Stemm (band)

Last updated

STEMM
Origin Niagara Falls, New York, U.S.
Genres Nu metal, groove metal, metalcore, hardcore punk
Years active1998–2012
2019–present
LabelsCatch 22, I Scream
MembersJoe Cafarella
Guitar / Lead Vocals 1998–2012
2018 – present
Danny Nelligan
Drums 2003–2012
2018 – present
Stephen Crowl
Bass / Vocals 2003–2011
2018 – present
Alex Scouten
Guitar / Vocals 1998–1999
2007–2012
2018 – present
Past membersFred Blackwell – Guitar 1999–2000
Louis Penque – Vocals 1998–2003
Jimi Penque – Drums 1998–2003
Russ Martin – Bass 1998–2003
Rich Spalla – Guitar 2000–2007
TJ Frost – Vocals 2003–2007
Mario Nobilio – Bass 2011–2012
Website stemmband.com

STEMM is an American heavy metal band from Niagara Falls, New York. STEMM was formed in 1998 by Joe Cafarella. He, along with Louie and Jimi Penque, Russ Martin, and Alex Scouten made up the original lineup of the band. Alex left the band in 1999, and was briefly replaced by guitarist Fred Blackwell. Rich Spalla replaced Fred shortly after. This lineup remained intact until 2003. Joe and Rich merged with drummer Danny Nelligan, bassist Stephen Crowl, and vocalist TJ Frost of Buffalo band 5 Years Gone, to create a new incarnation of the band. This lineup also saw a change in the musical direction of the band from Rapcore to more of a metal act.

Contents

This lineups first two concerts were a showcase for Metalblade Records, and opening for Sevendust. [1] The band performed on many Jägermeister Tours, opening for such acts as Hatebreed, Chimaira, Staind, Godsmack, Soulfly, Trivium, Arch Enemy and Black Label Society. STEMM also played the last full show of Dimebag Darrell (Pantera/Damageplan) in Buffalo, NY, the night before he was killed on stage in Columbus, Ohio.

STEMM began a hiatus on December 1, 2012. In early 2019, it was announced on the band's Facebook page that they would be releasing new music later in the year.

STEMM was endorsed by ESP Guitars, Jägermeister, Dream Cymbals, Regal Tip drumsticks and Mesa Boogie. [2] [3]

History

Early years

STEMM was formed in June 1998 by Joe Cafarella, Russ Martin and Jimi and Louis Penque. [4] All the members had come from various other local acts. By December the band recorded a two-song promo disc. Within four months' time, the album had sold well over 600 copies. [5] Initially STEMM incorporated a hybrid of hardcore with rapcore much like the band E.Town Concrete. These sounds were very prominent on their first EP, entitled Further Efforts and also on their first independently released debut, entitled Dead to Me which was released in 2002. [6] [7] In July 2000, STEMM would announce the addition of second guitarist, Rich Spalla.

UFC and Fight Network

In 2002, STEMM also signed a licensing deal with the UFC. [8] [9] STEMM's music has been incorporated in UFC television and live events since August 2002. Songs to date used by the UFC include, "Out of Context", "Holding On", "Fallen", "Face the Pain" (which was used for the theme song and is featured on the UFC 2009 Undisputed soundtrack), which have been used on every UFC pay-per-view from 2002 until 2018 and The Ultimate Fighter. [10] "Face the Pain" was also featured on the UFC compilation CD UFC Ultimate Beatdowns Volume 1 alongside such bands as Fear Factory, Slayer and Shadows Fall. [11] STEMM more recently also signed a licensing deal to feature their music on Canadian television station The Fight Network. [9]

Lineup changes

In late 2003 and through most of 2004, the band's lineup would change. Jimi Penque left STEMM, citing creative and musical differences. A few months later Louis Penque left STEMM due to family reasons. This provided the bridge for the merging of local Buffalo metal act, 5 Years Gone and STEMM. [8] 5 Years Gone drummer Dan Nelligan and vocalist T.J. Frost of 5 Years Gone began filling in, while STEMM guitarists returned the favor by replacing the two guitarists that had recently departed 5 Years Gone. After bassist Russ Martin was fired, STEMM and 5 Years Gone would be combined as one. The combination saw the band take a different direction musically. Because of this, the band as a whole do not recognize the previous incarnation of the band and even contemplated changing the name of the band, but decided to keep on as STEMM due in large part to the UFC having already spent money on promoting the band. [12] [8] [13]

