Spineshank

Last updated

Spineshank
Spineshank.jpg
Spineshank in 1998
Background information
Origin Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1996–2004
  • 2008–2016
  • 2025–present
Labels
Members
  • Jonny Santos
  • Robert Garcia
  • Tommy Decker
  • Tommy Decker, Jr.
  • Jason Hager
Past members
  • Marlo Gonzalez
  • Brandon Espinoza
  • Mike Sarkisyan

Spineshank is an American nu metal / industrial metal band from Los Angeles. The band released four studio albums: Strictly Diesel (1998), The Height of Callousness (2000), Self-Destructive Pattern (2003), and Anger Denial Acceptance (2012).

Contents

History

Early works, formation and signing with Roadrunner (1996–1997)

Before Spineshank formed in 1996, bassist and vocalist Jonny Santos, guitarists Marlo Gonzalez and Tim Mankowski, and drummer Tommy Decker were members of a band called Basic Enigma. They released a demo EP in 1994 named Drunk With Power. [1] [2] According to Decker, they learned "everything not to do" in Basic Enigma, and were heavily inspired by Pantera, Slayer, and White Zombie at the time. Upon hearing Fear Factory's Demanufacture, the band took a new approach, writing songs and recording them before actually playing them. This made them realize they needed to change the way they did things. Around the same time, Mike Sarkisyan replaced Mankowski on guitar. [3]

Basic Enigma later broke up but soon reformed as Spineshank. They then started recording demos and handed them out at several shows in Los Angeles. After the release of a demo in 1996, Gonzalez departed from the lineup; thus, Sarkisyan became the band's sole guitarist. [4] Eventually, Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares heard one of their demos and gave them a chance to open a show for Fear Factory and Coal Chamber at a concert held in Los Angeles with other notable bands such as Snot, Soulfly, Sepultura, and Danzig. As a result of these shows, Spineshank piqued the interest of the A&R director of Roadrunner Records, Kevin Estrada. Estrada liked them because of their experimentation but was hesitant to sign them due to their lack of a bass player, and he didn't like that Santos played the bass and sang because he felt playing the bass "inhibited" him from singing. After several lineup changes, the band eventually found Robert Garcia, who became their bass player. [2] [5] [6]

Estrada worked with them on a song that later became "Detached," and after multiple performances, Estrada was pleased and wanted to do a demo deal. After speaking with Roadrunner, they were so impressed with the demos that they wanted to skip the demo deal and sign the band instead. Spineshank went on to sign a seven-album deal with Roadrunner, guaranteeing $30,000 for their first album plus an extra $10,000 for subsequent records with the label. [7] [8]

Strictly Diesel, The Height of Callousness and Self-Destructive Pattern (1998–2003)

Spineshank 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 in 2000 and 2001, respectively.

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 Niño and Chimaira. A show in the Netherlands was filmed on October 6, and was to become a DVD entitled Roadrage. However, it was never officially released.

Lineup change and hiatus (2004–2008)

In January 2004, it was reported that Santos had officially left Spineshank. Tommy Decker stated that the split was "amicable" and was mainly due to "musical differences", Decker later said a big part of why Santos left was because the band wanted "to go heavier" but Santos didn't. [3] [9] [10] Santos later spoke about leaving Spineshank in a 2006 interview, stating: "I think that moment in time we weren't getting along the greatest. I was not happy with the direction of the music anymore, and I also think that the band had kind of just run its course. I think that Spineshank did what it was meant to do. I don't regret ever being in that band. It's some of the best memories of my life, but I think that the day was up." [11]

On January 17, 2004, Spineshank launched a search for a new vocalist, [12] 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. [13] Later on, in February 2008, the band (excluding Espinoza) announced open tryouts for a new unnamed project. [14]

Anger Denial Acceptance, reunion with original lineup and disbanding (2008–2025)

The thing is we broke up and the Grammy thing [happened] during the same week. Things were already in motion, and it was already kind of over at the time. I mean, we were burned out. It's weird because it never set in, and we never got to be "Grammy-nominated Spineshank." It was like, okay, we got this nomination and we're done.

