Tension (hardcore band)

Last updated
Tension
Origin South Florida, [1] United States
Genres Hardcore punk, Christian hardcore, straight edge hardcore, punk rock
Years active1993-1997
Labels Independent, Uprising, First Street, Endless Fight
Past membersMikey Hurley
Joe Keit
Chris Michaelis
Nick Dominguez
Ray Rodriguez
Eric Leon
Mike McDermit
Matt Fox
Ray Souza
Chad Gilbert
Kenny Fontaine
John Wylie
Website Tension on Facebook

Tension was a Christian straight-edge hardcore punk band that formed in 1993. [2]

Contents

History

In 1993, vocalist Mikey Hurley formed Tension, as a side project of his band Endure. [3] Hurley hired Joe Keit of the Murrychesstoes on guitars and Chris Michaelis on drums. [4] [ non-primary source needed ] Soon thereafter, Nick Dominguez of Endure joined the band on bass guitar, which completed the first official lineup. Shortly after the band's first phone call together, the band demoed out six songs and recorded them two weeks later in studio. The songs became Tension's first release, In Our Time, which came out shortly after being recorded. [4]

In 1993, Dominguez left the band to join Strongarm [5] and was replaced by Ray Rodriguez. [4] The band released The Sickness of our Age EP in 1994, which is considered to be their best release. [4] [6] Michaelis left the band shortly thereafter, being replaced by Eric Leon, which was when the band reached its peak. In 1995, the band went on tour with Uplipht and Strongarm, and played around 25-30 shows. [7] Tension was then asked to partake in a 4-way split 7-inch with After All (Uplipht's new name), Culture, and Roosevelt on Intention Records but the release fell through. [7]

Leon was soon thereafter asked to leave for reasons not released and was replaced by Mike McDermit. He performed on the band's debut album, Agent of the People. Tension signed to Uprising Records and released Agent of the People and re-released Sickness of Our Age. [4]

Tension is looked at as classic or legendary in the Florida hardcore scene. [8] [6] [9] The band also had various connections with several other well-known Florida bands, such as New Found Glory, Endure, Strongarm, Shai Hulud, and Further Seems Forever. [10]

The band had several short term members, which included Matt Fox (Shai Hulud), Chad Gilbert (New Found Glory), Ray Souza (LOAD), Kenny Fontaine (Kenny Steel), and John Wylie (Where Fear and Weapons Meet). [4] The band played shows with Earth Crisis, Hatebreed, Strife, Shelter, and Marilyn Manson. [4] [11]

In 2017, Mikey Hurley, the band's original member, died on July 18 at the age of 45. [12] It was reported that he committed suicide. [12] His death was mourned by his bandmates and his friends. [4] [12]

Members

Last known lineup
YearsNameInstrument
1993-1997Michael "Mikey" Joseph Hurley II (died 2017) [4] [12] Vocals
1993-1997Joe KeitGuitars
1993-1995, 1996-1997Ray RodriguezBass
1996-1997Mike McDermitDrums
Former members
YearsNameInstrument
1993, 1995-1996Nick DominguezBass
1993 Matt Fox Bass
1993-1994Chris MichaelisDrums
1994-1996Eric LeonDrums
Chad Gilbert
John Wylie Guitar
Ray Souza
Kenny Fontaine

Discography

List of studio albums [13]
YearTitleLabel
1996Agent of the People Uprising Records
List of EPs [13]
YearTitleLabel
1993In Our TimeFirst Street Records
1994The Sickness of Our AgeEndless Fight Records
List of compilation appearances [13]
YearTitleLabel
1994SFSA: South Florida Slammie Awards Vol. 1GJ Records
1994"Stand Aside" on Identity?! Songs of Hatred Century Media
1995"Stand Aside" on Ceremony of FireUprising
1995"Greed" on Point CounterpointInside Front Records
1995"Greed" on South Florida CompFar Out Records
1995"Unheard" on Over The Edge Compilation Vol. 2Endless Fight
1995"Stand Aside" on Stones to Mark a FireMilitant Records/Vegan Earth Order
1995"Stand Aside" on Bloodlines - The Seeds of RebellionCentury Media
1996"Greed" on Inside Front the Compact DiscInside Front

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