New beginning

After reconfiguring the lineup, STEMM signed to Chimaira guitarist Rob Arnold's management label, Triple M Management. [13] With Arnold's help, the band recorded a 5-song EP entitled 5 in early 2004. On the song "13 Years", Chimaira vocalist Mark Hunter did a guest appearance. [9] The EP went on to sell over 1,000 copies in only a couple of months time. The band did local shows in support of the demo, opening for acts such as Sevendust and touring nationwide with Chimaira and Trivium. [14] [15] STEMM would be the openers for Damageplan's final concert, as the next day, Dimebag Darrell was murdered while onstage. [9] [16] They also opened for Nuclear Blast artist Bleed The Sky at the legendary Whisky a Go Go. [17] T.J. Frost along with Joe Cafarella would provide guest vocals on the Bleed the Sky track "Division" as well. [12] The band then participated in the 2005 installment of the New England Metal and Hardcore Festival with other notable acts such as Soilwork, Danzig, Dark Tranquillity and Mnemic. [18] In November 2005, the band released their second album, entitled Songs for the Incurable Heart independently. The album included four tracks from the previous demo, plus all new material, including a song that is a tribute to the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks, which vocalist T.J. Frost survived entitled "The Day the Earth Stood Still" which clocks in at 9:11, in homage. [12]

Finally signed

In August 2006, the band announced on their MySpace page that they had officially signed a record deal with I Scream Records to re-release their second album Songs for the Incurable Heart. [19] Though the contract was only to re-release Songs for the Incurable Heart. [12] STEMM continued for the next year opening for bands such as Godsmack and Stone Sour. [12] On July 30, 2007, STEMM announced that vocalist T.J. Frost had departed the band due to personal issues. With his departure, back up vocalist and guitarist Joe Cafarella changed to full-time vocal duty, while guitarist Alex Scouten formerly of 3 Minutes of Hate began filling in as a session member. Alex had previously worked with STEMM, when then vocalist T.J. Frost was injured in 2006 and also was the original guitar player for STEMM when they reformed with a different lineup in 2003. [20] Later on Scouten replaced former guitarist Rich Spalla. [12]

Blood Scent

After securing a solid lineup the band began working on new material for their third album Blood Scent. The song "Poopmouth" which was later renamed "Broken Face Masterpiece" for the album was featured in the May edition of Metal Edge Magazine on a CD sampler that accompanied the magazine. In early July it was announced the new album was completed, but it wouldn't be until mid-October before the track listing and artwork for the new album, Blood Scent was confirmed. In the same news, the band also revealed that they had signed with Catch 22 Records, a subsidiary of MVD Entertainment and that they would handle the release of the album. In the words of vocalist Joe Cafarella, the new album is their Vulgar Display of Power. Comparing the album itself not as a clone of the album, but as the way it represents them as a whole, saying "We just wanted to make a CD that would not pigeon hole us into a certain cliché sound. Let's face it, Pantera made it on their live performances. While MTV was playing 'Walk' and 'This Love' us metal heads were cranking Fucking Hostile and Mouth for War." [21] Blood Scent was released on November 11, 2008. In a press release by the UFC, the company stated that the song, "House of Cards" from Blood Scent would be used as the theme song for UFC Wired. [22] The first single, "Awake" is accompanied by a video that was shot by GDM Video Production company.

Joining with Trans-Fusion Entertainment

In late 2008 STEMM finally found a booking agency who was able to get them outside a regional market. [23] STEMM has been touring the United States in support of Blood Scent as the headlining act.

Ride or Die Tour 2009

In June 2009, STEMM announced they would headlining the Ride Or Die Tour [24] with bands His Name Was Yesterday and Adakain.

Disbandment and reunion

On December 1, 2012, STEMM performed their last show. The concert was located at Town Ballroom in Buffalo, NY. They performed with His Name Was Yesterday and Whiskey Reverb. Former members Louis, TJ, and Stephen played with them according to the eras they were with the band (e.g. Louis performed songs from Further Efforts and Dead to Me). They all came together for Face the Pain and finally Monster.