—Tommy Decker on the band being nominated for a Grammy

In 2008, Spineshank reunited with Santos, and in August of that year recorded a demo. Drummer Tommy Decker said of the reunion, "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!!!). . . " Santos stated in an interview that Anger Denial Acceptance "will be the Spineshank record we always wanted to make, and not what the label wanted us to make" and that it won't be a "commercially-driven record". [15]

On October 3, 2011, Spineshank debuted a new song "Murder Suicide" via Noisecreep. [16] On June 19, 2012, the band released Anger Denial Acceptance through Century Media.

After several years of silence, on February 16, 2016, Mike Sarkisyan in an online interview said that the band had completed what they had set out to do and that there were no plans to continue the band. [17]

In July 2020, Spineshank's former label Warner Music Group (who owns Roadrunner Records) released "Infected", a song that was originally a b-side on the Japanese release of their 2003 album Self-Destructive Pattern , to Spotify. [18] The song had leaked to online outlets well over a decade prior.

Third reunion (2025–present)

In January 2025, Spineshank announced a reunion specifically for the September festival Louder Than Life. In addition to Santos, Garcia, and Decker, the lineup also featured Tommy Decker, Jr. on guitar (since Sarkisyan essentially retired from the music industry) and Jason Hager on guitar as well (founding member of the band Chimaira). [19]

Musical style and influences

Spineshank has been described as nu metal, [20] [21] industrial metal, [22] and alternative metal. [23] They have been compared to the likes of Fear Factory, Orgy, Static-X, Coal Chamber, and System of a Down. [24]

Jonny Santos has cited Robb Flynn, James Hetfield, and Tom Araya as his "biggest heroes", but was inspired to start playing guitar by Randy Rhoads, and Eddie Van Halen. Slash also had a big influence on Santos as a kid, stating "That's why most of my playing is all in pretty much, like, pentatonic patterns. I stay in a certain box that I feel really comfortable with, and I use my wah pedal quite a bit. Slash, to me, is just, like, God." Santos has also cited Sepultura, Machine Head, Ministry, and Godflesh as influences for Spineshank. [11]

Band members

Current lineup

Former members

Discography

Spineshank discography
Studio albums4
Compilation albums1
Singles7

Studio albums

List of studio albums, with selected details and chart positions
TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
US
[26] 		US
Heat.
[26] 		AUS
[27] 		UK
[28]
Strictly Diesel ———129
The Height of Callousness
  • Released: October 10, 2000
  • Label: Roadrunner
  • Formats: CD, CS, DI, LP
18313—104
Self-Destructive Pattern
  • Released: September 9, 2003
  • Label: Roadrunner
  • Formats: CD, DI
89—8983
Anger Denial Acceptance————
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Compilation albums

List of compilation albums, with selected details
TitleAlbum details
The Best of Spineshank
  • Released: January 29, 2008
  • Label: Roadrunner
  • Formats: CD, DI

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
Main.
[30] 		UK
[28]
"Stovebolt"1998——Strictly Diesel
"Synthetic"2000——The Height of Callousness
"New Disease"20013384
"Smothered"2003——Self-Destructive Pattern
"Nothing Left for Me"2012——Anger Denial Acceptance
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Related Research Articles

<i>Slipknot</i> (album) 1999 studio album by Slipknot

Slipknot is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Slipknot. It was released on June 29, 1999, by Roadrunner Records, following a demo containing a few of the songs which had previously been released in 1998. Later, it was reissued in December 1999 with a slightly-altered track listing and mastering as the result of a lawsuit. It was the first release by the band to be produced by Ross Robinson, who sought to refine Slipknot's sound rather than alter the group's musical direction. This is the only album to feature original guitarist Josh Brainard who left at the end of recording in late 1998 while the band was taking a brief break. Jim Root, who recorded two tracks at this point, would appear full time on subsequent albums starting with their next album Iowa.

