Brutal Juice
Encyclopedia
Brutal Juice was a self-proclaimed "acid punk" (LSD
-influenced hardcore
and prog-rock
) band from Denton, Texas
.
The band formed in 1991. The band initially met in the music school at the University of North Texas
. Brutal Juice officially disbanded in February 1997, although they have held reunion concerts each year from 2000–2004, which have usually taken place at Fry Street Fair in Denton.
They held a special afternoon St. Patrick's Day reunion show on March 17, 2007 in Dallas, at the corner of University and Greenville.
, "they had the stupid name [Brutal Juice] before the stupid O.J. stuff."
They released one album on Interscope Records
and a few 7" singles
on smaller record labels (including Alternative Tentacles
). The band toured extensively throughout the 1990s, opening for bands such as Toadies
and Gwar
. Brutal Juice also toured with Neurosis
, Ed Hall
, Baboon
, Alice Donut
and The Meatmen.
Wesley Willis
wrote a song about Brutal Juice after seeing them perform in New York City
. It appears on his album Fabian Road Warrior.
Bassist Sam McCall recorded the band's early demos prior to joining the group. Vocalist Craig Welch was known for his on-stage antics, often standing on his head and putting out cigarettes on his tongue or forehead during the band's performances. This habit led to his next band taking the name "International Sparkdome."
All of Brutal Juice's songs are published by "Homus Boyus Productions."
Brutal Juice had a habit of writing songs that incorporated their album titles, on the band's next release. Even their earliest recordings employed this: "How Tasty Was My Little Timmy?" is a line from the song "Cannibal Holocaust," which appears on the next recording released by the band. Similarly, "I Love the Way They Scream When They Die" is a line from "Burpgun," which appears the release that followed it. Likewise, "mutilation makes identification difficult" is a lyric from "Bound For Glory" which first appeared on a single
that was released a year after the album with that title.
The most recent activity of Brutal Juice was four shows in early June, 2009 in Texas.
, along with ex-Toadies
guitarist Darrel Herbert. Ben Burt also worked briefly with the Burden Brothers
and is still a member of Jack With One Eye. Craig Welch played with International Sparkdome for a while and is currently a member of The Fabulous Badasses. Ted Wood is (as of 2005) a member of Hand of Onan and was (in 2008) a member of the now-defunct band Magnum Octopus. Sam McCall produces and records albums for other bands.
LSD
Lysergic acid diethylamide, abbreviated LSD or LSD-25, also known as lysergide and colloquially as acid, is a semisynthetic psychedelic drug of the ergoline family, well known for its psychological effects which can include altered thinking processes, closed and open eye visuals, synaesthesia, an...
-influenced hardcore
Hardcore punk
Hardcore punk is an underground music genre that originated in the late 1970s, following the mainstream success of punk rock. Hardcore is generally faster, thicker, and heavier than earlier punk rock. The origin of the term "hardcore punk" is uncertain. The Vancouver-based band D.O.A...
and prog-rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
) band from Denton, Texas
Denton, Texas
The city of Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex...
.
The band formed in 1991. The band initially met in the music school at the University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
. Brutal Juice officially disbanded in February 1997, although they have held reunion concerts each year from 2000–2004, which have usually taken place at Fry Street Fair in Denton.
They held a special afternoon St. Patrick's Day reunion show on March 17, 2007 in Dallas, at the corner of University and Greenville.
Band members
- Craig Welch - lead vocals, guitar
- Gordon Gibson - lead vocals, guitar
- Sam McCall - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, vocals - Ted Wood - guitar, vocals
- Ben Burt - drums
Background
According to promotional material supplied with the release of mutilation makes identification difficultMutilation makes identification difficult
Mutilation Makes Identification Difficult is the only studio album by the self-described "acid punk" band Brutal Juice. It was released in June of 1995 on Interscope Records...
, "they had the stupid name [Brutal Juice] before the stupid O.J. stuff."
They released one album on Interscope Records
Interscope Records
Interscope Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group that currently operates as one third of UMG's Interscope-Geffen-A&M label group.-History:...
and a few 7" singles
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
on smaller record labels (including Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles
Alternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent...
). The band toured extensively throughout the 1990s, opening for bands such as Toadies
Toadies
Toadies are an alternative rock band from Fort Worth, Texas, best known for the song "Possum Kingdom." The band's classic lineup consisted of Todd Lewis on vocals/guitar, Mark Reznicek on drums, Lisa Umbarger on bass, and Darrel Herbert on guitar. It formed in 1989 and disbanded in 2001 after...
and Gwar
Gwar
Gwar is a satirical heavy metal band formed in Richmond, Virginia, United States, in 1984. The band is best known for its elaborate science fiction/horror film inspired costumes, obscene lyrics and graphic stage performances, which feature humorous enactments of politically and morally taboo...
. Brutal Juice also toured with Neurosis
Neurosis (band)
Neurosis is a post-metal band, based in Oakland, California. They formed in 1985 as a hardcore punk band, and their sound progressed towards a doom metal style that also included influences from dark ambient and industrial music as well as incorporating elements of folk music...
, Ed Hall
Ed hall (band)
Ed Hall is an alternative rock band formed in Austin, Texas, USA in 1985.-Members:*Gary Chester - guitar, vocals*Larry Strub - bass guitar, vocals*Lyman Hardy - drums, vocals-History:...
, Baboon
Baboon (band)
Baboon is a rock band originally from Denton, Texas.The band formed in 1991. Their fourth studio album, titled Baboon, was released on October 10, 2006.Baboon appeared on an episode of Walker, Texas Ranger titled "Hall of Fame" in 1996...
