Lȧȧz Rockit

Lȧȧz Rockit
Background information
Also known as	Depth Charge
Origin	San Francisco, California, U.S.
Genres	Thrash metal heavy metal power metal (early)
Years active	1981–1992 2005–2011 (on hiatus)
Labels	OSM Records Massacre
Members	Michael Coons Aaron Jellum Phil Kettner Sky Harris
Past members	Victor Agnello Willy Lange Dave Starr Scott Dominguez Dave Chavarri Ken Savich Jon Torres Scott Sargeant Sven Soderlund Matt Vander Ende

Lȧȧz Rockit was an American thrash metal band formed in San Francisco, California, in 1981. They are most notable for their association with the Bay Area thrash metal scene of the 1980s, and they are considered to be a member of the region's so-called "Big Six", along with Exodus, Testament, Death Angel, Forbidden and Vio-lence.

History

Early years and split (1981–1992)

Originally called Depth Charge, Lȧȧz Rockit was formed in the hills of Berkeley, California, by vocalist Michael Coons and guitarist Aaron Jellum. Coons was 17, just about to graduate high school, and Jellum was 18, busy attending college and riding motorcycles, and they knew what musical direction they wanted to pursue. After performing with various members, Coons and Jellum came across guitarist Phil Kettner and drummer Victor Agnello in late 1982/early 1983. By the time bassist Willy Lange joined in 1983 to complete the lineup of the band, Depth Charge had changed their name to Lȧȧz Rockit, and their first recording was the Prelude to Death demo, which was released that year. They later signed with Target Records to release their debut album City's Gonna Burn in 1984, followed one year later by No Stranger to Danger. This period saw Lȧȧz Rockit play with a wide variety of bands, such as the "Big Four" of thrash metal (Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax), as well as Exodus, Ratt, W.A.S.P., Girlschool, Y&T, Leatherwolf, Kix, Dark Angel, Suicidal Tendencies, Stryper and Armored Saint. They made their first appearances in Europe in 1986, supporting Motörhead. Their presence helped forge a new, heavier musical direction for the band and formed a unique relationship with European fans.

Lȧȧz Rockit released their next two albums, Know Your Enemy in 1987 and Annihilation Principle in 1989, under the labels Roadrunner/Enigma Records, with both albums being well received by fans and critics, and seeing them share the stage with the likes of Metallica, Megadeth, Anthrax, Overkill, Testament, M.O.D., Celtic Frost, Kreator, Voivod, Nuclear Assault, Vio-lence, Forbidden, Metal Church, D.B.C., Suicidal Tendencies, the Cro-Mags, Faith No More and L.A. Guns. Later in 1989, Lange, Kettner and Agnello left the band for various reasons, leaving Coons and Jellum as the only remaining members left. The two soon recruited guitarist Scott Sargeant, bassist Scott Dominguez and drummer Dave Chavarri. In 1991, their fifth album Nothing's Sacred was released. After touring in the United States and Europe from 1991 to 1992, and appearing in Japan in 1992, the band split-up. Most of the members then formed the short-lived groove-oriented thrash metal band Gack, replacing Chavarri with Defiance drummer Matt Vander Ende.

Reunion (2005–present)

In 2005, Lȧȧz Rockit reformed with the original lineup, performing their return show at the Dynamo Open Air in May of that year. On July 9, 2005, they teamed up with other bands to perform in San Francisco for the benefit concert dubbed Thrash Against Cancer. In September 2005, the band made their return to Japan. Later, Lȧȧz Rockit announced that they would not record a new album. However, following the response to their shows in April 2007 and the sales of their Live Untold DVD, released in 2006, they announced that they would undertake a project that was intended to result in a new album for release in 2007 or early 2008. In 2007, new drummer Sky Harris joined the band. On May 27, 2008, Lȧȧz Rockit posted two new songs from their then-upcoming release Left for Dead on their official Myspace page. The album was released on July 25, 2008, on the German label Massacre Records. They also announced that their back catalogue would be re-released and remastered, however Nothing's Sacred was not mentioned for a re-release.

On December 9, 2011, the band opened for Metallica on the third concert of their 30th anniversary party at The Fillmore.

On June 1, 2014, drummer Victor Agnello died at the age of 50 after battling leukemia for over a year. On October 23, 2018, bassist Willy Lange died at the age of 57 from injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident.

The future of the band is uncertain. Although no official breakup or hiatus had been announced, they have been inactive since opening for Metallica in 2011. In addition to confusion about their current status, their official website had ceased to exist by March 2017. Despite this, by 2016, there were reports of the band writing a follow-up to 2008's Left for Dead.

Members

Current members

• Michael Coons – lead vocals (1981–1992, 2005–2011)
• Aaron Jellum – guitars (1981–1992, 2005–2011)
• Phil Kettner – guitars (1981–1989, 2005–2011)
• Sky Harris – drums (2007–2011)

Past members

• Scott Weller – guitars (1989–1990)
• Scott Sargeant – guitars (1990–1992)
• Dave Starr – bass (1981–1983)
• Willy Lange – bass (1983–1989, 2005–2011; died 2018)
• Jon Torres – bass (1989–1990; died 2013)
• Scott Dominguez – bass (1991–1992)
• Victor Agnello – drums (1983–1989, 2005–2006; died 2014)
• Sven Soderlund – drums (1989–1990)
• Dave Chavarri – drums (1990–1992)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

• City's Gonna Burn (1984)
• No Stranger to Danger (1985)
• Know Your Enemy (1987)
• Annihilation Principle (1989)
• Nothing's Sacred (1991)
• Left for Dead (2008)

Singles

• "Leatherface" (1990)
• "Holiday in Cambodia" (1990)

Demos

• Prelude to Death (1983)

Live albums

• Taste of Rebellion – Live in Citta (1992)

Videos

• European Meltdown (1988)
• Taste of Rebellion – Live in Citta (1992)
• Live Untold (2006)

External links

• Lȧȧz Rockit at AllMusic
• Lȧȧz Rockit discography at Discogs
• Laaz Rockit interview
• Historical interview with vocalist Michael Coons