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

Disturbed is an American heavy metal band from Chicago, formed in 1994. The band includes guitarist Dan Donegan, drummer Mike Wengren, lead vocalist David Draiman and bassist John Moyer. Donegan and Wengren have been involved in the band since its inception, with Draiman replacing original lead vocalist Erich Awalt in 1996 and Moyer replacing original bassist Steve "Fuzz" Kmak in 2004.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fear Factory</span> American industrial metal band

Fear Factory is an American industrial metal band formed in Los Angeles in 1989. Throughout the band's career, they have released ten full-length albums and have evolved through a succession of sounds, all in their main style of industrial metal. Over the years, Fear Factory has seen frequent changes in its lineup, with lead vocalist Burton C. Bell being the only consistent member for 31 years until his departure in 2020. Guitarist Dino Cazares is the only original member still in the band. The band went on hiatus in March 2002 following some internal disputes, but resumed activity a year later without founding member Cazares. Previous bassist Christian Olde Wolbers replaced him on guitar, while Byron Stroud handled bass duties. After a second hiatus in 2006, Fear Factory reunited in April 2009 with a new lineup that featured a returning Cazares, Gene Hoglan as the replacement of original drummer Raymond Herrera, and Bell and Stroud reprising their respective roles; this lineup recorded the band's seventh studio album titled Mechanize (2010). Wolbers and Herrera — together comprising 50% of the band's legal ownership — disputed the legitimacy of the reunited band, and a legal battle from both parties had begun. Despite this, Fear Factory has since released three more albums: The Industrialist (2012), Genexus (2015) and Aggression Continuum (2021).

<i>Dysfunction</i> (album) 1999 studio album by Staind

Dysfunction is the second studio album by American rock band Staind, released on April 13, 1999, by Flip Records and Elektra Records. It is the band's first studio album released on a record label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Killswitch Engage</span> American metalcore band

Killswitch Engage is an American metalcore band from Westfield, Massachusetts, formed in 1999. The band's current lineup consists of vocalist Jesse Leach, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, bassist Mike D'Antonio, and drummer Justin Foley. Howard Jones was the band's lead vocalist from 2002 to 2012.

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

Snot is an American nu metal band from Santa Barbara, California. Formed in 1995, the band released their only studio album Get Some with founding vocalist Lynn Strait in 1997 and disbanded after his death in 1998. In 2008, the lineup of lead guitarist Mikey Doling, bassist John Fahnestock, drummer Jamie Miller and rhythm guitarist Sonny Mayo reunited. In 2009, a new band, Tons, was formed, with Brandon Espinosa as vocalist. In February 2014, Snot had at the time reformed again. But during 2015, the band stopped activity. Though in 2024, the band was reformed yet again.

<i>Concrete</i> (Fear Factory album) 2002 studio album (demo) by Fear Factory

Concrete is an album by American industrial metal band Fear Factory, recorded in 1991 but not released until 2002. The first album to be produced by Ross Robinson, it was intended to be Fear Factory's first album; however, it was shelved after the band declined a record contract presented to the band by Robinson. Subsequently, the album was shelved, with Robinson retaining the master tapes and the band retaining the song rights; half of which were re-recorded and released on their 1992 debut album Soul of a New Machine. Robinson sold the master tapes to Roadrunner, who subsequently released the album on July 30, 2002, though the band members have had divided opinions on its release.

<i>Obsolete</i> (album) 1998 studio album by Fear Factory

Obsolete is the third studio album by American industrial metal band Fear Factory, released on July 28, 1998, through Roadrunner Records. It was produced by Fear Factory, Greg Reely and Rhys Fulber, the latter of whom wrote, arranged and performed all of the album's keyboard parts, and was the band's first full album to feature bassist Christian Olde Wolbers, who performed on around half of the tracks of the band's previous album Demanufacture (1995).

