Current:- Shane MacLachlan - Vocals (live), Guitar/Bass/Vocals (studio)
- Steve Burda - Guitar (live), Guitar/Bass (studio)
- Brian Fajardo - Drums (Noisear, Kill The Client, Gridlink,
- Cece L. - (So Unloved - Guitar (live 2010-)
- Calum M. - Bass
Former Members:
- Bruce Reeves (Mange, Destroyed In Seconds) - Guitar (1990–1997), Bass (1999–2004)
- Zach Southhall - Guitar (1990–1991)
- Leon del Muerte (ExhumedExhumed (band)Exhumed is an American death metal band from San Jose, California, most recently signed to Relapse Records. They were formed in 1990, when sole remaining founding member Matt Harvey was at the age of 15. Exhumed spent much of the ensuing decade hacking its way through numerous demos, split CDs,...
, ImpaledImpaled (band)Impaled is a death metal/goregrind band from Oakland, California.-History:The band's name is an acronym, standing for: Impaled - Immoral Medical Practitioners And Licentious Evil-Doers...
, Intronaut, Destroyed In Seconds) - Bass/vocals (live), Guitar/Bass (studio) - Mike Kelly (Cantakerous) - Bass
- Shawn Bryan (ApocalypseApocalypse (band)Apocalypse is a progressive rock band from Brazil that plays symphonic rock with strong electronic keyboard orientation. Many influences can be noticed among their discography, but Genesis, Yes, ELP, Pink Floyd, Rush and Marillion are the most present....
) - Bass - Mike Nelson (Gravehill) - Bass
- Jeremy Peto (MorgionMorgion (band)Morgion was a Doom/Death metal band from Orange County, California, United States. Morgion was formed in 1990 by Dwayne Boardman , Jeremy Peto and Rhett Davis . The band recorded their debut “Rabid Decay” demo in 1991, followed by the “Travesty” 7" in 1993...
) - Bass (one show) - Todd Kiessling (DystopiaDystopia (band)Formed in Orange County, California in 1991, Dystopia was a sludge metal band, popular in both the heavy metal and crust punk scenes, due in large part to their bleak, misanthropic imagery...
, Mange) - Bass - Luis Perez - Bass
- Marco Soriano - Drums
- Phil Martinez (DystopiaDystopia (band)Formed in Orange County, California in 1991, Dystopia was a sludge metal band, popular in both the heavy metal and crust punk scenes, due in large part to their bleak, misanthropic imagery...
) - Drums - Raymond Herrera (Fear FactoryFear FactoryFear Factory is an American industrial metal band. Formed in 1989, they have released seven full-length albums and a number of singles and remixes. Over the course of their career they have evolved from a succession of styles, as well as steadily pioneered a combination of the styles death metal,...
) - Drums (in studio on "Return to Desolation") - Dino Somesse (DystopiaDystopia (band)Formed in Orange County, California in 1991, Dystopia was a sludge metal band, popular in both the heavy metal and crust punk scenes, due in large part to their bleak, misanthropic imagery...
) - Drums - Freeway Migliore (Immortal Fate, AbscessAbscess (band)Abscess was a hardcore punk-influenced death metal band from Oakland, California. The band was formed in 1994 by Chris Reifert and Danny Coralles, both former members of Autopsy....
) - Drums - John Haddad - Drums
- Matt Mills (Argento Agenda, Switchblade Sisters) - Drums
- Raymond Banda - Drums
- Bryan Fajardo - Drums
Discography
- "What Went Wrong"(Self Produced Demo, 1990)
- "All That Remains" (Relapse Records, 1992)
- "Return to Desolation" (Relapse Records, 1993)
- "Plutocracy / Phobia Split" (Misanthropic Records, 1994)
- "Enslaved" (Slap-a-Ham Records, 1997)
- "Means of Existence" (Slap-a-Ham Records, 1998)
- "Corrupted / Phobia Split" (Rhetoric Records, 1999)
- "Destroying the Masses" (Pessimiser/Theologian Records, 1999)
- "Serenity Through Pain" (Deathvomit/Deep Six Records, 2001)
- "Phobia/Resist & Exist Split" (Ohev/Profane Existence Records, 2002)
- "Grind Your Fucking Head In" (Deep Six Records, 2003)
- "Get Up & Kill" (Deep Six Records, 2004)
- "My Friends - Our Grind!" (Bezerkerwear, 2004)
- "Relapse Singles Series Compilation Vol.4" (Relapse Records, 2004)
- "Another Four Years of Murder" (Crimes Against Humanity Records, 2006)
- "Cruel" (Willowtip/Deepsix Records, 2006)
- "22 Random Acts of Violence" (Willowtip/Deepix, 2008)
- Phobia/Gadget - Split CD (Haunted Hotel Records,2010)
- Phobia/Extinction Of Mankind - "Fearing The Dissolve Of Humanity" (Agipunk, 2010)
- "Unrelenting" (Relapse, 2010)
External links
- Phobia on Myspace