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Bill Stevenson (musician)

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For other people named Bill Stevenson, see Bill Stevenson (disambiguation).
Bill Stevenson
Stevenson performing with the Descendents in 2014
Stevenson performing with the Descendents in 2014
Background information
Birth nameJohn William Stevenson
Born (1963-09-10) September 10, 1963 (age 61)
Torrance, California, U.S.
GenresPunk rock, hardcore punk
Occupation(s)Musician, songwriter, producer, engineer
Instrument(s)Drums, percussion, vocals, guitar
Years active1978–present
LabelsOrca, New Alliance, SST, Cruz, Interscope, Epitaph, Fat Wreck Chords, Rise

John William "Bill" Stevenson (born September 10, 1963) is an American musician and record producer. He is the drummer, main songwriter, and the only constant for the California punk rock group Descendents since its inception. In late December 1981 he played a few concerts with Black Flag because their drummer ROBO was detained in England after a tour there. He went on to record with Black Flag on several of their albums until 1985. After this he focused his attention on Descendents and played with them until Milo Aukerman left in 1987. After Milo had left, Bill and the others from Descendents, Karl Alvarez and Stephen Egerton, got singer Dave Smalley of Dag Nasty and formed All. All went on to have two more singers, Scott Reynolds (1989–1993) and Chad Price (1993–present). Aukerman came back to do the 1996 album Everything Sucks, the 2004 album Cool to Be You and the newest, 2016's Hypercaffium Spazzinate. All and Descendents continue to tour between Stevenson's and Aukerman's respective careers as a recording engineer and a biochemist. Stevenson was born in Torrance, California and attended Mira Costa High School, with fellow members of the Descendents.[1]

Stevenson, along with Jason Livermore are the founders of the recording studio "The Blasting Room" in Fort Collins, Colorado. Currently, Stevenson is involved in Russ Rankin's side project Only Crime with former members of GWAR and Converge.

In 2005, he became a member of instrumental group The Mag Seven, and produced the group's album.[2]

One of Stevenson's most recent works is producing Rise Against's seventh studio album, The Black Market, which was released July 15, 2014, As I Lay Dying's Awakened as well as the recent NOFX album Self Entitled.[3][4][5] In August 2007, he revealed plans to produce and play drums on an album by The Lemonheads.[6][7]

Early life

Bill Stevenson (birth name; John William Stevenson) was born on September 10, 1963. Stevenson grew up mostly with his father, Steve. Stevenson's mother was an alcoholic. He describes his father as a cold man but there for him. His father worked two jobs for 22 hours out of the day and came home to give Stevenson food and put him to bed. At around 14 or 15 Stevenson started working for Keith Morris's father as a fisherman. Stevenson attended Mira Costa High School with his Descendents bandmates.[8]

Career

Stevenson is an original member of the Descendents forming in 1978. The Descendents put out a single called Ride the Wild / It's a Hectic World in 1979. In 1982 the put out their first album Milo Goes to College. After the album singer Milo Aukerman went to college so the band played rarely so Stevenson joined Black Flag (band). He left Black Flag in 1985 to reform the Descendents. The Descendents became All in 1988 after Aukerman left once again. The Descendents would again form again from 1996-1997 and then in 2002 before going on hiatus. From 2003-2007 Stevenson play in smaller bands until All played shows again in 2008. In 2010 the Descendents reformed again. They are still currently together. [9]

Personal

Stevenson in recent year has had some health issues. Starting around 2008 he grew brain tumor unknowingly. The tumor would remain for another two years before being removed. The tumor caused Stevenson to lose motivation and become lazy. He gained a large amount of weight, had a blood clot, diabetes, and sleep apnea. In 2010 he had successful surgery to remove the tumor which helped him lose weight and gain his health back.[10] In 2016 Stevenson relieved he had open heart surgery.[11]

Selected discography

See also Albums produced by Bill Stevenson

References

  1. ^ Spurrier, Jeff. "DESCENDENTS HANG OUT IN NEVER-NEVER LAND", Los Angeles Times, January 5, 1986. Accessed January 10, 2008.
  2. ^ "ALL? No, the Mag Seven!". Alternative Press. October 14, 2005. Retrieved June 24, 2016.
  3. ^ "NOFX reveal 'Self Entitled'". Punknews.org. July 19, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  4. ^ "NOFX's new album named 'Self-Entitled'; pre-order live now". Alternative Press. July 19, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  5. ^ "NOFX Announce New Album "Self Entitled"". Alter the Press!. July 19, 2012. Retrieved July 19, 2012.
  6. ^ Lemonheads full length, reissue due next year, Punknews.org, November 16, 2007.
  7. ^ Stevenson talks about next Lemonheads album, Punknews.org, August 21, 2007.
  8. ^ filmage.vhx.tv/packages/filmage-film-trailer-only/videos/filmage-the-story-of-descendentsall-stereo
  9. ^ filmage.vhx.tv/packages/filmage-film-trailer-only/videos/filmage-the-story-of-descendentsall-stereo
  10. ^ filmage.vhx.tv/packages/filmage-film-trailer-only/videos/filmage-the-story-of-descendentsall-stereo
  11. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7nPMCpSfZSI
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