The American Plague
Encyclopedia
The American Plague is a four-piece American rock band formed in Knoxville, Tennessee
, in 2001.
The band was started by singer / guitarist James "Jaw" Alexander after his tenure with Bobby Steele’s (formerly of The Misfits) horror-punk group The Undead
. Alexander had previously played guitar in punk group The Malignmen, formed in 1995. Due to creative differences, Alexander disbanded the Malignmen in 1999 and left the Undead to form The American Plague in 2001.
The band’s notoriety in the Southeast has led to performances with such high-profile acts as Buckcherry
, Nashville Pussy
, George Thorogood
, The Sword
, The Cramps
and The New York Dolls.
recording artist 10 Years
. Johnson has regularly appeared live with The American Plague as rhythm guitarist and was announced as an official member in 2010.
In 2008 The American Plague completed a successful tour with 10 Years, Saving Abel and Fair to Midland and appeared at Bonnaroo 2008 in Manchester, Tennessee. A six-song EP, Kiss of Death (produced by Johnson), was released in 2009, followed by regional performances in and around Tennessee. The band took much of 2010 off to write and record. 5 new songs were recorded by Johnson, but have yet to be released. In December, it was announced The American Plague would record with producers Mike Watts (Hopesfall
) and Steve Haigler (Pixies, Fuel
, Clutch
). A new song titled "Leviathan," recorded at the Watts / Haigler session, was released in April 2011.
(Officer and a Gentleman, Firestarter
, U-571
). Other videos include "Highwayman" (depicting singer Alexander as a maniacal hitchhiker) and "War Song,” both directed by independent filmmaker Scott W. Lee (Bluff Point, Static, Dawson’s Creek). Several of the band’s tracks have been used in independent films, and recently a spot for Palestra.net, which aired on Fox Sports in a segment on the UT Volunteers, the football team of the University of Tennessee in the band’s hometown.
Dave Dammit - bass
Ryan "Tater" Johnson - guitar
Todd Bryant - drums
Former Members:
B.J. Fontana - drums
Adam Fontana - bass
Scott Oxendine - lead guitar
Other Sites
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
, in 2001.
The band was started by singer / guitarist James "Jaw" Alexander after his tenure with Bobby Steele’s (formerly of The Misfits) horror-punk group The Undead
The Undead
The Undead is a horror punk band formed in 1980 in New Milford, New Jersey by Bobby Steele , Chris "Jack" Natz , and Patrick Blanck . Bobby had just been fired from his previous band, The Misfits, when forming The Undead.They released their first EP 9 Toes Later in 1982...
. Alexander had previously played guitar in punk group The Malignmen, formed in 1995. Due to creative differences, Alexander disbanded the Malignmen in 1999 and left the Undead to form The American Plague in 2001.
History
The American Plague has released material on a multitude of record labels, including Long Live Crime (Los Angeles), Dr. Cyclops Records (Salt Lake City), Pal-Tone Records (Baltimore), Feedback Symphony Music and Plague Records (Knoxville, Tenn.)The band’s notoriety in the Southeast has led to performances with such high-profile acts as Buckcherry
Buckcherry
Buckcherry is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California formed in 1995. The band released two albums, Buckcherry and Time Bomb , before partially dissolving in the summer of 2002. In 2005, lead vocalist Josh Todd and lead guitarist Keith Nelson reformed Buckcherry and released a new album...
, Nashville Pussy
Nashville Pussy
Nashville Pussy is an American hard rock band from Atlanta, Georgia. Their musical style mixes boogie rock, Southern metal and psychobilly. Much of the band's lyrical themes mostly revolve around sex, drugs, drinking, fighting, and rock 'n' roll...
, George Thorogood
George Thorogood
George Thorogood is an American blues rock vocalist/guitarist from Wilmington, Delaware, United States, known for his hit song "Bad to the Bone" as well as for covers of blues standards such as Hank Williams' "Move It On Over" and John Lee Hooker's "House Rent Boogie/One Bourbon, One Scotch, One...
, The Sword
The Sword
The Sword is an American heavy metal band that formed in Austin, Texas, in 2003. Since its inception the band has comprised vocalist and guitarist John D. Cronise, guitarist Kyle Shutt and bassist Bryan Richie, and currently includes touring drummer Jimmy Vela following Trivett Wingo's departure in...
, The Cramps
The Cramps
The Cramps were an American rock band, formed in 1976 and active until 2009. The band split after the death of lead singer Lux Interior. Their line-up rotated much over their existence, with the husband and wife duo of Interior and lead guitarist Poison Ivy the only permanent members...
and The New York Dolls.
