Neil Turbin

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Neil Turbin
Neil Turbin Fist.jpg
Background information
Born (1963-12-24) December 24, 1963 (age 60)
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer, songwriter
Years active1978–present
Website deathriders.com

Neil Turbin (born December 24, 1963) is an American singer known for being the first full-time vocalist for thrash metal band Anthrax. He is the current lead vocalist and songwriter of heavy metal band DeathRiders [1] [2] and a member of hard rock band Bleed the Hunger. [3]

Contents

Career

Anthrax

Turbin with Anthrax in 1983 Anthrax1983.jpg
Turbin with Anthrax in 1983

When Turbin was first contacted by Anthrax he was already in a band called AMRA, but left after a few months, which prompted him to answer Anthrax's advertisement. He attended the same high school as Scott Ian and Danny Lilker, [4] Bayside High School in New York City, and was in a class with Ian in his freshman year. Turbin earned the position as the first official band vocalist in August 1982. His first performance with Anthrax was at Great Gildersleeves on September 12, 1982.[ citation needed ]

He performed and recorded with the band on the original demo recordings [5] and their first studio album, Fistful of Metal . Turbin wrote the lyrics to all songs on that album (with exception of the cover of Alice Cooper's "I'm Eighteen"). [2] He also has writing credits on five of the seven songs on the band's Armed and Dangerous EP, as well as two songs on Spreading the Disease , [6] both of which were recorded by third Anthrax vocalist Joey Belladonna, who replaced second Anthrax vocalist Matt Fallon. [7]

Turbin's exit from Anthrax came two weeks after the band's first North American tour, "Anthrax US Attack Tour 1984", ending with a show at Roseland Ballroom on August 3. [8]

In 2009, the video game Brütal Legend was released, featuring the Anthrax song "Metal Thrashing Mad" on its soundtrack, with Turbin's vocals. [9] Many of the songs Turbin wrote and recorded with the band have been re-recorded with different vocalists and appear on multiple albums and DVDs, including the double-platinum certified The Big Four: Live from Sofia, Bulgaria .

In 2021, Turbin along with other former members and music elite participated in "Anthrax 40th Anniversary Celebrations", which aired on Anthrax's official YouTube channel on May 3, 2021. [10]

DeathRiders

DeathRiders is named after one of Turbin's songs and was formed in 2001 to support his debut solo album, Threatcon Delta.

Deathriders toured Monterrey Metalfest, Mexico in 2005; Sweden Rock in 2006; Tokyo, Japan, [7] and the US in 2008; Rocktower 2009 Germany; Nightmare on St. Pauli Festival Germany 2009; Headbangers Open Air Germany 2009; and Expo Rock Tijuana 2010. They performed eight shows at the world-famous Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood in 2010. DeathRiders' Stay Screamin 2011 European Tour took them to Metal Bash 2011 in Germany; Highway To Dokk'em Open Air Festival 2011; and other venues throughout Tilburg, Netherlands, Vienna, Austria and Berlin, Germany.

DeathRiders were featured alongside Michael Angelo Batio, Faster Pussycat, and Phil Lewis of L.A. Guns at Rainbow Bar & Grill's 41st anniversary outdoor party on April 21, 2013. They also performed at NAMM Metal Jam at Whisky a Go Go in West Hollywood, California on January 23, 2013, which featured many well-known metal artists including current and past members of Queensrÿche, Dio's Disciples, Racer X and Michael Schenker Group.

In 2014, the band toured Europe Headbangers Open Air Brande-Hoernerkirchen, Germany, and the Headbangers Open Air 2014 warm-up show at Lauschbar in Itzehoe, Germany. DeathRiders' Fistful of Metal Alive 2014 European tour included numerous dates in Netherlands including in Dynamo Eindhoven, with an all-Dutch touring lineup.

Neil Turbin Live Rocktower Germany 2009 DeathridersGermany09.jpg
Neil Turbin Live Rocktower Germany 2009

In 2015, the band performed at NAMM Metal Jam and Neil and Michael's Metal Jam, with Michael Angelo Batio joining the band on guitar at The Slidebar in Fullerton, California. DeathRiders featuring Neil Turbin - Vocals, Jonas Hornqvist - Guitar, Richard Svard - Bass, Matt Thompson (King Diamond) - Drums, Andy La Rocque (King Diamond) - Producer released Never Surrender video and single on June 21, 2021 on BandCamp and DeathRidersChannel official Youtube as well as Rayzor Distro. [11]

Bleed the Hunger

Bleed the Hunger [3] was formed by Turbin and DeathRiders recording guitarist Jonas Hornqvist in January 2015.

