Six and Violence
Encyclopedia
Six and Violence is a musical group in the genre of New York Hardcore
. Established in Queens
New York in 1985, the band appeared at the seminal club CBGBs and other punk
and heavy metal
related venues in the New York area between 1985 and 2005. The band released 2 full length albums and a series of demos, singles, and EPs throughout their career. Six and Violence is also featured on hardcore and punk compilations from the 1980s and 1990s.
The band consisted of 6 members with line-up changes over 20 years. The most consistent line-up consisted of Kurt Stenzel on vocals, Paul Gazzara on vocals (deceased February 9, 2005), Dave Miranda on drums, Ray Amico on guitar, J. Garino on bass, and Kenneth Kim on cymbals. The live presentation consited of two vocalists, as well as two percussionists who played drums and cymbals in a standing position. The band can be seen in action in a 30 minute television appearance on the Uncle Floyd Show from 1987.
* Guitarist Jim Vafeas and Vocalist Chris Sorgie were among the very first members, later replaced by Ray and Paul.
Six and Violence is notable for being unorthodox within the genre of punk and hardcore, and achieved national college radio play based on comedic elements with songs such as "Golf" and "Planet of the Apes". Six and Violence is also known for musical departures more associated with progressive rock
and Jethro Tull
frontman Ian Anderson
guested on 1990's Lettuce Prey album.
Lyical content varied from the silly "Hamburger Hairdo" to the philosophical, "All my Best Friends are Turning into their Dads" as well as the controversial “I’m Gonna Kick God’s Ass” and “Death to Guidos”.
The band continues to get seasonal radio play with their Christmas single “Xmas Pigs”, an anti-consumerist spin on the Black Sabbath
classic "War Pigs". Their 1991 anti-Gulf War single “Armageddon Outta Here” found relevance with the second U.S. war in Iraq.
Six and Violence is also notable for their use of props and costumes on stage, including men in gorilla suits, women dressed as nuns, and the demolition of television sets and destroying drums with chainsaws. The band was also known for throwing golf balls, hamburgers and bananas at the audience, and often engaged in dangerous stage antics.
Six and Violence shared members with bands such as Ludichrist
and Norman Bates and the Showerheads. Six and Violence was peripherally associated with bands of the New York Hardcore genre such as Sick of it All
, Agnostic Front
, Cro-Mags
, and thrash metal bands such as Anthrax
, Nuclear Assault
, and Crumbsuckers
. In the 1990s the band was associated with New York band No Redeeming Social Value and released two split singles with them, including one with Japanese band Romantic Gorilla.
The full length records are "Lettuce Prey" (Fist Records 1990) and "Petty Staycheck " (Striving For Togetherness Records
1995). Fist records is notable as having released the first Warzone record, and Striving For Togetherness pioneered a resurgence in New York hardcore with releases by Vision of Disorder
, Shutdown, and 25 ta Life
.
Today members of the band continue to make music with projects such as The Magic Elf, Tyrannosaurus Ray, Rock of J.Braltar, Reak & Stump, Cookin’ With Kurt, Lopsided Space Kart and SpacEKrafT. Guitarist Ray Amico is road manager for many established musical acts including his childhood heroes Devo
.
In 2005 Six and Violence was featured on the soundtrack to the Eidos
video game "Backyard Wrestling Vol. 2”
as well as a number of independent films. Despite only two full length recordings, the band retains a loyal cult following in the U.S. and abroad.
In October 2007, Dignified Bastard Records http://www.dignifiedbastard.com/bands/sv.html released a two disc retrospective of the band's career, containing both "Lettuce Prey" and Petty Staycheck" discs as well as rare and unheard gems.
New York hardcore
New York hardcore refers to hardcore punk and metalcore music created in New York City and to the subculture associated with that music. New York hardcore grew out of the hardcore scene established in Washington, D.C., by bands such as Bad Brains and Minor Threat. Hardcore '81 is an album by the...
. Established in Queens
Queens
Queens is the easternmost of the five boroughs of New York City. The largest borough in area and the second-largest in population, it is coextensive with Queens County, an administrative division of New York state, in the United States....
