Biohazard (band)

Biohazard

Biohazard at the Dour Festival, 2003.
Background information
Origin Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1987–2006
  • 2008–present
Labels
Associated acts
Website biohazard.com
Members
Past members
  • Evan Seinfeld
  • Anthony Meo
  • Rob Echeverria
  • Leo Curley
  • Carmine Vincent
  • Scott Roberts

Biohazard is an American heavy metal band formed in Brooklyn, New York in 1987. They are acknowledged as one of the earliest bands to fuse hardcore punk and heavy metal with elements of hip hop. The earliest lineup consisted of bassist/vocalist Evan Seinfeld, guitarist Bobby Hambel, and drummer Anthony Meo. Guitarist/vocalist Billy Graziadei would join the band soon after, changing the band to a four-piece. Since February 2016, the lineup has consisted of Billy Graziadei, Bobby Hambel and Danny Schuler.

History

Early years

The band formed in Brooklyn in 1987. Their first demo, released in 1988, caused a stir with journalists who felt that some of the band's lyrics displayed fascist and white supremacist views, overlooking the fact that both Seinfeld and Schuler were, themselves, Jewish. The accusations of racism in their music were something strenuously denied by the band but in later interviews, Seinfeld and Graziadei explained that it had been a publicity stunt to win over the band Carnivore and their fans.[1] Additionally, Seinfeld has defended the lyrics of songs such as "Master Race" and "America" as metaphors meant to shock and get the listener's attention and maintains that the band was never racist.[2] The band has long since preached a message of tolerance and anti-racism. After the release of the first demo, Anthony Meo left the band and drummer Danny Schuler replaced him. A second demo tape followed in 1989.

Although Biohazard never truly considered themselves a hardcore band, Biohazard often found themselves sharing stages with bands associated with the New York hardcore scene, such as the Cro-Mags and Agnostic Front. They also shared stages with the New Jersey band Mucky Pup and a friendship between the two bands developed.

Maze Records

In 1990, Biohazard signed a recording contract with Maze Records. The band's self-titled debut album was poorly promoted by the label and sold approximately 40,000 copies. The album's subject matter revolved around Brooklyn, gang-wars, drugs, and violence.

One year after the release of their debut album, Seinfeld and Graziadei contributed vocals to the song "Three Dead Gophers" from Mucky Pup's third album, Now. The album was released on Roadrunner Records, who would soon release Biohazard's second album.

Roadrunner Records

In 1992, Biohazard signed with Roadrunner Records and released Urban Discipline, which gave the band national and worldwide attention in both the heavy metal and hardcore communities. The video for the song "Punishment" became the most played video in the history of MTV's Headbanger's Ball, and the album sold over one million copies. The band also began opening for larger acts such as House of Pain, Sick Of It All, Fishbone, and Kyuss.

In 1993, the hardcore rap group Onyx recorded an alternate "Bionyx" version of their hit single "Slam" with Biohazard as their backup band. This led to a collaboration on the title track of the Judgment Night soundtrack. The soundtrack would go on to sell over two million copies in the United States.

Warner Bros.

Months later, the band left Roadrunner Records and signed with Warner Bros. Records Inc. who released their third studio LP, State of the World Address. The album was produced by Ed Stasium in Los Angeles and contained the single "How It Is" featuring Sen Dog of Cypress Hill, for which a video was also shot. During their 1994 tour, the band made an appearance on the second stage at the Monsters of Rock festival held at Castle Donington. State of the World Address went on to sell over one million copies, and Rolling Stone magazine selected the Biohazard logo as the best logo of the year. This was the last Biohazard album with Bobby Hambel, who left due to differences with the rest of the band. Hambel spent time in White Devil, also featuring members of the Cro-Mags, before seemingly leaving the music business entirely. In late 1995, the band, along with Therapy? and Gunshot, contributed remixes to the Pitchshifter album The Remix War.

The band recorded their fourth studio album, Mata Leao, as a three piece in 1996. It was produced with the help of Dave Jerden. For the 1996-97 Mata Leao Tour, the band hired former Helmet guitarist Rob Echeverria. The band also played on the Ozzfest mainstage alongside Ozzy Osbourne, Slayer, Danzig, Fear Factory, and Sepultura.

While touring Europe in support of the Mata Leao album, the band recorded their Hamburg, Germany, show for their first live album, No Holds Barred (Live in Europe), which was released in 1997 through their former label, Roadrunner Records.

