Bob Heathcote

Bob Heathcote is best known for his bass playing in the crossover thrash band Suicidal Tendencies.^[1]

Early life

Robert ”Bob” Heathcote was born May 27, 1964. He grew up in Westchester, California. His main bass guitar influences were Geddy Lee of Rush and Chris Squire of Yes. One of his first bands was with Suicidal Tendencies drummer Amery Smith and guitarist Rick Battson.^[2] In 1984 he traveled with Suicidal Tendencies as their sound engineer. On May 12 he landed his first professional engineering gig at the Grand Olympic Auditorium with Suicidal Tendencies, The Red Hot Chili Peppers, SS Decontrol, Minutemen and The Abandoned. That show was Heathcote’s introduction to the punk scene and sparked his interest in playing in a band again.^[3] That concert was to be one of the last Suicidal Tendencies shows before they were banned from playing L.A. (for fan violence) and the beginning of their four year recording hiatus. Frontman singer songwriter Mike Muir invited Heathcote to play bass in Los Cycos a side project he was forming alongside New Regime guitarist Anthony“Bob”Gallo which at the time also included longtime friend Amery Smith on drums. After only a few rehearsals drummer Amery Smith and Bob Heathcote left Los Cycos to start a band with ex Suicidal Tendencies guitarist Jon Nelson and Todd Moyer called The Brood^[4] which later changed their name to Uncle Slam, resulting in a few demos in 1987. Los Cycos Replaced Heathcote with bassist Louiche Mayorga and Smith with drummer Sal Troy from No Mercy. They added lead guitarist Grant Estes for the Welcome to Venice recording of "It's Not Easy". Eventually Heathcote started playing in a cover band with future Suicidal guitarist Rocky George and drummer Sterling Roberts, playing songs by The Scorpions, Judas Priest and Motorhead. When Heathcote heard Suicidal Tendencies was looking for a guitarist he suggested that Rocky audition for them and a few days later Rocky got the gig. Lucky for Heathcote when Muir was thinking of replacing bassist Louiche Mayorga Rocky returned the favor and suggested Heathcote for the job.^[2]

Suicidal Tendencies

Bob Heathcote joined Suicidal Tendencies in 1988 a year after the release of Suicidal’s second studio album Join The Army on Frontier Records. Heathcote was in the band from March 1988 to February 1989, he recorded the bass on their third studio album and first Epic Records release How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today, and toured around Europe an the US. Just When the band was getting ready to record their fourth studio album,Controlled by Hatred/Feel Like Shit...Déjà Vu which was certified Gold by the RIAA.^[5] he was unexpectedly asked to leave and was subsequently replaced by future Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo. Leaving behind the music industry in 1992, it was ten years later in 2002 he moved to the San Francisco bay area with his wife and kids and continued to study photography. After leaving Suicidal Tendencies Heathcote seemed to just disappear and some even questioned if he was still alive.^[2]

Life after Suicidal Tendencies

Since his departure from Suicidal Tendencies Bob Heathcote has been raising a family of five children, three daughters and two sons, and is a professional photographer. He shoots mostly motor sports and is a track photographer at Laguna Seca Raceway, in Monterey, California.^[2]

Discography

Uncle Slam

• 1987 Say Uncle preproduction demo (Demo) Bass
• 1987 Demo '87 (Demo) Bass

Suicidal Tendencies

• 1988 Trip at the Brain (Single)
• 1988 Institutionalized (Single)
• 1988 How Will I Laugh Tomorrow When I Can't Even Smile Today
• 1989 How Will I Laugh Tomorrow (Single)
• 1990 Lights... Camera... Suicidal (Video/VHS)
• 1992 Nobody Hears (Single) Bass (Track 3)

Infectious Grooves

• 1993 Busload of Freaks (Split)

References

External links

• [2]
• [3]