Spineshank
Encyclopedia
Spineshank is an American
Grammy-nominated alternative metal
band. The band has sold over 540,000 records, and has released 3 studio albums.
Upon hearing Fear Factory
's 1995 release Demanufacture
, a new bassist in Robert Garcia was recruited, and with a refined musical style, Spineshank was formed. They have cited Fear Factory as a major influence.
The band soon befriended Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares
, and after hearing their demo tape he offered to have them open a show for Fear Factory at a concert held at the Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles
. This led to other coveted opening slots, with such popular acts as Coal Chamber
, Snot, Soulfly
, Sepultura
and Danzig
. As a result of these shows, Spineshank gathered interest from several record labels. Eventually, the band signed with Roadrunner Records
, and released their debut album Strictly Diesel
on September 22, 1998. Fear Factory vocalist Burton C. Bell
provides vocals on the track "Stain". Spineshank joined Fear Factory and Kilgore
on a European tour that year.
Spineshank's second album The Height of Callousness
was released on October 10, 2000. Unlike their debut album, The Height of Callousness has a strong industrial metal
influence. The band was featured at Ozzfest
2001, and toured with such artists as Disturbed, Hed PE, Orgy
and Mudvayne
in support of the album's release. The songs "Synthetic" and "New Disease" were released as singles.
The band's third album Self-Destructive Pattern
was released on September 9, 2003. The album's lead single "Smothered
" was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Metal Performance (2004). Shortly after the album was released the band went on a European tour with Ill Nino and Chimaira. A show in Holland was filmed on October 6, and was to become a DVD entitled Roadrage. However, it was never released. Since the departure of Santos the band released a greatest hits CD, Released on January 29, 2008.
On January 17, 2004, Spineshank launched a search for a new vocalist, and on November 7, 2005, Spineshank's official website announced that they would be working with Brandon Espinoza. They also stated that they had already been working together for five months at the time, and had produced five songs. At the time, the band did not intend to continue to use the name Spineshank. Meanwhile, Santos went on to release two albums with his new band Silent Civilian
.
On July 7, 2006, Espinoza posted an update on the band's message board, and stated that they were still in the process of writing material. Then, February 7, 2008, after almost two years of silence about the band, Espinoza announced that the band had broken up due to the lack of chemistry between its members. Later on, in February 2008, the band (excluding Espinoza) announced open tryouts for a new unnamed project.
The band is working during the mixing process with Jay Baumgardner, who co-produced Strictly Diesel and mixed the Self-Destructive Pattern. Regarding Jay, Decker said, "[Jay] is an awesome mixer and a part of the family, so we are excited to have him back in the fold again."
They posted a demo version of "Born Conform Repent", one of five songs completed, on their MySpace page.
Other new songtitles include "I Am Damage", "Anger Denial Acceptance" and "The Reckoning". By, December, they said they had recorded ten songs, but that these recordings would not be the final masters.
About their current musical direction, Tommy said, "First of all, you don't have to worry about us abandoning our sound; there will be plenty of electronics/loops/synths on this record. Jonny is also singing better than he ever has, so there will be a ton of singing and melody as well. This will definitely be heavier than our previous albums but it will not be all bashing. I can wholeheartedly promise you that we will not be trying to be anything we are not. This is simply going to be Spineshank five years later. There will be a few new elements but it will be undeniably us (for better or worse!!!). . . " So far, the new songs have shown a significant evolution in the band's music, shifting from industrial metal to a music that mixes alternative metal with elements of metalcore and electronica."
On October 3rd 2011, Spineshank debuted the track 'Murder Suicide' from the album 'Anger Denial Acceptance' on the website Noisecreep
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Grammy-nominated alternative metal
Alternative metal
Alternative metal is a genre of alternative rock and heavy metal that gained popularity in the early 1990s. Most notably, alternative metal bands are characterized by heavy guitar riffs and experimental approaches to heavy music.-Origins:...
band. The band has sold over 540,000 records, and has released 3 studio albums.
Formation, Roadrunner Records years (1996-2003)
Formed in February 1996, Spineshank was assembled from the remains of a previous musical endeavor called "Basic Enigma". That band included future Spineshank members in vocalist Jonny Santos, guitarist Mike Sarkisyan and drummer Tom Decker.Upon hearing Fear Factory
Fear Factory
Fear 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,...
's 1995 release Demanufacture
Demanufacture
Demanufacture is the second studio album by the Los Angeles industrial metal band Fear Factory. This is the band's first album with their classic line-up adding new bassist Christian Olde Wolbers. Many regard it as the band's best album and a heavy metal classic...
, a new bassist in Robert Garcia was recruited, and with a refined musical style, Spineshank was formed. They have cited Fear Factory as a major influence.
The band soon befriended Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares
Dino Cazares
Dino Cazares, born in El Centro, California, is a Mexican-American musician and the guitarist for Los Angeles-based industrial metal group Fear Factory. He also plays in the metal bands Divine Heresy and Asesino.-Biography:...