New York in 1985, the band appeared at the seminal club CBGBs and other punk
Punk rock
Punk rock is a rock music genre that developed between 1974 and 1976 in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Rooted in garage rock and other forms of what is now known as protopunk music, punk rock bands eschewed perceived excesses of mainstream 1970s rock...
and heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
related venues in the New York area between 1985 and 2005. The band released 2 full length albums and a series of demos, singles, and EPs throughout their career. Six and Violence is also featured on hardcore and punk compilations from the 1980s and 1990s.
The band consisted of 6 members with line-up changes over 20 years. The most consistent line-up consisted of Kurt Stenzel on vocals, Paul Gazzara on vocals (deceased February 9, 2005), Dave Miranda on drums, Ray Amico on guitar, J. Garino on bass, and Kenneth Kim on cymbals. The live presentation consited of two vocalists, as well as two percussionists who played drums and cymbals in a standing position. The band can be seen in action in a 30 minute television appearance on the Uncle Floyd Show from 1987.
* Guitarist Jim Vafeas and Vocalist Chris Sorgie were among the very first members, later replaced by Ray and Paul.
Six and Violence is notable for being unorthodox within the genre of punk and hardcore, and achieved national college radio play based on comedic elements with songs such as "Golf" and "Planet of the Apes". Six and Violence is also known for musical departures more associated with progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
and Jethro Tull
Jethro Tull (band)
Jethro Tull are a British rock group formed in 1967. Their music is characterised by the vocals, acoustic guitar, and flute playing of Ian Anderson, who has led the band since its founding, and the guitar work of Martin Barre, who has been with the band since 1969.Initially playing blues rock with...
frontman Ian Anderson
Ian Anderson (musician)
Ian Scott Anderson, MBE is a Scottish singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, best known for his work as the leader and flautist of British rock band Jethro Tull.-Early life:...
guested on 1990's Lettuce Prey album.
Lyical content varied from the silly "Hamburger Hairdo" to the philosophical, "All my Best Friends are Turning into their Dads" as well as the controversial “I’m Gonna Kick God’s Ass” and “Death to Guidos”.
The band continues to get seasonal radio play with their Christmas single “Xmas Pigs”, an anti-consumerist spin on the Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath
Black Sabbath are an English heavy metal band, formed in Aston, Birmingham in 1969 by Ozzy Osbourne , Tony Iommi , Geezer Butler , and Bill Ward . The band has since experienced multiple line-up changes, with Tony Iommi the only constant presence in the band through the years. A total of 22...
classic "War Pigs". Their 1991 anti-Gulf War single “Armageddon Outta Here” found relevance with the second U.S. war in Iraq.
Six and Violence is also notable for their use of props and costumes on stage, including men in gorilla suits, women dressed as nuns, and the demolition of television sets and destroying drums with chainsaws. The band was also known for throwing golf balls, hamburgers and bananas at the audience, and often engaged in dangerous stage antics.
Six and Violence shared members with bands such as Ludichrist
Ludichrist
Ludichrist was an American hardcore punk/speed metal band formed in the 1980s in New York. Their musical style broke from traditional New York hardcore roots by adding aspects of rock, heavy metal and jazz, like extended guitar solos and musical interludes...
and Norman Bates and the Showerheads. Six and Violence was peripherally associated with bands of the New York Hardcore genre such as Sick of it All
Sick of It All
Sick of It All is an American hardcore punk band from Queens, New York. Formed in 1986, the band consisted of brothers Lou Koller on vocals and Pete Koller on lead guitar, Rich Cipriano on bass, and Armand Majidi on drums. There have been only two member changes since their inception, with Max...
, Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front
Agnostic Front is an American hardcore band. The band began playing hardcore similar to their contemporaries, and were thrust to the forefront of the burgeoning New York hardcore scene in the mid-1980s with their widely regarded 1984 classic Victim in Pain before evolving to incorporate thrash...
