Send This Article to a Friend

What a strange month it has been. Not only does a local band get booed off of the stage on the San Jose stop of a major touring festival, there were some major disbandment announcements made from some high-profile acts. Of course, there were also some major signings from the scene to remind us that not only is not all lost, but we are still a hotbed of talent that the industry always has its collective eye on. I’m literally under the gun as I write this, so let’s cut the jibber-jabber and move on with the NorCal Underground Metal Report.

After having previously announced an extended hiatus, Vulgar Pigeons have decided to pack it in completely. Guitarist Jeff Lenormand and drummer John Gotelli will continue on with Agenda of Swine and their Christian-based death/grind project Tortured Conscience (also featuring Benumb vocalist Pete Ponitkoff), while vocalist Dave Leyva will focus full-time on Shrine of Scars. Bassist Paul Ponitkoff has unofficially retired from music. The band most recently released A Burning Episode on Deepsend Records in 2005.

Just when they seemed to be on the cusp of making a huge impact, Hacksaw to the Throat is also calling it a day, due to “drastic life changes” which will make it difficult to impossible to continue. The band has originally planned to stick it out for another year, making one last album and national tour, but they felt that with the imminent departure of bassist Lumpey Stapley, getting a new guy on board and up to speed while trying to do all that would not only be too difficult, but would also come at the expense of the music. Although there always is the chance of them playing together in the future, for now we are left with their recently released full-length Wastelands and their Tear My Eyes Out EP – and two new songs that will soon be recorded and available for free download through their website.

With Passion is another band that will be hanging it up, after a final show on September 22nd. After struggling for the past couple of years on the business side of things, a disappointing response to their latest Earache release What We See When We Shut Our Eyes (which they credit to poor promotion and distribution) and the departure of the last remaining original member of the group, guitarists Jeff Morgan and John Abernathy and drummer Greg Donnelly will resurrect their previous outfit, Conducting from the Grave, along with bassist Steven Lovas. Vocalist Fidel Campos will return to his previous band, Cyanide Era. Both bands plan to gig locally but do not have any larger touring plans at this time.

Finally, just when it looked like they were getting back into the swing of things, BROKEneck has now BROKEup. No details were available at press time. During their time, the band released a couple of demos and were included on the NorCal Underground Metal compilation released back in 2004.

Saviours has inked a deal with Kemado Records, whom previously included the band on their Invaders compilation. The self-described "piss-angry metal band" recently entered the studio to record its sophomore album for an early 2008 release, after completing a UK tour as the hand-picked direct support to Mastodon. Their previous album, Crucifire, was released through Level Plane Records.

Brain Drill, meanwhile, has announced that they have singed with Metal Blade Records, after no less than Alex Webster (Cannibal Corpse) brought their EP The Parasites to the label’s attention. The band also recently added bassist extraordinaire Jeff Hughell to the fold, and are ready to take the brutality to the next level.

Last but certainly not least, Skinlab has inked a two-album deal with Crash Music.They will spend the end of the year in the studio recording their new full-length album for an early 2008 release. In other news, the band has announced the addition of guitarist Julian Peach (ex-December) as the replacement for the departed Glen Telford.

If Time Fails has introduced their new frontman, Ian Theriault, who is currently writing new lyrics for the band’s current songs while the rest of the band works on new stuff, with plans to record on EP when Theriault is situated. Also, guitarist Matt Fischer has been added to the lineup, replacing Pete Rice (ex-Shoulder of Orion/Janitors Against Apartheid), who has started a new, straightforward metal project, Thunderhorse, which will be releasing their first demo, Fire, Blood, and Steel, in the near future.

Tonus Atkins and Tambre Bryant have joined forces as T&T Productions, booking and managing bands and nightclubs, concert events, concert production, recording, and radio. After ten years of putting on the annual Tidal Wave Festival, they have now secured several venues in San Francisco, most notably the fabled Mabuhay Gardens in San Francisco, regarded as one of the most important venues of the punk movement, where they will be putting on shows four nights a week. Interested bands can contact Tonus at tonus2metal@gmail.com or Tambre at tambrerocks@yahoo.com.

QUICK BITS: Apiary members Chris Brock (guitars) and Makh Daniels (bass) have started a new punk/crust project with members of The Funeral Pyre under the moniker Hyenas, and are currently at work on their debut release, a 7” entitled Eating the Carcass . . .

Borderwars has parted ways with drummer Justin Kier and are searching for a new drummer, while a fill-in will be used for all upcoming live shows . . . Silent Sinner have three new songs posted at their MySpace page . . . Flesh Consumed will release their next full-length, Mutilate, Eviserate, Desecrate, in September .

Ghosts of Lemuria have at long last filled their vacant drummer spot, but are still in need of a bassist, and have put all work on their long-awaited debut CD on hold . . . Apiary's Mike McClatchey has revived his Lament Cityscape project and has plans to release an album next year . . . Stagnant has parted ways with lead guitarist Brent Dimick . . . Galvaneyes has started work on their debut full-length . . .

Pandemic recently had their first practice together in eight months, as they prepare for an appearance at the upcoming Metal BBQ, which may be their last show for while, if not ever . . . In Love and War will release their Our Hearts are Criminal EP on September 11th.

Well, that takes care of my end the bargain. I’ve brought you the news, now it is time for you to do something with it. Share with friends, spread the word, join a band, buy an album, whatever – just do something. Summer is drawing to a close and the mood is about to change. Remember, you can send questions, comments, and news directly to me at norcalmetal@ksjs.org. Don’t hate the media – become the media!