The Accüsed
Encyclopedia
The Accüsed is a crossover thrash
band from Seattle, WA, founded in 1981. They are considered to be an important progenitor of the crossover style that bridged the gap between thrashcore
and thrash metal
, later influencing grindcore
and some crust punk
bands; as well as an influential band in the Seattle alternative scene. The band calls their music "splattercore", and their zombie mascot Martha Splatterhead appears on most of their albums. Common themes involve social issues and Martha Splatterhead coming back from the dead to slaughter rapists and child molesters. The Accüsed took an 11 year hiatus in 1992, with members taking time to play in Seattle bands such as The Fartz
and Gruntruck
. The band reformed in 2003, and continues to be active.
by bassist Chibon 'Chewy' Batterman, drummer Dana Collins and guitarist Tommy Niemeyer. John Dahlin was the vocalist from 1982 to 1984. The band's first two demo cassettes and their album Please Pardon Our Noise, It Is the Sound of Freedom in 1983 drew heavily from hardcore punk
. In 1984 The Fartz
vocalist Blaine Cook
replaced Dahlin.
In 1984 the band began adopting metal into their sound and dubbed their style "splatter rock", in homage to their favorite genre of horror films. According to a review, "Their hybrid musical formula was distinguishable by Cook's unusual choking-sound vocals, Niemeyer's muted, choppy, buzzsaw guitars, dark metallic riffs, and Dana Collins rapid-fire, double-kick drumming." The band also created the zombie mascot Martha Splatterhead, whose likeness (created by Niemeyer) adorns most of their albums and many of their promotional items. A recurring theme in the band's lyrics involve Martha Splatterhead coming back from the dead to eviscerate and slaughter rapists and child molesters.
They released their first full EP, Martha Splatterhead
, in 1985 on their own Condar label. Their first full-length LP was The Return of Martha Splatterhead
, released on SubCore Records in 1986. According to reviewer Jeb Branin, "I was writing for a zine in Canada called Northern Metal that reviewed The Return Of Martha Splatterhead giving it a 0.0 rating and absolutely crucifying it in the review. It is the only 0.0 review I remember ever seeing in Northern Metal. They hated it so much I knew I had to buy it. As I suspected, the album was a masterpiece of hardcore hysteria."
The LPs More Fun Than an Open Casket Funeral
and Martha Splatterhead's Maddest Stories Ever Told
quickly followed, as well a number of other annual releases. Starting with Hymns For the Deranged
, the band also began working with Seattle producer Jack Endino
, and their next album, Grinning Like An Undertaker
, was released on Sub Pop
.
The band maintained an active touring schedule, and according to a review, "Live The Accused were untouchable. The whole band was a frenzy of epileptic gyrations, although Blaine's high flying leaps and bouncing off the walls like a deranged gnome were definitely the highlight. Even in today's underground you aren't going to find a more devastating band than The Accused."
The Accüsed took an 11 year hiatus in 1992, with members taking time to play in Seattle bands such as The Fartz
and Gruntruck
.
's Top Ten albums of the year and Writer's Lists from
Metal Maniacs
magazine. Oh, Martha! followed the tradition of many earlier releases by The Accused in that it featured a track with a guest lead singer. In this case guitarist Tommy Niemeyer sang lead vocals on the angry track "13 Letters", though no lead vocal credit was printed on the album. The reunion line-up was short-lived, and members reformed in 2006.
In a 2009 interview with Rock-A-Rolla, Tom Niemeyer stated that Mike Patton
of Mr. Bungle
was approached for the role of vocalist, but he declined due to being "totally booked up". Patton then suggested Brad Mowen, who went on to be the band's vocalist for some time. The new line-up consisted of Kevin Cochneuer on vocals, Dorando Hodous on drums and Tommy Niemeyer on guitar. The re-vamped line-up released two new songs, "Scotty Came Back" and "Fuck Sorry," January 26, 2007, via their official website as free mp3s. The album received critical praise, forcing Southern Lord Records
into a hasty 2nd-pressing of the CD title only weeks after its release. In 2009, the band released their sixth full LP, The Curse of Martha Splatterhead
, also received well. In 2010, the band was confirmed as being part of the soundtrack for Namco Bandai Games
' 2010 remake of Splatterhouse. The band continues to tour and perform.