In 1998, Seinfeld began his acting career playing Jaz Hoyt on HBO's award-winning series Oz. The character was introduced in the second season and appeared throughout the series' sixth and final season.

Mercury Records

The band signed to Mercury Records and released their fifth studio album, New World Disorder, in 1999, once again with Ed Stasium as a producer. The relationship with Mercury Records soured quickly as the band felt betrayed and misunderstood by the label. They severed their ties with the label amidst the merger of Mercury Records, Island Records, Def Jam Records, and Polygram into the Universal Music Group.

In 2000, the band continued to tour Europe and Japan, without the support of a record label or management. In 2001, the band released a compilation album titled Tales From The B-Side. The album consisted of various B-sides and remixes from various eras in the band's recording history. The album was released by the Phantom Sound & Vision label. After the release of Tales From The B-Side, Rob Echeverria resigned from the band in order to get married. Leo Curley, of Outline and All Means Necessary, was hired as his replacement.

SPV/Sanctuary Records

In the same year, Biohazard signed two new record deals with SPV/Steamhammer in Europe and Sanctuary Records for the remainder of the world. Despite the new record deals, the band took some personal time in order to work on other projects.

Graziadei briefly formed a trip hop project with Jenifer Bair of the Ohio band Hilo. After writing and recording approximately twenty songs for the project named Blu, Bair relocated to Los Angeles, California to continue an art career and the project dissolved. Graziadei also began work on a book, Tales From The Hardside. Schuler used his downtime to perform with New York band Among Thieves as a replacement drummer for the departing Will Shepler.

Graziadei and Schuler also collaborated in transforming the band's rehearsal Brooklyn studio into a digital recording studio, known as Rat Piss Studios and soon after changed the name to Underground Sound Studios. Re-investing into the band, Graziadei and Schuler honed their engineering and productions skills while recording and producing local acts and new Biohazard demos. The band then undertook the process of writing, recording, and producing their own music.

Their studio work led to the band's sixth studio album, Uncivilization, released in September 2001. The album featured several guest appearances by members of bands such as Agnostic Front, Hatebreed, Pantera, Slipknot, Sepultura, Cypress Hill, Skarhead, and Type O Negative. Shortly after the release of Uncivilization, Leo Curley left the band to focus on writing his own music. He was replaced by former Nucleus member Carmine Vincent, who had previously toured with Biohazard as part of their road crew.

In 2002, Seinfeld became engaged to porn star Tera Patrick. Patrick had never heard of Seinfeld prior to seeing one of his nude scenes on Oz. After making several phone calls, Patrick was able to contact Seinfeld, who had never heard of her either, and the two began dating.

The band had to cancel scheduled European festival dates when Carmine Vincent underwent major surgery. The band did manage to find a temporary guitarist, Scott Roberts, formerly of the Cro-Mags and the Spudmonsters, in time to join the Eastpak Resistance Tour with Agnostic Front, Hatebreed, Discipline, Death Threat, Born From Pain and All Boro Kings.

Biohazard completed their seventh studio album in seventeen days; Kill Or Be Killed was released in 2003. While touring North America with Kittie, Brand New Sin and Eighteen Visions, Biohazard announced that Roberts would remain as their permanent lead guitarist. The tour was curtailed when it was announced that Seinfeld had fallen ill.

With more downtime due to Seinfeld's illness, Graziadei and Schuler collaborated to mix Life of Agony's live comeback album, River Runs Again: Live 2003. Once Seinfeld was healthy again, the band toured Japan and North America, headlining over bands such as Hatebreed, Agnostic Front, Throwdown, and Full Blown Chaos.

Once home, Seinfeld began recording and circulating demos for his own trip hop project named Triplesicks. For a brief time, Graziadei and his wife moved to Brazil where their daughter was born. While there, Graziadei struck up a friendship with drummer Fernandao Schafer. After jamming together in the studio, Schafer formed the band Ink which Graziadei would eventually produce and later join. It wasn't long before Ink was renamed Endrah and an EP titled DEMONstration was released. Once Graziadei returned to New York City, the logistical problems of traveling back and forth caused Graziadei to quit Endrah.

In early 2004, Graziadei teamed up with gabber DJ Rob Gee to help write and produce his music. When a few albums were completed, Graziadei joined Schuler, Roberts, DJ Starscream (aka Sid Wilson of Slipknot), Jeff Anthony, and Keith Rooney, both of Gutwrench, to form Ampt. The band combined gabber music with hardcore and heavy metal. After writing several songs and putting together a live band, Graziadei and Schuler left the project in order to continue with Biohazard. Ampt has gone through several additional lineup changes since.

