Blast (American band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Headquarters | Santa Cruz, California , United States |
| Products | Punk rock music, albums, EPs, singles |
Blast (presented as BL'AST!) is a punk rock group originating from Santa Cruz, California, established in 1983. The band ceased activities in 1991 but reunited twice, first in 2001 and later in 2013. They have produced three original studio records, with their most recent being Take the Manic Ride released in 1989. Throughout various lineup modifications, vocalist Clifford Dinsmore and guitarist Mike Neider have remained the consistent core members.
History
After three recording sessions, Blast launched their first album, The Power of Expression, in 1986. Initially signed to Green World Records, they gained the attention of SST Records, which subsequently released their 1987 album It's in My Blood. That same year, the band put out a 7-inch single featuring a rendition of Alice Cooper's "School's Out" and contributed tracks to Santa Cruz Skateboard videos, benefiting from Neider's long-term association with the skateboard brand. Their third release under SST was Take the Manic Ride in 1989.
The group disbanded in 1991 during sessions for a new album. Following this, Neider and Torgerson created Blackout, issuing one 7-inch record, then formed LAB, which released a 7-inch EP and a four-track CD while touring extensively with Fu Manchu. Drummer Brant Bjork, formerly of Kyuss and Fu Manchu, briefly joined LAB before returning to Fu Manchu. Blast reassembled for performances along the West Coast in 2001.
In September 2013, Southern Lord and Dave Grohl collaborated on a remixed and remastered edition of It's in My Blood, retitled Blood!. Following this release, Dinsmore and Neider recruited bassist Chuck Dukowski and drummer Dave Grohl for the EP For Those Who've Graced The Fire, distributed by Rise Records. Later, Neider and Dinsmore brought in bassist Nick Oliveri and drummer Joey Castillo to establish a new lineup aimed at touring and producing fresh material.
Studio albums
- The Power of Expression (1986)
- It's in My Blood (1987)
- Take The Manic Ride (1989)
- Blood! (2013)
- The Expression of Power (2014)
EPs and singles
- For Those Who've Graced the Fire (2015)
- BL'AST! / eyehategod split (2016)
Demos
- Bad Medication (1989)
- Whirlwind (1991)