Neil Turbin East Los

Neil Turbin East Los formed in 2019 toured in Tijuana, Mexico, played Metal Never Dies Fest 2019 with Toxik and Whiplash, LiveNation Mosh for Slayer Bricks Rock Bar, N.A.M.M. Metal Jam 2020, Turbin's solo thrash band lineup includes: Neil Turbin - Vocals Frank Gastellum - Guitar Dino Gonzalez - Drums Kevin Mayorga - Bass Hugo Garcia - Guitar [12]

Screamin Soul Demon

Screamin Soul Demon Neils Rock N Soul band performed live on mainstream radio stations with Screamin Soul Demon in 2020 on Real Talk With GLove - Florida Man Radio Orlando FM 105.5 / 660 AM and The Answer San Diego FM 96.1 / AM 107.1 Neil Turbin - Vocals, Guitar Erik Stone - Bass Patrick Johansson - Drums Geff Becerill - Keyboards Nate Montalvo - Guitar [13]

Sticky Wicked

Sticky Wicked [14] is a side project band that includes Turbin, Rowan Robertson, Jay Singh and Clackers Kay. The band actively toured in California in 2015.

Sharyot

Sharyot originally from Brazil, now in Los Angeles is a heavy metal band and they contacted Turbin after he co-wrote and sang backing vocals on two songs on Quiet Riot: Hollywood Cowboys. [15] Turbin was a special guest vocalist featured on the single and video for Stained Heart, produced by Neil Citron.

The Metal Voice

Co-host and music journalist since 2015, Turbin has been on 80+ episodes and interviewed icons of rock, metal and film for The Metal Voice, with Jimmy Kay and Alan Dixon based in Montreal Canada. [16]

2019 Metal Hall of Fame inductee

In 2019, Turbin received an official red carpet induction into the Metal Hall of Fame by Pat Gesualdo, President of the Metal Hall of Fame, at the Bowl for Ronnie charity event, on November 7, 2019, held at Pinz Bowling Center in Studio City, California. [17] [18]

Singing lessons via Vocal Firepower

In 2020, Turbin offered one-on-one master vocal lessons, Vocal Firepower, online and in-person through vocalfirepower.com [19] One of Neil's early students was Rick Rangel, guitarist/vocalist of Fueled by Fire. Other students included known singers in heavy metal, soul, and pop genres.

Ultimate Jam Night at Lucky Strike Live

Turbin was included in a regular lineup rotation at Ultimate Jam Night [20] (now called Soundcheck Live) at Lucky Strike Live Hollywood in February, March, April and May 2015. He performed onstage on a regular weekly basis with Billy Sheehan, Monte Pittman, Chuck Wright, Jason Sutter, Jonathan "Sugarfoot" Moffett, Mitch Perry, Ira Black, Debby Holiday, Reinhold Schwarzwald, Howie Simon, Mayuko Okai, Tzusumi Okai, Rowan Robertson, Francesco DiCosmo, Anthony "Tiny" Biuso, Louis Metoyer, Sam Bam Koltun, Sean McNabb, Jeff Duncan, Shawn Duncan, Matt Duncan, Joe Lester, and The Atomic Punks.

Solo work

In 2003, Turbin released his first solo album, Threatcon Delta , on American record label "Metal Mayhem Music". The album contains 14 songs, including a cover of a Jimi Hendrix song and an AC/DC cover. Prominent guest musicians on the album include Claude Schnell, Jeff Scott Soto, Vernon Anderson, and Paul Shortino. [21]

Vocal style and range

Turbin is known for his high-pitched screams in his natural voice up to C6. He is the only early Big 4 vocalist [22] to sing in this range, as demonstrated on the songs "Death from Above", "Deathrider", and "Metal Thrashing Mad" on Fistful of Metal .

Influences

Turbin cites heavy metal and NWOBHM vocalists from bands such as Judas Priest, Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, AC/DC, Motörhead, Accept, Riot and Saxon as influences of his vocal style, although he was also heavily influenced by the New York punk scene of the 1970s–1980s including bands such as Generation X, Ramones, Niki Buzz, The Bullets, Vendetta, Mayday, Steve Johnstad, Son, Wayne County & the Electric Chairs, Neon Leon, Walter Lure & The Heartbreakers, The Clash, The Sex Pistols and MC5.

