Skinlab
Encyclopedia
Skinlab is a groove metal
band formed in 1994 in San Francisco, California by vocalist/bassist Steev Esquivel
(who used to sing in the Bay Area thrash metal band Defiance
) and guitarist Mike Roberts, now with San Francisco Bay Areas RAZE the STRAY, guitarist Gary Wendt (who played for the Bay Area thrash band Sacrilege B.C. and currently fronts alt/metal band The Ghost Next Door), and drummer Paul Hopkins (the lineup having since been altered). After releasing 3 full length studio albums and an EP, they disbanded in 2003 following the departure of two core members.
Following the band's demise, vocalist/bassist Steev Esquivel and guitarist Steve Green (aka: Snake) went on to form Re:Ignition
. The band's debut album, Empty Heart, Loaded Gun
, was released in November 2006 through Corporate Punishment Records.
After a three year hiatus, the band featuring line-up of Steev Esquivel (vocals/bass), Snake (guitarist), Glen Telford (guitarist) and Paul Hopkins (drums) has reformed and are currently rehearsing with plans for another Skinlab album.
Following the recording of Skinlab's latest effort, The Scars Between Us that came out in September 2009, and according to Esquivel, performed quite badly sales-wise, guitarist Glenny Telford once again left the band. He was replaced by Brian Jackson (formerly of the Las Vegas band Kreep). As of June 2011 Ex-Rikets guitarist Provo took over Guitar duties opposite Snake.
. They have been extensively compared to Machine Head
. Both originated in the Bay Area, were formed at approximately the same time, and are said to have similar-sounding debut albums. While Machine Head has since changed their sound from their debut (returning to the groove metal sound on their 2003 album Through the Ashes of Empires
), Skinlab is still generally credited with having stuck to their original sound, though their album, Revolting Room, received lukewarm reviews and false accusations of being nu metal
by some critics.
Other releases
Groove metal
Groove metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. It was often used to describe Pantera and Exhorder.- Characteristics and origins :Pantera's Cowboys from Hell album from 1990 was described as "groundbreaking" and "blueprint-defining" for the groove metal genre...
band formed in 1994 in San Francisco, California by vocalist/bassist Steev Esquivel
Steev Esquivel
Steev Esquivel is a Mexican-American heavy metal vocalist and bassist. He is best known for his work in the metal band Skinlab. He also has sung for the bands Laughing Dead , Defiance , and Xzanthus. He was a member of the thrash metal band, Exodus for a brief period...
(who used to sing in the Bay Area thrash metal band Defiance
Defiance (band)
Defiance is a thrash metal band from Oakland, California. While virtually unknown to mainstream metal and rock circles, Defiance is known as one of the classic second-tier thrash bands to come from the Bay Area thrash metal scene...
) and guitarist Mike Roberts, now with San Francisco Bay Areas RAZE the STRAY, guitarist Gary Wendt (who played for the Bay Area thrash band Sacrilege B.C. and currently fronts alt/metal band The Ghost Next Door), and drummer Paul Hopkins (the lineup having since been altered). After releasing 3 full length studio albums and an EP, they disbanded in 2003 following the departure of two core members.
Following the band's demise, vocalist/bassist Steev Esquivel and guitarist Steve Green (aka: Snake) went on to form Re:Ignition
Re:Ignition
Re:Ignition is a five-piece hard rock/alternative metal music group from Bay Area, San Francisco.-History:Formed in 2004, the band is compromised of Skinlab members in guitarist Steev Esquivel and bassist Burl "Snake" Blakk...
. The band's debut album, Empty Heart, Loaded Gun
Empty Heart, Loaded Gun
Empty Heart, Loaded Gun is debut album by the hard rock/alternative metal music group Re:Ignition. The album was released on November 21, 2006 via Corporate Punishment Records.-Track listing:# "Short Memory" – 3:30...
, was released in November 2006 through Corporate Punishment Records.
After a three year hiatus, the band featuring line-up of Steev Esquivel (vocals/bass), Snake (guitarist), Glen Telford (guitarist) and Paul Hopkins (drums) has reformed and are currently rehearsing with plans for another Skinlab album.
