Backstabbers Incorporated
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2000 |
| Headquarters | Portsmouth, New Hampshire , United States |
| Products | Hardcore punk music |
Backstabbers Incorporated—also referred to as Backstabbers Inc. or BSI and previously known as Life Passed On—was a hardcore punk group based in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States.
History
The band initially formed under the name Life Passed On during the late 1990s, with founding members Matt Serven on guitar and Ryan McKenney handling vocals. In 2000, following changes in personnel, the group adopted the new name Backstabbers Incorporated, welcoming Brian Serven into the lineup. Their discography includes releases through Black Market Activities (with distribution by Metal Blade Records) and Trash Art! Records, as well as various splits and EPs issued via independent DIY labels.
Backstabbers Incorporated embarked on several tours across the United States, including a short stint in January 2005 and a more extensive East Coast circuit between October and December of that year. They also completed a European tour during August and September 2006. After a brief tour in March 2008 coinciding with Dudefest, their live activity notably decreased.
On August 24, 2010, the band utilized Facebook to announce plans for a forthcoming full-length album under Black Market Activities.
The group unveiled MIA on January 1, 2014, delivering a raw and minimalist hardcore sound. In the spring of 2015, they re-emerged with a revised lineup and conducted a short tour covering the East Coast and Midwest regions.
Musical style
Backstabbers Incorporated’s sound is predominantly rooted in punk and hardcore, drawing from elements of grindcore, crossover thrash, post-hardcore, and death metal. Their vocal approach ranges widely—from piercing screams to guttural growls—setting them apart in both hardcore and metal circles. Earlier recordings showcased a straightforward, unembellished style, whereas later projects such as Kamikaze Missions incorporated broader influences from extreme metal and hardcore genres, featuring more extended compositions. Brian Serven has also acknowledged inspiration from film score composers like Michael Nyman and Yann Tiersen.
Despite occasional associations with the straight edge movement—largely due to the Serven brothers’ veganism and avoidance of substances—the band clarifies that these are individual lifestyle choices rather than connections to any youth subculture.
Discography
- 2003: Bare as Bones (Black Market Activities)
- 2004: Kamikaze Missions (Trash Art!)
- 2014: Missing In Action (Self-released)
- 2000: Evolution (Cadmium Sick Records)
- 2001: While You Were Sleeping (Trash Art!)
- 2002: Theory/History (Element Records)
- 2001: Bad Cop, No Cop – 7" split with Advocate (Black Day Propaganda)
- 2003: People Don't Take Photographs of Things They Want to Forget – split with Advocate, Trap Them & Kill Them, Purity's Failure, and Transistor Transistor (Broken Press)
- Self-released demo tape titled Backstabbers Incorporated
Members
- Current
- Matt Serven – Guitar, vocals (1998–Present)
- Mark Richards
- Anthony Ruscio – Bass
- Mark Blanchard – Drums
- Former
- Brian Serven – Bass, guitar, vocals (2000–2018)
- Sean McAlister – Bass
- Nick Reddy – Bass (2004–2014)
- Jonah Livingston – Drums (2004–2014)
- Ryan McKenney – Vocals (1998–?)
- Brian Izzi – Guitar (2001–?)
- Mike Justian – Guitar, drums
- Mike Quinn – Drums
- Matt Dunn – Drums
External links
- BSI on the Black Market Activities website
- BSI featured at Trash Art!