.
style that bridged the gap between thrashcore
and thrash metal
, later influencing grindcore
and some crust punk
bands. It was also considered an influential band in the Seattle alternative scene, notably grunge
, and is a key band in the development of metalcore
. Despite being frequently cited as an influence by other punk and metal bands, The Accused has largely remained in the underground
. According to Sputnik Music, "It's a shame really [that] the Accused aren't recognized in the metal music industry as being one of the pioneering members of crossover thrash. These boys deserve more attention than they get."
Ex-Members
Crossover thrash
__FORCETOC__Crossover thrash, often abbreviated to crossover, is a form of thrash metal that contains more hardcore punk elements than standard thrash. The genre lies on a continuum between heavy metal and punk rock...
band from Seattle, WA, founded in 1981. They are considered to be an important progenitor of the crossover style that bridged the gap between thrashcore
Thrashcore
Thrashcore is a fast tempo subgenre of hardcore punk that emerged in the early 1980s. Thrashcore is essentially sped-up hardcore punk, with bands often using blast beats. Songs can be very brief, and thrashcore is in many ways a less dissonant, less metallic forerunner of grindcore...
and thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
, later influencing 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....
and some 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...
bands; as well as an influential band in the Seattle alternative scene. The band calls their music "splattercore", and their zombie mascot Martha Splatterhead appears on most of their albums. Common themes involve social issues and Martha Splatterhead coming back from the dead to slaughter rapists and child molesters. The Accüsed took an 11 year hiatus in 1992, with members taking time to play in Seattle bands such as The Fartz
The Fartz
The Fartz were originally formed in 1981 and were one of the first well-known hardcore bands from Seattle, Washington. They were signed to Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles Record label...
and Gruntruck
Gruntruck
Gruntruck was a grunge band formed in 1989 in Seattle, Washington by Ben McMillan and Scott McCullum, both previously from Skin Yard. Tommy Niemeyer from The Accüsed and Tim Paul, previously of Napalm Beach and Final Warning, rounded out the initial, classic line-up...
. The band reformed in 2003, and continues to be active.
Early years (1981–1992)
The Accüsed formed in 1981 in Oak Harbor, WashingtonOak Harbor, Washington
Oak Harbor is a city located on Whidbey Island in Island County, Washington. The population was 22,075 at the 2010 census.Oak Harbor was incorporated on May 14, 1915.-History:Oak Harbor is Whidbey Island's largest incorporated city...
by bassist Chibon 'Chewy' Batterman, drummer Dana Collins and guitarist Tommy Niemeyer. John Dahlin was the vocalist from 1982 to 1984. The band's first two demo cassettes and their album Please Pardon Our Noise, It Is the Sound of Freedom in 1983 drew heavily from 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...
. In 1984 The Fartz
The Fartz
The Fartz were originally formed in 1981 and were one of the first well-known hardcore bands from Seattle, Washington. They were signed to Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles Record label...
vocalist Blaine Cook
Blaine Cook
Blaine 'Zippy' Cook was the lead singer of the Seattle political punk band The Fartz in the early 1980s. After they disbanded, Cook went on to front the thrash oriented Accüsed. Cook currently fronts Toe Tag. He is also featured vocalist on the upcoming release, Horror Holocaust, by the...
replaced Dahlin.
In 1984 the band began adopting metal into their sound and dubbed their style "splatter rock", in homage to their favorite genre of horror films. According to a review, "Their hybrid musical formula was distinguishable by Cook's unusual choking-sound vocals, Niemeyer's muted, choppy, buzzsaw guitars, dark metallic riffs, and Dana Collins rapid-fire, double-kick drumming." The band also created the zombie mascot Martha Splatterhead, whose likeness (created by Niemeyer) adorns most of their albums and many of their promotional items. A recurring theme in the band's lyrics involve Martha Splatterhead coming back from the dead to eviscerate and slaughter rapists and child molesters.
They released their first full EP, Martha Splatterhead
Martha Splatterhead
Martha Splatterhead is the debut EP by Oak Harbor, Washington metalcore band The Accüsed. It was released in 1986....
, in 1985 on their own Condar label. Their first full-length LP was The Return of Martha Splatterhead
The Return of Martha Splatterhead
The Return of Martha Splatterhead is the debut LP by Oak Harbor, Washington metalcore band The Accüsed. It was released in 1986. The songs are each relatively short. The album was influential in the development of metalcore...