After disbandment, Joe and Danny started working in music publishing for Sonoton and APM.

The band became active again in 2019. They released a new single "Don't Act Surprised" on YouTube on October 13, 2019. [25]

Band members

Current lineup

Former members

Discography

TitleRelease dateLabel
Further Efforts1999None
Dead to Me 2001None
52004None
Songs for the Incurable Heart November 15, 2005
October 10, 2006 (re-release)		I Scream Records
Blood Scent November 11, 2008Catch 22 Records
CrossroadsSeptember 13, 2011Catch 22 Records [26]

Related Research Articles

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

Pantera is an American heavy metal band from Arlington, Texas, formed in 1981 by the Abbott brothers, and currently composed of vocalist Phil Anselmo, bassist Rex Brown, and touring musicians Zakk Wylde and Charlie Benante. The group's best-known lineup consisted of the Abbott brothers along with Brown and Anselmo, who joined in 1982 and 1986 respectively. The band is credited for developing and popularizing the subgenre of groove metal in the 1990s. Regarded as one of the most successful and influential bands in heavy metal history, Pantera has sold around 20 million records worldwide and has received four Grammy nominations.

<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 after the disbanding of Overcast and Aftershock. Killswitch Engage's current lineup consists of vocalist Jesse Leach, guitarists Joel Stroetzel and Adam Dutkiewicz, bassist Mike D'Antonio, and drummer Justin Foley. The band has released eight studio albums and three live performance albums. Their eighth studio album, Atonement, was released on August 16, 2019.

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

DevilDriver is an American heavy metal band from Santa Barbara, California, formed in 2002, consisting of vocalist Dez Fafara, lead guitarist Mike Spreitzer, bassist Jon Miller, rhythm guitarist Alex Lee and drummer Davier Pérez. The band was originally named Deathride, however, due to copyright issues and the name being taken by several bands, the band changed its name to DevilDriver.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Six Feet Under (band)</span> American death metal band

Six Feet Under is an American death metal band from Tampa, Florida, formed in 1993. The band consists of five members: founding vocalist Chris Barnes, guitarists Ray Suhy and Jack Owen, bassist Jeff Hughell and drummer Marco Pitruzzella. It was originally a side project formed by Barnes with guitarist Allen West of Obituary, but became a full-time commitment after Barnes was dismissed from Cannibal Corpse in 1995. Six Feet Under has released 14 albums, and is listed by Nielsen Soundscan as the fourth-best-selling death metal act in the U.S.

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

Hatebreed is an American metalcore band from Bridgeport, Connecticut, formed in 1994. The band released its debut album Satisfaction is the Death of Desire in 1997, which gave the band a cult following. The band signed to Universal Records and released Perseverance in 2002, which hit the Billboard 200. Combining elements of hardcore and heavy metal, the band is often described as a metalcore, hardcore punk, and beatdown hardcore band. They have played a major role in the Connecticut hardcore scene.

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

Damageplan was an American heavy metal band from Dallas, Texas, formed in 2003. Following the demise of their previous group Pantera, brothers Dimebag Darrell and Vinnie Paul Abbott wanted to start a new band. The pair recruited former Halford guitarist Patrick Lachman on vocals, and later Bob Zilla on bass. Damageplan released New Found Power, their only album, in February 2004. New Found Power debuted at number 38 on the Billboard 200, selling 44,676 copies in its first week.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vinnie Paul</span> American drummer (1964–2018)

Vincent Paul Abbott was an American musician best known for being the drummer and co-founder of the heavy metal band Pantera. He also co-founded Damageplan in 2003 with his younger brother, 'Dimebag' Darrell Abbott, and was a member of Hellyeah for 12 years from 2006 until his death in 2018.

Patrick "Pat" Lachman is an American heavy metal guitarist and vocalist, best known as the lead vocalist of Damageplan. He has also played guitar for Halford, Killswitch Engage, The Mercy Clinic and Burn It All. He currently performs with Diesel Machine.

