Dr. Know (band)

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Dr. Know is a punk band which began as a Nardcore band and now has roots in Los Angeles, CA.

They are one of the founding figures of the "Nardcore" punk movement from Oxnard, CA. The band was started by Kyle Toucher, Ismael Hernandez, and Robin Cartwright in early 1981, and after auditioning a few singers, Brandon Cruz was chosen. Silverstrand Beach in Oxnard, Ca. was the birthplace of Nardcore. The band recorded studio versions of several early songs with Cruz, which led to television appearances and gigs on the Los Angeles circuit.

However the early momentum was somewhat derailed by escalating inner turmoil which culminated in Cruz leaving the group in 1983, leaving Toucher to take over vocals just as the band was starting recording of Plug In Jesus for Mystic Records. Several more albums followed, including the Burn e.p. This Island Earth and Wreckage in Flesh were subsequently released on Death Records/Metal Blade, signaling a shift to a crossover direction in their sound. For This Island Earth the lineup was founding member Kyle Toucher on vocals and guitars, drummer Rik Heller and bassist Ismael Hernandez.

Before an American tour for "This Island Earth" with Scottish punks The Exploited, Ismael Hernandez quit the band and was replaced by ex-Stäläg 13 members, bassist Tony Black and 2nd guitarist Tim Harkins.

After another short U.S.tour and attempt at writing a new album, Rick Heller quit the band before moving to Scotland, where he joined The Exploited and drummer Larry White was brought in to finish writing and begin recording of what would become "Wreckage in Flesh". During this period Tony Black was replaced by Mike Purdy and the album was finished April '88. Two subsequent tours followed in support of the album with bands such as The Circle Jerks, D.R.I., Murphy's Law, 7 Seconds as well as shows with up and coming Thrash-Metal bands Forbidden, VIO-lence, Holly Terror, and Metal Church.

Dr. Know disbanded to pursue other projects in 1991. Since that time Slayer covered the Toucher penned "Mr. Freeze" on their "Undisputed Attitude" album.

Dr. Know also had a song, "Piece of Meat" written by Toucher and Cruz, appear on a South Park episode entitled "Clubhouse," from the 1998 season two.

In 1998, Cruz called Hernandez and together they approached Toucher to get the band back together. Toucher said no, but Hernandez and Cruz recruited others and embarked on a North American tour with big-name punk acts of the time.

In September of 2001, Cruz was asked to sing with old friends, the reunited Dead Kennedys, following the uninvolvement of Jello Biafra. That led to a gig with Dead Kennedys that lasted until April 2003. Dr. Know still managed another record, entitled Father, Son, and Holy Shit! and toured the West Coast tour with Stäläg 13 and Ill Repute

In September of 2005, Dr. Know played a benefit for CGBG's, and donated their share of the money to The Red Cross for Katrina victims. They also played a free concert in Manhattan's Tompkins Square Park with Test Specimen, Rabia, Team Spider, Choking Victim and M.D.C.on 9/11, 2005.

[edit] Dr. Know today

Brandon Cruz - vocals
Ismael Hernandez - bass
Steve Contreras - guitar
Rick Contreras - drums

While the band with Kyle broke up in 1991, Cruz and Hernandez have been reunited since 1998, playing gigs all over the world. Dr. Know has finished their new record, entitled "Killing For God" and are currently going on tour to support it. It is being released on Unrest Records.

Former lead singer/songwriter Kyle Toucher now works as a visual effects/digital artist for Zoic Studios in Los Angeles, CA. He has done work on TV series such as Battlestar Galactica and Star Trek Voyager as well as in movies such as Serenity and Van Helsing. Toucher has won an Emmy for his work. We in the band are all very proud of him.

Former lead guitar player/songwriter Tim Harkins now lives in Los Angeles producing records as well as recording and mixing various artists..Some of the artists he's worked with include KoRn, Jerry Cantrell of Alice N Chains, Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath, French Hip Hop/ Rock band Enhancer, Rage Against the Machine,Lo-Pro, Outkast, MARZ, Good Charlotte, and Queens of the Stone Age.

[edit] Dr. Know discography

We Got Power, Party or Go Home - Compilation LP (Mystic,1983)
It Came From Slimy Valley, Compilation LP (Mystic, 1983)
Party Animal, We got Power II - Compilation LP (Mystic,1984)
Covers, Compilation LP (Mystic,1984)
Mystic Super Seven Sampler #1, Compilation LP (Mystic,1984)
Mystic Sampler #1, Compilation LP (Mystic)
Mystic Sampler #2, Compilation LP (Mystic)
Mystic Sampler #3, Compilation LP (Mystic)
Nardcore, Compilation LP (Mystic, 1984)
Return to Slimy Valley, Compilation LP (Mystic)
Plug-in Jesus, 12" LP (Mystic, 1984)
Burn, 7" EP (Mystic, 1985)
This Island Earth, 12" LP (Death Records, 1986)
The Original Group, 12" LP (Mystic, 1987) This was actually the first recording, done with Brandon Cruz in 1981.
Wreckage in Flesh, 12" LP (Death Records, 1988)
Father, Son, and Holy Shit, LP ( recorded in 2000, never released)
Habily: What Was Old is New, CD (Cleopatra, 2001)
Best of Dr. Know, CD (Mystic, 2003)
Welcome to the Neighborhood, Compilation CD (Let Them Eat Records, 2005)
Killing For God, CD /Vinyl LP (Unrest, 2008)