, released on SubCore Records in 1986. According to reviewer Jeb Branin, "I was writing for a zine in Canada called Northern Metal that reviewed The Return Of Martha Splatterhead giving it a 0.0 rating and absolutely crucifying it in the review. It is the only 0.0 review I remember ever seeing in Northern Metal. They hated it so much I knew I had to buy it. As I suspected, the album was a masterpiece of hardcore hysteria."
The LPs More Fun Than an Open Casket Funeral
More Fun Than an Open Casket Funeral
More Fun Than an Open Casket Funeral is an LP by Oak Harbor, Washington metalcore band The Accüsed. It was released in 1987 on Combat Records.-Track listing:# "Halo of Flies"# "W.C.A.L.T."# "Rape "# "Lifeless Zone"# "Scotty"...
and Martha Splatterhead's Maddest Stories Ever Told
Martha Splatterhead's Maddest Stories Ever Told
Martha Splatterhead's Maddest Stories Ever Told is an LP by Oak Harbor, Washington metalcore band The Accüsed. It was released in 1988, then re-released in 1991 on Combat Records.-Track listing:# "Psychomania" # "Bag Lady Song" # "Inherit the Earth"...
quickly followed, as well a number of other annual releases. Starting with Hymns For the Deranged
Hymns for the Deranged
Hymns For The Deranged is an LP by Oak Harbor, Washington metalcore band The Accüsed. It was released in 1988 on Empty Records.-Track listing:# Grinning Like An Undertaker# Brutality And Corruption# Tapping The Vein# Barracuda...
, the band also began working with Seattle producer Jack Endino
Jack Endino
Jack Endino is a producer and musician based in Seattle. Long associated with Seattle label Sub Pop and the grunge movement, Endino worked on seminal albums from bands such as Mudhoney, Soundgarden, and Nirvana...
, and their next album, Grinning Like An Undertaker
Grinning Like An Undertaker
Hymns For The Deranged is an LP by Oak Harbor, Washington metalcore band The Accüsed. It was released in 1990 on Sub Pop, and produced by Jack Endino.-Track listing:# Pounding Nails # Bullet Ridden Bodies...
, was released on Sub Pop
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
.
The band maintained an active touring schedule, and according to a review, "Live The Accused were untouchable. The whole band was a frenzy of epileptic gyrations, although Blaine's high flying leaps and bouncing off the walls like a deranged gnome were definitely the highlight. Even in today's underground you aren't going to find a more devastating band than The Accused."
The Accüsed took an 11 year hiatus in 1992, with members taking time to play in Seattle bands such as The Fartz
The Fartz
The Fartz were originally formed in 1981 and were one of the first well-known hardcore bands from Seattle, Washington. They were signed to Jello Biafra's Alternative Tentacles Record label...
and Gruntruck
Gruntruck
Gruntruck was a grunge band formed in 1989 in Seattle, Washington by Ben McMillan and Scott McCullum, both previously from Skin Yard. Tommy Niemeyer from The Accüsed and Tim Paul, previously of Napalm Beach and Final Warning, rounded out the initial, classic line-up...
.
Reformation (2003–present)
The band reformed in 2003, playing live shows in the Seattle area, then releasing the album Oh, Martha! on their own CONDAR Records label. This "comeback record" landed on Revolver MagazineRevolver (magazine)
Revolver is a bi-monthly rock and heavy metal magazine published by Future US. Before covering heavy metal, rock & hard rock solely, it was a more mainstream oriented magazine. The magazine is structured in a manner similar to publications such as Spin while covering many avenues within the heavy...
's Top Ten albums of the year and Writer's Lists from
Metal Maniacs
Metal Maniacs
Metal Maniacs was a heavy metal magazine founded in 1989 by Mike G. and Katherine Ludwig of Metal Shop. It was focused largely on covering extreme metal, with emphasis on the black and death metal genres...
magazine. Oh, Martha! followed the tradition of many earlier releases by The Accused in that it featured a track with a guest lead singer. In this case guitarist Tommy Niemeyer sang lead vocals on the angry track "13 Letters", though no lead vocal credit was printed on the album. The reunion line-up was short-lived, and members reformed in 2006.
