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Eyehategod

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
For their self-titled album, see Eyehategod (album).

Eyehategod
Eyehategod at Hellfest 2022
Background information
OriginNew Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
GenresSludge metal
Crust punk
Years active1988–present
Labels
Members
Past members
  • Joey LaCaze
  • Brian Patton
  • Steve Dale
  • Mark Schultz
  • Vince LeBlanc
  • Daniel Nick
Websiteeyehategod.ee

Eyehategod (also abbreviated and referred to as EHG) is an American sludge metal band from New Orleans, Louisiana who formed in 1988.[1] They have become one of the better known bands to emerge from the NOLA metal scene. Their core lineup has remained consistent since the band's inception, with the exception of the bassist (the role of which has been filled by several musicians over the years), until the death of drummer Joey LaCaze in 2013. As of 2021, the band has released six studio albums.

Eyehategod have noted Melvins, Carnivore, The Obsessed, Discharge, Black Flag, Corrosion of Conformity, Black Sabbath, Celtic Frost, Confessor, and Saint Vitus[2] as key influences to their sound. Heavy, detuned, and bluesy guitar riffs dominate the band's discography. They are combined with walls of feedback, and tortured vocals, with lyrical themes centered around substance abuse, to create a harsh misanthropic mood.

The band were friends with grindcore group Anal Cunt and performed with them for the first show after their frontman Seth Putnam was revived from his 2004 coma. Putnam had previously filled in for Mike Williams at a show in New Orleans during Mardi Gras in 1996. Williams was out of town at the time.[3]

History

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Formation, demos and first two albums (1988–1995)

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Jimmy Bower and Joey LaCaze founded the band on April 20, 1988 (in accordance with 4/20 in cannabis culture), and they recruited Mark Schultz, Steve Dale and vocalist Chris Hilliard.[4] Hilliard would later leave the group early on, and would be replaced by Mike Williams. The band then recorded two demos Garden Dwarf Woman Driver (1989) and Lack of Almost Everything (1990); the latter was sent out to various labels. They eventually got signed to the small French label Intellectual Convulsion, and released their first album In the Name of Suffering in 1990. The album had a far more primitive and raw sound than later releases (as it was recorded by the inexperienced band members for only $1,000),[5] and had a more hardcore feel to it. The label dissolved with only a couple of thousand copies having been printed, so the band had to find a new label. They soon signed with Century Media however, who re-released In the Name of Suffering on December 1, 1992, as it is known today.[6]

Eyehategod then went on to record Take as Needed for Pain in 1993,[6] with new bassist Mark Schultz who had also contributed on In The Name Of Suffering. The album was recorded at Studio 13, a small recording studio working from the 13th floor of an abandoned department store on Canal Street in New Orleans.[5]

Dopesick and Confederacy of Ruined Lives (1995–2000)

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The band had been recording several demos, which were released on various seven-inch records and splits on various labels, but finally in 1995 settled down to record an album, with Pepper Keenan of Corrosion of Conformity as producer, and new bassist Vince LeBlanc, which would be named Dopesick.[6]

Subsequent activities (2001–2013)

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Former drummer Joey LaCaze and vocalist Mike Williams in 2011

Following the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, singer Mike Williams and his ex-girlfriend Alicia Morgan (a member of sludge metal band, 13) were arrested in Morgan City, Louisiana on a narcotics charge. Williams spent 91 days in the Morgan City Jail, and kicked his heroin habit.[7][8]

Drummer Joey LaCaze died on August 23, 2013, from respiratory failure.[9] Earsplit PR issued a press release on the life and death of LaCaze. The release states, "Doctors confirmed to family members that the cause of death was respiratory failure. He also suffered from long term asthma."[10] He had recently come back from a European tour and had celebrated his 42nd birthday.

On October 31, 2013, the band announced that Aaron Hill would be taking LaCaze's place as drummer.[11]

Eyehategod, A History of Nomadic Behavior and next album (2014–present)

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Mike Williams (left) and Jimmy Bower performing at Hellfest 2018

In May 2014, the band released a self-titled full-length album on Phil Anselmo's label Housecore Records. This album is the last featuring Joey LaCaze on drums.[12]

On August 4, 2016, Williams announced Anselmo would be filling in for him at a show in New Orleans and the 7th annual GwarBBQ. Williams cited "serious health issues" that prevented him from being physically able to perform.[13]

On September 22, 2016, Earsplit PR announced that Randy Blythe of Lamb of God would be filling in for Williams for the entire duration of the following month's tour with Discharge and Toxic Holocaust.[14]

On December 16, 2016, Williams underwent liver transplant surgery.[15]