Alcatrazz is a heavy metal band formed in 1983 by Graham Bonnet, Jimmy Waldo, and Gary Shea. They are best known for their songs "Island in the Sun", "Hiroshima Mon Amour", and "God Blessed Video". They are also notable for featuring a previously-unknown Yngwie Malmsteen as their lead guitarist for a year, who was then replaced by Steve Vai, with whom they recorded one album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Hunter (musician)</span> American singer (born 1977)

Mark Hunter is an American musician best known as the lead vocalist of heavy metal band Chimaira.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christian Olde Wolbers</span> Belgian musician

Christian Francis Olde Wolbers is a Belgian musician, songwriter and producer. He is the bassist and backing vocalist of the rap metal/nu metal band Powerflo, and the bass player of the thrash metal band Vio-lence. He is also a former bassist, guitarist and backing vocalist of the industrial metal band Fear Factory, and the hardcore punk/crossover thrash band Beowülf.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rob Arnold</span> American musician

Rob Arnold is an American musician, best known for performing as the lead guitarist of the metal band Chimaira and later the rhythm guitarist of the death metal band Six Feet Under. In an interview with Roadrunner Records, he named Kirk Hammett, "Dimebag" Darrell Abbott, Dave Mustaine, Marty Friedman and Kerry King as being influential to his playing style. Some of his favorite bands include Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer, Pantera, Sepultura, and Cannibal Corpse.

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

Dååth is an American death metal band from Atlanta. Their music incorporates styles such as death metal, orchestral music, and progressive metal.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bleed the Sky (band)</span> American metalcore band

Bleed the Sky is an American heavy metal band formed in Orange County, California, in 2002.

<i>Paradigm in Entropy</i> 2005 studio album by Bleed the Sky

Paradigm in Entropy is the debut album by American metal band Bleed the Sky. It was released on April 19, 2005, through Nuclear Blast Records.

<i>Songs for the Incurable Heart</i> 2005 studio album by STEMM

Songs for the Incurable Heart is STEMM's third full-length album originally released November 15, 2005. It was re-released on October 10, 2006 by major record label I Scream Records, who signed STEMM in 2006. The song "The Day the Earth Stood Still" is a tribute song to the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks in which vocalist T.J. Frost was a survivor. The opening track, "The Memory Remains" is also a tribute song to former Pantera/Damageplan guitarist Darrell "Dimebag" Abbott. This is the only album to feature former vocalist T.J. Frost and the last album to feature guitarist Rich Spalla who both left the band in 2007. The album sold over 6,000 copies.

Klear is an American rock band based in Western New York. The band's debut and second album was produced by Goo Goo Dolls bassist Robby Takac and released on Takac's independent Record label.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Emil Werstler</span> American guitarist

Emil Werstler is an American guitarist and musician based in Nashville, Tennessee who is perhaps best known for his work in metal and gypsy jazz. In 2004, Werstler became lead guitarist for the metal band Dååth, whose second album The Hinderers peaked at No. 49 on the Top Heatseekers chart in 2007. In 2009 Dååth released The Concealers on Roadrunner which reached No. 35 on Top Heatseekers and was placed as No. 3 on a list of the "top twenty metal albums of 2009" by Metal Sucks. In 2010 Werstler released the instrumental metal album Avalanche of Worms as a collaboration with Eyal Levi with the album receiving a largely positive response for its musicianship and experimental nature.

<i>Blood Scent</i> 2008 studio album by STEMM

Blood Scent is STEMM's fourth full-length album and first on new record label Catch 22 Records. It was released on November 11, 2008, almost exactly three years since their prior release, which was on November 15, 2005. The album is the first to feature the band's new line-up with original member Alex Scouten taking over guitar duties while former guitarist Joe Cafarella handles full-time vocals for the first time. The first single from the album has been announced as "Awake," the song also has an accompanying video that was produced by GDM Video Production company. The first 1,000 albums sold will also feature a DVD, STEMM's first ever, that will document several aspects of the band and the recording process for Blood Scent. During a recent interview, vocalist Joe Cafarella talked at length about the new album, saying

This new STEMM CD is our 'Vulgar Display of Power.' There is a lot that went into the making of this CD, We are not saying that we are the next Pantera — that's not even close to what I am saying. We just wanted to make a CD that would not pigeon hole us into a certain cliché sound. Let's face it, Pantera made it on their live performances. While MTV was playing 'Walk' and 'This Love', us metalheads were cranking 'Fucking Hostile' and 'Mouth for War'. I am telling you that you will get that same type of feeling on the new STEMM CD as you would listening to 'Vulgar'. And it's just as real.