Turbin spent time at the infamous punk club CBGB's and worked at other important punk scene venues Ritz when it first opened and also Max's Kansas City, from 1979 to 1980. He has stated that he favors writing with a neo-classical, rhythm and blues, and soulful hard rock influence. [23]

Discography

DeathRiders

Neil Turbin

Anthrax

Compilations

Video games

Guest appearances

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthrax (American band)</span> American thrash metal band

Anthrax is an American thrash metal band from New York City, formed in 1981 by rhythm guitarist Scott Ian and bassist Dan Lilker. The group is considered one of the leaders of the thrash metal scene from the 1980s and is part of the "Big Four" of the genre, along with Metallica, Megadeth and Slayer. They were also one of the first thrash metal bands to emerge from the East Coast. The band's current lineup consists of Scott Ian, drummer Charlie Benante, bassist Frank Bello, vocalist Joey Belladonna and lead guitarist Jonathan Donais. Anthrax's lineup has changed numerous times over their career, leaving Ian as the only constant member of the band. Ian and Benante are the only two members to appear on all of Anthrax's albums, while Bello has been a member of Anthrax since 1984, replacing Lilker.

Thrash metal is an extreme subgenre of heavy metal music characterized by its overall aggression and fast tempo. The songs usually use fast percussive beats and low-register guitar riffs, overlaid with shredding-style lead guitar work. The lyrical subject matter often includes criticism of The Establishment, opposition to armed conflicts, and at times shares a disdain for the Christian religion with that of black metal. The language is typically direct and denunciatory, an approach borrowed from hardcore punk.

<i>Fistful of Metal</i> 1984 studio album by Anthrax

Fistful of Metal is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax, released in January 1984 by Megaforce Records and Music for Nations internationally. The album includes a cover of Alice Cooper's "I'm Eighteen". This is the band's only album to feature original frontman Neil Turbin and original bassist Dan Lilker, who were replaced by Matt Fallon and Frank Bello, respectively. Former original guitarist Greg Walls claims that Anthrax "ripped him off" as he claims he wrote the material on the album.

<i>Spreading the Disease</i> 1985 studio album by Anthrax

Spreading the Disease is the second studio album by the American heavy metal band Anthrax, released in October 1985 by Megaforce Records and Island Records. It was the band's first album to feature vocalist Joey Belladonna and bassist Frank Bello. A special two-disc edition of the album was released in 2015, celebrating its 30th anniversary.

<i>Armed and Dangerous</i> (EP) 1985 EP by Anthrax

Armed and Dangerous is the first EP by American heavy metal band Anthrax, released in February 1985 through Megaforce Records. The band produced the album with Carl Canedy and Jon Zazula acting as executive producer. This is the first Anthrax release to feature Joey Belladonna on vocals, and the first Anthrax release to feature Frank Bello on bass guitar.

<i>Among the Living</i> 1987 studio album by Anthrax

Among the Living is the third studio album by American heavy metal band Anthrax. It was released on March 16, 1987, by Megaforce Records in the US and by Island Records in the rest of the world. The album is dedicated to Cliff Burton of Metallica, who died in a bus accident six months before its release while Metallica were on tour with Anthrax as the opening act.

<i>Attack of the Killer Bs</i> 1991 compilation album by Anthrax

Attack of the Killer B's is a compilation album of B-sides, covers and rarities by the thrash metal band Anthrax and the band's last audio album released before vocalist John Bush replaced longtime Anthrax vocalist Joey Belladonna in 1992. The album was released in June 1991 by Megaforce Worldwide/Island Entertainment. The "B's" in the album's title refers to b-sides previously unreleased and compiled for a single release. In 1992 the album was nominated for a Grammy Award in the category Best Metal Performance.

<i>Live: The Island Years</i> 1994 live album by Anthrax

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<i>The Greater of Two Evils</i> 2004 studio album by Anthrax

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joey Belladonna</span> American heavy metal singer

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Deathriders</span> Musical artist

DeathRiders is an American heavy metal band based in Los Angeles, California. The band was formed in 2001 to support lead vocalist Neil Turbin's solo album Threatcon Delta and is named after Neil's song lyric "Deathrider" which was the first song on the album 'Fistful of Metal' which Turbin wrote in his time as the lead singer of Anthrax.

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References

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