Verbal Abuse
Encyclopedia
Verbal Abuse is a hardcore punk
band, originally from Houston, Texas
, but which became successful after moving to San Francisco.
Verbal Abuse was started in Houston, Texas in 1981 after singer and songwriter Nicki Sicki quit the band Sick Pleasure and moved to Virginia, then back to Texas when he decided he wanted to start another band.
At the time, not many bands were playing fast hardcore in Texas and, like D.R.I.
and M.D.C. before them, Verbal Abuse relocated to San Francisco in the end of 1981.
In San Francisco, Verbal Abuse lived at the infamous "Vats" along with members of The Dicks
and M.D.C. as well as Harley Flanagan
from the Cro-Mags
. By the end of the year, they had signed with Fowl Records
and recorded their first LP, Just an American Band, which was released in the beginning of 1983.
The band then embarked on a tour to promote their first album, but Brett Dodwell soon left Verbal Abuse to join the army, so Sicki asked former Sick Pleasure bandmate Dave "Koko" Chavez to take his place. However, hardcore was starting to wane in popularity and crossover thrash was the "big thing" in the mid-'80s so Nicki quit the band in 1984. Since remaining members Chavez, Joie Mastrokalos, and Gregg James wanted to continue making music, they asked Condemned to Death
singer Scotty Wilkins to sing.
1985 Was the recording and release of San Francisco's theme album V.A. Rocks Your Liver, which was released on Boner Records
. Tons of touring was done in that year and well into the late 80's all over the USA and Canada.
The band continued to tour but Mastrokalos eventually left to join another band in 1987, being replaced by Andy Schuman. James also left for family reasons a bit later, being replaced by former Condemned to Death drummer Mike Chubka who left that same year.
In 1989, Chris Kontos
joined after James was unable to make the European tour. Verbal Abuse was asked to take M.D.C.'s place because they were unable to make the trip. Destiny Records booked 38 shows in 42 days. At the end of that tour Destiny asked if they would record a live recording. Out of that came Passport - Verbal Abuse of America. The label brought the band back to Europe in 1990 to tour in support of the live record. They recorded another album entitled Red, White and Violent, released in 1995 on Century Media Records
. They toured for this record and split about a year later as Scotty joined Electric Frankenstein
.
Joie Mastrokalos resurfaced playing guitar for his good friend Duff McKagan
's band in 1993 and 1994. He contributed on Duff's solo album Believe in Me and the following solo tours that ensued.
In 1996, the band received recognition and newfound interest when thrash metal
legends Slayer
covered five of their songs on their Undisputed Attitude
record. The songs covered are "Disintegration", "Free Money", "Verbal Abuse", "Leeches" and "I Hate You".
Nicki Sicki, having been released from prison, and money from the Slayer album royalties, brought the band back together in the 21st century, now with Sicki back on vocals, ED Loco and Bubba Dennis(now in Pasadena Napalm Division with Kurt Brecht of DRI)on guitar, and Nick Nobody on bass, as well as Ed Jr on Drums. This version of the band toured the east coast and some west coast shows as well as headlineing the BOB FEST in 2005 in Oakland. The band relocated back to Oakland once again and this line up returned to Texas. Andy Schuman and Jess Aaron on second guitar joined the band with original bass player Dave Chavez, and Geza Szent-Galy on drums. Andy Schuman and Jess Aaron have since left the band. Guitar duites are now handled by Luke Skeels, formerly of The Boneless Ones, and Hell's Kitchen. The band's first LP was re-released on CD with extra tracks in 2002.
Compilations
Guitarists
Bassists (??-??)
Drummers
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...
band, originally from Houston, Texas
Houston, Texas
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
, but which became successful after moving to San Francisco.
Verbal Abuse was started in Houston, Texas in 1981 after singer and songwriter Nicki Sicki quit the band Sick Pleasure and moved to Virginia, then back to Texas when he decided he wanted to start another band.
At the time, not many bands were playing fast hardcore in Texas and, like D.R.I.
Dirty Rotten Imbeciles
Dirty Rotten Imbeciles is a thrash metal/crossover thrash band from the United States that formed in Houston, in 1982. The band currently comprises founding members, vocalist Kurt Brecht and guitarist Spike Cassidy, as well as drummer Rob Rampy and bassist Harald Oimoen.D.R.I...
and M.D.C. before them, Verbal Abuse relocated to San Francisco in the end of 1981.