Anyone is a band from Southern California led by Riz Story. They released their 2001 self-titled album on Roadrunner Records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vision of Disorder</span> American hardcore/metalcore band

Vision of Disorder is an American hardcore/metalcore band from Long Island, New York, that initially released three albums before disbanding in 2002. The band garnered attention for blending melody and groove into a traditional hardcore framework, but its attempts to pursue an alternative metal direction on its fourth album were met with limited commercial success. The band reunited in 2008 and have since released two further albums, The Cursed Remain Cursed in 2012 and Razed to the Ground in 2015.

<i>Coal Chamber</i> (album) 1997 studio album by Coal Chamber

Coal Chamber is the debut studio album by American nu metal band Coal Chamber. It was released on February 11, 1997, by Roadrunner Records and contains the single "Loco". The special edition of the album contains the bonus tracks "Headstones and the Walking Dead", "Big Truck ", "Pig (Demo)", "Sway (Demo)", "Unspoiled (Demo)", and "Loco (Demo)". The DVD features two of the band's concerts, a live video of "Loco", and the music video of "Loco".

<i>Self-Destructive Pattern</i> 2003 studio album by Spineshank

Self-Destructive Pattern is the third studio album by American metal band Spineshank, released on September 9, 2003, through Roadrunner Records. The single "Smothered" was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Metal Performance (2004).

<i>The Impossibility of Reason</i> 2003 studio album by Chimaira

The Impossibility of Reason is the second studio album by the American heavy metal band Chimaira, released on May 13, 2003. It is the first album to feature Matt DeVries on rhythm guitar. The album is a noted for its groove metal-oriented sound, especially when compared to the band's previous releases which were considered closer to the nu metal genre. Upon release, it debuted No. 117 on the Billboard 200 charts. To date the album has sold around 200,000 copies in the US.

<i>Strictly Diesel</i> 1998 studio album by Spineshank

Strictly Diesel is the debut studio album by American metal band Spineshank, released on September 22, 1998, through Roadrunner Records. After forming in 1996, Spineshank shopped a demo tape around the Los Angeles area, bringing them to the attention of Fear Factory guitarist Dino Cazares. The band subsequently began opening for Fear Factory and other bands from early 1997 onwards, attracting the attention of Roadrunner A&R rep Kevin Estrada, who signed the band. Produced by Jay Baumgardner and Amir Derakh, Strictly Diesel is a nu metal and industrial metal album whose sound was compared to bands such as Deftones, Fear Factory, Korn and Sepultura—all of whom Spineshank cited as musical influences.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silent Civilian</span> American metal band

Silent Civilian is an American heavy metal 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. Silent Civilian was thus formed and the band faced trouble from the start after experiencing several line-up changes and departing from their original record label Corporate Punishment Records.

<i>The Height of Callousness</i> 2000 studio album by Spineshank

The Height of Callousness is the second studio album by American metal band Spineshank, released on October 9, 2000, through Roadrunner Records. It was produced by Garth "GGGarth" Richardson alongside Spineshank guitarist Mike Sarkisyan and drummer Tommy Decker, and it was recorded at Mushroom Studios in Vancouver, Canada. The album has a heavier, more aggressive sound than the band's debut album Strictly Diesel (1998), and incorporates more melodic and electronic elements. Its themes are depression, betrayal, anger, self-doubt and self-confidence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Smothered (song)</span> 2003 single by Spineshank

"Smothered" is a single by American industrial metal band Spineshank. It was only released in the United States in CD format. The music video 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 Best Metal Performance at the 46th Grammy Awards, but lost to Metallica's "St. Anger." The song "Smothered" was featured in the video game Backyard Wrestling: Don't Try This at Home.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boiler Room (band)</span> American nu metal band

Boiler Room is an American nu metal band from New York City. The band formed in 1996, releasing two studio albums and one single before disbanding in 2001.

<i>The Best of Spineshank</i> 2008 compilation album by Spineshank

The Best of Spineshank is a greatest hits compilation album, released by the American industrial metal band Spineshank's former record label Roadrunner Records. It was released on January 29, 2008 and features material from the band's first 3 studio albums presented in reverse chronological order. The album has sold over 10,000 copies as of March 11, 2008.

