Beowülf
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1981 |
| Founder | Michael Alvarado, Dale Henderson, Mike Jensen, Paul Yamada |
| Headquarters | Venice Beach, California , United States |
| Products | Music albums |
Beowülf is a crossover thrash metal group originating from Venice Beach, California, established in 1981 by Michael Alvarado, Dale Henderson, Mike Jensen, and Paul Yamada. Although they never reached widespread commercial fame, they played a crucial role in shaping the 1980s "Venice Scene" alongside bands such as Suicidal Tendencies, Los Cycos, Neighborhood Watch, No Mercy, Excel, and Uncle Slam. Their music fused elements of skate punk, hardcore, heavy metal, and thrash genres.
As of 2011, Beowülf had produced six studio albums. After disbanding in 1995, the band reunited in 2000. Throughout their history, numerous personnel changes occurred, with Dale Henderson remaining the only original member throughout. The well-known classic lineup included Henderson on vocals, Jensen on guitar, Yamada handling bass duties, and Alvarado on drums.
Formation and early period (1981–1984)
Initially called Black Sheep, the band was formed in 1981 featuring Dale Henderson (vocals/guitar), Mike Jensen formerly of Neighborhood Watch on guitar, bassist Paul Tsutomu Yamada, and Roger DeGiacomi—Jensen’s cousin—on drums. After playing local shows during 1981 and 1982, DeGiacomi transitioned to managing the group while Michael Alvarado took over drumming responsibilities in 1983. The ensemble then adopted the name Beowülf—or BWF as it appeared in Venice graffiti culture—drawing inspiration from the legendary Norse hero of the ancient Anglo-Saxon epic poem.
The classic era lineup (1985–1989)
In 1985, Beowülf secured a deal with Mike Muir’s label Suicidal Records and contributed two songs, "Taste the Steel" and "Unicorn," to the compilation Welcome to Venice. Their self-titled debut album arrived in 1986 via Suicidal Records, presenting a sound that combined influences from Suicidal Tendencies and Motörhead, with Dale Henderson’s vocal style often compared to that of Lemmy.
Their rising prominence led to signing with Caroline Records, joining peers such as Suicidal Tendencies and Excel. The band released their sophomore album Lost My Head... But I'm Back on the Right Track in 1988, retaining the original lineup and continuing their established musical approach.
Later period (1990–1995)
Internal disputes in the early 1990s caused the band to disband. Dale Henderson continued under the Beowülf name by assembling a new lineup including Clint Schuyler on guitar, Kevin Sullivan on bass, and Rich Rowan on drums to record Un-Sentimental, which was released in 1993 through Restless Records. This release marked a departure towards a blues-rock influenced sound and featured Henderson as the only remaining founding member, which led to mixed reactions compared to earlier albums.
By 1994, additional personnel shifts introduced Buckit (guitar), Dug Mug Swanson (bass), and Denish Chaudhuri (drums) for their fourth album 2 Cents. Recorded in Seattle for Restless Records and issued in 1995, this period included touring across Europe and Japan. They gained further visibility when a track was included in the cult classic film Tank Girl. The movie’s director, Rachel Talalay, also directed the music video for their song "2 Cents".
Hiatus period (1996–1999)
After the passing of original bassist Paul Yamada in 1995, Henderson decided to disband Beowülf to concentrate on his hard rock venture, Kool-Whip. Rejoining forces with Rowan and Sullivan alongside guitarist Gimmi, Kool-Whip produced two albums: The Now, which earned a nomination for best rock album at the 2002 L.A. Music Awards, and Dirty Movie released in 2007, while maintaining an active presence in club performances.
Reunion (2000–present)
Although Kool-Whip achieved notable success, Henderson brought Beowülf back together with the same members, embarking on tours and reissuing their initial two albums under the title The Re-Releases in 2004 through I Scream Records, featuring one newly recorded song.
During an intensive European tour, they developed a new album for I Scream Records. Released in April 2007, Westminster & 5th showcased Henderson, Rowan, Sullivan, and guitarist Stephen Crapia.
Their sixth studio effort, Jesus Freak, was unveiled in summer 2011, co-produced by Henderson and former Fear Factory member Christian Olde Wolbers. Shortly after its release, bassist Sean Otero left the band and was briefly replaced by Louiche Mayorga, formerly of Suicidal Tendencies. By September 2011, Mayorga was succeeded by Christian Olde Wolbers on bass.
In 2015, guitarist Mark Conway from Neighborhood Watch joined the lineup but was replaced the following year by original member Mike Jensen. Christian Olde Wolbers remained bassist until 2019 when Thad Coleman took over.
Following the tragic death of Mike Jensen in February 2020 due to an apparent heroin overdose, Stephen Crapia returned to fill the guitarist role. In 2021, Brian Fortenberry replaced Thad Coleman on bass, and drummer Rich Rowan was succeeded by Abimael Cruz in 2022.
Beowülf is preparing to release their seventh studio album titled The Blood Iz on Your Handz in 2025. Produced by Billy Graziadei of Biohazard at Firewater Studios in Los Angeles, this will mark their final album featuring Dale Henderson before his death on May 13, 2025, at age 59. This event leaves the band's future direction uncertain.
Current members
- Brian Fortenberry – bass
- Abimael Cruz – drums
- Stephen Crapia – guitar
Former members
- Dale Henderson – lead vocals, guitar (1981-1995, 2000-2025; died 2025)
- Christopher "Wildebeest" Massey – guitar (1981)
- Mike Jensen – guitar (1981–1991; died 2020)
- Clint Schuyler – guitar (1991–1994; died 2008)
- Buckit – guitar (1994–1995)
- Gimmi – guitar (2000–2006)
- Stephen Crapia – guitar (2007–2010)
- Paul Yamada – bass (1981–1991; died 1995)
- Kevin Sullivan – bass (1991–1994)
- Dug Mug Swanson – bass (1994–1995)
- Sean Otero – bass (2000–2010)
- Louiche Mayorga – bass (2010–2011)
- Roger DeGiacomi – drums (1981–1983)
- Michael Alvarado – drums (1983–1991)
- Denish Chaudhuri – drums (1994–1995)
- Rich Rowen – drums
- Mark Conway – guitar (2015-2016)
- Christian Olde Wolbers – bass (2011-2019)
- Thad Coleman – bass (2019-2021)
Albums and EPs
| Year | Title | Notes |
| 1986 | Beowülf | Debut album |
| 1988 | Lost My Head... But I'm Back on the Right Track | Final release featuring the classic lineup |
| 1993 | Un-Sentimental | First Restless Records album with Dale as sole consistent member |
| 1995 | 2 Cents | Second Restless release and last studio album before disbandment |
| 2007 | Westminster & 5th | Initial studio album following reunion |
| 2011 | Jesus Freak | Second studio album post-reunion |
| 2025 | The Blood Iz On Your Handz | Seventh studio album |
Compilations
- Welcome to Venice (1985)
- Thrasher Magazine Skate Rock Vol. 5 (1987)
- Thrasher Magazine Skate Rock Vol. 9 Pawns of the Apocalypse (1990)
- Beowulf / Right Direction -Split- (1994)
- Respect Your Roots (2001)
- The Re-Releases (2004)
- Farewell to Venice (2006)
- Welcome 2 Venice (2007)
- Ain’t No Place (2021)