Band Profile: Anthrax
Added on Oct 11, 2005
From left to right: Dan Spitz, Frank Bello, Charlie Benante, Scott Ian, Joey Belladonna. This is the classic line-up (reunited in 2005.)
Anthrax was formed in mid-1981 by guitarists Scott Ian (formerly of Four X) and Danny Lilker (formerly of White Heat). They found the name in a biology textbook and claimed it because it sounded sufficiently evil. Vocalist John Connelly (Nuclear Assault) joined, as did drummer Dave Weiss and a bassist named Kenny. Kenny was replaced very early on with Paul Kahn, who was found insufficient as well, so Danny Lilker took over on bass, and Greg Walls joined as second guitarist, Then Connelly and Weiss left, being replaced by Greg D'Angelo White Lion on drums, and after a series of vocalists (including Scott's brother Jason), they found Neil Turbin.
This lineup gigged frequently locally, featuring original songs like ``Satan's Wheels`` (a song about drugs), ``Hunting Dogs``, and more, and also covers by Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Kiss, and more. The lineup recorded a NWOBHM-sounding demo in July, 1982. Greg Walls left in the summer of 1983, and his replacement was Bob Berry for a few gigs.
Then, Dan Spitz (formerly of Overkill) joined the band, replacing Bob Berry. With Dan, second demo was recorded. In September, Charlie Benante replaced Greg D'Angelo on drums. This lineup recorded the Soldiers of Metal 7`` single, produced by Ross the Boss Manowar. (The B-side of this single has one of the old demos with Greg D'Angelo on it, the only ``official`` recording with Greg!)
This demo got them a recording deal with Megaforce records, for which they recorded their debut album, Fistful of Metal, in late 1983. It was released in January of 1984, and a US tour followed, during which tensions grew between Danny Lilker and Neil Turbin. Danny Lilker was let go, and he formed Nuclear Assault with John Connelly, before moving on to a variety of other projects (Brutal Truth, Hemlock, Holy Moses, and more.)
Frank Bello (Charlie's nephew) joined on bass, and then finally Turbin was fired in July of 1984 very near the end of the tour. The last few dates featured Matt Fallon on vocals, but he was very temporary. In late 1984, the band appeared as a 4-piece, ``The Diseased``, with Scott on vocals. They performed a few punk covers, including ``See Nothing, Hear Nothing, Say Nothing`` by Discharge. A recording exists. Then, Joey Belladonna was found, and an EP, Armed and Dangerous, was recorded, with some old Neil Turbin stuff added to fill out the recording (two live tracks from early 1984, and the songs from the old 7``). Joey's debut was February 27th, 1985. Later in 1985, Scott and Danny Lilker appeared on the S.O.D. album ``Speak English or Die``. An Anthrax album, Spreading the Disease came soon, and US and European tours followed.
In late 1986, the Among the Living LP was recorded, and released in January of 1987. This resulted in another European tour, with Metallica and Metal Church, as well as some US touring. The ``I Am the Law`` single sold very well, due to the popularity of B-side ``I'm the Man``, a funny rap-rock effort. This song was released as a US-only EP to coincide with the US tour in the summer of 1987. This would be the first foray into the world of rap.
1988's State of Euphoria brought more touring, with funk-metal act Living Colour in support. Then, 1990's Persistence of Time was another success, though the recording sessions were a bit interesting, marked by the 1989 Bay Area earthquake, and also a fire. Anthrax opened for Iron Maiden in Europe, and co-headlined the Clash of the Titans tour in the US with Slayer (US), Megadeth and opener Alice in Chains, in 1991. Another tour followed with rap act Public Enemy, which featured live collaborations on the P.E. songs ``Bring the Noise`` and ``Too Much Posse``. Anthrax then recorded an EP, Attack of the Killer B's, with some new material, including an update of I'm the Man, and a cover of Bring the Noise (originally by legendary rappers Public Enemy,) as well as some live footage from the Persistence of Time tour.
Joey did very little on this EP, demonstrating a great rift between the band and Joey - Scott did most of the vocals on the two rap songs, and also the anti-censorship song ``Starting Up a Posse``. In 1992, Joey was fired from the band, and John Bush (ex-Armored Saint) was brought in, for the ``Sound of White Noise`` album in 1993. In 1994, Dan Spitz left the band, and became a born-again Christian and a watchmaker in Switzerland!
Dimebag Darrell (guitars, Pantera) helped out with some studio tracks on the 1995 album Stomp 442 and 1998's Volume 8: The Threat is Real. For touring, Paul Crook was brought in, who also did some studio tracks on Volume 8. Charlie Benante also played guitars on the studio albums. A greatest hits album, ``Return of the Killer A's``, was recorded in 2000, featuring a new song, Ball of Confusion. The Temptations cover featured both John Bush and Joey Belladonna on vocals. A tour was planned with both singers, but Joey pulled out. Nonetheless, Anthrax toured with Megadeth and Motley Crue in 2000 until the Crue unceremoniously booted them off the bill to expand the length of their own set! Undeterred, Anthrax performed at Thrash of the Titans in 2001, and also opened up for Judas Priest in 2001-2002. After the terrorist incidents of late 2001, the band changed their name briefly to Basket Full of Puppies, but then reverted to Anthrax. The album We've Come For You All was released in 2003, followed by the live album Music of Mass Destruction in 2004.
On April 1, 2005 Anthrax announced a reuinion of the "classic lineup" consisting Belladona, Bello, Benante, Ian, and Spitz.
Band Information
Country Of Origin:
Outside Europe
Members:
Joey Belladonna - vocals
Charlie Benante - drums/guitars
Frank Bello - bass
Scott Ian - guitars/vocals
Dan Spitz - guitars
Influenced By:
AC/DC, Angry Samoans, Black Flag, Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, KISS, Metallica, Motörhead, Slayer, Suicidal Tendencies, Van Halen
Currently Licenced Under:
Official Website:
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