Znowhite (or Znöwhite) was an American thrash/

speed metal Speed metal is a subgenre of heavy metal music that originated in the late 1970s from new wave of British heavy metal (NWOBHM) roots.K. Kahn-Harris, ''Extreme Metal: Music and Culture on the Edge'' (Berg Publishers, 2007), , p. 31. It is desc ...

band that has been credited for helping to pioneer thrash metal in

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

.Christe (2003), p. 206, "''Two black musicians from Chicago helped found that city's thrash metal scene: towering seven-foot guitarist Ian Tafoya of Znowhite, and denim-bedecked bassist Calvin Humphrey of Zoetrope.''"

History

Formation

In 1982, the heavy metal band Znowhite was founded by two African American brothers, guitarist Ian Tafoya and drummer Sparks Tafoya (real names Greg Fulton and Tony Heath), along with cousin Nicky Tafoya (real name Curtis Fulton) on bass. Nicole Lee (real name Sue Sharp) joined the group soon after as lead vocalist. The band originally performed under the title Snowhite, but later replaced the S with a Z. They independently released their three-song

flexi disc The flexi disc (also known as a phonosheet, Sonosheet or Soundsheet, a trademark) is a phonograph record made of a thin, flexible vinyl sheet with a molded-in spiral stylus groove, and is designed to be playable on a normal phonograph turntable. ...

which featured the song "Hellbent". This caught the attention of

Metal Blade Records Metal Blade Records (often shortened to Metal Blade) is an American independent record label founded by Brian Slagel in 1982 based in the U.S. state of California. The label primarily focuses on heavy metal. History Metal Blade Records was ...

founder

Brian Slagel Brian Slagel (born February 14, 1961) is an American music executive. He is the founder and CEO of the independent record label Metal Blade Records. Slagel is known for having initiated the '' Metal Massacre'' series of compilation albums in 198 ...

. On the strength of the recording Znowhite landed a spot on volume three of the ''

Metal Massacre ''Metal Massacre'' is a series of compilation albums released through Metal Blade Records. It is famous for "shedding light" on heavy metal and extreme metal bands such as The Obsessed, Trouble, Overkill, Metal Church, Metallica, Slayer, Vi ...

'' compilation, which helped give them some exposure.

Lineup changes and disbandment

After Znowhite's initial success, Nicole, Ian, and Sparks decided to replace then bassist Amp Dawg. In 1985, Scott Schafer joined Znowhite taking over the bass duties. Four years of touring in America and Canada produced the independently released live album ''Live Suicide''. Back in their hometown of Chicago the band started work on what would be the last Znowhite release, ''Act of God''. Toward the end of the recording sessions Nicole Lee made the decision to leave Znowhite. ''Act of God'' was released in 1988 through Roadrunner Records. An extensive American tour followed the album's release and featured Sentinel Beast vocalist Debbie Gunn (real name Debbie Gunderson) and drummer John Slattery - formerly of the band Tools Of Ignorance. Gunn left after the tours, while Fulton, Schafer, and Slattery went on to form Cyclone Temple. When Cyclone Temple disbanded Fulton, Schafer, and Fulton's brother, former Znowhite drummer Tony Heath, formed a new group named Rebels Without Applause. Gunn went on to sing for the group Ice Age and, later, to reform Sentinel Beast.

Band members

Last known lineup * Greg Fulton (aka "Ian Tafoya") – guitars (1982–1989) * Scott Schafer – bass (1985–1989), drums (1987–1988) * John Slattery – drums (1988–1989) * Brian Troch – vocals (1989) Former members * Curtis Fulton (aka "Nicky Tafoya") – bass (1982–1983) * Tony Heath (aka "Sparks Tafoya") – drums (1982–1986) * Sue Sharp (aka "Nicole Lee") – vocals (1982–1988) * Amp Dawg – bass (1984) * Alex Olvera – bass (1987) * Debbie Gunderson (aka "Debbie Gunn") – vocals (1988–1989)

Timeline

Discography

Studio albums

* '' All Hail to Thee'' (EP, 1984) * '' Kick 'Em When They're Down'' (EP, 1985) * ''

Act of God In legal usage in the English-speaking world, an act of God, act of nature, or damnum fatale ("loss arising from inevitable accident") is an event caused by no direct human action (e.g. Severe weather, severe or extreme weather and other natur ...

'' (1988)

Live albums

* ''Live Suicide'' (EP, 1986)

Compilation albums

* ''ZnöWhite'' (1998) * ''ZnöWhite'' (2007 re-issue with albums ''All Hail to Thee'' + ''Kick 'Em When They're Down'' + ''Live Suicide'')

Singles

* ''Live for the Weekend'' (1983)

Other appearances

* "Hell Bent" on '' Metal Massacre III'' (1983) * "Baptized by Fire" on ''Stars on Thrash'' (1988)

References

Sources

* Christe, Ian (2003). ''Sound of the Beast: The Complete Headbanging History of Heavy Metal''. HarperCollins. {{Authority control American speed metal musical groups American thrash metal musical groups Musical groups established in 1982 Musical groups from Chicago Heavy metal musical groups from Illinois 1982 establishments in Illinois