In a 2009 interview with Rock-A-Rolla, Tom Niemeyer stated that Mike Patton
Mike Patton
Michael Allan "Mike" Patton is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, and actor, best known as the lead singer of the metal/experimental rock band Faith No More. He has also sung for Mr...
of Mr. Bungle
Mr. Bungle
Mr. Bungle was an experimental band from Northern California. The band was formed in 1985 while the members were still in high school and was named after a children's educational film. Mr. Bungle released four demo tapes in the mid to late 1980s before being signed to Warner Bros. Records and...
was approached for the role of vocalist, but he declined due to being "totally booked up". Patton then suggested Brad Mowen, who went on to be the band's vocalist for some time. The new line-up consisted of Kevin Cochneuer on vocals, Dorando Hodous on drums and Tommy Niemeyer on guitar. The re-vamped line-up released two new songs, "Scotty Came Back" and "Fuck Sorry," January 26, 2007, via their official website as free mp3s. The album received critical praise, forcing Southern Lord Records
Southern Lord Records
Southern Lord is an American record label that was founded in 1998 by Greg Anderson, specializing in what could broadly be classified as experimental heavy metal, particularly the doom metal, stoner rock, and drone metal sub-genres. Some of the more notable artists on the label include Earth, Om,...
into a hasty 2nd-pressing of the CD title only weeks after its release. In 2009, the band released their sixth full LP, The Curse of Martha Splatterhead
The Curse of Martha Splatterhead
The Curse of Martha Splatterhead is an LP by Oak Harbor, Washington metalcore band The Accüsed. It was released in 2009 with a reformed line-up on Southern Lord Records.-Reception:...
, also received well. In 2010, the band was confirmed as being part of the soundtrack for Namco Bandai Games
Namco Bandai Games
is an arcade, mobile and home video game developer and publisher based in Japan which is the product of a merger between the video game development divisions of Bandai and Namco. Namco Bandai Games is a wholly owned subsidiary of Namco Bandai Holdings and specializes in production and sales of...
' 2010 remake of Splatterhouse. The band continues to tour and perform.
Catalog
The out-of-print back-catalog of The Accused's albums has been sporadically-re-issued on various labels over recent years; a move prompted in part by the fact that many collectors of memorabilia by The Accused were seeing copies of the rare/out-of-print U.S. made CDs fetch hundreds of dollars each on popular auction website eBayEBay
eBay Inc. is an American internet consumer-to-consumer corporation that manages eBay.com, an online auction and shopping website in which people and businesses buy and sell a broad variety of goods and services worldwide...
.
Impact
The Accused is considered to be an important progenitor of the crossoverCrossover thrash
__FORCETOC__Crossover thrash, often abbreviated to crossover, is a form of thrash metal that contains more hardcore punk elements than standard thrash. The genre lies on a continuum between heavy metal and punk rock...
style that bridged the gap between thrashcore
Thrashcore
Thrashcore is a fast tempo subgenre of hardcore punk that emerged in the early 1980s. Thrashcore is essentially sped-up hardcore punk, with bands often using blast beats. Songs can be very brief, and thrashcore is in many ways a less dissonant, less metallic forerunner of grindcore...
and thrash metal
Thrash metal
Thrash metal is a subgenre of heavy metal that is characterized usually by its fast tempo and aggression. Songs of the genre typically use fast percussive and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead work...
, later influencing 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....
and some 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...
bands. It was also considered an influential band in the Seattle alternative scene, notably grunge
Grunge
Grunge is a subgenre of alternative rock that emerged during the mid-1980s in the American state of Washington, particularly in the Seattle area. Inspired by hardcore punk, heavy metal, and indie rock, grunge is generally characterized by heavily distorted electric guitars, contrasting song...
, and is a key band in the development of metalcore
Metalcore
Metalcore is a subgenre of heavy metal combining various elements of extreme metal and hardcore punk. The name is a portmanteau of the names of the two genres. The term took on its current meaning in the mid-1990s, describing bands such as Earth Crisis, Deadguy and Integrity...
. Despite being frequently cited as an influence by other punk and metal bands, The Accused has largely remained in the underground
Underground music
Underground music comprises a range of different musical genres that operate outside of mainstream culture. Such music can typically share common values, such as the valuing of sincerity and intimacy; an emphasis on freedom of creative expression; an appreciation of artistic creativity...
. According to Sputnik Music, "It's a shame really [that] the Accused aren't recognized in the metal music industry as being one of the pioneering members of crossover thrash. These boys deserve more attention than they get."
