The Undead
Encyclopedia
The Undead is a horror punk
band
formed in 1980 in New Milford, New Jersey
by Bobby Steele
(vocals and guitar
), Chris "Jack" Natz (bass
; he went on to play with Cop Shoot Cop
), and Patrick Blanck (drums
). 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. A few months later Jack and Patrick left the band. Brian Payne (Brian Aliano) became the new bassist and Bobby Savage became the drummer. This line-up released the Verbal Abuse
single in 1983. Steve Zing (of Samhain
and Mourning Noise
) then took over the drumsticks. Between 1983 and 1986 Brian and Steve played for the band on and off, and many others played in The Undead for short periods. Brian and Steve finally quit the band in December 1986. Since then Bobby has not managed to keep a steady line-up. One-time bassist Inger Lorre
went on to front The Nymphs
.
Many singles and EPs have been released by the band, but Act Your Rage
(1989), Til Death
(1998) and Dawn of the Undead
(2006) are the only full-length studio albums so far. The group took a hiatus from performing live from late 2002 to early 2006.
on guitar and vocals, Joel Gausten back on the drums and Joff Wilson on bass. They played CBGB's on St. Patricks day (also Bobby's 50th birthday, at midnight) and also played a free show at Tomkins Square park in June; September saw the remastered re-release of Dawn of the Undead
. All of the Undead profits have gone towards funding for Bobby's lawsuit against his landlord who allegedly ignored Bobby's demands to fix weather-related water damage to his apartment. Joff Wilson left the band in July, 2007. Joel Gausten left the band on friendly terms in September, 2008 and is currently involved in the experimental project, Effectionhate.
The Undead recorded its own version of the infamous "lost" Misfits album, 12 Hits From Hell
, and made the full recording available as a stream on its website on Hallowe'en 2007. This release was quickly followed by a new single, a cover of The Misfits' "Halloween," on Germany's No Balls Records.
Drummer Patrick Blanck died in 2001. Bassist Roxy Michaels died in 2005. Bassist Olga De Volga died in March, 2008.
Bobby Steele released a solo album called "Bobby" in 2009.
Former members
Guitarists
Bassists
Drummers
Horror punk
Horror punk is a music genre that mixes Gothic and punk rock sounds with morbid imagery and lyrics, which are often influenced by horror films...
band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
formed in 1980 in New Milford, New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
by Bobby Steele
Bobby Steele
Bobby Steele is an American punk rock musician. He is the current guitar player, songwriter, and sole original member of punk band The Undead. He has been a member of multiple other bands, most notably, as the second guitarist of The Misfits...
(vocals and guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
), Chris "Jack" Natz (bass
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
; he went on to play with Cop Shoot Cop
Cop Shoot Cop
Cop Shoot Cop was a rock music group founded in New York City in 1987. They disbanded in 1996. The band were frequently classified as industrial rock, but were often quite different from many bands so dubbed, with a distinctive instrumental lineup that encompassed twin bass guitars, found metal...
), and Patrick Blanck (drums
Drum kit
A drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
). Bobby had just been fired from his previous band, The Misfits, when forming The Undead.
They released their first EP
Extended play
An EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
9 Toes Later
9 Toes Later
9 Toes Later is the first release from Lodi, New Jersey punk band The Undead. Glenn Danzig of The Misfits helped the band finance the EP. It was originally released June 25, 1982 on Stiff Records. There were 1995 copies available. It was re-released in 1983 on Rosemary's Babies bassist Post...
in 1982. A few months later Jack and Patrick left the band. Brian Payne (Brian Aliano) became the new bassist and Bobby Savage became the drummer. This line-up released the Verbal Abuse
Verbal Abuse
Verbal Abuse is a hardcore punk band, originally from Houston, Texas, but which became successful after moving to San Francisco.Verbal Abuse was started in Houston, Texas in 1981 after singer and songwriter Nicki Sicki quit the band Sick Pleasure and moved to Virginia, then back to Texas when he...
single in 1983. Steve Zing (of Samhain
Samhain (band)
Samhain was an American rock band formed by singer Glenn Danzig in 1983, immediately following his departure from the Misfits. Samhain played in more of a deathrock and heavy metal-infused style of horror punk than Danzig's previous band. By 1987 Samhain's membership evolved into a new band,...
and Mourning Noise
Mourning Noise
Mourning Noise was an American horror- and hardcore punk band from Lodi, New Jersey, notable for drummer Steve Zing. Active around the time of the Misfits, Mourning Noise were strongly influenced by the Misfits as drummer Steve Zing lived very close to Jerry Only and Doyle's house and Steve went to...
) then took over the drumsticks. Between 1983 and 1986 Brian and Steve played for the band on and off, and many others played in The Undead for short periods. Brian and Steve finally quit the band in December 1986. Since then Bobby has not managed to keep a steady line-up. One-time bassist Inger Lorre
Inger Lorre
Inger Lorre is an American singer who is best known for her bands The Nymphs and Motel Shootout.-The Nymphs:...
went on to front The Nymphs
The Nymphs
The Nymphs were an alternative rock band of the late 1980s and early 1990s with lead singer Inger Lorre. The band was signed to Geffen Records, and released their only album in 1991. The Nymphs were known for their wild stage shows and their rebellious attitude towards record companies...