Mutiny Within is an American heavy metal band from Edison, New Jersey. The band was formed in 2002 by bassist Andrew Jacobs.

References

  1. ↑ Drunk With Power Credits (liner notes). Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Spineshank". Spotify. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Murphy, Tom. "Spineshank's Tommy Decker on his approach to drumming and reconvening with Jonny Santos". Westword. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  4. 1 2 SpineShank Credits (liner notes). Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  5. ↑ Meep Meep Podcast (March 2022). "Spineshank - Strictly Diesel (1998) [w/ Rob Garcia & Mike Sarkisyan of Spineshank and Kevin Estrada, A&R]" (Podcast). Event occurs at 3:00-7:00.
  6. ↑ "SpineShank Bio". roadrunnerrecords.com . Archived from the original on January 28, 1999. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  7. ↑ Meep Meep Podcast (March 2022). "Spineshank - Strictly Diesel (1998) [w/ Rob Garcia & Mike Sarkisyan of Spineshank and Kevin Estrada, A&R]" (Podcast). Event occurs at 7:00-10:30.
  8. ↑ Karpe 2021, p. 155.
  9. ↑ It's Official: SPINESHANK Part Ways With Vocalist JONNY SANTOS Archived October 15, 2007, at the Wayback Machine . Posted January 9, 2004.
  10. ↑ SPINESHANK Drummer: 'We Wanted To Play Heavier Music Than JONNY Did' Archived October 15, 2007, at the Wayback Machine . Posted January 10, 2004.
  11. 1 2 "Live-Metal.Net - Interviews: Silent Civilian". September 27, 2007. Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  12. ↑ SPINESHANK Launch Singer Search Archived October 15, 2007, at the Wayback Machine . Posted January 17, 2004.
  13. ↑ Brandon Espinoza: Its sad to say but were parting ways.... Posted February 7, 2008
  14. ↑ Ex-Spineshank Members Looking For Vocalist For New Band. Metalunderground.com, Posted April 2, 2008.
  15. ↑ Spineshank Interview 2008, May 10, 2012, retrieved July 12, 2023
  16. ↑ "Spineshank Return with a Fury on 'Murder Suicide' -- Song Premiere - Noisecreep". Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved October 3, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Talk Toomey - Ep. 28 Mike Sarkisyan (Spineshank)". Archived from the original on March 28, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  18. ↑ "NEWS: Spineshank single "Infected" surfaces!". Metalnoise.net. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Spineshank Reunites, Announced Appearance at 2025 Louder Than Life Festival". Blabbermouth.net . January 30, 2025. Retrieved January 31, 2025.
  20. ↑ Udo, Tommy (2002). Brave Nu World . Sanctuary Publishing. pp.  159–162. ISBN   1-86074-415-X.
  21. ↑ "28 Nu-Metal Era Bands You Probably Forgot All About". NME . Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  22. ↑ Chichester, Sammi (December 5, 2012). "Mike Sarkisyan of Spineshank Picks His Five Favorite Albums of the Year". Revolver . Archived from the original on June 20, 2017.
  23. ↑ Riddle, Tree (June 19, 2012). "Spineshank, 'Nothing Left for Me' – Exclusive Video Premiere". Loudwire . Retrieved November 7, 2015.
  24. ↑ Udo, Tommy (2002). Brave Nu World. London : Sanctuary. pp. 159–160.
  25. ↑ Minus Knives (Ex-Factory 81/Spineshank) Release Debut Album, Preview Available
  26. 1 2 "Spineshank Album & Song Chart History". Billboard .
  27. ↑ Ryan, Gavin (2011). Australia's Music Charts 1988–2010 (PDF ed.). Mt Martha, Victoria, Australia: Moonlight Publishing. p. 264.
  28. 1 2 Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: DJ S - The System of Life". Zobbel.
  29. ↑ "Spineshank: The Height Of Callousness". British Phonographic Industry . Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  30. ↑ "Spineshank > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles". AllMusic . Retrieved January 12, 2012.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.