Septic Death

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Septic Death
OriginBoise, Idaho, United States
Genres
Years active1981 (1981)–1986 (1986)
LabelsPusmort
Past members

Septic Death was an American hardcore punk band active in the 1980s. The foursome from Boise, Idaho was a major influence for the development of grindcore, thrashcore and "speedcore".

History[edit]

Septic Death was formed in 1981 by Brian "Pushead“ Schroeder (vocals), Jon Taylor (guitar), Mike Matlock (bass) and Paul Birnbaum (drums). At the beginning the band was a pure fun project without further ambition.[2] The band name represents a counterdraft to religions promising an afterlife after death.[3] The four members were active in the skating scene of their hometown.[4] Although there was no hierarchy within the band, media interest focussed on singer Schroeder who had already made a name as an illustrator within the growing hardcore scene[5] and operated his own record label Pusmort from 1984 on. Most of the band's releases were published via this label.

The band's only regular album, Now That I Have The Attention What Do I Do With It?, was popular in Japan where it was published by major label VAP. The Japanese pressing featured a free double-A-side promotional single with two songs by Corrosion of Conformity and Poison Idea.[6]

The band disbanded in 1986. In 1987 the EP Burial Mai So was released posthumously including material for which James Hetfield had provided backing vocals.[7] On the posthumously released Kichigai EP from 1988 there was material on which Kirk Hammett played guitar.[8]

Style and influences[edit]

Septic Death was among the first hardcore bands in the United States. Their music was fast but also very technical. The lyrics of the band's songs mainly deal with fear, paranoia and mental states.[3]

Impact and legacy[edit]

Today Septic Death is deemed one of the first and a groundbreaking "speedcore" band and a hardcore legend.[9] Many bands and musicians of different genres name Septic Death as influential for their works, among them Integrity,[10] Darkthrone,[11] John Zorn and Napalm Death.[12] Steven Blush called the band's contributions to 1984 hardcore sampler Cleanse the Bacteria "crucial to metal crossover".[13] Online music magazine Stereogum labeled the band "a cultishly beloved band of hardcore extremists" that was "influential on later generations of bands that combined hardcore and metal".[14] In 2018, British Kerrang! magazine declared Septic Death as the best hardcore band from Idaho and that the band "inspired cornerstone bands such as Infest, Rorschach, and Integrity for years to come".[1]

Band members[edit]

The line-up of the band was stable during the entire history of the band.

  • Brian Schroeder: Vocals
  • Jon "Onj“ Taylor: Guitar
  • Mike Matlock: Bass
  • Paul Birnbaum: Drums

Discography[edit]

  • Need So Much Attention... Acceptance Of Whom (EP, 1984, Pusmort)
  • Time Is The Boss- Aaarrggh It's Live! (Live EP, 1985, Deluxe)
  • Now That I Have The Attention What Do I Do With It? (1986, Pusmort)

Post-breakup[edit]

  • Burial Mai So (EP, 1987, Pusmort)
  • Kichigai (EP, 1988, Pusmort)
  • Somewhere in Time (EP, 1988, Lost and Found Records)
  • Attention (Compilation, 1990, Pusmort)
  • Theme from Ozobozo (1992, Toy's Factory)

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "The United States of Hardcore". Kerrang.com. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  2. ^ "Seconds #10: This Is Zit". Pusfan.com. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  3. ^ a b "Pushead Interview". Maximumrocknroll. September 1983. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  4. ^ Paul (February 1984). "Septic Death". Thrasher. San Francisco: High Speed Productions. p. 45. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  5. ^ "Leading Edge #4". Pusfan.com. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  6. ^ "Septic Death - Now That I Have The Attention, What Do I Do With It?". Pusfan.com. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  7. ^ "Burial Mai So". SepticDeath.com. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  8. ^ "The Greatest Albums of All Time: Septic Death- "Now That I Have the Attention What Do I Do With It?"". Post Modern Thrashaeology (blog). Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  9. ^ "Reviews: Septic Death - Crossed Out Twice CD". Ox-Fanzine. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  10. ^ "Integrity Pay Tribute to Septic Death on "Thaw/Cold World"". NoEcho.com. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  11. ^ "Darkthrone – Interview mit Fenriz". Schwarze-News.de. Archived from the original on 2009-10-24. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  12. ^ "Interviews: Napalm Death". Ox-Fanzine. Retrieved 2021-10-24.
  13. ^ Steven Blush (2010). American Hardcore. A Tribal History. Townsend: Feral House. p. 314. ISBN 9780922915712.
  14. ^ "Hear Integrity & Bleach Everything Pay Tribute To Septic Death & Rocket From The Crypt On New Split EP". Stereogum.com. 31 October 2019. Retrieved 2021-10-25.

External links[edit]

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