Skullkrusher
Formed in the late 1990s, the Chicago-based Skullkrusher (originally called Skullkrusher 666) was a hardcore punk band known to incorporate influences from Swedish d-beat bands such as Mob 47, Skitslickers, and Discard along with American hardcore influences such as Infest and SFA into their sound. Discharge was less of direct influence in the sound of Skullkrusher, in contrast to the dismoniker bands.
Early Years: Bio
The band was formed by Brothers Jason & Dan in 1995 under the name Demise/Disarm, after the breakup of their former Oi! / hardcore band Deadscene. Before any shows or releases occurred, they changed their name to Skullkrusher 666. The Brothers promoted the band through a small print run zine series "Raw Punk Bastards" and "Skiteater Magazine". They were also known for founding and supporting the South Chicago Anti-Racist Action with the band Skullkrusher being used to raise funds for zine printing and tours.
The Brothers were not working with the "network" of ARA's and thus they faced persecution and boycotts.
Their first show was a South Chicago Anti-Racist Action benefit at the Fireside Bowl in Chicago. After this show, the name was changed to simply Skullkrusher due to continued harassment by local Christians after the flyers with "666" were found being distributed in local stores. The first harsh-quality cassettes which were to be distributed under this name(the former tapes with "666" on them were only handed out to friends) were recorded in Oh-Zays livingroom toward the end of 1999.
At first the band had an Anti-Capitalist stance and gave away music and patches for free but in the later years began selling merch and music regularly.
They played events mainly in Chicago with such bands as: DS-13 (Sweden), Riot Squad (Texas), Shitlist, He Who Corrupts, Despite, Johnny Angel, Pretentious Assholes, Kung Fu Rick, Trepan Nation, Gutterhead, Rat Bastards, District 13, Street Brats, Glory Whores, 10-96, Johnny Vomit, Cold as Life, Code 13, Tras de Nada, the Strange Attractor, and many others.
They played in Detroit and Ohio, as well as many shows in the Chicago area.
Controversy
The band faced some controversy at live events when selling their first T-Shirt which bore the design of a Iron Cross and a skull.
The only vinyl record of SKULLKRUSHER is still being sold by http://www.hardcoreholocaust.com. (Skullkrusher/Article Nine (Swe) Split 7") The band has no contact with the distro carrying this, and has never seen any proceeds from its sale.
Members
- Jason (vocals / guitar)
- Juz Tin (vocals / guitar 1998-1999)
- Oh-Zay (bass guitar 1999-2002)
- Berto Krusher (guitar on Terrorcore cassette)
- Joe Skeletor. (went on to form Southkore Records and play drums in No Slogan, Pre-Pretentious Assholes. (guitar 2000-2001)
- Natassja Noctis (guitar 1999-2000, 2002-2003)
- Dan Dead (drums)
- Unruly Pete (bass on "The Bomb Raid" cassette)
Interviews
The band was interviewed in many DIY zines including: Obscene Omission , In the Shadow of the Horns ,Mangelslakt, DTS Zine,Hell and damnation (U.K), Tasmanian Alcoholic(Aus) Gia Storm(jap), Ripping Thrash U.K, and more.
Discography
The band self-released several cassette tapes, including: "The Bomb Raid", "Terrorcore", "Deathsquad" and others, three DIY CD collections, as well as one 7" record which was a split with the Swedish band Article Nine on TDBL Records. The band received 15 copies of the record as their only compensation for appearing.
The split record 7" with Article Nine received positive reviews widely, in print and online in such underground zines as Aversionline and MaximumRockNRoll.
Currently, the record is being distributed by DIY / Hardcore punk labels and distributors worldwide including Hardcore Holocaust, Sound Idea, Agipunk and others, even though no royalties have ever gone to the band for the release.
Destruction of Legacy
Due to the trade / barter system prevalent in the DIY punk network at the time, and due to heavy bootlegging, the band never saw much of the profits from their releases, and often were unaware of various labels re-pressing their material.
These factors, along with the very underground nature of the DIY trading circuit nearly erased the band's musical legacy.