.
Many singles and EPs have been released by the band, but Act Your Rage
Act Your Rage
Act Your Rage is a compilation album by American punk band The Undead. It was released May 8, 1989 on Post Mortem Records/Forefront Records. It featured unreleased songs recorded between 1984 and 1986...
(1989), Til Death
Til Death
Til Death is the first full-length studio album by the American band The Undead, and the first release since the 3 song cassette from 1995. Til Death was recorded in 1997, in Bobby Steele's bedroom in New York. It was released on June 25, 1998 on Underworld Records/Post Mortem Records, and a promo...
(1998) and Dawn of the Undead
Dawn of the Undead
-LP:SIDE A* Evening Of Desire* A Life Of Our Own* Never Say Die* Gimme Your Autograph* I Don't Wanna Go* In Eighty Four* The Way We Behave* Put Your Clothes Back OnSIDE B* R.A.T.T...
(2006) are the only full-length studio albums so far. The group took a hiatus from performing live from late 2002 to early 2006.
Return of the Undead
2006 saw a return of the Undead to the music scene with the lineup of Bobby SteeleBobby Steele
Bobby Steele is an American punk rock musician. He is the current guitar player, songwriter, and sole original member of punk band The Undead. He has been a member of multiple other bands, most notably, as the second guitarist of The Misfits...
on guitar and vocals, Joel Gausten back on the drums and Joff Wilson on bass. They played CBGB's on St. Patricks day (also Bobby's 50th birthday, at midnight) and also played a free show at Tomkins Square park in June; September saw the remastered re-release of Dawn of the Undead
Dawn of the Undead
-LP:SIDE A* Evening Of Desire* A Life Of Our Own* Never Say Die* Gimme Your Autograph* I Don't Wanna Go* In Eighty Four* The Way We Behave* Put Your Clothes Back OnSIDE B* R.A.T.T...
. All of the Undead profits have gone towards funding for Bobby's lawsuit against his landlord who allegedly ignored Bobby's demands to fix weather-related water damage to his apartment. Joff Wilson left the band in July, 2007. Joel Gausten left the band on friendly terms in September, 2008 and is currently involved in the experimental project, Effectionhate.
The Undead recorded its own version of the infamous "lost" Misfits album, 12 Hits From Hell
12 Hits from Hell
12 Hits From Hell is a cancelled studio album by the Misfits. It was recorded in 1980 but went unreleased. Caroline Records attempted to release it in 2001, but band members Glenn Danzig and Jerry Only called off production and the album was scrapped....
, and made the full recording available as a stream on its website on Hallowe'en 2007. This release was quickly followed by a new single, a cover of The Misfits' "Halloween," on Germany's No Balls Records.
Drummer Patrick Blanck died in 2001. Bassist Roxy Michaels died in 2005. Bassist Olga De Volga died in March, 2008.
Bobby Steele released a solo album called "Bobby" in 2009.
Albums
- Never Say Die - LP (1986); cassette (1987)
- Act Your RageAct Your RageAct Your Rage is a compilation album by American punk band The Undead. It was released May 8, 1989 on Post Mortem Records/Forefront Records. It featured unreleased songs recorded between 1984 and 1986...
- LP, cassette (1989) - Dawn of the UndeadDawn of the Undead-LP:SIDE A* Evening Of Desire* A Life Of Our Own* Never Say Die* Gimme Your Autograph* I Don't Wanna Go* In Eighty Four* The Way We Behave* Put Your Clothes Back OnSIDE B* R.A.T.T...
- LP, CD, cassette (1991); Remastered CD (2006) - Live SlayerLive SlayerLive Slayer is an album by the band The Undead, it was released on LP, CD, and Cassette. Its title is a parody of Slayer's Live Undead.-Track listing:# "When The Evening Comes"# "In Eighty Four"# "Verbal Abuse"# "Eve Of Destruction"...
- LP, CD, cassette (1992) - The Undead - Cassette (1995)
- Til DeathTil DeathTil Death is the first full-length studio album by the American band The Undead, and the first release since the 3 song cassette from 1995. Til Death was recorded in 1997, in Bobby Steele's bedroom in New York. It was released on June 25, 1998 on Underworld Records/Post Mortem Records, and a promo...
- LP, CD (1998) - Still the Undead After All These Years - CD (2007)
- 12 Hits from Hell - Uncovered - Download (2007)
- Bobby (aka Bobby Steele) - CD (2009)
EPs
- 9 Toes Later9 Toes Later9 Toes Later is the first release from Lodi, New Jersey punk band The Undead. Glenn Danzig of The Misfits helped the band finance the EP. It was originally released June 25, 1982 on Stiff Records. There were 1995 copies available. It was re-released in 1983 on Rosemary's Babies bassist Post...