2008-Present
On Valentine’s Day 2008, The American Plague released its third full-length album Heart Attack. The 10-song album was produced and recorded by Ryan "Tater" Johnson of UniversalUniversal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
recording artist 10 Years
10 Years
10 Years is an American alternative metal band, formed in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1999.-Early Years, Into the Half Moon :10 Years was initially formed in Knoxville, Tennessee in 1999 with singer Mike Underdown, drummer Brian Vodinh, bassist Lewis Cosby, and guitarists Ryan "Tater" Johnson and Matt...
. Johnson has regularly appeared live with The American Plague as rhythm guitarist and was announced as an official member in 2010.
In 2008 The American Plague completed a successful tour with 10 Years, Saving Abel and Fair to Midland and appeared at Bonnaroo 2008 in Manchester, Tennessee. A six-song EP, Kiss of Death (produced by Johnson), was released in 2009, followed by regional performances in and around Tennessee. The band took much of 2010 off to write and record. 5 new songs were recorded by Johnson, but have yet to be released. In December, it was announced The American Plague would record with producers Mike Watts (Hopesfall
Hopesfall
Hopesfall was a post-hardcore band from Charlotte, North Carolina formed in 1998. They were signed to Trustkill Records. The band broke up in 2008 after all members, with the exception of singer Jay Forrest, decided to leave the band.-Biography:...
) and Steve Haigler (Pixies, Fuel
Fuel (band)
Fuel is an American rock band formed by guitarist/songwriter Carl Bell and bassist Jeff Abercrombie in 1989. Originally known as Small the Joy, they changed the group's name to Fuel sometime in 1994...
, Clutch
Clutch (band)
Clutch is an American rock band from Germantown, Maryland, formed in 1990. The band's first release was an EP entitled Pitchfork, which debuted in October 1990. Their first studio album, Transnational Speedway League, was released three years later in 1993. To date, Clutch has released nine studio...
). A new song titled "Leviathan," recorded at the Watts / Haigler session, was released in April 2011.
Music Videos
The American Plague has released four music videos, the most recent being "Leviathan," released in May 2011. The video, shot and edited by Travis Stevens, depicts the band performing 'live' in a padded room. For the title track video to the album Heart Attack the band performed in a "party truck" driven by actor David KeithDavid Keith
David Lemuel Keith is an American actor and director. He received Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor and New Star of the Year – Actor for his performance in An Officer and a Gentleman.-Career:...
(Officer and a Gentleman, Firestarter
Firestarter (film)
Firestarter is a 1984 science fiction thriller film based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King. The plot concerns a young girl who develops pyrokinesis and the secret government agency which seeks to control her. The film was directed by Mark L. Lester, and stars Drew Barrymore and David...
, U-571
U-571 (film)
U-571 is a 2000 film directed by Jonathan Mostow, and starring Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel, Thomas Kretschmann, Jon Bon Jovi, Jack Noseworthy, Will Estes, and Tom Guiry...
). Other videos include "Highwayman" (depicting singer Alexander as a maniacal hitchhiker) and "War Song,” both directed by independent filmmaker Scott W. Lee (Bluff Point, Static, Dawson’s Creek). Several of the band’s tracks have been used in independent films, and recently a spot for Palestra.net, which aired on Fox Sports in a segment on the UT Volunteers, the football team of the University of Tennessee in the band’s hometown.
Band members
James "Jaw" Alexander - vocals, guitarDave Dammit - bass
Ryan "Tater" Johnson - guitar
Todd Bryant - drums
Former Members:
B.J. Fontana - drums
Adam Fontana - bass
Scott Oxendine - lead guitar
Discography
- Daemos demo (2000)
- The American Plague EP (2001)
- The American Plague / Hellvis split 7" (2002)
- RadioDick 3-Sided LP Series (2003)
- The American Plague (Antidote Records promo, 2004)
- God Bless the American Plague (2005 Plague Records, 2006 Dr. Cyclops / Long Live Crime)
- Heart Attack (2008)
- Kiss of Death EP (2009)
- The American Plague / The UndeadThe UndeadThe Undead is a horror punk band formed in 1980 in New Milford, New Jersey by Bobby Steele , Chris "Jack" Natz , and Patrick Blanck . Bobby had just been fired from his previous band, The Misfits, when forming The Undead.They released their first EP 9 Toes Later in 1982...
split 7" (2010) - "Leviathan" single and video (2011)
External links
American Plague Sites- The American Plague official site
- The American Plague at Facebook
- The American Plague at MySpace
- Video for "Leviathan"
- Video for "Heart Attack"
Other Sites