, Alice Donut
Alice Donut
Alice Donut is a punk rock band from New York City. Formed in 1986, disbanded in 1996, and re-formed in 2001. Between 1989 and 1996 the band toured vigorously in the US, Europe and Japan and played over 1000 live performances...
and The Meatmen.
Wesley Willis
Wesley Willis
Wesley Willis was a musician and artist from Chicago. A diagnosed chronic schizophrenic, he gained an enormous cult following in the 1990s after releasing several hundred songs of simple but unique music, with emphasis on his humorous, bizarre, and frequently obscene lyrics...
wrote a song about Brutal Juice after seeing them perform in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. It appears on his album Fabian Road Warrior.
Bassist Sam McCall recorded the band's early demos prior to joining the group. Vocalist Craig Welch was known for his on-stage antics, often standing on his head and putting out cigarettes on his tongue or forehead during the band's performances. This habit led to his next band taking the name "International Sparkdome."
All of Brutal Juice's songs are published by "Homus Boyus Productions."
Brutal Juice had a habit of writing songs that incorporated their album titles, on the band's next release. Even their earliest recordings employed this: "How Tasty Was My Little Timmy?" is a line from the song "Cannibal Holocaust," which appears on the next recording released by the band. Similarly, "I Love the Way They Scream When They Die" is a line from "Burpgun," which appears the release that followed it. Likewise, "mutilation makes identification difficult" is a lyric from "Bound For Glory" which first appeared on a single
Single (music)
In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...
that was released a year after the album with that title.
The most recent activity of Brutal Juice was four shows in early June, 2009 in Texas.
Albums
- How Tasty Was My Little Timmy? (1991)
- I Love the Way They Scream When They DieI Love the Way They Scream When They DieI Love the Way They Scream When They Die is a live album by Brutal Juice. It was recorded at two shows in Austin, Texas in early 1994.The album was self-released later that year in the United States, where it was distributed by Alternative Tentacles. In Europe, Alternative Tentacles released the...
(1994) - mutilation makes identification difficultMutilation makes identification difficultMutilation Makes Identification Difficult is the only studio album by the self-described "acid punk" band Brutal Juice. It was released in June of 1995 on Interscope Records...
(1995)
Singles / E.P.s / Demos
- Cannibal Holocaust (1992)
- Black Moment of PanicBlack Moment of Panic"Black Moment of Panic" is a 7" single by Brutal Juice. It was released in 1993 on Alternative Tentacles. A live version of the song appeared on 1994's I Love the Way They Scream When They Die.-Personnel:*Craig Welch - lead vocals...
(1993) - All American CityAll American City (song)"All American City" is a 7" single by Brutal Juice. It was the last material the band released before breaking up in 1997. It was released in September of 1996 on Man's Ruin Records...
(1996)
Compilations
| Year | Title | Song | Label |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Tales From the Edge Vol. 7 | "Cannibal Holocaust" | KDGE FM |
| 1993 | We're From Texas | "Pull the Plug" | Scratched Records |
| 1994 | Welcome to Hell's Lobby | "Cannibal Holocaust" | One Ton |
| 1994 | The Futility Of A Well Ordered Life | "Galaxy" | Alternative Tentacles Alternative Tentacles Alternative Tentacles is an independent record label originally based in San Francisco, California and was established in 1979. It was originally used as the label name by the Dead Kennedys for the self-produced single "California Über Alles", and after realizing the potential for an independent... |
| 1996 | Show and Tell: A Stormy Remembrance of TV Themes | "Paid Programming" ("I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing "I'd Like to Teach the World to Sing " is a popular song which originated as a jingle in the groundbreaking 1971 "Hilltop" television commercial for Coca-Cola. The song, produced by Billy Davis and performed by The New Seekers, portrayed a positive message of hope and love sung by a multicultural... ") "Bewitched Bewitched Bewitched is an American situation comedy originally broadcast for eight seasons on ABC from 1964 to 1972, starring Elizabeth Montgomery, Dick York and Dick Sargent , Agnes Moorehead, and David White. The show is about a witch who marries a mortal and tries to lead the life of a typical suburban... " (theme song) |
Which? |
After dissolution
After the band dissolved, the members of Brutal Juice remained active in the music scene. Gordon Gibson and Ben Burt went on to form The TomorrowpeopleThe Tomorrowpeople
The Tomorrowpeople were a psychedelic rock band based in Dallas, TX featuring former members of Brutal Juice and Toadies.They took their name from a cult British science fiction show that aired on ITV in the early '70s....
, along with ex-Toadies
Toadies
Toadies are an alternative rock band from Fort Worth, Texas, best known for the song "Possum Kingdom." The band's classic lineup consisted of Todd Lewis on vocals/guitar, Mark Reznicek on drums, Lisa Umbarger on bass, and Darrel Herbert on guitar. It formed in 1989 and disbanded in 2001 after...
guitarist Darrel Herbert. Ben Burt also worked briefly with the Burden Brothers
Burden Brothers
Burden Brothers are a hard rock band formed in Dallas, Texas by Toadies lead singer/songwriter Vaden Todd Lewis and Reverend Horton Heat/Izzy Stradlin drummer Taz Bentley. The band currently consists of Lewis , Bentley , and Casey Hess...
and is still a member of Jack With One Eye. Craig Welch played with International Sparkdome for a while and is currently a member of The Fabulous Badasses. Ted Wood is (as of 2005) a member of Hand of Onan and was (in 2008) a member of the now-defunct band Magnum Octopus. Sam McCall produces and records albums for other bands.