, Cro-Mags
Cro-Mags
Cro-Mags are a hardcore punk turned crossover thrash band from New York City. The band, which had a strong cult following, released many records, their first two considered the most influential...
, and thrash metal bands such as Anthrax
Anthrax (band)
Anthrax is an American heavy metal band from New York City, formed in 1981. Founded by guitarists Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, the band has since released ten studio albums and 20 singles, and an EP featuring Public Enemy. The band was one of the most popular of the 1980s thrash metal scene...
, Nuclear Assault
Nuclear Assault
Nuclear Assault is an American thrash metal/crossover thrash band formed in 1984.-History:After the release of Anthrax's debut album Fistful of Metal, bass player Danny Lilker, a founding member of the group, was fired by the band...
, and Crumbsuckers
Crumbsuckers
Crumbsuckers was a 1980s crossover/thrash band that formed in 1982 on Long Island by bass player Gary Meskil in their home town of Baldwin.-History:...
. In the 1990s the band was associated with New York band No Redeeming Social Value and released two split singles with them, including one with Japanese band Romantic Gorilla.
The full length records are "Lettuce Prey" (Fist Records 1990) and "Petty Staycheck " (Striving For Togetherness Records
Striving For Togetherness Records
Striving For Togetherness Records is an independent hardcore music label. It is most famous for its successful run of mid-90's New York hardcore releases.-Notable Releases:* Intent to Injure - "Habit of Thought" 7"...
1995). Fist records is notable as having released the first Warzone record, and Striving For Togetherness pioneered a resurgence in New York hardcore with releases by Vision of Disorder
Vision of Disorder
Vision of Disorder is a hardcore punk band from Long Island, New York, US. Vision of Disorder disbanded in 2002, but reunited from time to time over the next six years. In October 2008, they announced that they would record a new studio album...
, Shutdown, and 25 ta Life
25 ta Life
25 ta Life is an American band from New York City, originally formed in Queens, N.Y. in mid-1991.- History :The band was started by Frank Smarra and Harry Minas in Astoria, Queens, N.Y., they were soon joined by Fred Mesk and together wrote most of the material that would be on their early...
.
Today members of the band continue to make music with projects such as The Magic Elf, Tyrannosaurus Ray, Rock of J.Braltar, Reak & Stump, Cookin’ With Kurt, Lopsided Space Kart and SpacEKrafT. Guitarist Ray Amico is road manager for many established musical acts including his childhood heroes Devo
Devo
Devo is an American band formed in 1973 consisting of members from Kent and Akron, Ohio. The classic line-up of the band includes two sets of brothers, the Mothersbaughs and the Casales . The band had a #14 Billboard chart hit in 1980 with the single "Whip It", and has maintained a cult...
.
In 2005 Six and Violence was featured on the soundtrack to the Eidos
Eidos Interactive
Eidos Interactive Ltd. is a British video game publisher and is a label of Square Enix Europe. As an independent company Eidos plc was headquartered in the Wimbledon Bridge House in Wimbledon, London Borough of Merton....
video game "Backyard Wrestling Vol. 2”
Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes The Neighborhood
Backyard Wrestling 2: There Goes the Neighborhood is the second installment in the Backyard Wrestling series and was released on Xbox and PlayStation 2. The licensed soundtrack includes music by Andrew W.K., Kool Keith, the Insane Clown Posse, Bad Brains, Body Count, Six and Violence, Mudvayne and...
as well as a number of independent films. Despite only two full length recordings, the band retains a loyal cult following in the U.S. and abroad.
In October 2007, Dignified Bastard Records http://www.dignifiedbastard.com/bands/sv.html released a two disc retrospective of the band's career, containing both "Lettuce Prey" and Petty Staycheck" discs as well as rare and unheard gems.
External links
- Six and Violence
- Six and Violence on MySpace
- Nancy Santiago, Kurt Stenzel of The Six and Violence, The Stony Brook StatesmanThe Stony Brook StatesmanThe Stony Brook Statesman is a student newspaper servicing Stony Brook University in New York's Long Island. It was founded in the fall of 1957 as the Sucolian...
(Feb. 22, 1988)