Members
Current line-up- Guitar: Tommy Niemeyer
- Vocals: Kevin Cochneuer
- Drums: Warren A. Pease
Ex-Members
- Chibon "Chewy" Batterman – bass
- Dana Collins – drums
- Blaine "Fart" CookBlaine CookBlaine 'Zippy' Cook was the lead singer of the Seattle political punk band The Fartz in the early 1980s. After they disbanded, Cook went on to front the thrash oriented Accüsed. Cook currently fronts Toe Tag. He is also featured vocalist on the upcoming release, Horror Holocaust, by the...
– vocals - John Dahlin – vocals
- Mike "Nyge" Peterson
- Alex "Maggot Brains" Sibbald
- Josh Sinder – drums
- Steve "O Ring" Nelson
- B.R.A.D. Mowen – vocals
- Dorando Hodous
Albums
- 1981: Brain Damage 1 (Demo Cassette)
- 1982: Brain Damage 2 (Demo Cassette)
- 1983: Please Pardon Our Noise, It Is The Sound of Freedom aka Accused/Rejectors Split (Fatal Erection)
- 1985: Martha SplatterheadMartha SplatterheadMartha Splatterhead is the debut EP by Oak Harbor, Washington metalcore band The Accüsed. It was released in 1986....
(EP, Condar) - 1986: The Return of Martha SplatterheadThe Return of Martha SplatterheadThe Return of Martha Splatterhead is the debut LP by Oak Harbor, Washington metalcore band The Accüsed. It was released in 1986. The songs are each relatively short. The album was influential in the development of metalcore...
(LP, Subcore and Earache) - 1987: More Fun Than an Open Casket FuneralMore Fun Than an Open Casket FuneralMore Fun Than an Open Casket Funeral is an LP by Oak Harbor, Washington metalcore band The Accüsed. It was released in 1987 on Combat Records.-Track listing:# "Halo of Flies"# "W.C.A.L.T."# "Rape "# "Lifeless Zone"# "Scotty"...
(LP, CombatCombat RecordsCombat 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...
) - 1988: Martha Splatterhead's Maddest Stories Ever ToldMartha Splatterhead's Maddest Stories Ever ToldMartha Splatterhead's Maddest Stories Ever Told is an LP by Oak Harbor, Washington metalcore band The Accüsed. It was released in 1988, then re-released in 1991 on Combat Records.-Track listing:# "Psychomania" # "Bag Lady Song" # "Inherit the Earth"...
(LP) - 1988: Hymns For The DerangedHymns for the DerangedHymns For The Deranged is an LP by Oak Harbor, Washington metalcore band The Accüsed. It was released in 1988 on Empty Records.-Track listing:# Grinning Like An Undertaker# Brutality And Corruption# Tapping The Vein# Barracuda...
(LP, Empty Records) - 1990: Grinning Like An UndertakerGrinning Like An UndertakerHymns For The Deranged is an LP by Oak Harbor, Washington metalcore band The Accüsed. It was released in 1990 on Sub Pop, and produced by Jack Endino.-Track listing:# Pounding Nails # Bullet Ridden Bodies...
(LP, SubPop) - 1991: Straight RazorStraight Razor (album)Straight Razor is an EP by Oak Harbor, Washington metalcore band The Accüsed. It was released in 1991 on Nastymix, and produced by Jack Endino.-Track listing:* "No Hope For Relief" * "Close Insight" * "Corpse Walks" * "Straight Razor"...
(EP, Nastymix) - 1992: Splatter Rock (LP, Nastymix)
- 2006: Oh Martha! + Baked Tapes (Double LP, Nuclear Blast and GmbH) - 666 pressed
- 2006: 34 Song Archives Tapes 1981-86 (Condar; #Cond002)
- 2007: Why Even Try? (EP, Condar 2007)
- 2009: The Curse of Martha SplatterheadThe Curse of Martha SplatterheadThe Curse of Martha Splatterhead is an LP by Oak Harbor, Washington metalcore band The Accüsed. It was released in 2009 with a reformed line-up on Southern Lord Records.-Reception:...
(LP, Southern Lord)
Singles
- 1989: Accused/Morphius Split (Split 7 inch Single, Empty)
- 1992: "Straight Razor" (Fantagraphix Comics)
- 2002: "Paint It Red"