, and after hearing their demo tape he offered to have them open a show for Fear Factory at a concert held at the Whiskey A-Go-Go in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
. This led to other coveted opening slots, with such popular acts as Coal Chamber
Coal Chamber
Coal Chamber is an American alternative metal band formed in Los Angeles, California in 1993. Prior to Coal Chamber, Dez Fafara and Meegs Rascón formed the band She's In Pain in 1992. The two decided to create Coal Chamber. They disbanded in 2003 after ten years together, but announced a reunion in...
, Snot, Soulfly
Soulfly
Soulfly is a heavy metal band formed in 1997 based in Phoenix, Arizona. The original lyrical content revolved around spirituality and religious themes, with later albums encompassing other themes including war, violence, aggression, hatred and anger. Soulfly is led by former Sepultura frontman Max...
, Sepultura
Sepultura
Sepultura is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial.Sepultura...
and Danzig
Danzig (band)
Danzig is an American heavy metal band, formed in 1987 in Lodi, New Jersey. The band serves as a musical outlet for the singer/songwriter Glenn Danzig. Danzig can be seen as the third stage in Glenn Danzig's musical career, preceded by the horror punk bands The Misfits and Samhain...
. As a result of these shows, Spineshank gathered interest from several record labels. Eventually, the band signed with Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records
Roadrunner Records is an American record label that concentrates primarily on heavy metal bands. It is currently a subsidiary of Warner Music Group.-History:...
, and released their debut album Strictly Diesel
Strictly Diesel
Strictly Diesel is the debut album by the American industrial metal band Spineshank. It was released on September 22, 1998 by Roadrunner Records, it sold 75,000 units in the U.S.-Track listing:# "Intake" – 2:47# "Stovebolt" – 3:02...
on September 22, 1998. Fear Factory vocalist Burton C. Bell
Burton C. Bell
Burton Christopher Bell is an American musician. Bell is best known as the frontman of the metal band Fear Factory where he is the only consistent member. His singing style mixes clean vocals with death growls.-Fear Factory:...
provides vocals on the track "Stain". Spineshank joined Fear Factory and Kilgore
Kilgore (Smudge)
Kilgore was an American heavy metal band formed in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1991. The band is named after the character Kilgore Trout in the Kurt Vonnegut classic Breakfast of Champions. Through a number of band name and line-up changes, Kilgore released two albums, Blue Collar Solitude and A...
on a European tour that year.
Spineshank's second album The Height of Callousness
The Height of Callousness
The Height of Callousness is the second album by the American industrial metal band Spineshank. It was released on October 10, 2000 by Roadrunner Records...
was released on October 10, 2000. Unlike their debut album, The Height of Callousness has a strong industrial metal
Industrial metal
Industrial metal is a musical genre that draws from industrial music and many different types of heavy metal, using repeating metal guitar riffs, sampling, synthesizer or sequencer lines, and distorted vocals. Founding industrial metal acts include Ministry, Godflesh, and KMFDM.Industrial metal's...
influence. The band was featured at Ozzfest
Ozzfest
Ozzfest is an annual festival tour of the United States featuring performances by many heavy metal and hard rock musical groups. It was founded by Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon Osbourne, both of whom also organize each yearly tour with their son Jack Osbourne...
2001, and toured with such artists as Disturbed, Hed PE, Orgy
Orgy (band)
Orgy is an American synth rock band formed in 1996, from Los Angeles, California. Orgy described their music as "death pop".-History:Orgy was formed in 1996 by vocalist Jay Gordon and guitarist Ryan Shuck. Bassist Paige Haley, guitarist Amir Derakh, and drummer Bobby Hewitt soon completed the line-up...
and Mudvayne
Mudvayne
Mudvayne is an American heavy metal band. Their work is marked by the use of sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate visual appearance, which has included face and body paint, masks and uniforms...
in support of the album's release. The songs "Synthetic" and "New Disease" were released as singles.
The band's third album Self-Destructive Pattern
Self-Destructive Pattern
Self-Destructive Pattern is the third album by the American industrial metal band Spineshank. It was released on September 9, 2003 by Roadrunner Records...
was released on September 9, 2003. The album's lead single "Smothered
Smothered (song)
Smothered is the last single released by the nu metal band Spineshank. It was only released in the USA in CD format. The video of the song features the band performing in a room while they are filmed by numerous hidden cameras, which they find and destroy. The song was nominated for the Grammy...
" was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Metal Performance (2004). Shortly after the album was released the band went on a European tour with Ill Nino and Chimaira. A show in Holland was filmed on October 6, and was to become a DVD entitled Roadrage. However, it was never released. Since the departure of Santos the band released a greatest hits CD, Released on January 29, 2008.