In San Francisco, Verbal Abuse lived at the infamous "Vats" along with members of The Dicks
The Dicks
The Dicks are an American punk rock band from Austin, Texas, originally formed in 1980. They initially disbanded in 1986 before reforming in 2004...
and M.D.C. as well as Harley Flanagan
Harley Flanagan
Harley Frances Flanagan is the founder of the Cro-Mags, an influential 1980s hardcore punk band. Flanagan was the drummer for The Stimulators in 1980, when he was 12...
from the 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...
. By the end of the year, they had signed with Fowl Records
Fowl Records
Fowl Records was co-founded in 1994 by Jimi Haha from Jimmie's Chicken Shack, Richard James Burgess, the band's manager and Chris Keith, the band's agent as a means to release Jimmie's Chicken Shack's first two independent CDs...
and recorded their first LP, Just an American Band, which was released in the beginning of 1983.
The band then embarked on a tour to promote their first album, but Brett Dodwell soon left Verbal Abuse to join the army, so Sicki asked former Sick Pleasure bandmate Dave "Koko" Chavez to take his place. However, hardcore was starting to wane in popularity and crossover thrash was the "big thing" in the mid-'80s so Nicki quit the band in 1984. Since remaining members Chavez, Joie Mastrokalos, and Gregg James wanted to continue making music, they asked Condemned to Death
Condemned to Death
Condemned to Death is a 1932 British crime film directed by Walter Forde and starring Arthur Wontner, Gillian Lind and Gordon Harker. It was adapted from the play Jack O'Lantern by James Dawson which was itself based on a novel by George Goodchild....
singer Scotty Wilkins to sing.
1985 Was the recording and release of San Francisco's theme album V.A. Rocks Your Liver, which was released on Boner Records
Boner Records
Boner Records is a Berkeley, California based independent record label, run by Tom Flynn. They have released recordings by Fang , Verbal Abuse, MDC, Boneless Ones, Duh, Steel Pole Bath Tub, The Melvins, The Warlock Pinchers, Hell's Kitchen, and Superconductor, among others.-The Melvins:*Bullhead...
. Tons of touring was done in that year and well into the late 80's all over the USA and Canada.
The band continued to tour but Mastrokalos eventually left to join another band in 1987, being replaced by Andy Schuman. James also left for family reasons a bit later, being replaced by former Condemned to Death drummer Mike Chubka who left that same year.
In 1989, Chris Kontos
Chris Kontos (musician)
Chris Kontos is best known as the drummer of Machine Head on their first album, Burn My Eyes. He and the band parted ways before their second album in 1997...
joined after James was unable to make the European tour. Verbal Abuse was asked to take M.D.C.'s place because they were unable to make the trip. Destiny Records booked 38 shows in 42 days. At the end of that tour Destiny asked if they would record a live recording. Out of that came Passport - Verbal Abuse of America. The label brought the band back to Europe in 1990 to tour in support of the live record. They recorded another album entitled Red, White and Violent, released in 1995 on Century Media Records
Century Media Records
Century Media Records is an Independent record label with offices in the United States, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom.- Background :...
. They toured for this record and split about a year later as Scotty joined Electric Frankenstein
Electric Frankenstein
Electric Frankenstein is an American band from Whippany, Clifton, and other areas of New Jersey. Their music is generally considered punk rock, but includes elements of hard rock and Heavy Metal as well...
.
Joie Mastrokalos resurfaced playing guitar for his good friend Duff McKagan
Duff McKagan
Michael Andrew "Duff" McKagan is an American musician and writer. He is best known for his twelve-year tenure as the bassist of the hard rock band Guns N' Roses, with whom he achieved worldwide success in the late 1980s and early 1990s...
's band in 1993 and 1994. He contributed on Duff's solo album Believe in Me and the following solo tours that ensued.