- 7" EP (1982) - Slave to Fashion - 12" EP (1992)
- Times Square - split 7" EP (2000)
- Third World U S A - 4-song EP(2002)
- Rockn'Roll Whore - 4-song EP (2002)
- Be My Ghoul Tonight - 4-song EP (2003)
- I Made a Monster - 3-song EP (2009)
Singles
- "Verbal Abuse" - 7" single (1983)
- "Never Say Die" - 7" single (1985)
- "Invisible Man" - 7" single (1992)
- "Evening of Desire" - 12" single (1992)
- "There's a Riot in Tompkins Square" - 7" single (1993)
- "Halloween" - 7" single (2007)
Line-ups
Current line-up- Bobby SteeleBobby SteeleBobby Steele is an American punk rock musician. He is the current guitar player, songwriter, and sole original member of punk band The Undead. He has been a member of multiple other bands, most notably, as the second guitarist of The Misfits...
- guitar, vocals, bass (1980-current) - Zombie Alex (kopec)- bass (2010-current)
- Serial Bill Gotta - drums (2010-current)
Former members
Guitarists
- Eddie Van Migraine (8//1996)
- Bryce Bernius (7/21/2000)
Bassists
- Chris Natz (1980–1982)
- Brian "Payne" Aliano (on and off between 1982–1986)
- Olga de Volga (1983)
- Inger LorreInger LorreInger Lorre is an American singer who is best known for her bands The Nymphs and Motel Shootout.-The Nymphs:...
(1984) - John Fiore (1986)
- Tom (1987)
- West Rocker (1987, 1988)
- Pete Lisa (1987)
- Tim Taylor (1988–1990)
- Rich Pressley (1990)
- Jim Joyce (1990–1992)
- Phil Portuesi (1993)
- Brian (1993)
- Anthony D'Amico (1993–1995)
- Jay Von Hack (1996)
- Will Harper (1997, 1998)
- Greazy Tony (1998)
- Mr. D (1998)
- Ian Lawrence (on and off between 1998–2000)
- Rahne Pistor (on and off between 1998–1999)
- Bryce Bernius (on and off between 2000–2006)
- Roxy Michaels (2002)
- J~Sin Trioxin (2002)
- Argyle Goolsby (2002)
- Joff Wilson (2006–2007)
- Paul of the Living Dead (Halloween 2007)
- Hiromu C Yanagiya (2008–2011)
Drummers
- Patrick Blanck (1980–1982)
- Bobby Savage (1982–1983)
- Steve ZingSteve ZingSteve Zing drummed for Implosion, Mourning Noise, and The Undead before joining Samhain and a Pale Horse Named Death....
(on and off between 1983–1986) - ROBOROBORobo is a Colombian-American drummer. He was the drummer for the Misfits, and first gained recognition as a drummer for Black Flag.-Life and career:...
(1983) - Vinnie Signorelli (1984)
- Adolfo Galella (1986)
- Rich Matalian (1986)
- Stacey Morris (1987)
- Tony DiLeo (1988–1989)
- Eddie Enzyme (1989–1990)
- Steve Sloppy (1990, see Sloppy SecondsSloppy SecondsSloppy Seconds is a Ramones-influenced punk band from Indianapolis, Indiana that started in the mid-1980s. They gained notoriety in the underground "punk" scene with songs like "Come Back, Traci" , "I Don't Want to be a Homosexual", "Jani is a Nazi", "I Want 'em Dead" and "So Fucked up".The bands...
) - Joe Darone (1990–1992)
- Jeff O'Hara (1993, 1993–1994)
- Ratty (1993)
- John Rosado (1994–1995)
- Atom Cheeze (1996)
- Mormo Stinkbat (1997, 1998)
- Sébastien DeChamplain (1998)
- Gram Slam (on and off between 1998–1999)
- James "Jaw" Alexander (1999–2000, see The American PlagueThe American PlagueThe 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 horror-punk group The Undead. Alexander had previously played guitar in punk group The Malignmen,...
) - Joey ImageJoey ImageJoey Image is an American punk rock drummer. He joined the Misfits in November 1978 just before Bobby Steele did. He was the drummer for both the Horror Business and Night of the Living Dead sessions of 1979....
(2000–2002) - Angel BartolottaAngel BartolottaAndrew "Angel" Bartolotta is an American drummer. He is best known as the current drummer for American alternative metal band Dope and former drummer of industrial metal band Genitorturers.- Band history :*Dope...
(2001) - Billy Bones (2002)
- Serial Bill Gotta (Halloween 2007)
- Joel Gausten (1998–1999, 2002, 2006–2008)
- Hitomi - drums (2008–2010)
External links
- http://www.TheUndead.com
- http://www.misfitscentral.com/undead/
- http://undead.postmortemrecords.com/news/news.php
- http://www.myspace.com/54441044