By July 2018, Eyehategod had begun working on their sixth studio album, which was initially planned to be released in 2019.[16] The band announced on their Facebook page on October 14, 2020, that the album was finished.[17] Two months later, A History of Nomadic Behavior was revealed as the title of the new album, which was released on March 12, 2021.[18]

In July 2024, Williams confirmed that Eyehategod has begun working on new material for their seventh studio album.[19]

Outlaw Order

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While Jimmy Bower was busy playing drums for Down, the other four members of Eyehategod formed a side-project called Outlaw Order (abbreviated to OO%). The band released a limited edition 7" EP in 2003 called Legalize Crime, which has since been re-released on CD with a bonus live track and is available through Eyehategod's webstore. The criminal theme is apparently because at the time of the band's formation all five of the members were on probation, and have consistently been in trouble with the law. Mark Shultz is currently serving a prison sentence and so has been replaced by Justin Grisoli.[20]

The band released their debut album, Dragging Down the Enforcer, on November 10, 2008.

Members

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The band at Hellfest 2018
Current
  • Jimmy Bower – guitars[21] (1988–present)
  • Mike Williams – vocals (1988–present)
  • Gary Mader – bass (2002–present)
  • Aaron Hill – drums (2013–present)
Former
  • Chris Hillard – vocals (1988)
  • Joey LaCaze – drums (1988–2013; died 2013)
  • Steve Dale – bass (1988–1992)
  • Mark Schultz – lead guitar (1988–1992), bass (1992–1995)
  • Vince LeBlanc – bass (1996–1999)
  • Daniel Nick – bass (2000–2001)
  • Brian Patton – lead guitar (1993–2018, live in 2019 and 2022)

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Timeline

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Discography

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Main article: Eyehategod discography

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Huey, Steve. "Biography: Eyehategod". AllMusic. Retrieved May 1, 2010.
  2. ^ "INTERVIEW -- EYEHATEGOD by Xx Xx (X) on Myspace". Archived from the original on March 12, 2013. Retrieved February 7, 2014.
  3. ^ "Phil Anselmo interview". Bardomethodology.com. August 29, 2018.
  4. ^ n/a. "Eyehategod: Interview [Interview with Gary Mader]". spirit-of-metal.com. Spirit of Metal. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  5. ^ a b n/a (February 13, 2014). "013 Eyehategod Biography". Metalurgespodcast.wordpress.com. Metal Urges Podcast. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c Colin Larkin, ed. (1999). The Virgin Encyclopedia of Heavy Rock (First ed.). Virgin Books. p. 155/6. ISBN 0-7535-0257-7.
  7. ^ Capper, Andy (March 19, 2006). "Appetite for destruction | Music". The Guardian. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  8. ^ Capper, Andy (December 1, 2005). "Godhateseye | VICE United States". Viceland.com. Archived from the original on November 20, 2008. Retrieved August 24, 2013.
  9. ^ "Parked Domain". September 22, 2018. Archived from the original on September 22, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  10. ^ "Parked Domain". Louderthanhell.net.
  11. ^ "Eyehategod Reveal New Drummer Following Death of Joey LaCaze". Loudwire. October 31, 2013.
  12. ^ "Eyehategod: Eyehategod Album Review". Pitchfork.com.
  13. ^ "EYEHATEGOD - via Mike IX and the Southern Nihilism Front:... | Facebook". Facebook.com. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  14. ^ "EYEHATEGOD: Randy Blythe To Fill In For Mike IX Williams On Upcoming US Tour With Discharge And Toxic Holocaust | Earsplit Compound". Earsplitcompound.com. September 22, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  15. ^ "Click here to support Help Mike IX live IX lives #YouCaringGives #IXlivesIXLives". YouCaring.com. Archived from the original on November 24, 2016. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
  16. ^ "EYEHATEGOD Frontman Says Guitarist BRIAN PATTON Quit Band To Focus On Family Life". Blabbermouth.net. July 9, 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
  17. ^ "Eyehategod - Finishing New Album". Metalstorm.net. October 14, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
  18. ^ "EYEHATEGOD Releases 'High Risk Trigger' Single From 'A History Of Nomadic Behavior' Album". Blabbermouth.net. December 4, 2020. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  19. ^ "EYEHATEGOD Is 'Definitely' Working On New Music". Blabbermouth.net. July 3, 2024. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
  20. ^ mfalc. "The Mysterious Case of Outlaw Order". tastemykids.com. Retrieved August 15, 2024.
  21. ^ "Eyehategod - Ottobar". Rocknrollexperience.com. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  22. ^ EyehategodNola [@EyehategodNola] (September 22, 2016). "Randy Blythe will be filling in for Mike on the upcoming tour..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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