D.D. Verni
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D.D. Verni | |
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Carlo Verni |
| Also known as | D.D. Verni, D.D. Blaze |
| Born | April 12, 1961 |
| Origin | New Jersey, USA |
| Genres | Thrash metal |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, songwriter, composer, producer |
| Instrument(s) | Bass, guitar, vocals |
| Years active | 1980–present |
| Labels | E1 Entertainment - Nuclear Blast Records |
D.D. Verni (born Carlo Verni) is an American bassist, songwriter, and producer, best known as the founding member, bassist and songwriter of the thrash metal band Overkill. Over the last 3 decades Overkill have released 17 full length albums as well as live albums, EPs, and DVDs.
In addition to his work with Overkill, Verni has recorded four albums with his side project The Bronx Casket Co. He is also the composer for The Bronx Casket Co....A New Musical.[1]
Early years
In 1976, Verni met Lee "Rat Skates" Kundrat in high school, who had been learning to play drums since age 15. They shared the same musical interests in hard rock bands like Kiss, Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, Starz, Black Sabbath, and Rainbow, and were then introduced to punk music such as The Damned, The Ramones, The Vibrators, and Generation X The three formed a punk group known as The Lubricunts in 1979. The group disbanded in 1980, and Verni, along with bandmate Skates, posted an advertisement for a vocalist and guitarist to join the band. Bobby "Blitz" Ellsworth answered the ad, and brought guitarist Rob Pisarek.
Overkill
After rejecting several names, the band finally settled on "Overkill". Early covers, were punk songs by The Ramones, The Dead Boys and others. By late 1980, the band had recruited dual guitarists, and the setlist was made up of songs by bands such as Motörhead ("Overkill", half of the Ace Of Spades album), Judas Priest ("Tyrant" was their closer), and Riot. Along with the new influx of heavy metal covers, the band still played a smattering of punk covers, with extra distortion, intensity, and speed, marking Overkill as one of the first thrash bands.
At this point, the band started writing original songs, including "Grave Robbers" (later renamed "Raise The Dead"), "Overkill", and "Unleash The Beast (Within)". More songs would follow, including "Death Rider" (1981) and "Rotten To The Core" (1982). In 1983 Rich[clarification needed] left and Bobby Gustafson remained as the sole guitarist. The band became a staple at New York and New Jersey clubs, such as L'Amours, and Verni gave Ellsworth the nickname "Blitz" due to his over-the-top lifestyle. Verni has been the sole songwriter for the music of Overkill since Horrorscope.[1]
Discography with Overkill
| Title | Type | Label | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power In Black | Demo | Blood Metal Music | 1983 |
| Overkill | E.P. | Azra/ Metal Storm | 1984 |
| Feel The Fire | Studio album | Megaforce | 1985 |
| Taking Over | Studio album | Megaforce/ Atlantic | 1987 |
| !!!Fuck You!!! | EP | Megaforce/ Caroline | 1987 |
| Under the Influence | Studio album | Megaforce | 1988 |
| The Years of Decay | Studio album | Megaforce/ Atlantic | 1989 |
| Horrorscope | Studio Album | Megaforce/ Atlantic | 1991 |
| I Hear Black | Studio album | Atlantic | 1993 |
| W.F.O. | Studio album | Atlantic | 1994 |
| Wrecking Your Neck | Live album | CMC International | 1995 |
| The Killing Kind | Studio album | CMC International | 1996 |
| !!!Fuck You!!! and Then Some | EP | Megaforce | 1996 |
| From the Underground and Below | Studio album | CMC International | 1997 |
| Necroshine | Studio album | CMC International | 1999 |
| Coverkill | Covers album | CMC International | 1999 |
| Bloodletting | Studio album | Metal-Is | 2000 |
| Wrecking Everything | Live album | Spitfire Records | 2002 |
| Killbox 13 | Studio album | Spitfire Records | 2003 |
| ReliXIV | Studio album | Spitfire Records | 2005 |
| Immortalis | Studio album | Bodog Music | 2007 |
| Ironbound | Studio album | Nuclear Blast Records | 2010 |
| The Electric Age | Studio album | Nuclear Blast Records | 2012 |
| White Devil Armory | Studio album | Nuclear Blast Records | 2014 |
References
- ^ a b Huey, Steve. "Biography: Overkill". Allmusic. Retrieved 16 March 2010.