Also in 2004, Seinfeld, now residing in Los Angeles, California, married his fiancée of two years, Tera Patrick.

By the end of 2004, the band had begun recording its eighth studio album, Means To An End. The completed album was lost in a studio disaster, forcing the band to completely re-record the album, which was finally released in August 2005.

Temporarily disbanded

In the meantime, Graziadei had formed another new band with former members of Kitte and The Groovenics. Originally named Rodek, the band eventually changed their name to Suicide City. In October 2004, Graziadei announced that Means To An End had been the final Biohazard album and that he would continue playing with Suicide City as his main focus. One month later, on the Biohazard website, it was announced that there would in fact be a 2005 Biohazard tour.

On December 15, Seinfeld and Graziadei participated in the Roadrunner United conglomerate event at the Nokia Theater in New York City for an all-star event. The show opened with Biohazard's "Punishment," performed by Seinfeld, Graziadei, Sepultura's Andreas Kisser, former Fear Factory member Dino Cazares, and Slipknot's Joey Jordison.

In 2005, Seinfeld and Patrick formed The Tera Patrick Agency with the goal of representing talent in both the adult and mainstream entertainment business. That same year, Suicide City released their first EP, Not My Year, and continued to tour as an opening act for acts such as Danzig, Taking Back Sunday, Mindless Self Indulgence, Otep and Gwar. The band's full-length album, Frenzy, followed in 2009.

In January 2006, Danny Schuler announced his resignation from Biohazard and the formation of Bloodclot with singer Jon Joseph of the Cro-Mags, guitarist Scott Roberts and bassist Craig Setari of Sick of it All. Roberts later announced that he would also be leaving the band to focus on Bloodclot with Schuler. That same month, Graziadei announced that Biohazard would not go on a farewell tour after all.[3]

Graziadei and Schuler relocated their recording studio to South Amboy, New Jersey and renamed it Underground Sound Studios. The studio was renovated to include a live room with 20-foot (6.1 m) ceilings and 4,000 square feet (370 m2) of studio space. After Schuler's departure from the studio business, Graziadei relocated the studio to Los Angeles and changed the name to Firewater Studios.

In February 2006, Seinfeld participated in the filming of SuperGroup, a VH-1 reality television series also starring Ted Nugent, Scott Ian, Sebastian Bach and Jason Bonham as a supergroup named Damnocracy. The show debuted on May 21, 2006.

In March 2007, Evan Seinfeld debuted his new band, The Spyderz, as an opening act for a Buckcherry performance. The band was originally named White Line Fever, until it was discovered that a UK band already owned the name. The Spyderz also featured guitarist John Monte, formerly of Ministry and M.O.D.. In October 2008, Seinfeld also briefly joined Tattooed Millionaires as a bassist and co-vocalist. Seinfeld and Tera Patrick separated in 2009 and divorced in 2010.

Reunion and departure of Seinfeld

In January 2008, the classic lineup of Evan Seinfeld, Billy Graziadei, Danny Schuler and Bobby Hambel made the announcement that rehearsals had begun for a 2008 summer tour to commemorate the band's 20th anniversary.[4] They toured Australia and New Zealand in April with Chimaira, Throwdown, Bloodsimple and headliners Korn to celebrate their newly declared reunion.[5] The band also took part in Persistence Tour 2009, and announced at one of their shows that they were working on a new record.[6] It was also noted that the album would be dedicated to Type O Negative frontman Peter Steele who died in April 2010.[7] Biohazard brought in producer Toby Wright to work on the album and after several months at Graziadei's Firewater Studios in Los Angeles, the band completed their recording sessions.