In 1996, the band received recognition and newfound interest when 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...
legends Slayer
Slayer
Slayer is an American thrash metal band formed in Huntington Park, California, in 1981 by guitarists Jeff Hanneman and Kerry King. Slayer rose to fame with their 1986 release, Reign in Blood, and is credited as one of the "Big Four" thrash metal acts, along with Metallica, Megadeth and...
covered five of their songs on their Undisputed Attitude
Undisputed Attitude
Undisputed Attitude is the seventh studio album by American thrash metal band Slayer. The album is a collection of punk covers of bands like Minor Threat, T.S.O.L., D.R.I and The Stooges...
record. The songs covered are "Disintegration", "Free Money", "Verbal Abuse", "Leeches" and "I Hate You".
Nicki Sicki, having been released from prison, and money from the Slayer album royalties, brought the band back together in the 21st century, now with Sicki back on vocals, ED Loco and Bubba Dennis(now in Pasadena Napalm Division with Kurt Brecht of DRI)on guitar, and Nick Nobody on bass, as well as Ed Jr on Drums. This version of the band toured the east coast and some west coast shows as well as headlineing the BOB FEST in 2005 in Oakland. The band relocated back to Oakland once again and this line up returned to Texas. Andy Schuman and Jess Aaron on second guitar joined the band with original bass player Dave Chavez, and Geza Szent-Galy on drums. Andy Schuman and Jess Aaron have since left the band. Guitar duites are now handled by Luke Skeels, formerly of The Boneless Ones, and Hell's Kitchen. The band's first LP was re-released on CD with extra tracks in 2002.
Discography
LPs- Just an American Band, Fowl RecordsFowl RecordsFowl Records was co-founded in 1994 by Jimi Haha from Jimmie's Chicken Shack, Richard James Burgess, the band's manager and Chris Keith, the band's agent as a means to release Jimmie's Chicken Shack's first two independent CDs...
(1983) - Rocks Your Liver, Boner Records (1986)
- Passport- Verbal Abuse of America Live in Berlin, Destiny Records (1989)
- Red, White & Violent, Century Media RecordsCentury Media RecordsCentury Media Records is an Independent record label with offices in the United States, Germany, Australia, France, Italy, Sweden, Finland, and the United Kingdom.- Background :...
(1995) - Just an American Band, Beer City Records (2002)
- Rocks Your Liver (and then some), Malt Soda Recordings (2006)
Compilations
- Them Boners Be Poppin compilation, Boner RecordsBoner RecordsBoner Records is a Berkeley, California based independent record label, run by Tom Flynn. They have released recordings by Fang , Verbal Abuse, MDC, Boneless Ones, Duh, Steel Pole Bath Tub, The Melvins, The Warlock Pinchers, Hell's Kitchen, and Superconductor, among others.-The Melvins:*Bullhead...
(1985) - Rat Music for Rat People, Vol. 3, CD Presents (1987)
- Thrasher Vol. 10 Compilation (1988)
Current members
- Nicki Sicki - Vocals (1981–1984, 2004–present)
- Dave "Koko" Chavez - Bass (1984–1995, 2004–present)
- Luke SkeelsLuke SkeelsLuke Skeels is a guitarist, music teacher, music producer, session player, and recording artist. He has played with the bands Boneless Ones, Hell's Kitchen, and Edge City Ruins. He is currently playing guitar for the Hardcore Punk band Verbal Abuse...
- Guitar (2009–present) - Geza Szent-Galy - Drums (2005–present)
Former members
Vocalists- Scotty Wilkins (1984–1995, 2000)
Guitarists
- Eric "Joie" Mastrokalos (1981–1987)
- Jason Shapiro (1984–1985)
- Andy Schuman (1987-1995-2004]
- Ed Loco (2004–2005)
- Bubba Dennis (2004–2006)
- Sean Sutton (2005–2006)
- Greg Elliot (2007–2009)
- Luke Skeels (2009-to present)
Bassists (??-??)
- Brett Dodwell (1981–1984)
- Pat Mack (?-?)
- Nick Nobody (2004–2006)
Drummers
- Gregg James (1981–1988)
- Jason Riquelmy (1982-?)
- Mike Chubka (1988–1989)
- Chris KontosChris Kontos (musician)Chris Kontos is best known as the drummer of Machine Head on their first album, Burn My Eyes. He and the band parted ways before their second album in 1997...
(1989–1995, 2000) - Ed JR (2004–2005)