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

Chimaira is an American heavy metal band from Cleveland, Ohio. Formed in August 1998, the band's name is derived from the word Chimera, a monstrous creature in Greek mythology. Throughout its history, the band had numerous line-up changes, leaving vocalist Mark Hunter as the only constant member. The band dissolved in 2014, but announced a reunion in 2017 and a return in 2023 with most of the group's longtime members rejoined.

References

  1. ↑ "French review of STEMM's 5 EP". Coreandco.fr. Retrieved July 28, 2007.
  2. ↑ "Artists endorsed by ESP". Espguitars.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2007. Retrieved July 28, 2007.
  3. ↑ "STEMM Biography on I Scream Records". I Scream Records. Retrieved July 28, 2007.
  4. ↑ "STEMM AIMS AT FLOWERING MUSIC SCENE". Niagarafallsreporter.com. Retrieved July 23, 2007.
  5. ↑ "STEMM early bio". Stemmlife.tripod.com. Retrieved July 28, 2007.
  6. ↑ "STEMM – Dead To Me review". Theprp.com. Archived from the original on October 16, 2007. Retrieved July 23, 2007.
  7. ↑ "STEMM music". Emusic.com. Retrieved July 28, 2007.
  8. 1 2 3 "For Stemm, it's family, friends and fun". Niagara Gazette. Archived from the original on January 4, 2013. Retrieved July 23, 2007.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "STEMM Interviewed by Undizcovered magazine". Undizcovered.com. Archived from the original on July 5, 2007. Retrieved July 28, 2007.
  10. ↑ "STEMM: FALLEN (played at all ufc events)". Ufc.tv. Archived from the original on August 11, 2007. Retrieved July 23, 2007.
  11. ↑ "SLAYER, DAMAGEPLAN, SEPULTURA Featured On 'Ultimate Fighting Championship' CD". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved July 23, 2007.
  12. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Failla, Peter. "Hollow Dream Records' 13 Questions With STEMM". Hollow Dream Records. Archived from the original on October 26, 2009. Retrieved August 4, 2007.
  13. 1 2 Stevens, Stephanie. "East Coast Romper Interview with STEMM". East Coast Romper. Archived from the original on August 28, 2004. Retrieved July 28, 2007.
  14. ↑ "CHIMAIRA: Hometown Release Party And Columbus In-Store Signing Announced". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved July 23, 2007.
  15. ↑ Chimaira.com. "Chimaira Tour Dates". Metal Underground. Retrieved July 23, 2007.
  16. ↑ "Buffalo DAMAGEPLAN Fans Stunned By DIMEBAG's Murder A Day After Local Show". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved July 28, 2007.
  17. ↑ Nuclear Blast. "Bleed the Sky CD Release Party". Metal Underground. Retrieved July 23, 2007.
  18. ↑ "NEW ENGLAND METAL AND HARDCORE FESTIVAL: More Than 40 Bands Confirmed". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved July 23, 2007.
  19. ↑ Stemm.net. "Stemm Sign with I Scream Records". Metal Underground. Retrieved July 23, 2007.
  20. ↑ Myspace. "STEMM Vocalist Leaves band". Metal Underground. Retrieved August 2, 2007.
  21. ↑ "Stemm Discusses New Album, UFC to Use New Song - in Metal News ( Metal Underground.com )". Archived from the original on March 2, 2012. Retrieved October 30, 2008.
  22. ↑ "STEMM To Release 'Blood Scent' in November – Oct. 29, 2008". Blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on September 11, 2012. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Trans-Fusion Entertainment (cincytransfusion) on Myspace". Myspace.com. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  24. ↑ "JAGERMEISTER PRESENTS: Ride or Die Tour 2009 | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos". Myspace.com. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  25. ↑ "STEMM – Don't Act Surprised (Lyric Video)". YouTube. Archived from the original on December 12, 2021. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  26. ↑ "Stemm Releases New Music Video for "Left Behind" - in Metal News ( Metal Underground.com )". Archived from the original on August 5, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
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.