In June 2011, Biohazard announced that they had amicably parted ways with Evan Seinfeld.[8] Scott Roberts returned to replace Seinfeld for two UK dates but no decision regarding a permanent replacement was made.[9] In August 2011, the band announced that they were searching for a full-time singer to replace Seinfeld and opened auditions to the public.[10] In September 2011, three months after his departure from Biohazard, Seinfeld joined Los Angeles-based heavy metal band, Attika 7, which also featured Tony Campos, formerly of Soulfly and Static-X, and Rusty Coones.[11] Attika 7 began recording their debut album for THC Music/Rocket Science in February 2012.[12] After several lineup changes, including the departure of Campos, the band's debut album, Blood of my Enemies, was released in 2013. Seinfeld also continues to work in adult entertainment as Spyder Jonez, most notably through his production company, Iron Cross Entertainment and Teravison, the production company he co-owns with his former wife, Tera Patrick, as well as his own "Rockstar Pornstar" website.[13]

In January 2012, the band decided that Scott Roberts would remain with the band as a permanent member. The new album, Reborn in Defiance, was released worldwide, with the exception of North America, on January 20, 2012 through the Nuclear Blast label. The band originally planned to offer a digital edition of the album as a free download for American fans on the same date but these plans were canceled at the last moment.[14] The album never received a United States label partner or release.

In support of the album, Biohazard embarked on a short co-headlining tour of Europe with Suicidal Tendencies in the latter half of January 2012.[15] The band arrived in Belgium to begin the tour on January 20 where abruptly, Scott Roberts was rushed to the hospital. After going through several tests and receiving no answers concerning his ailment, Roberts checked himself out of the hospital in time to perform with the band. After their set, Roberts was rushed back to the hospital.[16] Roberts was released from the hospital in time to continue on with the tour at the next stop in Oberhausen, Germany on January 21.[17] On January 22, Schuler left the tour to in order to return home and be with his wife for the birth of their baby. Danny Lamagna of Sworn Enemy and Suicide City stepped in to replace Schuler until he was able to return.[18] The band continued to perform live in Europe and North America throughout 2013 and into 2014.

In July 2015, Schuler indicated that the band is actively working on a new album.[19] On February 10, 2016, the band announced that upcoming shows have been cancelled, and Scott Roberts is no longer a member of the band.[20]

Musical style

Biohazard's music is known for using elements of genres such hip hop, thrash metal, and hardcore punk.[21] The band has been described as hardcore punk,[22] rap metal,[23][22] rapcore,[24] and thrash metal.[25][26]

Band members

Current members

  • Billy Graziadei – guitar, vocals (1987–2006, 2008–present)
  • Bobby Hambel – guitar (1987–1995, 2008–present)
  • Danny Schuler – drums (1988–2006, 2008–present)

Former members

  • Anthony Meo – drums (1987–1988)
  • Rob Echeverria – lead guitar (1996–2000)
  • Leo Curley – lead guitar (2000–2002)
  • Carmine Vincent – lead guitar (2002)
  • Evan Seinfeld – lead vocals, bass (1987–2006, 2008–2011)
  • Scott Roberts – lead guitar (2002–2005); bass, vocals (2011–2016)[27]

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

Year Title Label Chart peaks
US
[28]		 GER
[29]
1990 Biohazard Magnetic Air — —
1992 Urban Discipline Roadrunner — 70
1994 State of the World Address Warner Bros. 48 07
1996 Mata Leão 170 35
1999 New World Disorder Mercury 187 40
2001 Uncivilization Sanctuary — 53
2003 Kill or Be Killed — 84
2005 Means to an End SPV GmbH/Steamhammer — —
2012 Reborn in Defiance Nuclear Blast — 80

Live albums

Year Title Label
1997 No Holds Barred Roadrunner
2007 Live in San Francisco 2b1

Compilations

Year Title Label
2001 Tales from the B-Side Orchard DK

Demos

Year Title
1988 Biohazard
1989 Biohazard

Singles

Year Song Album
1993 "Judgment Night"[30] (feat Onyx) Judgement Night
1994 "After Forever" Nativity in Black
1994 "Tales from the Hard Side"[31] State of the World Address
"How It Is"[32] (feat. Sen Dog and DJ Lethal)
1995 "Five Blocks to the Subway"[33]
"Authority"[34] Mata Leão
1996 "A Lot to Learn"[35]
1999 "Resist"[36] New World Disorder
"Switchback"[37]
"End of My Rope"[38]
"New World Disorder"[39] (feat. Sticky Fingaz, Christian Olde Wolbers and Igor Cavalera)
Year Song Album
1993 Slam (remix) (Onyx feat. Biohazard) Non-album single