Lineup Change and Breakup (2004-2008)
In January 2004, it was reported that Santos had officially left Spineshank. Drummer Tommy Decker stated that the split was "amicable" and was mainly due to "musical differences". A day after the news was reported, Decker vowed that the band would continue, and stated that the musical differences were due to the fact the rest of the band wanted to play heavier music than Santos.On January 17, 2004, Spineshank launched a search for a new vocalist, and on November 7, 2005, Spineshank's official website announced that they would be working with Brandon Espinoza. They also stated that they had already been working together for five months at the time, and had produced five songs. At the time, the band did not intend to continue to use the name Spineshank. Meanwhile, Santos went on to release two albums with his new band Silent Civilian
Silent Civilian
Silent Civilian is a metalcore band originating from Los Angeles, California. Following his departure from nu metal band Spineshank in 2004, frontman Jonny Santos felt he wanted to move in a different direction musically and start from scratch...
.
On July 7, 2006, Espinoza posted an update on the band's message board, and stated that they were still in the process of writing material. Then, February 7, 2008, after almost two years of silence about the band, Espinoza announced that the band had broken up due to the lack of chemistry between its members. Later on, in February 2008, the band (excluding Espinoza) announced open tryouts for a new unnamed project.
Reunion with original lineup (2008-present)
In 2008, Spineshank reunited with Santos, and in August of that year recorded a demo. In September they announced that they had started writing material for an upcoming album. According to Sarkisyan, "The record is definitely shaping up, and trust me when I say that this is going to be by far the best Spineshank record yet. All of us are firing on all cylinders and we're super-excited about this record."The band is working during the mixing process with Jay Baumgardner, who co-produced Strictly Diesel and mixed the Self-Destructive Pattern. Regarding Jay, Decker said, "[Jay] is an awesome mixer and a part of the family, so we are excited to have him back in the fold again."
They posted a demo version of "Born Conform Repent", one of five songs completed, on their MySpace page.
Other new songtitles include "I Am Damage", "Anger Denial Acceptance" and "The Reckoning". By, December, they said they had recorded ten songs, but that these recordings would not be the final masters.
About their current musical direction, Tommy said, "First of all, you don't have to worry about us abandoning our sound; there will be plenty of electronics/loops/synths on this record. Jonny is also singing better than he ever has, so there will be a ton of singing and melody as well. This will definitely be heavier than our previous albums but it will not be all bashing. I can wholeheartedly promise you that we will not be trying to be anything we are not. This is simply going to be Spineshank five years later. There will be a few new elements but it will be undeniably us (for better or worse!!!). . . " So far, the new songs have shown a significant evolution in the band's music, shifting from industrial metal to a music that mixes alternative metal with elements of metalcore and electronica."
On October 3rd 2011, Spineshank debuted the track 'Murder Suicide' from the album 'Anger Denial Acceptance' on the website Noisecreep
Current
- Jonny Santos – vocals (1996–2004, 2008–Present)
- Mike Sarkisyan – guitar (1996–Present)
- Robert Garcia – bass (1997–Present)
- Tom Decker – drums (1996–Present)
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | Sales | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US Heat. Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
UK UK Albums Chart The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart... |
|||
| 1998 | Strictly Diesel Strictly Diesel Strictly Diesel is the debut album by the American industrial metal band Spineshank. It was released on September 22, 1998 by Roadrunner Records, it sold 75,000 units in the U.S.-Track listing:# "Intake" – 2:47# "Stovebolt" – 3:02...
|
— | 13 | 129 | US sales: 100,000 |
| 2000 | The Height of Callousness The Height of Callousness The Height of Callousness is the second album by the American industrial metal band Spineshank. It was released on October 10, 2000 by Roadrunner Records... |
183 | — | 104 | US sales: 180,000 |
| 2003 | Self-Destructive Pattern Self-Destructive Pattern Self-Destructive Pattern is the third album by the American industrial metal band Spineshank. It was released on September 9, 2003 by Roadrunner Records... |
89 | — | 83 | US sales: 250,000 |
| 2012 | Anger Denial Acceptance
|
— | — | — | |
| "—" denotes a release that did not chart. | |||||
Compilation albums
| Year | Album details | Sales |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | The Best of Spineshank The Best of Spineshank The Best of Spineshank is a greatest hits compilation album by the American industrial metal band Spineshank's former record label Roadrunner Records...
|
US sales: 10,000 |
Singles
| Year | Song | Peak chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ... |
|||
| 1998 | "Shinebox" | — | Strictly Diesel |
| "Detached" | — | ||
| 2000 | "Synthetic Synthetic (song) Synthetic was the first single taken from Spineshank's album The Height of Callousness.The music video shows the band performing in a room with bright lighting whilst a woman walks in and starts using a computer to create a synthesizing sequence whilst Johnny Santos is plugged into a computer. Then... " |
— | The Height of Callousness |
| "New Disease New Disease "New Disease" is a single and music video by the nu metal band Spineshank.The video includes the band in the room singing and playing the song, a man fixing a CCTV camera which the band are looking at whilst playing, the lead singer talking to a girl who is sitting down alone... " |
84 | ||
| 2003 | "Smothered Smothered (song) Smothered is the last single released by the nu metal band Spineshank. It was only released in the USA in CD format. The video of the song features the band performing in a room while they are filmed by numerous hidden cameras, which they find and destroy. The song was nominated for the Grammy... " |
— | Self-Destructive Pattern |
| "—" denotes a release that did not chart. | |||