Skullkrusher

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Formed in the late 1990s, the Chicago-based Skullkrusher (originally called Skullkrusher 666) was a band known to incorporate influences from Swedish d-beat bands such as Mob 47, Skitslickers, and Discard along with American hardcore influences such as Infest and SFA into their sound. Discharge was less of direct influence in the sound of Skullkrusher, in contrast to the dismoniker bands.

Contents

[edit] Early Years: Bio

The band was formed by Jason & Dan in 1995 under the name Demise/Disarm, after the breakup of their former Steetpunk / hardcore band Deadscene. Before any shows or releases occurred, they changed their name to Skullkrusher 666. Their first show was a benefit at the Fireside Bowl in Chicago. After this show, the name was changed to simply Skullkrusher due to harassment by local Christians after the flyers with "666" were found being distributed in local stores. The first harsh-quality cassettes which were to be distributed under this name(the former tapes with "666" on them were only handed out to friends) were recorded in Oh-Zays livingroom toward the end of 1999.

[edit] Controversy

The band faced some controversy at live events when selling their first T-Shirt which bore the design of a Iron Cross and a skull.[citation needed]

The band was known locally for being unique in that they would stop playing and singer Jason would stage to break up any violence or fighting at shows.[citation needed] They played events with such bands as: DS-13, Tras de Nada, the Strange Attractor, and many others.

Throughout the years the band was attacked by members of the punk DIY press, including Profane Existence for purportedly being right-wing and/or macho/heterosexist (even though the vocalist was eventually openly bisexual) and/or "Satanic", due to the band's name and the fact that the bands lyrics were about Horror and Death, and were not political, in sharp contrast to the scene at the time.

[edit] Members

  • Jason (vocals / guitar)
  • Juz Tin (vocals / guitar 1998-1999)
  • Oh-Zay (bass guitar 1999-2002)
  • Joe S. (guitar 2000-2001)
  • Natassja Noctis (guitar 1999-2000, 2002-2003)
  • Dan Dead (drums)
  • Unruly Pete (bass on "The Bomb Raid" cassette)

[edit] Interviews

The band was interviewed in many DIY zines including: Mangelslakt, DTS Zine,hell and damnation (U.K), Tasmanian Alcoholic(Aus) Gia Storm(jap), Ripping ThrashU.K, and others.

[edit] Discography

The band self-released several cassette tapes, including: "The Bomb Raid", "Terrorcore", "Deathsquad" and others, three DIY CD collections, as well as one 7" record which was a split with the Swedish band Article Nine on TDBL Records.

[edit] Zine Work

Members of Skullkrusher helped to popularize the US use of the term "D-beat" in their zines "RawPunkBastards" and "Skiteater" in the years 1999-2001.[citation needed]

[edit] Destruction of Legacy

Due to the trade / barter system prevalent in the DIY punk network at the time, and due to heavy bootlegging, the band never saw much of the profits from their releases, and often were unaware of various labels re-pressing their material.

In the 2000's another band who also played d-beat punk from Malaysia began calling themselves "Skull Krusher", causing much confusion about which releases on the market came from which band.

These factors, along with the very underground nature of the DIY trading circuit nearly erased the band's musical legacy, save for a few companies who still re-press the Article Nine Split 7", which the band still sees no money from.

[edit] References