Music videos

References

  1. ↑ Metal Sludge. "20 QUESTIONS WITH... Biohazard Singer & Bass Player Evan Seinfeld". metal-sludge.com. Archived from the original on 2004-04-20. Retrieved 2012-01-30.
  2. ↑ blabbermouth.net. "BIOHAZARD's SEINFELD Says He Would Love To Silence FRED DURST Once And For All". blabbermouth.net. Archived from the original on 2005-09-14. Retrieved 2012-03-04.
  3. ↑ "Exclusive: Billy Graziadei of Biohazard/Suicide City!!!…with some bad news". Metal Israel. 2006-01-17. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  4. ↑ "Biohazard: Original Lineup To Reform For 20th Anniversary". Komodo Rock. 2008-01-22. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  5. ↑ KMW Productions
  6. ↑ Asbury, Ryan (2011-06-10). ""Biohazard’s Seinfeld Moves On" - June 10, 2011". mxdwn.com. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  7. ↑ "Blabbermouth.net | EVAN SEINFELD Says Next BIOHAZARD Album Will Be Dedicated To PETER STEELE - Apr. 28, 2010". Roadrunnerrecords.com. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  8. ↑ "Biohazard Parts Ways With Evan Seinfeld". Roadrunner Records. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  9. ↑ "BIOHAZARD's BILLY GRAZIADEI Says EVAN SEINFELD's Exit 'Dropped Like A Bombshell'". Roadrunner Records. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  10. ↑ "Biohazard in search of new singer". metalriot.com. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  11. ↑ "Former BIOHAZARD Frontman Joins ATTIKA7". Roadrunner Records. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  12. ↑ "Former BIOHAZARD Frontman Recording 'Timeless Heavy Metal' Debut With ATTIKA 7". Roadrunner Records. 2011-02-10. Retrieved 2011-02-10.
  13. ↑ "Interview with Evan Seinfeld - I put the fuck in the "I don’t give a fuck!"". Teeth of the Divine. 2010-04-26. Retrieved 2011-10-03.
  14. ↑ "Biohazard Bassist Hospitalized Before and After Gig". Loudwire.com. 2012-01-02. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  15. ↑ "Tour Biohazard announce co-headlining Euro tour with Suicidal Tendencies". metalriot.com. Retrieved 2011-11-03.
  16. ↑ "Biohazard Bassist Hospitalized Before and After Gig". Loudwire.com. 2012-01-20. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  17. ↑ "BIOHAZARD Frontman 'Never Missed A Step'". Roadrunnerrecords.com. 2012-01-22. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  18. ↑ "'BIOHAZARD Drummer Heads Home For Birth Of Baby; SWORN ENEMY's DANNY LAMAGNA Steps In'". Roadrunnerrecords.com. 2012-01-23. Retrieved 2012-02-03.
  19. ↑ "Biohazard's Danny Schuler: 'I Don't Understand How People Could Just Steal Music'". Blabbermouth.net. 2015-07-31. Retrieved 2015-10-09.
  20. ↑ . Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BiohazardDFL/posts/1069616109725858/. Retrieved 2016-02-16. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  21. ↑ Huey, Steve. "Biohazard | Biography & History". AllMusic.
  22. 1 2 Jenkins, Mark (April 2, 1993). "Rap Meets Metal, Makes Biohazard". The Washington Post.
  23. ↑ Moss, Corey (January 12, 2001). "Biohazard's Next Features Sen Dog, Mandy Moore Collaborator". MTV.
  24. ↑ McIver, Joel (December 15, 2008). The 100 Greatest Metal Guitarists. Jawbone Press. p. 17. ISBN 9781906002206.
  25. ↑ Hartmann, Graham (January 5, 2012). "Biohazard Unleash Lyric Video for 'Reborn'". Loudwire.
  26. ↑ Browne, David (May 27, 1994). "State of the World Address". Entertainment Weekly.
  27. ↑ "Biohazard". AllMusic.
  28. ↑ "Biohazard - Chart History". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Biohazard - Chart History". Deutsche Charts. Not Important. Retrieved December 27, 2016.
  30. ↑ "Biohazard Judgement Night (ft. Onyx) (Single)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  31. ↑ "Biohazard Tales from the Hard Side (Single)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  32. ↑ "Biohazard How It Is (Single)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  33. ↑ "Biohazard Five Blocks to the Subway". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  34. ↑ "Biohazard Authority (Single)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Biohazard A Lot to Learn (Single)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  36. ↑ "Biohazard Resist (Single)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  37. ↑ "Biohazard Switchback (Single)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  38. ↑ "Biohazard End of My Rope (Single)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
  39. ↑ "Biohazard New World Disorder (Single) (Single)". Spirit of Metal. Retrieved May 7, 2015.
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