Following the recording of Skinlab's latest effort, The Scars Between Us that came out in September 2009, and according to Esquivel, performed quite badly sales-wise, guitarist Glenny Telford once again left the band. He was replaced by Brian Jackson (formerly of the Las Vegas band Kreep). As of June 2011 Ex-Rikets guitarist Provo took over Guitar duties opposite Snake.
Sound
Skinlab's sound can best be described as groove metalGroove metal
Groove metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. It was often used to describe Pantera and Exhorder.- Characteristics and origins :Pantera's Cowboys from Hell album from 1990 was described as "groundbreaking" and "blueprint-defining" for the groove metal genre...
. They have been extensively compared to Machine Head
Machine Head (band)
Machine Head is an American heavy metal band from Oakland, California. Formed on October 12, 1991, the group was founded by Robb Flynn and Adam Duce. There have been 4 member changes since their inception. The current lineup of the band comprises Flynn , Duce , ex-Vio-Lence guitarist Phil Demmel ,...
. Both originated in the Bay Area, were formed at approximately the same time, and are said to have similar-sounding debut albums. While Machine Head has since changed their sound from their debut (returning to the groove metal sound on their 2003 album Through the Ashes of Empires
Through the Ashes of Empires
-US edition bonus track:*This song did not appear on the original worldwide release, but was added on the US release to make up for the wait for the album...
), Skinlab is still generally credited with having stuck to their original sound, though their album, Revolting Room, received lukewarm reviews and false accusations of being nu metal
Nu metal
Nu metal is a subgenre of heavy metal. It is a fusion genre which combines elements of heavy metal with other genres, including grunge and hip hop...
by some critics.
Current members
- Steev Esquivel - vocals, bass guitar (1994–present)
- Steve Green (Snake) - guitar (1998–present)
- Paul Hopkins - drums (1994–present)
- Provo - guitar (2011–present)
Former members
- Brian Jackson - guitar (2009)
- Gary Wendt - guitar (1995–1997)
- Scott Sargeant - guitar (1998–2003)
- Julian Peach - guitar
- Glenny Telford - guitar (2003, 2006–2009)
- Mike Roberts - guitar (1994–1998, 2010)
- Adam Albright- guitar
Discography
Studio albums- Bound, Gagged and BlindfoldedBound, Gagged and BlindfoldedBound, Gagged and Blindfolded is the debut full-length album by American groove metal band Skinlab. The album was recorded at Hyde Street Studios in San Francisco, CA and was produced by Andy Sneap. The album was released July 8, 1997...
(1997) - Disembody: The New FleshDisembody: The New FleshDisembody: The New Flesh is the second full-length album by American groove metal band Skinlab. The album was recorded in El Paso, Texas at the Village Studios and was produced by Andy Sneap. The album was released Feb...
(1999) - ReVoltingRoomReVoltingRoomReVoltingRoom is the third full-length album by American groove metal band Skinlab. The album was released 2002.-Track listing:# "Intro" - 0:44# "Come Get It" - 4:03# "Slave The Way" - 3:15# "Purify" - 4:23# "Anthem For A Fallen Star" - 3:41...
(2002) - The Scars Between UsThe Scars Between UsThe Scars Between Us is the fourth full-length album by American groove metal band Skinlab. The album was released September 2009.-Track listing:# "Face Of Aggression" - 3:44# "Amphetamine Gods" - 3:22# "Scream At The World" - 5:44...
(2009)
Other releases
- EyesoreEyesore (EP)Eyesore is a limited edition E.P. by American groove metal band Skinlab. The E.P. was released November 3, 1998. Only 5,000 copies were made.-Track listing:# "So Far From The Truth" – 4:40# "Noah" – 4:48# "Raza Odiada " – 2:08...
(EP, 1998) - Nerve DamageNerve DamageNerve Damage is a compilation album by Groove Metal band Skinlab, released in 2004. It is a 2CD collection of rare and unreleased material, including a live set, demos, remixes, alternate mixes, and two new tracks.-Disc 1:# "Losing All" – 4:04...
(Compilation, 2004) - Skinned Alive (Live, 2008)
- Fleshwounds...Under The Influence (EP, 2011)