Septic Death was an American
hardcore punk
Hardcore punk (commonly abbreviated to hardcore or hXc) is a punk rock music genre#subtypes, subgenre and subculture that originated in the late 1970s. It is generally faster, harder, and more aggressive than other forms of punk rock. Its roots ...
band active in the 1980s. The foursome from
Boise, Idaho was a major influence for the development of
grindcore,
thrashcore and "speedcore".
History
Septic Death was formed in 1981 by Brian "
Pushead
Brian Schroeder, better known as Pushead, is an American graphic artist. He is best known for his album covers and other merchandise for bands in the hardcore punk and heavy metal genres.
Career
Originally from Boise, Idaho, Schroeder forme ...
“ Schroeder (vocals), Jon Taylor (guitar), Mike Matlock (bass) and Paul Birnbaum (drums). At the beginning the band was a pure fun project without further ambition.
The band name represents a counterdraft to religions promising an afterlife after death.
The four members were active in the skating scene of their hometown.
Although there was no hierarchy within the band, media interest focused on singer Schroeder who had already made a name as an illustrator within the growing hardcore scene
and operated his own record label Pusmort from 1984 on. Most of the band's releases were published via this label.
The band's only regular album, ''Now That I Have The Attention What Do I Do With It?'', was popular in Japan where it was published by major label
VAP. The Japanese pressing featured a free double-A-side promotional
single with two songs by
Corrosion of Conformity and
Poison Idea.
The band disbanded in 1986. In 1987 the EP ''Burial Mai So'' was released posthumously including material for which
James Hetfield had provided backing vocals.
On the posthumously released ''Kichigai'' EP from 1988 there was material on which
Kirk Hammett played guitar.
Style and influences
Septic Death was among the first hardcore bands in the United States. Their music was fast but also very technical. The lyrics of the band's songs mainly deal with fear, paranoia and mental states.
Impact and legacy
Today Septic Death is deemed one of the first and a groundbreaking "speedcore" band and a hardcore legend.
Many bands and musicians of different genres name Septic Death as influential for their works, among them
Integrity,
,
and
Napalm Death.
called the band's contributions to 1984 hardcore sampler ''Cleanse the Bacteria'' "crucial to
metal crossover".
Online music magazine ''
Stereogum
''Stereogum'' is a daily Internet publication that focuses on music news, reviews, interviews, and commentary. The site was created in January 2002 by Scott Lapatine.
''Stereogum'' was one of the first MP3 blogs and has received several awar ...
'' labeled the band "a cultishly beloved band of hardcore extremists" that was "influential on later generations of bands that combined hardcore and metal".
In 2018, British ''
Kerrang!
''Kerrang!'' is a British music webzine and quarterly magazine that primarily covers rock, punk and heavy metal music. Since 2017, the magazine has been published by Wasted Talent Ltd (the same company that owns electronic music publication ...
'' magazine declared Septic Death as the best hardcore band from Idaho and that the band "inspired cornerstone bands such as
Infest,
Rorschach, and Integrity for years to come".
Band members
The line-up of the band was stable during the entire history of the band.
*
Brian Schroeder: Vocals
* Jon "Onj“ Taylor: Guitar
* Mike Matlock: Bass
* Paul Birnbaum: Drums
Discography
* ''Need So Much Attention... Acceptance Of Whom'' (
EP, 1984, Pusmort)
* ''Time Is The Boss- Aaarrggh It's Live!'' (Live EP, 1985, Deluxe)
* ''Now That I Have The Attention What Do I Do With It?'' (1986, Pusmort)
Post-breakup
* ''Burial Mai So'' (EP, 1987, Pusmort)
* ''Kichigai'' (EP, 1988, Pusmort)
* ''Somewhere in Time'' (EP, 1988, Lost and Found Records)
* ''Attention'' (Compilation, 1990, Pusmort)
* ''Theme from Ozobozo'' (1992,
Toy's Factory
is a Japanese record label founded in the late 1980s as a subsidiary of the entertainment company VAP, based in Japan. On May 30, 1990, it was established as an independent company. It is an associate member of the Recording Industry Assoc ...
)
References
External links
Private fan site* {{Discogs artist, artist=203857-Septic-Death
1981 establishments in Idaho
American hardcore punk groups
Musical groups established in 1981