Saint Vitus (band)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Saint Vitus
Origin Los Angeles, California, United States
Genres Doom metal
Years active 1979–1996
2003
2008–present
Labels SST Records
Nuclear Blast
Roadrunner Records
Southern Lord Records
Hellhound Records
Associated acts Spirit Caravan
The Obsessed
The Hidden Hand
Place of Skulls
Count Raven
Debris, Inc.
Members
Mark Antone Adams
Dave Chandler
Scott Weinrich
Henry Vasquez
Former members
Scott Reagers
Armando Acosta
Christian Lindersson

Saint Vitus are a highly influential American doom metal band from Los Angeles. They have been regarded as one of the first bands of the genre, starting out as early as the late 1970s, along with Pentagram and Trouble. For most of their career, the band comprised vocalist Scott Weinrich, bassist Mark Adams, guitarist Dave Chandler and drummer Armando Acosta. After breaking up in 1996, Saint Vitus briefly reunited for a tour in 2003, and are back together again as of 2008.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Formation

The band was formed in 1979 under the name Tyrant, with Scott Reagers (vocals), Dave Chandler (guitar), Mark Adams (bass), and Armando Acosta (drums), but soon changed their name to Saint Vitus after the song "St. Vitus' Dance" by Black Sabbath. Their main influences were Sabbath and Black Flag, the latter of which Saint Vitus toured with during the 1980s.

Under this line-up, Saint Vitus recorded 2 albums (Saint Vitus & Hallow's Victim) and an EP (The Walking Dead). Reagers left the band in early 1986, and was replaced by The Obsessed frontman Scott "Wino" Weinrich (at this time, The Obsessed had only released one 7"). Reagers' final performances featured songs from the upcoming album Born Too Late, such as 'The Warstarter' and 'Hell Ain't A Game', as many of these were written whilst he was still in the band.

[edit] Weinrich-era

Wino recorded three studio albums (Born Too Late, Mournful Cries & V), a live album (Live), and an EP (Thirsty and Miserable, featuring the Black Flag cover of the same name) with Vitus. Weinrich left Saint Vitus in 1991 to reform The Obsessed after Vitus's label, Hellhound Records, released an album of older Obsessed recordings.

[edit] Post-Weinrich period and breakup

Following Weinrich's departure, Saint Vitus went on hiatus. The band finally found former Count Raven singer Christian Lindersson as Weinrich's replacement. He would record only one album, C.O.D. before being replaced by original Vitus vocalist, Scott Reagers. Reagers recorded vocals for the band's final album Die Healing, regarded in underground doom circles to be their finest work[citation needed]. Saint Vitus played dates in America and Europe following the album's release. After the completion of the tour, Saint Vitus decided to call it a day in 1996.

[edit] Reunion(s)

On July 1, 2003, the classic Born Too Late line-up (Weinrich, Chandler, Adams, Acosta) played a gig at Double Door in Chicago.[1] The performance was recorded and released on a DVD that is distributed through Chandler's current band, Debris, Inc..

As of 2008, Saint Vitus have reformed again. The band headlined Friday's April 24 date at the 2009 Roadburn Festival.[2] at the 013 venue in Tilburg, Netherlands and then went on to play three gigs in Germany. The lineup for this reunion was the same as the 2003 reunion. Drummer Armando Acosta, who had been with the band since its inception over thirty years ago, left the band before the European tour of 2009 had been completed. Actual Quote...."Dave fired me."[citation needed]

In reference to the description of the, in-fact involuntary, exit of drummer Armando Acosta, the reason for his departure is not yet clear. He has since been replaced by Henry Vasquez of the band Blood Of The Sun [3].

[edit] Lineups

(1979-1986)
  • Scott Reagers – vocals
  • Dave Chandler – guitar
  • Mark Adams – bass
  • Armando Acosta – drums
(1986-1991)
  • Wino Weinrich – vocals
  • Dave Chandler – guitar
  • Mark Adams – bass
  • Armando Acosta – drums
(1991-1992)

(Saint Vitus on hiatus)
(1992-1994)
  • Christian Lindersson – vocals
  • Dave Chandler – guitar
  • Mark Adams – bass
  • Armando Acosta – drums
(1994-1996)
  • Scott Reagers – vocals
  • Dave Chandler – guitar
  • Mark Adams – bass
  • Armando Acosta – drums
(1996-2003)

SPLIT
(2003)
  • Wino Weinrich – vocals
  • Dave Chandler – guitar
  • Mark Adams – bass
  • Armando Acosta – drums
(2003-2008)

(Saint Vitus on hiatus)
(2008-2009)
  • Wino Weinrich – vocals
  • Dave Chandler – guitar
  • Mark Adams – bass
  • Armando Acosta – drums
(2009-present)
  • Wino Weinrich – vocals
  • Dave Chandler – guitar
  • Mark Adams – bass
  • Henry Vasquez – drums

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] Singles/EPs

[edit] Compilations/Reissues

[edit] Videos/DVDs

[edit] References

  1. ^ Rock Detector Saint Vitus page
  2. ^ Saint Vitus Confirmed For Holland's Roadburn Festival
  3. ^ http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=blog.view&friendId=13693193&blogId=488383767

[edit] External links


v • d • e
Saint Vitus
Scott Reagers | Dave Chandler | Mark Adams | Armando Acosta
Former members
Scott "Wino" Weinrich | Christian Lindersson
Studio Albums
EPs
Live albums
Compilations
Related articles
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Vitus_(band)"